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Tiger parts ways with instructor Sean Foley
Tiger Woods will no longer be working with swing coach Sean Foley, the golfer announced on his website on Monday. Woods, who will miss the Ryder Cup and forgo competitive golf until the World Challenge in December because of injury, said he has no timetable for hiring a new coach.
“I’d like to thank Sean for his help as my coach and for his friendship,” Woods said. “Sean is one of the outstanding coaches in golf today, and I know he will continue to be successful with the players working with him. With my next tournament not until my World Challenge event at Isleworth in Orlando, this is the right time to end our professional relationship.”
Foley’s tutelage of Woods has been the subject of intense scrutiny since the two began working together four years ago, particularly from Golf Channel Analyst Brandel Chamblee. That criticism escalated this spring due to Woods’ poor play and back injuries that resulted in the 38-year-old undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy in March. The surgery caused him to miss this year’s Masters and U.S Open, and injuries to Woods’ back after his return from surgery at August’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship forced him to forgo the Ryder Cup and FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Woods’ game appeared to be moving in the right direction in 2013, when he won five PGA Tour events and earned 2013 Player of the Year honors, but his inability to add to his total of 14 major championship victories has been the focus of those who believe the golfer was better served by the instruction of Butch Harmon, under whom he won eight major championships, and Hank Haney, under whom he won six major championships.
Foley, who also coaches Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan, Stephen Ames and Seung Yul Noh, released the following statement regarding the split:
“My time spent with Tiger is one of the highlights of my career so far, and I am appreciative of the many experiences we shared together,” Foley said. “It was a lifelong ambition of mine to teach the best player of all time in our sport. I am both grateful for the things we had the opportunity to learn from one another, as well as the enduring friendship we have built. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him.”
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GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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As anticipation mounts for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in a few weeks, the PGA Tour makes a pit stop in McKinney, Texas to play The CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Last year was the third time TPC Craig Ranch hosted the Byron Nelson. Prior to 2021, the event was held at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
TPC Craig Ranch is a 7,414-yard par-71 that features Bentgrass greens. The event historically plays relatively easy, and that has remained the case in the three editions at TPC Craig Ranch.
The course structure may provide some additional intrigue with the par-3 17th featuring a stadium setup called “Ranch 17” which is reminiscent of the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. The course also has both long and difficult par-4s mixed with drivable par-4s, which should create some exciting moments.
There are 156 golfers in the field this week, and many stars will be taking the week off to prepare for 2023’s second major championship in a few weeks and a “signature event” at Quail Hollow next week. Notable players in the field include Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Sungjae Im, Stephan Jaeger, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim, Min Woo Lee, Alex Noren, Adam Scott and Will Zalatoris.
Past Winners of the AT&T Byron Nelson
- 2023: Jason Day (-23 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2022: K.H. Lee (-26 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2021: K.H. Lee (-25 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2019: Sung Kang (-23)
- 2018: Aaron Wise (-23)
- 2017: Billy Horschel (-12)
- 2016: Sergio Garcia (-15)
- 2015: Steven Bowditch (-18)
Key Stats at TPC Craig Ranch
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for TPC Craig Ranch to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach remains the best measure of current form.
Hot iron play will be at a premium this week. Last year, Jason Day gained 6.4 strokes on approach, which was fourth in the field. In 2022, K.H. Lee was ninth in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.2 strokes. In his 2021 victory, he was second in the field and gained 8.3 strokes on the field in the category.
Strokes Gaines: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.02)
- Henrik Norlander (+0.99)
- Ryan Moore (+0.98)
- Ben Martin (0.80)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Fairways are wide at TPC Craig Ranch.
Distance will certainly be helpful, and there aren’t too many difficult holes on the course. Golfers who put themselves in position off of the tee this week should have a sizable advantage.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds
- Peter Kuest (+0.93)
- Kevin Daugherty (+0.91)
- Alejandro Tosti (+0.83)
- Keith Mitchell (+0.82)
- Kevin Tway (+0.74)
Birdie or Better %
There aren’t many hazards on the course, and all of the par-5s should be reachable in two for the majority of the players in the field. I am anticipating a birdie fest, and this statistic should be helpful in finding the birdie-makers.
Birdie or Better % Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Wesley Bryan (31%)
- Kelly Kraft (26.2%)
- Peter Kuest (25.9%)
- Matti Schmid (25.7%
- Jimmy Stanger (25.2%)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
Many golfers on TOUR have some major putting surface variance in their statistics and prefer Bentgrass to other surfaces.
