Opinion & Analysis

The 4 Biggest Myths About Biomechanics

Published

7 years ago

Apr 12, 2017

So what’s the point of biomechanics anyways?

It seems that I hear more negative comments about this word “biomechanics” than positive. “It’s making golf too complicated” is what I hear most. I have to admit that I thought this for a long time myself, but when I dived into the subject and started talking with actual “biomechanists” (PhDs doing the research) and coaches who have a deep understanding of the concepts, things started to change for me.

I realized no one had actually explained to me what biomechanics was or how we should look at it. Now, I’m excited to dive into the topic and help spread the word about what’s actually going on. To that end, let’s break down the 4 biggest myths about biomechanics so we can separate fact from fiction.

Myth #1: It’s a Method or Model of Teaching Golf

First, let’s define what biomechanics is so we’re all on the same page. It’s “the study of the structure and function of biological systems by means of the methods of mechanics.”

What I’ve picked up when talking with biomechanists is that they’re trying to figure out WHAT’S going on and WHY with golfers. It’s not about one method of swinging the golf club or finding people with some perfect metrics; it’s a study of a topic just like anything else in the world. And in their study, biomechanists are observing tremendous variability among golfers, regardless of skill level.

“What we’re finding is a lot of variability even if we have really good players,” says Dr. Scott Lynn.

Biomechanics isn’t just a term that’s related to golf. In fact, there are biomechanists that work in other sports like gymnastics, track and field and in the medical arena. You’ll find that most biomechanists who work in golf also do research in other sports and arenas.

Myth #2: It Makes Things More Complicated

Does biomechanics make golf instruction more complicated? It might seem that way if you’re looking at the data and some of the scientific papers for the first time. There are a lot of measurements, theories and concepts to learn, and there’s no question they can be overwhelming at first.

The best instructors I know have invested a lot of time educating themselves on biomechanics because they say it helps them make SMARTER decisions and communicate with more SIMPLICITY to their students.

“It just helps me to get there quicker,” says Top-100 Instructor John Dunigan of his study of biomechanics.

When you look up the word biomechanics you’ll find two goals. The first is to improve PERFORMANCE; the second is to avoid the risk of INJURY. To do that, there are two fields that are being looked at in biomechanics: kinetics and kinematics.

“Kinetics” is the study of forces that produce motion. A force is happening anytime two things come in contact (your hand on the club, your feet on the ground). There are three forces that act on the golf club during the swing: gravity, air resistance and the forces that the golfer applies to the grip with their hands. The last one, the forces the golfer applies to club, are by far and away are the major determinants of how the club moves.

The second area of study is “kinematics,” which examines actual motion without regard to the forces producing it. Anything that looks at movement is going to be related to kinematics, and this is what we’ve spent most of our time talking about in the golf world over the years. One aspect of kinematics you might have heard of is the kinematic sequence, which shows rotational velocities of different body segments. Using this data, we can learn to optimize efficiency and produce more power.

Myth #3: It’s All Graphs and Numbers

When you measure a golf swing and look at what’s going on you get a lot of numbers, graphs and data, but biomechanics isn’t just data. It’s not just motion-capture info or a pressure-mat reading. Biomechanics is looking at what those numbers mean and their influence on people and their movement patterns.

Without great tools to measure and assess the coaching, the training and study of biomechanics will always be limited. In fact, it’s because of the new technologies and new measurement devices that the study of biomechanics has been able to grow.

The goal of any instructor is to take all the data and make a smarter decision. Ultimately, a golfer has to get feedback in a way that allows them to make a meaningful change. That might be a certain swing “feel” from a biofeedback device like K-Vest or a swing thought about weight shift from a pressure mat like BodiTrak. At the end of the day, the numbers are observational tools that can establish baselines to help golfers and golf instructors make meaningful and quantifiable changes.

Besides looking to improve performance, biomechanics also attempts to help reduce the risk of injury. This aspect is definitely difficult to look at and follow through with in the real world. Telling players to reduce their performance potential to decrease likelihood of injuries is a line most players aren’t willing to cross.

“There’re just so many factors that go into injury,” says Dr. Sasho Mackenzie, a top expert in the field of biomechanics. “It’s subjective to the individual in terms of their body’s tissues ability to repair itself, to sustain multiple repeated forces over and over again. It becomes really, really challenging to predict…”

Myth #4: I’m just trying to break 90. Does it really matter?

