71 replies to this topic

[Frankie Lob Wedge]

This is not a bash because I am a big fan.  He says he goes to the range to mainly get loose.  

Did someone just tell him what to do or he figured it out by trial and error?  He has some wild shots in his bag.  I guess he just figured it out by practicing shots. He is such a natural.

[tsmcanada]

Although he never took a lesson I'm sure he grew up watching golf, playing with good players, reading magazines etc. All of which are great ways to learn the game.. Just maybe slower then getting lessons with a lot of trial and error.

[Scungi]

He talked about just hitting balls in his backyard as a kid, cutting them and curving them just fooling around in an interview before.

[birdieblair]

scungi, on 28 April 2012 - 11:45 AM, said:

He talked about just hitting balls in his backyard as a kid, cutting them and curving them just fooling around in an interview before.

Yeah, in that interview he said something about having limited space so he would hit balls in the backyard and then go around the house.  The only way to get around the corners of the house was to hit big hooks or cuts depending on the direction he was going.

[JonT]

For the most recent generations, lessons seem to be the only avenue (for them) to achieve  success, and how to work the ball. For past generations such as Ballesteros, Trevino, Hogan, etc. it was to learn by doing. Refreshing to see a golfer like Bubba, doing it the old fashioned way.

[rafal]

How does he play golf when he doesnt know P1 P2 P3 ... power accumulators and the correct firing sequences for each release pattern????

Doesn't compute.

[Cwing]

I am not sure I believe this. If I recall, he went to high school with two others that play in the PGA and he played in college. To think he never had a lesson
May depend on how one defines a lesson as I would have to believe he has had some kind of help at some point.

[thnknso]

I agree with Cwing....You don't get to the University of Georgia without some help and just depends on what you call a lesson.

[EricZ116]

I think the general definition of lesson for this would be paying someone to work on your swing. I don't think he putt in ear plugs when he was at the range, and I'm sure he's seen videos... But unless you pay someone money to help you out it isn't a lesson.

[dpwigolfer]

Cwing, on 28 April 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

I am not sure I believe this. If I recall, he went to high school with two others that play in the PGA and he played in college. To think he never had a lesson
May depend on how one defines a lesson as I would have to believe he has had some kind of help at some point.

you're actually going to doubt that he never took lessons when he seems adamant against any ones help. he said that his dad taught him the grip so call that a lesson if you want. he just plays like a lot of the old golfers where its all about feel

[Cartrydge]

dpwigolfer, on 28 April 2012 - 01:57 PM, said:

Cwing, on 28 April 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

I am not sure I believe this. If I recall, he went to high school with two others that play in the PGA and he played in college. To think he never had a lesson
May depend on how one defines a lesson as I would have to believe he has had some kind of help at some point.

you're actually going to doubt that he never took lessons when he seems adamant against any ones help. he said that his dad taught him the grip so call that a lesson if you want. he just plays like a lot of the old golfers where its all about feel

You do realize all those old golfers talked about their swings and helped each other right. That may not be a formal lesson but, every great had some help along the way.

[irlgolf56]

I've never had a lesson but know how to work the ball, unless you count magazines or TV as "lessons".

[monkeynaut]

fuab, on 28 April 2012 - 02:01 PM, said:

You do realize all those old golfers talked about their swings and helped each other right. That may not be a formal lesson but, every great had some help along the way.

There's a big difference between "help," "tips" and "lessons."

I think people who are not creatively inclined might find this difficult to wrap their heads around.  
I'm a self-taught musician, that didn't mean I never studied or asked  people how they did something.  But I didn't have lessons.  Most of what  I figured out, I did on my own.  I know a lot of artists who are the  same way.  

Same with golf, I never took lessons, but I read and asked people how  they did stuff.  I learned to hit high and low draws and hooks and cuts  by myself.  Mostly by accident.  When I saw the ball do something, I  tried to remember what I did that produced that result.  This approach actually helps because you don't find yourself ignoring things by trying to make everything fit within the context of a lesson.  (I'm not against lessons.  I think,often though, it stifles peoples natural curiosity and exploration.)

My sister, is someone who could never do anything without specific  instruction.  Music, sports, cooking... unless there's a specific  blueprint to something she can't learn.  She can become proficient but  improvisation is foreign to her.

What Bubba does is impressive and is probably possible BECAUSE he didn't  have somebody imposing their method on him.  But, like a lot of people,  I'm sure he absorbed a lot by being around others.  If it makes someone feel better to define that as "lessons" in order to make sense of their world, I suppose that's fine.  Some people need to do that.