Bentgrass is common in Texas, and we often see golfers who play well in Texas continue to do so, finding a great feel around the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Maverick McNealy (+0.92)
- Aaron Baddeley (+0.87)
- Callum Tarren (+0.86)
- Harry Hall (+0.81)
- Nick Hardy (+0.69)
Course History
This statistic will tell us which players have performed the best at TPC Craig Ranch over the past three seasons.
Course History Over Past 12 Rounds:
- Jordan Spieth (+2.69)
- K.H. Lee (+2.59)
- Seamus Power (+1.84)
- Ryan Palmer (+1.76)
- Adam Scott (+1.72)
CJ CUP Byron Nelson Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: OTT (24%), Birdie or Better % (18%), Course History (17%) and SG: Putting Bentgrass (16%).
- Alex Noren
- Adam Scott
- Keith Mitchell
- Si Woo Kim
- Stephen Jaeger
- Jordan Spieth
- Jhonnatan Vegas
- Nate Lashley
- Brice Garnett
- Tom Hoge
2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson Picks
Byeong Hun An +3000 (DraftKings)
Byeong Hun put together an excellent performance at The Masters, finishing T16, which ties his best ever finish at a major championship (also T16 at 2019 U.S. Open). The South Korean gained 9.16 strokes from tee to green, which ranked 2nd in the field behind only the champion, Scottie Scheffler.
An’s next start at Harbour Town didn’t go as well (67th), but he still had a fantastic ball striking week. The 32-year-old bled strokes both around and on the greens, which was his eventual undoing. In his past three starts, An has gained significant strokes on the field both off the tee and on approach.
Benny had a strong start at last year’s Byron Nelson, finishing in a tie for 14th. With limited challenges on the course, he shouldn’t have to do much scrambling. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 17th in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 17th in the field in birdie or better percentage. The putter is up and down per usual, but his ceiling putting weeks with his LAB Golf putter in 2024 are higher than they’ve been in past seasons.
An is starting to become my “white whale” of the PGA Tour, but I believe in his talent and TPC Craig Ranch is a course that should suit his excellent tee to green play.
Mackenzie Hughes +5500 (FanDuel)
Mackenzie Hughes is quietly putting together a very good season. He finished in a tie for 3rd at the Valspar Championship and followed that up with a T14 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
In his past 36 rounds in Texas, the Canadian ranks 5th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total. Last year, he finished in a tie for 14th at this event and gained strokes putting and off the tee. Mackenzie played well that week despite being in extremely poor form. He missed two cuts in a row prior to the event, and four consecutive cuts immediately after. His irons were off that week, but in 2024, we’ve seen an improvement in Hughes’ approach game. He now comes to the event playing some steady golf. He’s gained strokes on approach in four of his past five events and is hitting the ball very well from tee to green.
Hughes has two victories on the PGA Tour, both coming in relatively low-scoring affairs (-17 in each). He will need to go a bit deeper to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson but has the type of putter that can keep pace in a birdie barrage.
Seamus Power +7000 (FanDuel)
After struggling over the past few seasons with injuries, Seamus Power seems as if he is rounding back into the form that made him a really consistent player on the PGA Tour.
Power finished T12 in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage, which is encouraging considering it was a “signature event” with a very strong field. For the week, the Irishman gained 4.4 strokes on approach and 2.8 strokes putting, which is the combination he’s used in the past to contend on Tour.
In his three trips to TPC Craig Ranch, Power is yet to finish outside of the top-20, with his best finish being a T9 in 2019. He ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course. The 37-year-old thrives on easy tracks and has won in 2021 (Barbasol Championship) and 2022 (Butterfield Bermuda) on easier layouts with weaker fields.
Power has the game to go extremely low and I believe he can get back in the winner’s circle for the third time in four years.
Chan Kim +10000 (FanDuel)
Chan Kim has been striking the ball beautifully this season and is a proven winner with two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 as well as eight career Japan Tour wins.
At last week’s Zurich Classic, Kim and his partner Doug Ghim finished in a tie for 28th. Prior to that, the South Korean T14 at the Valero Texas Open and T6 at the Corales Puntacana Championship. His success this season in Texas as well as he propensity to play his best golf on the PGA Tour’s easier courses make him and ideal fit for TPC Craig Ranch.
2024 has given plenty of longshot winners on the PGA Tour, and with a birdie fest like this, I believe there’s a strong chance we get another this week in McKinney, Texas.
Alejandro Tosti +10000 (FanDuel)
Alejandro Tosti is one of the most polarizing players on the PGA Tour thus far in the 2024 season. His antics can rub many the wrong way, but he’s shown on a few occasions that he has what it takes to compete in Tour events.
This season, Tosti has been elite off the tee. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The Argentine hits it long and straight, which works at any course on earth. He got a taste of contention a few starts ago at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, finishing in a tie for 2nd place.