A lot of people ask if they should get fit for clubs if they’re not an elite golfer, and the answer is typically going to be a resounding “yes” from any coach or instructor. The same is true for biomechanics.

Wouldn’t you want to have an instructor or coach with knowledge of how the body and swing works? Someone’s whose studied the best science and research and can make better decisions about what path to take you down?

Again, biomechanics is not about swinging the club in a specific way. The goal is to help you improve your performance as quickly as possible while reducing the chance of injury. That’s beneficial to any level of player.

So, what’s the future for biomechanics in golf?

The future is bright for biomechanics. As technology improves, it’s only going to be easier to capture more data and analyze what’s really going on and why in the golf swing.

“I think we’re still in our infancy,” says Dr. Phil Cheetham. “I mean, there are a million things we can look at and man, it’s a fun time right now.”

The biggest shift is going to be golf instructors taking their education seriously and understanding the topic so well that they improve their communication and decision making when working with golfers.

If you’re interested in learning more, over at the Golf Science Lab we’re spending the next few months diving into biomechanics and making it as simple and understandable as possible. Check out the podcast here.

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Cordie Walker

Cordie has spent the last four years working with golf instructors, helping inform thousands on business and teaching best practices (if you're a coach or instructor check out http://golfinthelifeof.com/). Through that he's realized that it's time for the way golf is taught to be changed. When looking at research and talking with coaches and academics, he's launched the Golf Science Golf Science Lab , a website and audio documentary-style podcast focused on documenting what's really going on in learning and playing better golf.

20 Comments

Bob Pegram

Apr 24, 2017 at 3:58 am

K-Vest does help, in certain circumstances, reduce the likelihood of future injury, but only when used by a highly trained professional or clubfitter. Titleist does the training for injury prevention and for swing efficiency. They are separate training. In other words, somebody trained in one may not be trained in the other one.

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Bob Pegram

Apr 24, 2017 at 3:53 am

All that matters is what any swing changes do in the hitting zone. As long as the changes don’t increase the likelihood of injury, or, better yet, reduce them, the path, speed, and aim of the head at impact are what matter.
Do machines that measure this part of the swing help? Yes, but the teacher needs to explain why angle of attack, inside-out or outside in swing path, and face angle are important. He also needs to explain how any swing mistakes affect these.

Reply Report comment
Smiller

Apr 19, 2017 at 11:36 pm

When I try to lean my shaft properly I cannot feel the pressure. Am I doing something wrong? I am thinking my shaft is not quite stiff enough.

Reply Report comment
Ron

Apr 13, 2017 at 10:31 pm

While its good to gather different information or opinions, a good teacher adapts to the student rather than force the student into a hard set of guidelines and structured teachings.

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Apr 14, 2017 at 3:54 pm
  
  There’s a thousand miles between those two statements….Adapt to the student? At what point? When they can break 100 or 80. Maybe 1 out of a thousand who comes in a ridiculous set up, grip is breaking 90 and they’re stuck. They’ll never break that plateau – unless like a junkie or alcoholic they admit there’s a problem they can’t fix themselves and make the changes necessary to get better. Period. You can’t polish a 15 year shitty golf swing for someone to finally drop 15 shots and break 80….BUT that’s not saying there’s always the special few already playing & scoring really well with some pretty ugly moves….
  
  But, they’re generally happy and don’t take lessons…..NOW, if one starts really hurting his back and seeks my help to fix it, I can identify what he’s doing poorly that’s increasing the stress on the back and show him how to fix it….THAT’S NOT A ‘HARD SET’ of guidelines… What you are describing is someone teaching their swing method or philosophy. Good / bad biomechanics are just that and only that. You’re either moving efficently and maximizing the body’s effforts for the task at hand – or not.
  
  Come to me for help, you’ll get 110%. Refuse to change something I absolutely know is screwing up your ability to do the next move or stop the pain?
  
  Go away – I can’t fix stupid, and odds are you’re no Jim Furyk
  
  Reply Report comment
larrybud

Apr 13, 2017 at 10:09 pm

Like anything else in golf instruction, the information is only as good as the instructor. The study of biomechanics is certainly not bad in and of itself, but how that information is used. Same goes with things like video and launch monitor data. It’s just information.

