BuzzRoll
McIlroy burns Chamblee with tweet, highlights fitness issue in golf
Amid otherwise positive takes on Rory McIlroy, currently No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee said the following in a conference call with media.
“I say it with a lot of trepidation, because it’s a different era for sure, and I don’t know the full extent of what he’s doing, but when I see the things he’s doing in the gym, I think of what happened to Tiger Woods. And I think more than anything of what Tiger Woods did early in his career with his game was just an example of how good a human being can be, what he did towards the middle and end of his career is an example to be wary of. That’s just my opinion. And it does give me a little concern when I see the extensive weightlifting that Rory is doing in the gym. Thus far, there’s been no signs that it’s adversely affected his game.”
The Golf Channel tweeted an article related to Chamblee’s remarks, which McIlroy saw and decided to offer the following reply.
@GolfChannel @chambleebrandel pic.twitter.com/tz7lSH7Z6k
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) February 16, 2016
He then added the following details of his workout.
Pros, trainers, and many of the younger set in the golf media offered support, as did another notable golf fitness enthusiast.
@McIlroyRory @GolfChannel @chambleebrandel Haha, too funny. Don’t worry about the naysayers mate. They all said I would be done at 30 too.
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) February 17, 2016
While this trollery is funny, we have an issue in golf right now. Old-school thinkers, like Chamblee and Harmon, for example, are wary of weightlifting in golf. It’s likely they are less concerned about other golf-related fitness. And in recent years, criticism has come from several corners, suggesting that Tiger Woods’ spate of injuries may be related to (rather than prevented by) his fitness.
And yet, nearly all professional golfers do some form of fitness, under the guidance of the best golf fitness minds in the world. Most of them involve weights/other resistance training in their workouts.
So what’s going on here? Is there really a lack of consensus in the industry about how golfers ought to work out? Are commentators who likely have little knowledge of strength and conditioning and their unqualified opinions representative of the majority take on the topic? Could they be right?
It’s a discussion that needs to be had. We’re lucky to have several golf fitness professionals who write for this site and an informed audience.
So let’s have it.
- LIKE289
- LEGIT40
- WOW16
- LOL41
- IDHT15
- FLOP18
- OB9
- SHANK60
In our forums, our members have been discussing Kevin Kisner’s new Callaway X Forged CB irons which he has in the bag at this week’s CJ Cup. WRXers have been commenting on the switch and the clubs themselves in our forums.
For lots more photos, check out the full thread here.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- btyh: “Holy offset.”
- Glf_LU: “These are interesting. Not going to make a rush to judgement until I see them in person. It does look like a little more offset than I would expect to see in this model.”
- bcflyguy1: “Kisner is not one to make a lot of equipment changes (see the GBB driver he’s still using), so if these do have staying power in his bag that will be interesting to see. I have to wonder if there’s something different about his set, because like others have mentioned there appears to be more offset on his than I recall seeing in the samples I’ve had in hand.”
Entire Thread: “Kevin Kisner’s new Callaway X Forged CB irons”
- LIKE5
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
As part of a Srixon campaign, four PGA Tour players recently participated in a three-hole challenge, with each hole being a different game; hole No. 1 was blindfolded, hole No. 2 was costumes and distractions, and hole No. 3 was alternate shot with a baseball bat. The teams were Smylie Kaufman and Sam Ryder against Shane Lowry and Grayson Murray.
Watch the full video below, since it is quite entertaining (albeit not the type of golf that Old Tom Morris surely had in mind), but in particular, make sure to check out the first hole where Lowry and Ryder play a full hole completely blind folded. It’s amazing to watch how badly Ryder struggles, and how Lowry nearly makes par.
What happens when 4 #PGATOUR pros take a day off?
Luckily, the cameras were rolling.
Watch @shanelowrygolf, @graysonmurray, @smyliekaufman10, and @samrydersu in #SrixonVS. pic.twitter.com/C4LJwQgmZ7— Srixon (@SrixonGolf) June 25, 2018
Cleveland-Srixon’s marketing department has been hard at work crafting these viral-esque ad campaigns; if you remember, former long-drive champion Jamie Sadlowski recently dressed as 80-year-old Grandpa Jamie to fool range-goers. That video has since gathered over 1.2 million views on YouTube.