Tosti had a fantastic year in 2023 on the Korn Ferry Tour, where going low is a prerequisite to success. If this turns to a shootout, which it likely will, the 27-year-old has the ability to set the pace. Tosti will look to become the second Argentine to win in Texas in the past two seasons after Emiliano Grillo emerged victorious at last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge.
C.T. Pan +15000 (FanDuel)
Outside of a T3 at the Mexico Open, C.T. Pan doesn’t have strong results this season in terms of finishes. However, over his past two starts, Pan’s iron play has come alive. At The Players, he gained 6.6 strokes on approach. At the Valero Texas Open, he gained 3.7. At last week’s Zurich Classic, Pan and his partner Kevin Yu finished T28. For a player who can get extremely hot with his scoring clubs, I believe he’s playing better than the results have shown over the past month or so.
Last season, Pan finished 4th at TPC Craig Ranch and was spectacular across all the major stat categories. In his past 36 qualifying rounds, he ranks 16th in Strokes Gained: Total in Texas.
Pan has won on the PGA Tour at the RBC Heritage and is always a player that I believe has what it takes to win on a Sunday if he finds himself in contention.
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dabadass
Nov 20, 2014 at 5:18 pm
I would love to see if he and Butch could win majors again but I just don’t think it’s going to happen.
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Graham
Sep 6, 2014 at 6:23 am
Seung Yul Noh left Sean Foley a long time ago.
Fabian Lozano
Aug 28, 2014 at 12:49 pm
I would like to see Kelvin Miyahira as a coach of Tiger Woods. Lots of knowledge about the golf swing in Hawaii. Also He knows very well the swing of best era of Tiger Woods.
If he wants to win again… Mr. Miyahira is the answer.
Boner
Aug 27, 2014 at 8:40 am
Another vote for Paul Wilson, Powerless arms will help him.
Dennis Clark
Aug 26, 2014 at 4:19 pm
We shouldn’t be concerned as much about who, but WHAT? WHAT will he and his new coach come up with to work on? WHAT is he physically capable of, WHAT mechanics will construct his next “swing”?.
paul
Aug 26, 2014 at 2:24 pm
I vote for Mark Crossfield as well. Except Tiger wouldn’t win majors, because he would just make par all the time ????
ck
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:55 pm
Jeff Ostlund from Tonto Verde GC, AZ would be a great choice. Young up and coming teacher.
Bob Matthews
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:28 pm
Paul Wilson from Swing Machine Golf will most likely get the call.
Dan
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:05 pm
I read Hank Haney’s book and the stats all point to putting. He’s no different than any other tour in that when he wins it’s because he putts well.
MHendon
Aug 26, 2014 at 11:02 am
Surprise, surprise Tiger dumps another coach. Timing is everything, I suspect Foley is a fine coach but he was coaching Tiger at the wrong time. Harmon and Haney had him in his prime, Foley came on board after the decline had already started.
M59O
Aug 26, 2014 at 10:09 am
Reminded of a story I read about Tiger and his Father. After one of Tiger’s first tournaments as a child his father asked him what he was thinking about on the first tee. His answer was “where I wanted the ball to go”. His father’s response was “good”.
Perhaps Tiger needs to go back to his father’s lesson and forget all these swing methods. Whatever it takes to clear the mind of the swing thoughts and just see where you want it to go and hit it. Hit balls in the yard with his kids, on one leg, sitting in a chair, anything to empty the mechanical thoughts. He seems to have always had a coach, is there one out there that can free him up to his natural talent?
Jeff
Aug 26, 2014 at 9:57 am
It just depends what Tiger believes his natural swing to be. Most of these teachers teach one swing with the exception or Mr Hardy. So perhaps he’ll base his decision on who he feels can best help with the swing he wants to get back to. In that regard most of these teachers would also wreck him as well.
pugsly
Aug 26, 2014 at 9:51 am
No one better than Mac O’Grady.
TA
Aug 26, 2014 at 10:20 am
Maybe he needs the Mexican Mac O’Grady. Romeo Posar!!!
C
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:27 am
Jimmy Ballard. Tiger needs to get connected! And then he can hang out with Rocco too! lol
He’s in Florida too.
pack7483
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:20 am
Shawn Clement is who he should call first.
Dave
Aug 26, 2014 at 10:41 am
Lol, but Shawn definitely does has a free flowing and stress free swing.
Pingback: Tiger parts ways with instructor Sean Foley | Spacetimeandi.com
ST
Aug 26, 2014 at 12:48 am
He also needs to ditch Nike and play what he wants to hit
Happy
Aug 26, 2014 at 12:56 am
Chubs Peterson
MHendon
Aug 26, 2014 at 11:05 am
Let me see you ditch 30 million a year to play clubs that are no better just have a different name.
bradford
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:52 pm
**clubs YOU want him to hit.
HE wants to hit the Nike’s he damn near created.