However, when sequencing charts are misunderstood, or when instructors don’t understand camera angles and parallax errors, or when they go chasing launch monitor numbers, you’re going to be in a world of hurt.

BTW, #2 certainly isn’t a myth in the hands of a bad instructor, or even with a good instructor but with a student who doesn’t learn using technical information. If you’re blathering about spine angle, P3, P4, Px, or smash factor to a student who doesn’t care and doesn’t want to know about that, then you’re teaching incorrectly for that particular student.

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Forthewin!!

Apr 12, 2017 at 11:28 pm

Learning the concept can help your current swing. The hardest part is getting all the info to slowly become a natural part of your swing. I think the key is to not try and become a different golfer, but use the knowledge to enhance your current athletic ability.

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Progolfer

Apr 12, 2017 at 9:54 pm

I worked with a bio-mechanical coach, and unfortunately, the “myths” were realities. My game never got so bad, and I developed aches and pains. All the while, he kept telling me to stick with it. I won’t name him, but he is one of the sought-out bio-mechanical coaches in the country. Don’t waste your time or money trying it!!

Reply Report comment
- Mat
  
  Apr 13, 2017 at 5:56 am
  
  Yup. +1
  
  Reply Report comment
Nathan

Apr 12, 2017 at 4:55 pm

Golf bio-mechanics is unfortunately a joke at this point.

Bio-mechanics are just analyzing the ‘effects’ without getting to the ’cause’.

Tiger is with a bio-mechanic and can’t keep Tiger from getting stuck.

Obviously Como’s bio-mechanical ‘knowledge’ is not effective or worse…

Reply Report comment
Jack

Apr 12, 2017 at 2:30 pm

There is a “tremendous variability among golfers, regardless of skill level”? You need to read “Swing like a Pro: The Breakthrough Scientific Method of Perfecting Your Golf Swing” co-authored by Dr. Ralph Mann and Fred Griffin. They found there is hardly any variability among the swings of professional golfers. Dr. Mann is a former Olympic hurdler who has a Ph.D in Biomechanics. Griffin is a golf professional. I think I’ll stick with their findings.

Reply Report comment
cgasucks

Apr 12, 2017 at 11:59 am

Butch Harmon said himself he doesn’t know what biomechanics even is and he seems to have an ok career as the coach. His record speaks for itself.

Reply Report comment
david

Apr 12, 2017 at 11:52 am

I would take Harvey Penick as a teacher any day of the century over technical/biomechanical teachers such as Leadbetter or Sean Foley. I’ve watched their teachings and get dumfounded.

Reply Report comment
Steve S

Apr 12, 2017 at 10:00 am

I’m all for using biomechanics in golf. Just like I think using physics in analyzing the golf swing has resulted in the exploding of myths about the golf swing. However, both need to be applied by people well versed in the subject. That ain’t happening with your typical golf coach. Any PhD and MD versed in biomechanics is not going to come cheap.

Reply Report comment
ooffa

Apr 12, 2017 at 9:03 am

Nothing can replace feel.

Reply Report comment
- Jalan
  
  Apr 12, 2017 at 9:19 am
  
  Can’t agree with that. I can ‘feel’ as though I made certain moves in the golf swing, yet when I see a video of that swing, I find I did not do what I felt. That doesn’t mean it was a bad swing, it means it wasn’t executed the way if ‘felt’.
  
  Reply Report comment
- bver
  
  Apr 12, 2017 at 9:53 am
  
  Really? You can “feel” that you’re reverse pivoting and over rotating? I’ve given thousands of lessons, and I can tell you that nobody can “feel” what they’re actually doing.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Mower
  
  Apr 12, 2017 at 11:35 am
  
  Well, you know the saying, “Feel & Real are two different things.”
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Andrew Cooper
    
    Apr 12, 2017 at 12:42 pm
    
    The feel is always real, it just may not match up with the visual.
    
    Reply Report comment
- larrybud
  
  Apr 13, 2017 at 10:04 pm
  
  Rarely does a player feel what is real.
  