- LIKE41
- LEGIT5
- WOW3
- LOL10
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
@NoLayingUp guy in our club championship this weekend had enough pic.twitter.com/jzJ2Kj03tW
— Josh Scobee (@JoshScobee10) September 10, 2017
We hope this golfer didn’t take the ultra-premium golf equipment plunge before sending his clubs to a watery grave. Either way, this was an expensive (and strangely calm) reaction to a bad round.
- LIKE20
- LEGIT2
- WOW4
- LOL13
- IDHT2
- FLOP3
- OB2
- SHANK15
‘Ridiculous thing to say’ – Major champ left fuming with how publication described Lucas Glover
Why Viktor Hovland loves his Ping i210 irons (and other equipment morsels)
Adam Schenk WITB 2023 (August)
Data Golf site claims Bryson’s round of 58 is not in the top 300(!?) rounds of all time
Korn Ferry Tour pro disqualified while warming up on the practice range
Report: Zach Johnson makes huge Justin Thomas decision as Ryder Cup wildcard picks revealed
Report: Tony Finau facing multiple lawsuits over claims he owes millions of dollars
‘I’ll tell you what’s a joke…’ – Lee Westwood ripped by fellow pro after latest LIV performance
Brandel Chamblee launches blistering attack on Phil Mickelson and Patrick Cantlay
Max Homa WITB 2023 (August)
Kevin Tway WITB 2023 (September)
Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Fortinet Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Fred Biondi WITB 2023 (September)
Fred Biondi what’s in the bag accurate as of the Fortinet Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Callaway...
Preston Summerhays WITB 2023 (September)
Preston Summerhays what’s in the bag accurate as of the Fortinet Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Ping...
Henry Chung WITB 2023 (September)
Henry Chung what’s in the bag accurate as of the Fortinet Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
-
Equipment3 weeks agoWhy Viktor Hovland loves his Ping i210 irons (and other equipment morsels)
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: Tony Finau facing multiple lawsuits over claims he owes millions of dollars
-
19th Hole1 week ago‘I can’t move it’ – Tiger Woods left totally confused by Rickie Fowler’s putter during Liberty National clinic
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoU.S. team questioned by media over their choice of HATS at Walker Cup presser
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoPro disqualifies herself from event while claiming she ‘saved the field from a cheater’
-
19th Hole1 week ago‘I hate him’ – DP World Tour pro endures hellish round with ‘worst Pro-Am partner’ of his life
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago‘I take that back’ – Tommy Fleetwood apologizes for live radio comment on Luke Donald
-
Equipment1 week agoThe PGA Tour’s newest free agent, Wesley Bryan’s unknown irons, and custom Ryder Cup gear spotted in Napa
floor drain cover
Mar 1, 2016 at 2:24 am
I got this website from my friend who shared with me regarding this website and now this time I am browsing thiks website and reading very inforrmative content
at this time.
Celleral Serum
Feb 28, 2016 at 10:27 pm
Good respond in return of this matter with firm arguments and telling the whole thing on the topic
of that.
Whatsapp sniffer
Feb 28, 2016 at 12:22 am
I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work
and exposure! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve incorporated
you guys to my personal blogroll.
Pumper
Feb 24, 2016 at 4:03 pm
When is Gary Player going to stop talking about himself
stephenf
Mar 10, 2016 at 11:21 am
In this case it’s appropriate and on-topic.
That’s in addition to the fact that a guy who’s done that much for the game, especially the international aspect of it, and all the charity and benefit work he’s done, can talk all he wants.
Joe
Mar 15, 2016 at 4:56 am
Were I Mr. Player, I’d never stop talking about myself either…
Domenic
Feb 24, 2016 at 1:36 am
Very rapidly this web site will be famous amid all blogging
and site-building people, due to it’s fastidious articles or
reviews
Natural Ceramides
Feb 23, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you will be a
great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may
come back later on. I want to encourage you to continue
your great work, have a nice evening!
Pingback: Answers to The 6 Hottest Debates in Golf Instruction - Dan Hansen Golf Instruction
Joew2328
Feb 22, 2016 at 7:46 am
I guess I’m confused how working on strength and conditioning hurts your ability to play the game. Dead-lifts, and squats have to be better for your body than cigars and alcohol…right??
Fahgdat
Feb 22, 2016 at 11:46 am
Nah
http://tinyurl.com/hg3maop
Erlybrd
Feb 22, 2016 at 1:20 am
At professional level, golf is all about skill and knowledge, not about how fit one may be.
