Just saw Ernie post a +14 and look horrible doing it.. Lots of those one hand off the club on the follow throughs.. Is it Callaway Equipment that doesn't suit him? Is it David Leadbetter ruining another player? Or is it a combination of both?

It's Leadbetters teaching methods, I'm 100% sure for it..

...because he never won anything with Leadbetter, right? Come on, you're better than that

From some folks who know him personally, they say that the family has been consumed the past few years with everything involved with Ben's condition. I think it's no more complicated than him not being able to pay enough attention to his game - mentally more so than physically.

mgranato - good post
His son's condition makes the most sense as to why he hasn't been up to his best form. That is an immense challenge on a father, regardless of wealth and success.

In fact, listening to the commentary recently, we've had Rick Reilly noting that Ernie likes to drink beer and that Reilly doesn't think that Els likes to practice. Others think he travels too much. Do they not pay attention?

Someone will post that he's done because "Tiger's in his head". Folks, Tiger, didn't cause the autism for young Ben.

Unfortunately, the cause is really staring everyone right in the face. It seems obvious.

I hope he gets it back. I really enjoy his play and for the most part, I like how he handles himself as well. My respect has gone up for EE.

I don't think you can put it on totally on Ben's condition.. They dealt with that for quite a while before they went public. Plus they lived where the medical care for Ben's condition wasn't the greatest.. They have now moved to where Ben can get better treatment, which theoretically should take some of the day to day stress and worry away.. Of course as soon as the U.S. gets universal/government health care they will have to move again..

Has he won anything since moving to IMO sub standard Callaway equipment

guys you are getting a little off-topic and political... not that I dont agree....but RULES guy RULES

I dont think its got anything to do with his equipment. His putting is very poor atm and i think its killed his confidence and its seeping though to the rest of his game.

He has been working with Butch Harmon lately What are you guys talking about? More like Butch screwing up another player.... Adam Scott? Phil? Els? Hmmm...

Jan 09 GD. Harmon's key for Earnie was to turn the chest all the way through. Adam's key was to release the head with the
swing. Phil's key is to drag the back heel ahead of the toe.

I tried all of them and the ball popped up and hit my visor.

I don't see how in the hell you can make that assertion without actually being Ernie Els.

Leadbetter? I thought he was with Butch these couple of years....

LeadBetter & Harmon, same methods, who cares..

Yes ....Maybe its Time for Ernie to go back to TaylorMade or Titleist!!...then maybe He will Win again!!

yea adam scott and phil are playin so bad this week.

also adam scott has a terrible short game that is his downfall not his swing.

i think it is mental knee injury whiche he came bakc to soon from. then bad play when he expect to be 100% then his sons illness. just so many things adding up against him and then you try to change everything and it probably has him discouraged and playing poorly as a result. hope he gets alittle confidence and can get it back on track..

also anyone notice him missing A TON of putts inside 5 feet lately(not this week but this year)?

Its ok dude, we all make mistakes.

Yep, The main pont was that Els is really great player but Harmon has lead him to the wrong paths and we see it on results..

I can't speak to the personal issues for EE as it relates to his family, although EE's drinking exploits really are no secret. But keeping it to golf, like so many other golfers, when you can't rely on your putting the rest of the game is not far from falling off the planet. EE's putting has been mediocre by tour standards for quite a few years. When you feel like your putting is off it puts pressure on your iron game because you feel you have to hit it close to score. When the irons are not doing more than reasonably expected, then you start looking to the Driver to save your round. It's not going to happen in the long run.

I suspect with the personal issues, EE doesn't practice a lot. If he fixes the putting, the rest of the game will fall into place. It's that simple. If you want to do well on tour, you better putt very well. Crummy putters do not win too many golf tournaments, but they sure miss a lot of cuts.

Pure class here. The man's son is autistic, and you're speculating that his poor form is because he allegedly likes to drink beer?

Wow, just wow.

Think about the stress that puts on his family for just a half a second and realize that makes golf seem pretty insignificant.