Gonzo
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:58 pm
Ditch the Trackman too, Tiger!!
in the know
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Grant is not Stack and tilt. He would fix tiger and unclutter his swing in 20 mins. With or without trackman. Tiger is fixable.
Smartest call he would ever make for sure
Leslie Chow
Aug 26, 2014 at 12:26 am
Other the fact that Waite is not on the stack and tilt instructor list what makes him not a stack and tilt guy. I was just curious because I don’t know much about him other than the fact that he is a really good ball striker and appeared and promoted stack and tilt 2.0 video series. Waite seems to have the closest s&t swing to the model other than maybe Charlie Wi.
ST
Aug 26, 2014 at 12:45 am
https://www.stackandtilt.com/academy/stack-tilt-academy-student-testimonials/
No, he’s not S & T
lol
Leslie Chow
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:07 am
I’m assuming you were being sarcastic because the link you posted is Waites endorsement for S&T. My question is that I have seen multiple posts from people saying Waite and Foley are not S&T and I while they may not officially be S&T guys their swings and teaching philosophy are almost identical at least as far as I can tell and I was wondering if other forum posters saying they are a lot different could post these dramatic differences. I’m just trying to learn.
Desmond
Aug 26, 2014 at 8:35 am
How old is that testimonial?
Like most swing theories, S&T is evolutionary. The more you learn, the more your teaching evolves. I believe Grant and others who left S&T evolved, whereas B&P have not … yet.
Patrick Bateman
Aug 26, 2014 at 10:44 am
Do you know what evolved or what they improved upon to leave stack and tilt
in the know
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:38 pm
He is not Stack and tilt. He works on his own stuff and a totally different idea about track-man than Foley also. He gets guys to hit the driver really high and far. Work on dynamics and not static positions. If you knew what he taught its almost backwards of what S&T teach in many many ways.
bradford
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:58 pm
I’m staggered by the details here. Big words like dynamics, static, and “many, many” others make me nervous.
Chris
Aug 25, 2014 at 9:35 pm
lmao-thanks for the comedy of the day. Plummer/Bennett. good guys but, seriously……..
Patrick Bateman
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:56 am
What’s wrong with the Stack and Tilt guys. Haney had Mark Omeara and before Tiger Woods, Foley was about as well known as Obama the first time he ran for office. The Stack and Tilt guys have numerous tour wins and if you count the instructors copying their model and philosophy they also have a few major wins. In my opinion the S&T guys would have to be near the top of the list along with Grant Waite if you are looking for a single plane center pivot instructor. Why would someone who adopts or copies stack and tilt be better than the source. Curious what you think. Thanks
MHendon
Aug 26, 2014 at 11:11 am
Lol I’m glad I’m an athletic enough player to not have to focus on method so much. Stack and tilt, one plane, two plane, flat, steep, etc. Hey if it works for me, that is not focusing so much on method I bet it would work for the best player in the world too. Give it a try Tiger, just see it and hit it.
B
Aug 26, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Oh yeah? What is your Official World Golf Ranking?
Al Czervik
Aug 26, 2014 at 9:22 pm
I was wondering where you were and how long it would take for you to say something really smart MHendon.
MHendon
Aug 27, 2014 at 12:23 am
The point is fellas, he’s probably the best player in history definitely the second best. He need not focus so much on method and just allow what comes natural. That’s what he was doing when he came out on tour. That’s basically Harmon’s teaching approach too. Oh and B my Official World Golf Ranking is 999,999. lol
JW
Aug 25, 2014 at 7:47 pm
Hoping for Pete Cowen or one of the Harmons.
Hopefully no more S&T
Steve
Aug 25, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Rick Sheils!!!
TW
Aug 25, 2014 at 6:56 pm
I think Butch would open his arms to Tiger.They had a falling out, but I still believe there’s a part of him who has a ton of affection and respect for Tiger.Butch is older and wiser and isn’t worried about his legacy.But I’m not sure if Tiger would ever do it.If he did that would be something.It would prove to me, for one, that he’s finally grown up and is willing to take responsibility.My opinion, no coach.Not for awhile.He needs to go out there and find his own rhythm again.I think he’ll have a few guys help him out.But nothing public and nothing official.Grant Waite would be a good choice.Nice, quiet bloke who has tons of knowledge.
Ron
Aug 25, 2014 at 8:26 pm
People need to let go of the Tiger – Harmon “getting the band back together” business. This not Lebron-Cleveland all over.
Butch has moved on and has a nice stable of players. He already said “i wont call Tiger and he isn’t calling me”.