Johny Thunder
Feb 21, 2016 at 3:09 am
I’m betting each of these golfers interacts with more *true* fitness expertise in a day than a year’s worth of armchair trainers comments on Golfwrx. The internet breeds this – you all know more about golf clubs than the OEMs, you know more about how to play than the pros, you know more about fitness than professional athletes and their trainers.
It would probably do the world a mountain of good if people spent a lot more time listening / reading from those who are educated and trained in their fields, and a lot less time opening their “mouths” in comments sections and forums. But the internet is the “cult of me” at its worst.
Chamblee should also spend more time listening and reading, but is all too eager to voice his uninformed and unconsidered opinion. I suppose that’s what he gets paid for – but the sensationalism is a disservice to golf – just as all media sensationalism is a disservice to the world. All in the name of the almighty dollar.
Steve B
Feb 20, 2016 at 1:56 pm
There is an epidemic in this country of overweight and unhealthy people, and not to generalize too much, but it’s usually led by the older folks. Unfortunately, golf is often stereotyped as one of the least “athletic” sports a person can play, because you can still “play” while being overweight and unhealthy. Heaven forbid if these guys want to exercise and take their athleticism to levels never seen by previous generations of golfers/commentators. I think it’s great to see. It illustrates their level of commitment, and shows what it takes to perform at the highest levels. Hopefully this empowers the new generations of golfers to view the sport differently and to view themselves athletes. The sport needs this to be sustainable and accomplish its mission of bringing more young people into the game.
Jack
Feb 21, 2016 at 9:19 pm
I’ve seen plenty of out of shape guys play basketball too. But the better players are usually in shape. It’s just a misconception because the older generation was frequently fat and out of shape. The new generation are all very much in shape. Look at baseball players. Everyone calls that a sport but many of the guys are hugely overweight.
Mbwa Kali Sana
Feb 19, 2016 at 12:55 pm
“Petite “Ladies send the ball miles without doing any Weight lifting :they are flexible and speedy in their swing .This has nothing to do with the big ,useless bulging muscles you build with slow weightlifting moves!
Gary
Feb 23, 2016 at 11:54 am
That’s completely false. The women that are the longest hitters on tour are gym rats! Example: Michelle Wie, Lexi Thompson, Sei Young Kim, Brooke Henderson.
Nat thorp
Feb 19, 2016 at 11:07 am
I think the real issue here is flexibility. As long as any golfer maintains flexibility in their body then weight lifting should only enhance their game. Tiger went a little over the top with his gains and I would question wether or not it wasn’t from a form of “enhancement.” He gained 40+ lbs in a year and a half. Not an easy task.
Also, I don’t think that any announcer should judge when a person, not just a golfer, decides to take their fitness to a better level. We can’t all have Stadler bodies and be happy or healthy. I think it is a much better image for young people interested in the game to see fit 20 somethings rather than dangerously out of shape golfers. Just my two cents.
Billy
Feb 19, 2016 at 9:45 am
Bramble on moron.
birly-shirly
Feb 19, 2016 at 8:18 am
Well, Brandel makes the point that Tiger bulked up, got stronger and did not gain any clubhead speed.
Rory has said in the past that his strength training hasn’t made him longer off the tee.
So it seems reasonable to question whether this “power game” that we see nowadays requires strenuous weight training.
Is it really the case that a maintenance and injury prevention regime needs to involve lifting heavy?
Large chris
Feb 19, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Exactly – fair question, and beyond probable minor improvements in knee and hip stability, no one, regardless of how many biomechanics or fitness qualifications they have, knows the answer.
Joe
Mar 15, 2016 at 5:04 am
I’d venture to say that workouts would improve stamina.
RoGar
Feb 18, 2016 at 11:23 pm
Way to go brotein shake!!!
Large chris
Feb 18, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Bit surprised no one has yet pointed out that Rory’s squat form is…. Not great.
Clear ‘butt wink’ at the bottom and forward lean, not great for the lower back.