[miuratiteleist55]

Ive only had 2 lessons and im as good as nearly anyone on this forum

[Drijver]

I've had lessons but have learned to shape the ball by myself through clips on youtube... Fun really how with today's technology we can learn the game in a more old school fashion (trial and error etc)

[Cwing]

dpwigolfer, on 28 April 2012 - 01:57 PM, said:

Cwing, on 28 April 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

I am not sure I believe this. If I recall, he went to high school with two others that play in the PGA and he played in college. To think he never had a lesson
May depend on how one defines a lesson as I would have to believe he has had some kind of help at some point.

you're actually going to doubt that he never took lessons when he seems adamant against any ones help. he said that his dad taught him the grip so call that a lesson if you want. he just plays like a lot of the old golfers where its all about feel

You do realize he had a coach in college right. He likely also had a coach in high school. Again ---- maybe he never sought out a pro and paid for a lesson but I don't he hasn't had help with his swing at some point.

Edited by Cwing, 28 April 2012 - 04:53 PM.

[Rustynuts]

On the flip side can Bubba actually hit one straight? I think he hits big cuts with the driver and hooks with his wedges because he cannot hit a straight shot.

[MtlJeff]

it's not rocket science to spin a ball. If you've even played Ping Pong you know what gives a ball sidespin. If you practice enough you can figure it out.

[rgk5]

miuratiteleist55, on 28 April 2012 - 03:24 PM, said:

Ive only had 2 lessons and im as good as nearly anyone on this forum

That statement and $1.50 will get you a cup of bad coffee.

[Frankie Lob Wedge]

JonT, on 28 April 2012 - 12:08 PM, said:

For the most recent generations, lessons seem to be the only avenue (for them) to achieve  success, and how to work the ball. For past generations such as Ballesteros, Trevino, Hogan, etc. it was to learn by doing. Refreshing to see a golfer like Bubba, doing it the old fashioned way.

I thought I had read that Trevino worked at a driving range in Texas.  Hogan would practice there and Lee would watch Hogan from a distance to try to learn how to play.   I think most of these guys had one thing in common - they grew up relatively poor or lower middle class.

[Frankie Lob Wedge]

miuratiteleist55, on 28 April 2012 - 03:24 PM, said:

Ive only had 2 lessons and im as good as nearly anyone on this forum

You must be able to hit it 350 because we know everyone here hits in 300.  Most here can hit a 7-iron 195 too.

[Vindog]

Rustynuts, on 28 April 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

On the flip side can Bubba actually hit one straight? I think he hits big cuts with the driver and hooks with his wedges because he cannot hit a straight shot.

For most pros, hitting a straight shot is an accident.

[gopherguts]

monkeynaut, on 28 April 2012 - 02:42 PM, said:

fuab, on 28 April 2012 - 02:01 PM, said:

You do realize all those old golfers talked about their swings and helped each other right. That may not be a formal lesson but, every great had some help along the way.

There's a big difference between "help," "tips" and "lessons."

I think people who are not creatively inclined might find this difficult to wrap their heads around.  
I'm a self-taught musician, that didn't mean I never studied or asked  people how they did something.  But I didn't have lessons.  Most of what  I figured out, I did on my own.  I know a lot of artists who are the  same way.  

Same with golf, I never took lessons, but I read and asked people how  they did stuff.  I learned to hit high and low draws and hooks and cuts  by myself.  Mostly by accident.  When I saw the ball do something, I  tried to remember what I did that produced that result.  This approach actually helps because you don't find yourself ignoring things by trying to make everything fit within the context of a lesson.  (I'm not against lessons.  I think,often though, it stifles peoples natural curiosity and exploration.)

Would we recognize what band you play in ?

Would we recognize what TOUR you play on ?

It's one thing to make yourself into a "musician" or a "golfer" without taking lessons but to do it and get to the TOP of the heap is quite another thing.

These exceptions, like Bubba, are few and FAR between. I wouldn't recommend anyone trying to "reach for the stars" to do it Bubba's way.

Quote

What Bubba does is impressive and is probably possible BECAUSE he didn't  have somebody imposing their method on him.

That's quite an assumption. Had he taken lessons he would have learned to move the ball both ways and surely, from there, he could have become creative as he WANTED to be, no ?

[SwooshLT]

I'm a feel player also....THE SECRET IS IN THE DIRT!!! His lesson was with his Dad....His H.S. and College saw this kid hitting it miles and scoring and left him alone.....can't change everyone.....unorthodox swing it might be....but it works for the 2012 Masters Champion......

Oh yeah,when will some of you guys realize that there is a heck of alot more to golf than a pretty Grant Waite Swing....sorry

[hogans71]

Vindog, on 28 April 2012 - 05:46 PM, said:

Rustynuts, on 28 April 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

On the flip side can Bubba actually hit one straight? I think he hits big cuts with the driver and hooks with his wedges because he cannot hit a straight shot.