Tiger needs to get healthy first then decide what to do next. He needs to clear his mind and just hit shots not have a perfect swing.
Chris
Aug 25, 2014 at 9:38 pm
One of the main reasons Tiger parted with Butch was because Tiger was paying him an incredible amount of $$$ (maybe a $million, maybe not) and Butch couldn’t seem to find time for Tiger. It’s worse now with his higher profile stable of clients. They aren’t getting back together.
MHendon
Aug 26, 2014 at 11:14 am
Butch started coaching tiger when he was an amateur. He wasn’t paying him anything at the time.
Bernie Madoff
Aug 26, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Either you were Harmon’s accountant or this is another one of your opinions you pass of as a fact.
MHendon
Aug 27, 2014 at 12:34 am
Well Bernie he started coaching tiger in 1993, four years before he turned pro. As far as weather he was paid before Tiger turned pro well No I don’t have any written proof. However I have a vague memory of an interview with Butch where he agreed to take on Tiger after being approached by Tiger’s father with an understanding the money would follow when Tiger turned pro.
Leslie Chow
Aug 30, 2014 at 12:21 pm
MHendon, you said, “he wasn’t paying him anything at the time.” As in its a matter of fact. Now you say you have a vague memory and you have no proof. So are you now changing your position from fact to opinion? Because when you first said he wasn’t paying him anything states Harmon was giving Tiger lessons for free as an amateur, now you say he was promised money when Tiger went pro. A delayed payment is still a payment. Why am I making a big deal out of this. Because you start off by passing off your ridiculous opinions all over the forums as fact which in fact you are wrong a lot of the time. If it’s opinion that’s fine but state it as such, don’t commit to a fact unless you know what you are talking about and can either provide sources or reasonable proof other than what turns out to be your vague memory. What you post is very misleading, you must be a current government administration official.
kevin smith
Aug 25, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Dr jim Suttie !! PHD BIO Mechanist, knows how to make the body work with less stress on the back and hips!!
acemandrake
Aug 25, 2014 at 5:39 pm
Swing the club at the target
Carl Spackler
Aug 25, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Hit the ball in the hole.
golfpro
Aug 25, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Tiger needs a coach that can take his mind off the technical. Ive never seen an individual who analyzed everything so much. Get the feel into tigers game i say
Dale Doback
Aug 25, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Are you suggesting he hire Bagger Vance?
matt
Aug 25, 2014 at 4:46 pm
I have been saying for a long time Sean Foley teaches a horrible swing in my opinion. You cannot hit the ball properly with your upper body open and feet square to the target. Worst swing in golf in my opinion. If Tiger goes back to Butch Harmon as I say he breaks Jacks record in 3 years.
Jack Sparrow
Aug 25, 2014 at 10:23 pm
You are absolutely right Matt. Even though Justin Rose won the us open and Hunter Mahan just won and both are near the top of ball striking and driving categories, their swings are plain garbage. They need to get away from Foley, and stop relying on so many lucky member bounces and give Butch a call before Tiger does. In fact if Jack calls Butch he might be able to add 2 or 3 more majors preserving his record for a while.
dave
Aug 26, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Both justin and hunter move their heads toward the target on the down swing, quite a bit ahead of their starting position, which causes them to have a proper release-given Foley’s back swing dynamics. Actually, Justin rose’s release looks eerily similar to tigers release in 2000, at least face on. Tiger was trying to copy hunters back swing, but it looks like, know one ever told him that, so tiger keeps swing away with this ridiculously late release, playing the ball further up in his stance wondering why his back hurts. It seems to me like Foley acts like he know more than he does and his inexperience cost tiger 4 years of his prime and maybe his back.
Clark street
Aug 25, 2014 at 4:38 pm
I seem to recall a Brit who joined then left Foley. This guy was well known for ball striking, and his iron play went to s?!t while working with Foley. He is only now starting to get his game back….maybe we will see him in the Ryder cup
Nathan
Aug 25, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Everyone here seen this coming.
Tiger should just look at the voting results here on golfwrx and go for it.
Jared
Aug 25, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Tiger needs Mark Crossfield as his coach. He’d be guaranteed to win at least five (5) more majors!
Nicolai
Aug 25, 2014 at 3:54 pm
I agree! 100%
Clark street
Aug 25, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Let’s get stuck in!
Jimmy
Aug 25, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Didnt he get in some deep do do for getting it stuck in things
Timotei
Aug 25, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Let’s get stuck in! Crossfield is the best. Gorilla James will be his new strength coach. Ha!
S4H
Aug 26, 2014 at 12:19 am
I second and third that motion!
MHendon
Aug 27, 2014 at 11:50 am
This must be the Europeans corner.