  Reply Report comment

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s LIV Golf Singapore betting preview: Course specialist ready to thrive once again

Published

3 days ago

Apr 30, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

After another strong showing in Australia, LIV Golf will head to Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore looking to build off of what was undoubtedly their best event to date.

Sentosa Golf Club sits on the southern tip of Singapore and is one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The course is more than just incredible scenically; it was also rated 55th in Golf Digest’s top-100 courses in 2022-2023 and has been consistently regarded as one of the best courses in Asia. Prior to being part of the LIV rotation, the course hosted the Singapore Open every year since 2005.

Sentosa Golf Club is a par 71 measuring 7,406 yards. The course will require precise ball striking and some length off the tee. It’s possible to go low due to the pristine conditions, but there are also plenty of hazards and difficult spots on the course that can bring double bogey into play in a hurry. The Bermudagrass greens are perfectly manicured, and the course has spent millions on the sub-air system to keep the greens rolling fast. I spoke to Asian Tour player, Travis Smyth, who described the greens as “the best [he’s] ever played.”

Davis Love III, who competed in a Singapore Open in 2019, also gushed over the condition of the golf course.

“I love the greens. They are fabulous,” the 21-time PGA Tour winner said.

Love III also spoke about other aspects of the golf course.

“The greens are great; the fairways are perfect. It is a wonderful course, and it’s tricky off the tee.”

“It’s a long golf course, and you get some long iron shots. It takes somebody hitting it great to hit every green even though they are big.”

As Love III said, the course can be difficult off the tee due to the length of the course and the trouble looming around every corner. It will take a terrific ball striking week to win at Sentosa Golf Club.

In his pre-tournament press conference last season, Phil Mickelson echoed many of the same sentiments.

“To play Sentosa effectively, you’re going to have a lot of shots from 160 to 210, a lot of full 6-, 7-, 8-iron shots, and you need to hit those really well and you need to drive the ball well.”

Golfers who excel from tee to green and can dial in their longer irons will have a massive advantage this week.

Stat Leaders at LIV Golf Adelaide:

Fairways Hit

1.) Louis Oosthuizen

2.) Anirban Lahiri

3.) Jon Rahm

4.) Brendan Steele

5.) Cameron Tringale

Greens in Regulation

1.) Brooks Koepka

2.) Brendan Steele

3.) Dean Burmester

4.) Cameron Tringale

5.) Anirban Lahiri

Birdies Made

1.) Brendan Steele

2.) Dean Burmester

3.) Thomas Pieters

4.) Patrick Reed

5.) Carlos Ortiz

LIV Golf Individual Standings:

1.) Joaquin Niemann

2.) Jon Rahm

3.) Dean Burmester

4.) Louis Oosthuizen

5.) Abraham Ancer

LIV Golf Team Standings:

1.) Crushers

2.) Legion XIII

3.) Torque

4.) Stinger GC

5.) Ripper GC

LIV Golf Singapore Picks

Sergio Garcia +3000 (DraftKings)

Sergio Garcia is no stranger to Sentosa Golf Club. The Spaniard won the Singapore Open in 2018 by five strokes and lost in a playoff at LIV Singapore last year to scorching hot Talor Gooch. Looking at the course setup, it’s no surprise that a player like Sergio has played incredible golf here. He’s long off the tee and is one of the better long iron players in the world when he’s in form. Garcia is also statistically a much better putter on Bermudagrass than he is on other putting surfaces. He’s putt extremely well on Sentosa’s incredibly pure green complexes.

This season, Garcia has two runner-up finishes, both of them being playoff losses. Both El Camaleon and Doral are courses he’s had success at in his career. The Spaniard is a player who plays well at his tracks, and Sentosa is one of them. I believe Sergio will get himself in the mix this week. Hopefully the third time is a charm in Singapore.

Paul Casey +3300 (FanDuel)

Paul Casey is in the midst of one of his best seasons in the five years or so. The results recently have been up and down, but he’s shown that when he’s on a golf course that suits his game, he’s amongst the contenders.

This season, Casey has finishes of T5 (LIV Las Vegas), T2 (LIV Hong Kong), and a 6th at the Singapore Classic on the DP World Tour. At his best, the Englishman is one of the best long iron players in the world, which makes him a strong fit for Sentosa. Despite being in poor form last season, he was able to fire a Sunday 63, which shows he can low here at the course.