RoGar
Feb 18, 2016 at 11:21 pm
Yes sir, also very surprised a million dollar athlete doesn’t have a spot!!!
gary
Feb 19, 2016 at 8:02 am
probably does have a spot…the guy taking the video , also the squat rack looks like it has a safety bar on either side of him…albeit its just above knee level….but it appears to be a bail out. Also think Brandle probably didn’t study the kilo weight comparison to English style plates… if i was guessing, and not paying attention to “kilo’s”, the width of those would look more like 415 or 495 lbs he’s lifting.
also chamblee probably should have gotten Rory’s workout regiment… he is squatting….legs, back… his other days could be more reps and less weight…. he looks more fit than bulky…. again Brandle likes controversy
Shaun
Feb 19, 2016 at 8:45 am
Not even close to 415 or 495 pounds. It’s easy to lookup the weights of those Rogue plates based on their color and see that he’s doing 275 pounds (including the 45lb Olympic bar). Which isn’t nothing (in fact it’s what I just finished doing about an hour ago) but it’s nowhere near 500 pounds like you insinuate.
gary
Feb 19, 2016 at 9:19 am
Shaun, how bout reading my entire post again…. and again, and again…idiot ! Now let me explain for Shaun ,again.
It may appear that someone (Chamblee) may misconstrue those plates to be a lot more than actual because of the width. Because that width (in English plates ….45 lbs each, and the width of say 4 or 5 on each side would equate to more the 265 lbs. GET IT SHAUN !! that’s all i’m saying
Now, go back and throw a couple more 45’s on your bar and maybe that will clear your head! or maybe you are lifting more then you should….. relax muscle head !
Josh
Feb 19, 2016 at 10:28 pm
You can’t even see his low back/hips as he descends to the bottom because of camera angle and plates obstructing the view. So you can’t make a real analysis as to his form. And he should appear to lean forward. He’s hinging from his hip sockets, as he should. Staying more upright in a back squat forces you to hinge more from the knees, which isn’t what your knees are meant to do in a loaded squat. Are you a qualified trainer/physical therapist who can make a valid argument here?
ActualAthlete
Feb 18, 2016 at 10:28 am
“Mr. Chamblee, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
Do you know what would be amazing? If networks had the testicular fortitude to tell their “analysts” to avoid discussing topics they have absolutely no clue about.
You literally have to be mental to think that the type of lifting Rory or Tiger or any other golfer is doing has any effect OTHER THAN BENEFICIAL! Tiger fell off in his late 30s? OH GOD NO!!!! NOT NATURAL AGING!!!! He was probably dominant in his early 30s due in part TO his fitness, and reality is everyone loses a step at 30, and again at 40. THIS IS WHY HE WAS (possibly) TAKING HGH GUYS!
I get it, there is an upper limit, and golf requires rotational flexibility (among other things) to maintain a quality swing… but like Rory said… it the final set at 265lbs, and my man RORS is a wire and weighs 165 (probably soaking wet!)
I don’t know how many actual athletes there are on here who lift, or have lifted, for improving/maintaining performance in their sport, but in reality, seeing him struggle with that set made me thing he needs to be in the gym MORE OFTEN… not less.
When I played professional baseball… you know… another game involving a swing… We had guys smaller than Rory tossing around much, much more weight than that, all while improving their flexibility, speed, and athleticism.
Chamblee’s “black-box” warning on the gym for golfers has about as much validity as the people claiming autism comes from the MMR vaccine… get real.
So thank you, Mr. Chamblee, for making sure that the “cloud of obscurity and doubt” still sits over the idea of weights for golfers.
Fahgdat
Feb 18, 2016 at 12:19 pm
You lost everybody at “baseball”
Since everybody knows baseball players all took Roids.
Steve
Feb 18, 2016 at 4:41 pm
Did you expect anyone to read your long winded post? Get a life
insider
Feb 18, 2016 at 8:59 am
f***in jagerbombs… skanks….. protein…. gains…
Peakation
Feb 18, 2016 at 2:53 am
Read this for some insight:
http://kelvinmiyahira.com/2015-05-muscle-power-golf-not
Randy
Feb 19, 2016 at 3:01 pm
And for a critical take on Miyahira (and much more), see here:
http://perfectgolfswingreview.net/spinalmotion.htm
Other Paul
Feb 21, 2016 at 12:04 pm
My review.
Before kelvin 97MPH clubhead speed
After Kelvin 110MPH-115MPH warming up topping out around 120MPH.