Harvey
Aug 25, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Obviously Foley’s methods work, just not with tiger. As Haney said, Tiger is just different, what’s right May not be what works.
Chris
Aug 25, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Haney-the only instructor on the planet that could actually make Charles Barkley worse.
MJ
Aug 25, 2014 at 10:55 pm
That was trrrrble. Actually I thought what you said was pretty funny Chris. I don’t think any of Haneys project students improved except maybe phelps. Barkley now tees off left handed and hits short game shots righty.
Chris
Aug 26, 2014 at 12:21 am
There are a bunch of Tour guys from the 80’s/90’s that went to Haney and got worse, too. And go ask some of the kids who played for him while he was coach at SMU…….
Dennis Clark
Aug 25, 2014 at 3:04 pm
What do Rudy Duran, John Anselmo, Butch Harmon and Hank Haney have in common? They all let Tiger move freely off the golf ball going back. That was a signature move of his. Only one teacher really took that away…
Lefty Light Hitter
Aug 25, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Dennis, I always enjoy your work. You’re theory seems to work around matching parts which I don’t hear enough guys talking about. Did I read/hear you right saying that because of that late, late release that Tiger has he actually needs to move off the ball to make it match? What is the theory behind that? Does it just give him more time to get his hands down and start towards a more “inline impact”?
Jmacgolf99
Aug 25, 2014 at 8:01 pm
Actually, in Haney’s book he describes how he tried to stop Tiger from moving off the ball but Tiger thought it was a power move. I understand what you are saying though.
CD
Aug 26, 2014 at 2:54 am
At the Open, face to face, he looked a troubled and perplexed man. Despite having a very good 2013. He simply has not been the same since he was caught, despite his relatively good last year. Maybe it simply comes down to so many years living a lie and projecting an image to have it explode in a most public manner. Then instead of taking responsibility he apologised as he did (he looked like he was being ‘obliged to’) and not just go about embracing who he is. Maybe the US media is harsher and demands a ‘sugar-coated’ image? I find it astonishing that arguably the greatest player/ego in the history of the game doesn’t also have the drive to figure out his own ‘way’, even if that means keeping it all a bit Las Vegas. If that’s who he is.
He at least needs to figure his own way out of the mess of when his infidelities broke.
I also wonder if he wants to ape Ben Hogan, or aspire to some ball-striking ideal. Ben Hogan probably would have shunned a coach.
He has had the privilege of being coached by some very bright men as it pertains to golf, yet to me outwardly doesn’t look like he has ‘learned’ anything just done lots of ‘reps’ (a curious term)? He does not look to me like he knows what his ‘way’ is even after all these very intelligent coaches have shared so much with him.
Christosterone
Aug 25, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Mac O’Grady made me LOL…
I voted for him
vinax
Aug 25, 2014 at 2:11 pm
This change couldnt have happened earlier. Tiger should just work it out on his and remove the word “explosive” from his vocabulary and his mind.
erkr
Aug 25, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Sean Foley is a great teacher. Read Rose and Mahan. I like the guy
But Dennis Clark is correct. It doesn’t look right. Too much over the ball.
He needs a new angle. Simplify with Harmon wisdom.
TR1PTIK
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:53 pm
I agree with others that I don’t think Butch would take Tiger back, but I think that has more to do with Butch’s age than their relationship (purely speculating – I have no idea what their relationship is like). There has been some talk about the possibility of Butch retiring from instruction (at least at the professional level anyway) and I think Rickie Fowler is a good “last hoorah” for Butch. I could see him sparking a relationship with Claude though. I think it would be a best-of-both-worlds scenario for Tiger since he seems to move toward younger coaches – maybe because he thinks they’re more relatable?. This is all just a wild guess for me since I don’t know much about any of these instructors at the end of the day, but I do think Butch’s instruction was the best Tiger ever received and surely there’s been some passing of knowledge to Claude. That’s my pick.
Ron
Aug 25, 2014 at 6:02 pm
Well he just took on Brandt Snedeker, so two last hurrahs?
TR1PTIK
Aug 25, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Yeah, I guess I forgot about Snedeker. Still, there has been some mention of Butch wanting to dial it down, and I think taking on someone like Tiger would move him in the opposite direction. As much as I like Tiger, he just seems like he’s high maintenance.
Knobbywood
Oct 9, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Just? Uh he took on sends well before fowler
Ron
Aug 25, 2014 at 6:15 pm
And Claude ain’t getting a call. He’s seen first hand the relationship his father and Tiger had. Plus I think he wants no part of the circus.
He should get healthy and ‘dig it out of the dirt’. I think he should shut it down until Torrey to be honest.