It’s been three years since Casey has won a tournament (Omega Dubai Desert Classic in 2021), but he’s been one of the top players on LIV this season and I think he can get it done at some point this season.

Mito Pereira +5000 (Bet365)

Since Mito Pereira’s unfortunate demise at the 2022 PGA Championship, he’s been extremely inconsistent. However, over the past few months, the Chilean has played well on the International Series as well as his most recent LIV start. Mito finished 8th at LIV Adelaide, which was his best LIV finish this season.

Last year, Pereira finished 5th at LIV Singapore, shooting fantastic rounds of 67-66-66. It makes sense why Mito would like Sentosa, as preeminent ball strikers tend to rise to the challenge of the golf course. He’s a great long iron player who is long and straight off the tee.

Mito has some experience playing in Asia and is one of the most talented players on LIV who’s yet to get in the winner’s circle. I have questions about whether or not he can come through once in contention, but if he gets there, I’m happy to roll the dice.

Andy Ogletree +15000 (DraftKings)

Andy Ogletree is a player I expected to have a strong 2024 but struggled early in his first full season on LIV. After failing to crack the top-25 in any LIV event this year, the former U.S. Amateur champion finally figured things out, finished in a tie for 3rd at LIV Adelaide.

Ogletree should be incredible comfortable playing in Singapore. He won the International Series Qatar last year and finished T3 at the International Series Singapore. The 26-year-old was arguably the best player on the Asian Tour in 2023 and has been fantastic in the continent over the past 18 months.

If Ogletree has indeed found form, he looks to be an amazing value at triple-digit odds.

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Opinion & Analysis

Ryan: Lessons from the worst golf instructor in America

Published

3 days ago

Apr 30, 2024

Brendan Ryan

In Tampa, there is a golf course that boasts carts that do not work, a water range, and a group of players none of which have any chance to break 80. The course is overseen by a staff of crusty men who have succeeded at nothing in life but ending up at the worst-run course in America. However, this place is no failure. With several other local courses going out of business — and boasting outstanding greens — the place is booked full.

While I came for the great greens, I stayed to watch our resident instructor; a poor-tempered, method teacher who caters to the hopeless. At first, it was simply hilarious. However, after months of listening and watching, something clicked. I realized I had a front-row seat to the worst golf instructor in America.

Here are some of my key takeaways.

Method Teacher

It is widely accepted that there are three types of golf instructors: system teachers, non-system teachers, and method teachers. Method teachers prescribe the same antidote for each student based on a preamble which teachers can learn in a couple day certification.

Method teaching allows anyone to be certified. This process caters to the lowest caliber instructor, creating the illusion of competency. This empowers these underqualified instructors with the moniker of “certified” to prey on the innocent and uninformed.

The Cult of Stack and Jilt

The Stack and Tilt website proudly boasts, “A golfer swings his hands inward in the backswing as opposed to straight back to 1) create power, similar to a field goal kicker moving his leg in an arc and 2) to promote a swing that is in-to-out, which produces a draw (and eliminates a slice).”

Now, let me tell you something, there is this law of the universe which says “energy can either be created or destroyed,” so either these guys are defying physics or they have no idea what they are taking about. Further, the idea that the first move of the backswing determines impact is conjecture with a splash of utter fantasy.

These are the pontifications of a method — a set of prescriptions applied to everyone with the hope of some success through the placebo effect. It is one thing for a naive student to believe, for a golf instructor to drink and then dispel this Kool-Aid is malpractice.

Fooled by Randomness

In flipping a coin, or even a March Madness bet, there is a 50-50 chance of success. In golf, especially for new players, results are asymmetric. Simply put: Anything can happen. The problem is that when bad instructors work with high handicappers, each and every shot gets its own diagnosis and prescription. Soon the student is overwhelmed.

Now here’s the sinister thing: The overwhelming information is by design. In this case, the coach is not trying to make you better, they are trying to make you reliant on them for information. A quasi Stockholm syndrome of codependency.

Practice

One of the most important scientists of the 20th century was Ivan Pavlov. As you might recall, he found that animals, including humans, could be conditioned into biological responses. In golf, the idea of practice has made millions of hackers salivate that they are one lesson or practice session from “the secret.”

