Thrash Talk: Annika Sorenstam

[Donald MacKenzie]

The depth of talent on the LPGA Tour is certainly less than on the PGA Tour, but I don't think that taints Annika's accomplishments one bit. Saying that Wie finished second in an event at age 15 is a bit like saying Tiger won the Masters in his first try as a pro. Doesn't really diminish the previous several decades of Masters champions, it simply signifies an amazing accomplishment by the youngster in each case. Anyone who has ever played competitively can appreciate how hard it is to win golf tournaments at any level, much less against the best players in the game. Annika's winning percentage over the last few years is simply amazing, especially for someone who once had a reputation as a bad putter and a poor closer.

Pound for pound, Tiger's a much better player than Annika. But by the same standards, Annika's much better than just about anybody else out there on any tour. Tiger is the only one to match her work ethic and determination. Vijay is close. It's a small club, and Annika belongs.

Plus, think of the transformation that Annika has made in the middle of her career. Through a year of hard work in the gym and on the practice range (and with the ball flight monitor), she went from averaging 230 off the tee to nearly 270. That was the year that Sports Illustrated (Alan Shipnuck, I believe) wrote that Annika was done as a factor, that her brand of "small ball" wouldn't play compared with the stronger games of Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb. Oops.

[iacas]

Plus, think of the transformation that Annika has made in the middle of her career. Through a year of hard work in the gym and on the practice range (and with the ball flight monitor), she went from averaging 230 off the tee to nearly 270. That was the year that Sports Illustrated (Alan Shipnuck, I believe) wrote that Annika was done as a factor, that her brand of "small ball" wouldn't play compared with the stronger games of Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb. Oops.

A bit non-sequitur, but I'd put Annika at the top of the "yards per easiness" chart. Her swing looks as though she's flipping the page of a book, yet BAM, the ball carries 260. Ernie Els may have an easy swing and the nickname, but I'd put her up against him any day as far as "easy swings that hit the ball a surprising distance."

[Donald MacKenzie]

A bit non-sequitur, but I'd put Annika at the top of the "yards per easiness" chart. Her swing looks as though she's flipping the page of a book, yet BAM, the ball carries 260. Ernie Els may have an easy swing and the nickname, but I'd put her up against him any day as far as "easy swings that hit the ball a surprising distance."

I agree on how much power she gets out of her swing. The big factor: She hits it flush EVERY TIME. I've watched dozens of tour players go through lengthy practice/equipment testing sessions. Annika and Monty were the only ones who essentially never made bad contact. Even ball-striking savants like Johnny Miller and Bruce Fleisher catch one a bit off every 20-30 swings. But Annika and Monty (back in 1998-2000, at least) hit it square on every swing. Monty doesn't always bring that precision to the course anymore, but Annika does. When she has a miscue, it is almost always because she pulled the wrong club or her alignment was off. When you can do that with the driver, you're going max out your distance.

The reason she was shorter before was that she wasn't as strong and flexible, and her driver was fitted to accentuate accuracy (she never used a driver until she got on tour; she used a 3-wood all through her amateur/college days). Once she got comfortable mentally with the driver and got stronger physically ... shazam.

As an aside, Callaway's fitting system captures the "efficiency" of each ball strike (complicated formula to show how distance/accuracy you get out of your swing speed/launch angle). Annika and Monty were among the best. The absolute best? Jim Colbert. Strange but true.

[Chris (Golf Dude)]

The Best Woman's golfer is: Kathy Wentworth. 88 wins speaks for themelsves.



Annika might top that......... Then maker her the greatest women gofer of all time.

[Chris (Golf Dude)]

I agree on how much power she gets out of her swing. The big factor: She hits it flush EVERY TIME. I've watched dozens of tour players go through lengthy practice/equipment testing sessions. Annika and Monty were the only ones who essentially never made bad contact. Even ball-striking savants like Johnny Miller and Bruce Fleisher catch one a bit off every 20-30 swings. But Annika and Monty (back in 1998-2000, at least) hit it square on every swing. Monty doesn't always bring that precision to the course anymore, but Annika does. When she has a miscue, it is almost always because she pulled the wrong club or her alignment was off. When you can do that with the driver, you're going max out your distance.

The reason she was shorter before was that she wasn't as strong and flexible, and her driver was fitted to accentuate accuracy (she never used a driver until she got on tour; she used a 3-wood all through her amateur/college days). Once she got comfortable mentally with the driver and got stronger physically ... shazam.

As an aside, Callaway's fitting system captures the "efficiency" of each ball strike (complicated formula to show how distance/accuracy you get out of your swing speed/launch angle). Annika and Monty were among the best. The absolute best? Jim Colbert. Strange but true.

The Best was Jim Colbert?!?!