Phil and Butch Harmon teaming up???

[savgolfjunkie]

Anyone want to start a poll to predict where this ends up in a year? The link is to ESPN and an article that Phil and Butch Harmon had a session together on the range.
So does Phil make the change and end up with Butch or is it really a one time deal and he stays w/ Smith???

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2773421

[mr3856a]

Interesting. "There's nothing to it" = "There's something to it."

[savgolfjunkie]

Originally Posted by mr3856a

Interesting. "There's nothing to it" = "There's something to it."

Yep. That's what I was thinking... I wonder who the multiple major winner was who thought Rick Smith was holding Phil back? I mean, how many multiple major winners are there right now?? Tiger, Ernie....um....Phil. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by savgolfjunkie

I wonder who the multiple major winner was who thought Rick Smith was holding Phil back? I mean, how many multiple major winners are there right now?? Tiger, Ernie....um....Phil.

Monsignor Vijay Singh...

Side note - Veej doesn't even have a swing coach, does he?

And by the way, a note on Rick Smith - if your star student still occasionally slices the ball, that doesn't say much for your coaching.

[jcgolfpro]

Well, Phil's BIG downfall has ALWAYS been course management. THAT is about all Butch Harmon taught Tiger so it could be a very good thing.

[Wazmankg]

Originally Posted by jcgolfpro

Well, Phil's BIG downfall has ALWAYS been course management. THAT is about all Butch Harmon taught Tiger so it could be a very good thing.

But do you think that Phil's problems in that area are not knowing the best thing to do or knowing and making the reckless play anyway ?

[jcgolfpro]

He is experienced enough that he DOES KNOW what the safe play is but like Palmer, he ignores it and goes for broke with every swing.

[Leaguegolf]

Originally Posted by jcgolfpro

He is experienced enough that he DOES KNOW what the safe play is but like Palmer, he ignores it and goes for broke with every swing.

That gets him in trouble sometimes but that style seems to working out pretty well for him.

[mysy]

Originally Posted by Leaguegolf

That gets him in trouble sometimes but that style seems to working out pretty well for him.

And makes for entertaining TV.

[essurfer]

theres always something to it always

[rodney_c]

That's really strange. Butch Harmon works for Sky Sports quite a bit on UK television and has slagged Phil off quite a bit.

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by Wazmankg

But do you think that Phil's problems in that area are not knowing the best thing to do or knowing and making the reckless play anyway ?

The latter...

[Putton]

Originally Posted by rodney_c

That's really strange. Butch Harmon works for Sky Sports quite a bit on UK television and has slagged Phil off quite a bit.

Just heard Butch on sky saying that Phyl called him and asked him to watch him hit some ball at the range because R Smith was away. So he watched Phyl and made some suggestions.

[GolfSavage]

Originally Posted by Putton

Just heard Butch on sky saying that Phyl called him and asked him to watch him hit some ball at the range because R Smith was away. So he watched Phyl and made some suggestions.

Overheard on the range
Phil: Hey Butch, mind watching me hit a few and see if you can spot any problems?

Butch: Phil, I don't even have to watch you swing to tell you your biggest problem!

Phil: Aw, quit kidding around! Watch me, will ya?

Butch: OK, swing away!

Overheard after a few balls are hit

Phil: So, whatcha think?

Butch: I think I was right - your swing isn't your problem!

Phil: What do you mean?

Butch: Tell you what, let's take a bucket of balls over there behind those trees, and from that thick grass over there. I'll tell you where I want you to hit it, and then you figure out how to do it.

Phil: Gee, what kind of teaching is that?

Butch: Reality, my friend, reality!

[Wazmankg]

Originally Posted by Leaguegolf

That gets him in trouble sometimes but that style seems to working out pretty well for him.

It would take so much discipline for a guy who thinks like Phil to dial it back. And then to not revert back to his old style the first time playing safe hurts him. I just don't see that happening with him after all these years and the success he's had.

[Texas Wedge]

Originally Posted by GolfSavage

Overheard on the range
Phil: Hey Butch, mind watching me hit a few and see if you can spot any problems?

Butch: Phil, I don't even have to watch you swing to tell you your biggest problem!

Phil: Aw, quit kidding around! Watch me, will ya?

Butch: OK, swing away!

Overheard after a few balls are hit

Phil: So, whatcha think?

Butch: I think I was right - your swing isn't your problem!

Phil: What do you mean?

Butch: Tell you what, let's take a bucket of balls over there behind those trees, and from that thick grass over there. I'll tell you where I want you to hit it, and then you figure out how to do it.

Phil: Gee, what kind of teaching is that?

Butch: Reality, my friend, reality!

LOL! Harsh, but true...of course the same could be said for Tiger.

[savgolfjunkie]

Originally Posted by Texas Wedge

LOL! Harsh, but true...of course the same could be said for Tiger.

Sure Tiger plays from some parts of the course that few others see, but he usually reserves his wild shots secondary to swinging very hard on holes with little trouble and a small chance of making a big number. Phil on the other hand hits really bad shots on really tough holes at really inopportune times then compounds his problems by shutting off his brain. But, as someone stated earlier....it makes for GREAT TV

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by savgolfjunkie

Sure Tiger plays from some parts of the course that few others see, but he usually reserves his wild shots secondary to swinging very hard on holes with little trouble and a small chance of making a big number. Phil on the other hand hits really bad shots on really tough holes at really inopportune times then compounds his problems by shutting off his brain. But, as someone stated earlier....it makes for GREAT TV

You also don't see Tig hitting it off trees from the middle of the fairway....

[rodney_c]

Originally Posted by savgolfjunkie

Sure Tiger plays from some parts of the course that few others see, but he usually reserves his wild shots secondary to swinging very hard on holes with little trouble and a small chance of making a big number.

Darn, that was a good summary.

[savgolfjunkie]

Originally Posted by rodney_c

Darn, that was a good summary.

Thanks....too bad it isn't summarizing MY game.

[Bigvivec]

Problem with Phil is that he is so good that he can actually pull off the shots he is trying to make...sometimes blows up in his face but the rest have placed him among the best in the world...the guy hits chips backwards over his head!!!!!!!!

[savgolfjunkie]

Originally Posted by Bigvivec

Problem with Phil is that he is so good that he can actually pull off the shots he is trying to make...sometimes blows up in his face but the rest have placed him among the best in the world...the guy hits chips backwards over his head!!!!!!!!

Very true...I guess we see the ones that blow up in his face on tv highlights more often than the "ordinary" great shots he hits. Why is it the 'blow up' shots are always so costly at very bad times??? That seems to be his undoing in big events. It didn't used to be that way. Didn't his downfall on the back 9 on Sunday used to be the missed 3 footer? Now he makes those but his driver is AWOL.