While Butch is a great teacher you cant discount Haney as well. And Butch taught Tiger at his youngest and healthiest.
All in all Tiger needs to go into cold storage and rebuild himself from the ground up. He needs to own his swing.
beer
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Bob Toski still around?
ed
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:39 pm
CP is right, Tiger isn’t hurting for money….Actually the coaches will make MORE $$$$$….Look at Butch and Hank they made more money after working with Tiger. I bet Foley made and will make more money…
M.
Aug 25, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Foley’s credentials have gone up the proverbial, who in their right mind would allow him to oversee their development after witnessing Tigers struggles?!
Dig it out
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:32 pm
He can do it himself, and just play golf, using everything he’s learned and knows. He doesn’t need a coach. He just needs to see his own ball go straight, and that can only come from digging it out of the dirt.
cb
Aug 25, 2014 at 2:05 pm
usually i would agree, but tiger has gotten 3 different lessons (haney, harmon, and foley) on how to hit the ball. you would have to think his mind would be trying to figure out which way is right and what to use from each. maybe he just needs a coach to help clarify and not so much instruct on how to do it
Desmond
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:28 pm
The question is “Who will be Tiger’s next coach?”, NOT “In your dreams, who will be Tiger’s next coach?”
adan
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:19 pm
I don’t know the guy and I won’t lay all the blame for Tigers struggles at his feet but he comes off as an arrogant DB! Hope Tiger can get it back with a new coach and play well again!
steve
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:18 pm
How come no Martin Hall on the list, it is a long shot. But he doe’s teach out of Palm Beach
Dale Doback
Aug 25, 2014 at 1:07 pm
I would go with Martin Chuck before Martin Hall especially since Holly Sonders is no longer his assistant.
bradford
Aug 26, 2014 at 8:35 am
Just tie your left leg to this post, swing the club toward this huge duct tape and PVC contraption while hanging this little yellow ball from your neck. Can’t go wrong there, dude is “rubbish”. He won’t be around another year without Tits McGee out there.
rockflightxl1000
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Sucks for foley! He got the old wounded washed up version of Tiger. Had he got the B. Harmon Tiger we probably would’ve seen a driving clinic. Oh well my vote is for Chuck Cook! Old school who adapts modern technology.
bradford
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:49 pm
If that’s the case—shouldn’t he just go with B. Harmon?
Ben
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:45 am
I think he’ll go with Grant Waite just because he’s local, played on tour and had arguably the best swing while he was playing. I personally would like to see him go to Butch or Mac. Mac is a very underrated teacher. Plenty of guys I know went out there and he’s very strange but his methods work.
Mike
Aug 25, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Why would he go back to someone who is going to give him more of the same?
BTW Grant Waite is just a pure striker no matter what method he is using. I looked at some video of when he worked with Chuck Evans (I took lessons at a Golf Galaxy and the teacher loved his swing back then and used it for a model) as a “two planer” and he had a beautiful move. He still does with a more “centered/one plane”, but I can’t imagine Tiger would go to another version of a centered pivot.
Judge Smails
Aug 25, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Who would you recommend that would offer the right pieces to his puzzle and isn’t a backwards move. Tiger wanted a rotary single plane swing that he could own like Hogan. After Haney Tiger could have gone back to Butch and didn’t. I’m sure Tiger looked at Jim Hardy after Haney but didn’t choose him for some reason so rather than another two year overhaul going into his 40s I see someone like Grant Waite that was actually a phenomenal ball Striker coming in and adding Tigers missing elements. I was just curious who you had in mind.
Chris
Aug 25, 2014 at 9:48 pm
Hardy is just a different version of Foley.
John Blutarsky
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:38 pm
Hardy is a better version. I don’t think hardy would appeal to tiger because he is more of a feel, ball flight old school teacher and in all the videos and books I’ve read from Hardy he doesn’t seem to use much trackman type approach. Having said that, Chris who do you think would be the best teacher for tiger moving forward and please don’t say butch because that is backwards and while sometimes we need to go backwards to go forwards I really don’t see Tiger going back to his 2000 swing after all there was a reason he switched from it.
Jeff
Aug 26, 2014 at 9:49 am
Mr Hardy is not even remotely close to Foley!!!!!
Andrew Cooper
Aug 26, 2014 at 1:59 am
I think a mediocre career and stats would suggest Waite’s was far from the best swing on Tour.
Patrick Bateman
Aug 26, 2014 at 2:27 am
Waite may have had a mediocre career but he seemed to rank pretty high in total driving and ball striking. I looked up 2000 and he was around 20 on tour for total ball striking. He wouldn’t be the first tour pro that could hit the ball really good and couldn’t putt. Charles Howell and Ernie Els come to mind. Anyways Butch wasn’t the greatest player but he coached Tiger to number with major wins so it will be interesting if the next coach can figure it out.