For most pros, hitting a straight shot is an accident.

As stated by Ben Hogan...

[poizster]

MtlJeff, on 28 April 2012 - 05:21 PM, said:

it's not rocket science to spin a ball. If you've even played Ping Pong you know what gives a ball sidespin. If you practice enough you can figure it out.

Jeff, I'm a little disappointed. Haven't you been keeping up on your ball flight laws? There's no such thing as sidespin, there is only backspin that gets tilted on it's axis resulting in curvature.
This is the first post I've read of your's in awhile that hasen't made me laugh, not ok.

Edited by poizster, 28 April 2012 - 06:36 PM.

[dpwigolfer]

Cwing, on 28 April 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

dpwigolfer, on 28 April 2012 - 01:57 PM, said:

Cwing, on 28 April 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

I am not sure I believe this. If I recall, he went to high school with two others that play in the PGA and he played in college. To think he never had a lesson
May depend on how one defines a lesson as I would have to believe he has had some kind of help at some point.

you're actually going to doubt that he never took lessons when he seems adamant against any ones help. he said that his dad taught him the grip so call that a lesson if you want. he just plays like a lot of the old golfers where its all about feel

You do realize he had a coach in college right. He likely also had a coach in high school. Again ---- maybe he never sought out a pro and paid for a lesson but I don't he hasn't had help with his swing at some point.

you can believe what you think but just because he had a coach doesn't mean they gave him a lesson and I could see him being almost to stuborn to listen anyways

[monkeynaut]

gopherguts, on 28 April 2012 - 05:55 PM, said:

Would we recognize what band you play in ?
Would we recognize what TOUR you play on ?
It's one thing to make yourself into a "musician" or a "golfer" without taking lessons but to do it and get to the TOP of the heap is quite another thing.
These exceptions, like Bubba, are few and FAR between. I wouldn't recommend anyone trying to "reach for the stars" to do it Bubba's way.

Quote

What Bubba does is impressive and is probably possible BECAUSE he didn't  have somebody imposing their method on him.

That's quite an assumption. Had he taken lessons he would have learned to move the ball both ways and surely, from there, he could have become creative as he WANTED to be, no ?

Well, I've never won a major but I've done enough soundtrack and session work, that if you watched anything on cable tv between 2002 and 2009 you may have heard something I played on.  At least the ASCAP checks indicated so.  So, I never made it to the TOP but I metaphorically played a few Nationwide Events.  But enough about that, I'm sure you don't want to post your resume on here either.  

Bubba, who just won the Masters, doesn't meet your expectations for a pro golfer?  Umm, I'm guessing you've never watched the guy play because he does move it both ways.   Cuts/Draws/Hooks/Slices whatever he wants.  Unless you mean forward and backward.  But, I wouldn't put the backward past him.  I've seen Phil do it.  

It's not "quite an assumption." It's an observation based on what he  does versus the guys who are addicted to swing coach method.  Anybody who watches golf though will tell you. Bubba can do what he can do because he does it his own way.  He just sees/feels/moves different.  His ball flight and approach are a throwback to guys who came up differently.  Just like somebody else mentioned Trevino.  

Is it right or wrong? That's up to people who like his play or don't.  BUT, once again, feel versus method? Statistically, lessons or no, the odds are against anybody going for it Bubba's way or taking lessons from the age of 5.  There are thousands of people trying to qualify for the US Open alone, not counting mini-tours, college play, Amateur Tournaments.  Making it at THE TOP level rarely happens.  Making a few bucks here and there rarely happens.  You take what you can get and be thankful you got further than others.  Bubba got a green jacket.

Flame away.

[PedronNiall]

I love all the experts on here calling out Bubba as a liar. On the high school front, I've seen plenty of coaches who don't offer more than a few words of advice here and there before a round, if that. Most don't take the time to give kids lessons. As to college, depends entirely on the player and the coach. Furyk's dad recounted a tale about how they passed on one of their first college choices because the coach stated that he would certainly "fix" Jim's swing, so I have no doubt that there are plenty of collegiate coaches who choose not to or are not allowed much in the way of input. Guess it's amazing to some, but coaching is about guidance, not trying to tweak and correct player's techniques when  done correctly. Bubba's a liar though, so what am I defending him for?

[xabia]

I don't care about any of this but this treatment of him as a folk hero because he hasn't had lessons is just getting annoying.

All that matters is the dude is a straight up baller with a ton of guts and imagination, how he got there does not matter one bit.

Plus people have you seen or listened to interviews with him? He admitted in his Feherety interview, he doesn't like to listen to people