What Happened to Tiger at The Open?
Between Tiger not making the cut, and Watson not making the putt, I have been at a loss for words. Both of my heros fell short and I’ve been mourning a bit. So late as it is, this is the answer to Tiger’s issues. I’ll get to Watson in an upcoming article…
Tiger was the favorite to win The Open, but somehow, he failed to bring his “A” game. So what really happened?
Is there a weak spot in Tiger’s armor? I believe there is…
Tiger has been fighting that block to the right mainly with his driver for years. Why does he do it? Well, most instructors, including Hank Haney would probably blame the timing of his hands during the downswing. After all, the block happens because the hands are getting “stuck” behind the turn of the body… Right?
Tiger’s problem at the Open was that Hank wasn’t there to help him tweak his timing. Kind of amazing if you think about how many amateurs have swings built completely on timing. If Tiger has a hard time with it, how successful can the average amateur be, without the practice or access to the top instructors that Tiger has?
So it’s just timing, right? Well, so far… But that is usually where most instructors stop their analysis. The real question is why does it happen?
Well, on occasions where Tiger hits the driver well, he gets his hands through in good time, so it has to be the hands… Right?
Wrong!
Tiger’s problem on his driver when he blocks the ball is that his hips open too far too fast. When that happens, it is nearly impossible for a human to get their hands to “catch up.” Now and then, Tiger does… But that’s Tiger.
See, Tiger is firing his hips for all it is worth for extra distance on the driver. What he needs to figure out is a way to control the timing of his hips, not his hands. So how can he do that?
If you have studied Golf Swing Control, you know you control the hips by controlling the weight felt in the feet. You know that by keeping a certain intention during transition, you can control the hips and the whole left side during the downswing. And it’s much easier to do than trying to time the fast firing muscles of the arms and hands for every swing… No matter how much you practice.
So, if Tiger wants to get his driver under control, he needs to quit trying to time the hands and become more aware of his feet.
Tiger, If you’re reading this, call me. I can fix it in about 15 minutes. I mean it.
Hit’m well,
Tracy
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I cannot comment on your thoughts re Tigers swing at the Open Championship but, one of the English commentators on UK TV pointed out the dip which has been visible in Tiger’s swing. As he starts down his head dips down and as he strikes the ball his head comes up. This is clearly visible and can only effect the direction of the ball.
If what I have read Tiger was taught by his Father,he should go back to doing his own thing and get rid of all the Guru’s,how many golfers have the so called experts wrecked.
I truly believe[and frankly that’s all that matters to me is my opinion] that T.W. like every single blessed golfer who ever teed it up is getting paralysis by analysis..he is allowing himself to be over instructed[again my opinion]. Why this indescribable talent with a steel trap for a mind would continualy try to “tweak” his performance is beyond my ab ility to comprehend. Let’s bring into the equation the time honored saying “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”. I further believe that T.W. know’s more about the swing than an army of Butch Harmon’s, Hank Haney’s etc etc. And my final comment if I may. Never in the history of this wonderful and maddening sport called golf has their ever been or ever will be a golfer, be he/she T.W’s or Lorena Ochoa or Joe the hacker who doesn’t ride the roller coaster. It’s what the golfing god’s dangle over our respective heads telling us to enjoy the good rounds and suffer through the bad one’s..T.W. is still the greatest player of golf ever and if one were to inject truth serum into Mr. Nicklaus, I assure you he would agree with my
assessment. By the way, Mr. Nicklaus wasn’t bad was he??
I believe it’s just a matter of time an Tigers game will return to normal. Players of his skill level that take the amount of time off that he did it just takes time sync up the swing, 6 to 8 weeks of constant tour play would work magic on his game. Practice on the range is good, but a long stretch in the heat of competive tour play should help sync his game to a dominate level again.
I don’t know about Tiger’s swing or care for that matter. But I have “finally” gotten around to viewing Tracy’s DVD’s after sitting on the shelf for months and my game has taken on a total new direction!!! As a regular 92 - 95 golfer, I have now been firing consistant and enjoyable 82-85 rounds. Golf is fun again. We came in first in our flight in last weekends member/member, something I have never experienced before. The CD on Transition is always on while driving and I learn something new evertime I hear it. Thanks Tracy for puttting the golf swing principle in a format I can understand and captialize on to improve “my” game. Golfing buddies are amazed at my dramatic/quick improvement. I eventually am going to share your program with them but not right now. Thanks.
Grateful Golfer
David Rattelade
North Carolina
I agree with Charles. It’s just a matter of time.
I was pulling for Watson and was quite surprised when ESPN and some other writers talked about how bad it would be for golf if he won. One of the greatest links players of all time winning is bad for golf? On to Tiger.
Knee surgery, or any other surgery does some weird things to your body.
Tiger played on half a leg for so long he is programmed to expect pain. It throws everything off when the feeling is gone. I had neck surgery last September and thought about giving up golf after my first 2 rounds. Nothing was right. But Tiger has always had trouble using the driver. In my humble opinion the reason he did not make the cut in the Open is because he had the club in his bag. If you can’t hit it, leave it at home.