Check out EE's stats since going to Harmon. All of his ball striking stats are improved.
Driving distance
Driving accuracy
Total driving
GIR

All are better since going to Butch

Am sure that Ernie's (and family's) challenges in managing Ben's condition will change constantly as he develops, so who knows what they have to deal with.

It would put the golf into perspective, that's for sure.

I have known and talked with autistic kids they are not normal but they are fine. I doubt its Ernies big distraction, I think the D man has it nailed its probably the putting . Trust me when I say when the putting is weak it puts a tremendous strain on the long game.

I still think Ernie has a comeback in him and at least one more major.

You're right, all autistic kids are the same.

I agree that his putting is his achilles heel...he seems to strike the ball alright, althought a bit shaky on the follow through...he recently hired Dr. Bob Rotella which tells me its more of a "head case"...think Harmon and Leadbetter are overrated

I believe EE's downhill slide began with a few heartbreaking losses in 2004.

I think he felt that he had the Master's won, until Phil made that unlikeliest of putts on the 72nd hole.

Then at the Open Championship, he lost to Todd Hamilton in playoff after looking really shaky on the last few putts of consequence.

Finally at the PGA, he probably could have gotten into the playoff had he not gotten a bit hasty on the last hole.

Physically his game in 2004 was as capable as ever, but the results were 0 for 4 in the majors. Since then, I think, psychologically his game and desire have deteriorated.

Don't get me wrong, the statistics on is ball-striking and what not are good this year, but he just doesn't seem to have that same killer instinct anymore.

Is there more to it than 2004? Probably, but I think the root is in that year.

Cheers,

Ben

I think he is also suffering from Normanitis. I remember reading he has a lot of growing business interests that are taking up a lot of his time.

I think he is also suffering from Normanitis. I remember reading he has a lot of growing business interests that are taking up a lot of his time.

This may be the most idiotic thread of '09 so far.

I bet he wishes he wasn't so outspoken about the use of belly putters. I think he could really benefit from using one if only for a couple weeks/months to get his groove back on the greens. He called out Immelman back four or five years ago after he won on the Euro Tour with a belly putter. Goosen benefitted from it and he had some of the best putting showcases in his US Open wins before using it to find his stroke.

Sorry to thread jack but i have to say it...
I for one think he could probably play a little bit better golf going back to titleist
put some ap2's couple 909's and vokey's in his hand and i would have to think his ball striking would get even better.
take stress off his short game a little bit by making his ball striking even better would help the putting out just a lil bit.
just my opinion

AND, he was mesmerized by your avatar and couldn't sink a putt anymore. Really though, the travel has got to be a negative for his game. He should pick one or the other tour, it might help.

With his means, I am sure he gets all the respite care he needs for young Ben. Besides, with his schedule, he may not be home all that often. Having a child with a spectrum disorder is very challenging, to say the least. I would say putting has been his achilles heel for the last few years, he is constantly switching sticks and at the same time NOT sinking anything.

ernie els struggles has got nothing to do with his son's autism but with ernie being ernie. he is too soft. in the mid-ninetys he got away with it, because of a lack of competition. now that tiger has improved everyone else's training methods, the days of the likes of ernie els and phil mickelson are gone.

Gosh, why didn't I think of that?

Wondering about a severely challenged child, knee injury and other issues?

Why, Tiger is responsible.

Should have known.

ROFL! I'll let someone else....

I know but it's almost too hard to resist.

It's not equipment. Maybe it's all of the golf course design, jetting around the world, family, personal struggles, age, injuries, etc. That will take a toll on anyone.

I always laugh at thread like this when all the armchair sports psychologists, swing doctors, equipment gurus all chime in on what wrong with a certain player...

does it ever occur to some of you that Els may be very content in his life and although still a young man his goals and drive arent what they used to be. Their is such a fine line between the horrible rounds that Els showed and shooting two rounds under par. Els has his majors, money, a family and a lifestyle that any on here would kill for....