Chris
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:44 am
Best move of his entire life right now…Should have gone back to Butch a long time ago. Butch is one of the biggest reasons for his rise to stardom anyway!!!
Desmond
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:43 am
Tiger has always admired Grant Waite’s swing … and now Grant Waite teaches. What a coincidence… or fate?
rockflightxl1000
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:13 pm
Agree, Waite I think does all that S & T type stuff and I think Tiger’s already there. If this happens we may not get all those cool free trackman maestro videos
Desmond
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Actually, Grant is a center pivot pattern, not S&T. But your point is well taken.
Bennett and Plummer used him as a model, but Grant is not part of the S&T group.
Desmond
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Oh, and Grant and Joe Mayo are no longer a teaching tandem.
rockflightxl1000
Aug 25, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong but this would make even better sense for tiger because Foleys work was center driven too.
Desmond
Aug 25, 2014 at 2:28 pm
You’re correct.
And this move would make sense given Tiger’s tendency to respect a former Tour player. Notice all the appreciation when Stricker helped him briefly with his putting. We could talk about Tiger’s aim being off… causing him to make compensations. But that’s another issue. But Grant is soft spoken, speaks Player language, and it could be a good fit.
steve
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:37 am
This what I posted August 9, 2014 Your welcome
steve
August 9, 2014 at 1:20 pm
I bet dollar to donuts Tiger makes a coaching change. It doesnt matter what the trackman numbers are. This is not a natural swing for him, trying to put the round peg in the square hole won’t work. Now more than ever Tiger must feel the door is closing and it is time now or never to make a move to a more natural swing. The Foley swing ideas although may work for some it doesnt for him. Using trackman, checking positions are never going to work when you can’t feel the swing. He has no goto shot off the tee, he used to have the stinger. Now it is hit and hope, good back or bad back this swing will never win a major. The mental strain or time spent trying to figure it out has left his short game and putting behind
Read more at http://www.golfwrx.com/237591/chamblee-nobilo-get-heated-over-tigers-swing-changes/#Y7SUipy2GF27Xouu.99
RobG
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:30 am
“Hey Butch, it’s Tiger.”
Dalt
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:58 am
I think that’s the phone call Tiger should make, but I think the reception on the other end would be negative. Tiger blew it when he walked away from Butch. Will be interesting to see what transpires.
Robeli
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:04 pm
“Tiger who?” Agree, I do not see any benefits for Butch to coach him again. It can only ruin Butch’s legacy like it ruined Foley’s.
steve
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Foley has a legacy?
t-ball
Aug 25, 2014 at 2:13 pm
I would have to agree. I had never heard of Sean Foley when he was hired by Tiger ?
Robeli
Aug 25, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Would you have said Foley had a legacy if Tiger succeeded under him? If yes, then my comment stands as Foley ruined his potential Tiger/Foley legacy. But, that’s just ‘hypothetical’, isn’t it?
GOBO
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:17 am
Crazy. Tiger should have just left his swing alone after 2000. Everyone is saying go back to Butch but I doubt Butch would take him back
Norman
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:41 am
How about his son,Claude?
Dalt
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:59 am
I believe you are correct.
cmasty
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:16 am
Finally.
Big Draw
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:16 am
Should never have gone to him in the first place. Heal yourself Tiger and then play by feel – you have the tools to do it
kess
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:06 am
Its hard to say that his work wasn’t effective with Tiger after last year’s win tally but I think this will be good thing for him. He seems to be fighting himself every round and hopefully he can get into a more relaxed rhythm and start enjoying himself more. And I’m sure there are some things that can be done to help him preserve his body over the course of a season.
Mavis
Aug 25, 2014 at 12:16 pm
You are correct. Tiger’s rhythm had been terrible for many years as he tried to force a permanent change of his natural draw, which resulted in a two-way miss. Martin Kaymer did the same thing many years ago and corrected the error late last season with Tour success during the current. Tiger needs to enjoy playing again. Since 2008, he has diligently tried to shut down his emotions while practicing and playing. Feel is more than just impact. Feel is a philosophy of play.
Dan
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:02 am
If he is shutting it down, why pay a coach? It could be to save the $$$$$
Joe
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:14 am
You don’t fire your coach because you don’t want to pay him while you take a few months off. You fire your coach because you no longer believe he can make you the best player you can be.
Besides…Tiger is probably paying Foley less than 1% of what he makes in a year.
CP
Aug 25, 2014 at 11:42 am
It’s not like Tiger’s hurting for money, besides he’s shutting it down for a couple months not a couple years.