I believe tiger has speeded up his swing since returning to the tour he is the one person in the world who could slow it down slightly allowing his arms hips and hands to be in the deaired positions at the point of impact
Why not contact Tiger or Hank…let them know your credentials…then explain your thoughts on how to get Tiger’s swing back in control. I’m sure they would never let you into their world, but I would love to know if you could do it…in 15 minutes or not.
Still don’t have your system…just can’t pull the trigger, or spend the money, but I try to learn what I can about the system from your blogs and posts. I always say, “I’d pay anything for a good golf game” …I guess I should sell all of my golf books and videos that promised the world, and buy yours :-) or borrow it :-)
Being from Houston and knowing alot about Hank Haney, (was the pro at Sweetwater in Houston), I have been wondering how long it would take Tiger to realize that Haney does not teach the type of swing that best fits his body type. Haney has Tiger’s driver layed-off and slightly open at the top because Haney has always taught a flat swing plane. This may work for shorter golfers, but not for golfers that are 6′ or more. What did Lee Trevino say, “when I can find an instructor that can beat me, I will listen to him”. I believe that even the greatest pros need some tweaking at times but they surely don’t need some gruru watching their every move. Mark my word, Tiger and Haney will soon part ways.
Tiger still is the best, Jack N was my idol for many years. We all loved him and what he brought to the sport. I have noticed that Tiger has been swinging so much harder and faster. His facial expressions, as though he has pent up anger within’, His Tempo really seems off and I believe he has a lot of things not pertaining to Golf on his mind. Well who said it? The Golf Gods were not with him, Oh well, wrong! He is the Golf God………WHO ELSE could possibly pull off what he does over and over again? He’ll be back soon and with a vengience.
I have become a total Tracy addict. Whenever, things go badly I can rely on the set up routine to guarantee a decent shot. No more pushes right followed by horrendous hooks to correct for the push. If I miss, I know why. Mostly hanging back on the right side when I try to take a little off my swing. For me a slow and balanced backswing with a comfortable shoulder turn results in purer contact and more distance.
As for Tiger at The Open, there was no slow balanced backswing and lots of unbalanced lashing. His stance was too narrow and he had a big sway and dip with his transition. Imagine all that energy and strength wasted trying to keep his balance. Watch his finish - falling backward or rolling his left ankle. A nice fluid turn on the left hip to a balanced finish and he’d be down the middle every time and nasty long. He now has a good left knee and great hip rotation, so why not let them work in his favor?
It only took me 50 years to find this out, maybe Tiger will find Tracy’s secret sooner than I did!
Watching the GC last night and they analyzed TW’s driver swing. They said TW’s driver was layed-off and slightly open which is making the ball go right. This is what I have been saying for a long time. Again, if he continues with Haney, that will never change. I almost want to close my eyes every time TW swings his driver because of the position he puts it at the top. If his timing is not absolutely perfect, he can’t possibly get his ball in the fairway. You guys watch him next time and see what I am talking about.
Well, hate to say I told you so., but after watching Tigers performance at the Buick Open this week-end you can see what I meant about the Golf Gods. I believe he could make 10 or more birdies around if he really wanted to.
As for Terrys program, it’s working for me, helping me to get confidence back in my irons and the entire game. I’ve had a lot of injuries and surgery’s over the past five years but for 69 years old I can still drive it 250 ocassionally. Working on that 300(dream on). But I do hope to shoot my age soon.
Tiger can also lose occasionally, so what, he is still the best player ever while not to take away any credit from other greats. I think TW was mentally under prepared for the treacherous links course, windy conditions and somewhat unreasonable pin positions that increased the level of difficulty. Tom Watson another super hero exhibited one of the best displays of course management over 4 days.
Tracy, watching yr DVDs hv helped my swing mechanics and consistency tremendously, and another friend who I helped with your instructional DVDs has recently purchased them. These are so good!
Keep up the good work!
najib
If I were Tiger (or someone who has his ear and wants to get into his good books), Id push for him to allow Tracy those 15 minutes.
I’ve had his system for 2 months now and finally my game is ocming together and my scores are coming down. I still have the odd blow up hole, but as someone else has said, I can go back to the basics taught in the book and make crisp clean contact and allow myself to calm back down and get my round back together.
If anyone out there is hesitating, I’d be happy to be a reference. post your email here or ask the website moderator for my email address.
Tony (now 27 hcap, was effectively a 33 (although UK stops at 28 for me) until 2 months ago)
Believe it! Tiger is human too. No one hits every shot pure. That’s why we play the game. When you rip the club through impact like he does it’s just pure feel. It’s either there or it isn’t. At the open, it wasn’t. Who knows, maybe it was the trip over or the food or just something he couldn’t get out of his head but he definately didn’t have his A game. No one does every time they tee it up. I wouldn’t sweat it too much. He’s a big boy and the best golfer on the planet. I’m sure he will have no problem amazing us with his talent for years to come if we are that lucky.
This is just a bump in the road! everything will come full circle!