Sunk Cost

The idea for the worst golf instructor is to create control and dependency so that clients ignore the sunk cost of not getting better. Instead, they are held hostage by the idea that they are one lesson or tip away from unlocking their potential.

Cliches

Cliches have the effect of terminating thoughts. However, they are the weapon of choice for this instructor. Add some hyperbole and students actually get no information. As a result, these players couldn’t play golf. When they did, they had no real scheme. With no idea what they are doing, they would descend into a spiral of no idea what to do, bad results, lower confidence, and running back to the lesson tee from more cliches.

The fact is that poor instruction is about conditioning players to become reliant members of your cult. To take away autonomy. To use practice as a form of control. To sell more golf lessons not by making people better but through the guise that without the teacher, the student can never reach their full potential. All under the umbrella of being “certified” (in a 2-day course!) and a melee of cliches.

This of course is not just happening at my muni but is a systemic problem around the country and around the world, the consequences of which are giving people a great reason to stop playing golf. But hey, at least it’s selling a lot of golf balls…

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans betting preview

Published

2 weeks ago

Apr 22, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

The PGA TOUR heads to New Orleans to play the 2023 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. In a welcome change from the usual stroke play, the Zurich Classic is a team event. On Thursday and Saturday, the teams play best ball, and on Friday and Sunday the teams play alternate shot.

TPC Louisiana is a par 72 that measures 7,425 yards. The course features some short par 4s and plenty of water and bunkers, which makes for a lot of exciting risk/reward scenarios for competitors. Pete Dye designed the course in 2004 specifically for the Zurich Classic, although the event didn’t make its debut until 2007 because of Hurricane Katrina.

Coming off of the Masters and a signature event in consecutive weeks, the field this week is a step down, and understandably so. Many of the world’s top players will be using this time to rest after a busy stretch.

However, there are some interesting teams this season with some stars making surprise appearances in the team event. Some notable teams include Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama, Will Zalatoris and Sahith Theegala as well as a few Canadian teams, Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin and Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners.

Past Winners at TPC Louisiana

2023: Riley/Hardy (-30)
2022: Cantlay/Schauffele (-29)
2021: Leishman/Smith (-20)
2019: Palmer/Rahm (-26)
2018: Horschel/Piercy (-22)
2017: Blixt/Smith (-27)

2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans Picks

Tom Hoge/Maverick McNealy +2500 (DraftKings)

Tom Hoge is coming off of a solid T18 finish at the RBC Heritage and finished T13 at last year’s Zurich Classic alongside Harris English.

This season, Hoge is having one of his best years on Tour in terms of Strokes Gained: Approach. In his last 24 rounds, the only player to top him on the category is Scottie Scheffler. Hoge has been solid on Pete Dye designs, ranking 28th in the field over his past 36 rounds.

McNealy is also having a solid season. He’s finished T6 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and T9 at the PLAYERS Championship. He recently started working with world renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, and its seemingly paid dividends in 2024.

Keith Mitchell/Joel Dahmen +4000 (DraftKings)

Keith Mitchell is having a fantastic season, finishing in the top-20 of five of his past seven starts on Tour. Most recently, Mitchell finished T14 at the Valero Texas Open and gained a whopping 6.0 strokes off the tee. He finished 6th at last year’s Zurich Classic.

Joel Dahmen is having a resurgent year and has been dialed in with his irons. He also has a T11 finish at the PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass which is another Pete Dye track. With Mitchell’s length and Dahmen’s ability to put it close with his short irons, the Mitchell/Dahmen combination will be dangerous this week.

Taylor Moore/Matt NeSmith +6500 (DraftKings)

Taylor Moore has quickly developed into one of the more consistent players on Tour. He’s finished in the top-20 in three of his past four starts, including a very impressive showing at The Masters, finishing T20. He’s also finished T4 at this event in consecutive seasons alongside Matt NeSmith.

NeSmith isn’t having a great 2024, but has seemed to elevate his game in this format. He finished T26 at Pete Dye’s TPC Sawgrass, which gives the 30-year-old something to build off of. NeSmith is also a great putter on Bermudagrass, which could help elevate Moore’s ball striking prowess.

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