I am not more explosive either. So distance control is not garbage. No overspeed training, though i am considering it. Took 1 week with my net practicing 1 hour per day to see results. Went to the range and was flying my 47* degree pw over the 150 marker. Now average 165 with a PW.
And now i get no back pain from swinging. If his theories are wrong the results are still awesome.
Paul
RoGar
Feb 17, 2016 at 10:39 pm
I just watched the Chamblee interview on Golf Ch on Morning Drive. Like Chamblee says “in my opinion”. Well in my opinion, Chamblee is a turd!!! He self-centered, egotistical, and down right demeaning… Again, in my opinion!!!
Regis
Feb 19, 2016 at 8:34 am
Possibly true. But Chamblees off the cuff opinion garnered a response from Rory at a presser, a follow up tweet, another response from Gary Player and probably hundreds of articles. In my opinion I don’t think your post is likely to generate anywhere near the same buzz. But that’s j u st my opinion..
AddMinOne
Feb 17, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Coming from someone with 1 win and 174 missed cuts….
Steve
Feb 18, 2016 at 6:01 pm
And you never played on tour but you still chime in
Joe
Feb 19, 2016 at 1:21 pm
Chamblee was a professional golfer and commentator for the Golf Channel. He deserves to be criticized. AddMinOne is a golf fan and consumer who doesn’t like the product that Golf Channel is spewing out.
RoGar
Feb 17, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Chumlee, haha!!! I mean Chamblee, has probably never worked out like a true athlete before. Tour players are modeling their fitness routines like football, and other sports!!! If you have a trainer keeping you structured, your fine. Plus I do believe being strong, agile, mobile, keeps you from getting injured!!!
nos
Feb 17, 2016 at 8:48 pm
lulz
Spew
Feb 17, 2016 at 8:16 pm
Brandel gets paid to spew out sh)te on the telly to fill up the airwaves and minutes. That’s what Americans love on the telly, just a barrage after barrage of drivel nothings from so many commentators offering their nothing opinions painting everything brown with empty words just because, ya know, the air time on the telly has to be filled somehow.
Go get ’em Rors! carry on doing what you do best! You’re not some idiot named Eldrick Tont!
ComeOnSense
Feb 17, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Rory will be fine as long as he stays away from doing the #1 exercise that destroys your lower back guarantee or your money back for the rest of your life,, The “SIT-Ups “.
if Tiger was doing Military Workout, you bet, that Sargent Drill will have him do Sit-Ups 24/7., destroying the lower back.
I hope , that the military program have removed the Sit-Ups from the program by now.
Rory seems to be getting big and strong legs that will support his torso when swinging , but if you get big on your torso ,like Tiger,and keep skinny legs, your lower back may suffer when you swing as your legs cant take the weight & twisting. This is just a guess of mind, since anyone can actually suffer from lower back pain in any moment. Skinny people, over weight, Body Builders, construction & office workers, etc.
Joe Duffer
Feb 17, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Gary Player turned 80 this year and his days still begin with 1,300 sit-ups and pushing 300lb on a leg machine. He hasn’t had a day this year when he’s played 18 holes and not shot lower than his age.
Spew
Feb 17, 2016 at 8:18 pm
I agree, ComeOnSense,
it’s the expenditure from them strenuous sit-ups that really does one in. <wink wink
Hacker
Feb 17, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Tiger’s obsession with Navy Seal training is what hurt him. Working out like McIlroy does is going to do nothing but benefit his health and well being moving forward.
ca1879
Feb 17, 2016 at 4:34 pm
BC is a haircut with an opinion. It’s his job to get views and clicks, and apparently he’s good at that.
Sjut Mattner
Feb 17, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Come on. Fitness and conditioning training is very important nowadays for the “modern golfer”. Only they are able to hit the ball 330 yards. Fitness training also protect them regarding injuries. It is not a secret that Tiger`s injuries are a result of his “Navy Seal practice”! Please let us get rid of the old fashion golf sport!!
[email protected]
Feb 17, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Chandlee is a clown. The Stephen A Smith of golf.
Michael
Feb 17, 2016 at 1:49 pm
I think Mr. Player put an end to the debate with his comment.
Dude
Feb 17, 2016 at 1:29 pm
McIlroy 4 majors, Chamblee 0. Lay off the donuts Chamblee.
Dr Troy
Feb 17, 2016 at 2:44 pm
agree
prime21
Feb 17, 2016 at 5:01 pm
+1