Dave Pelz's Comments...

[elivate]

What do you guys think about Dave Pelz's recent comments? Here is an example:

"If Phil's long swing is good, his short game, I believe, is the best in the world. He doesn't have a serious weakness inside 150 yards. I'm not saying Tiger's short game is bad. But I think Phil putts more consistently than Tiger does. He has more imagination and a few more shots around the green."

I question the line about Phil putting more consistantly than Tiger, Tiger makes a lot of long putts, and Phil always seems to miss a few short ones. Anyway, should make the first two rounds nice and interesting, I almost feel sorry for Geoff Ogilvy...

Here is a link to the whole article:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Golf/PGA/P...58507-sun.html

[cmarkmyers]

The media is making a bigger deal out of it than it is. Apparently so are we, as we are discussing it here. What Pelz said is no different from any other sport - managers or coaches or teammates saying there man or team is great. It is just not something usually done in golf as it is so difficult to back things up.

But Dave is right, in my opinion. At his very best, Phil can beat Tiger. Unless Tiger is also at his best or close to it. But if Tiger is off for 4 days and someone else is at their best for those same 4 days then they too can beat him. That's golf.

The problem is Tiger is rarely not in top or near-top form. And Phil, while a great player, doesn't have anywhere near that consistency. That lack of consistency hurts Phil more, as he plays a risky style of golf at times. But you have to admit he can be fun to watch.

[ttee9]

[SIZE=-0][SIZE=2]What do you guys think about Dave Pelz's recent comments?

... Good coaches give their players 22 good reasons to win ... not one or two reasons why they can lose .. I think Phil needs to get a new coach .. cuz' this one ain't helpin'.!

[rockramon]

I think their respective careers speak for themselves...check out the major count and tournament wins count...

If my life depended on any golfer in the world playing for it, ( inside or outside 150 yards) , it would be Tiger...

[Ghost Runner]

While I don't disagree with Tubby's comments about Phil, I'm a bit unclear as to why he decided to loop Tiger's name in. Granted, I am only reading a few lines taken from some interview and his name possibly was already in play but in a vaccum as posted it seems rather foolish.

[iacas]

But Dave is right, in my opinion. At his very best, Phil can beat Tiger. Unless Tiger is also at his best or close to it.

I think that Tiger's B+ game and Phil's A game are pretty close (but Tiger would win on mental fortitude).

Pelz - who teaches straight back and through putting - has a student who putts more inside/square/inside, and as has been pointed out, misses his fair share of short ones - something Tiger rarely does. Tiger has more shots than Phil. Plus he knows more about his swing, so if something goes awry mid-round he can correct it. Phil has no idea what's going on mid-round. I don't know if I've ever seen him adjust his course mid-round. On second thought, make that Tiger's B game and Phil's A game.

[Thrash13]

I think Phil is as good as Tiger from 150 yards and in, but he isn't better. They are both very solid from that range.

Tiger is a much better long-iron player and can hit more creative shots from long distances.

It's tough to compare the driver situation, but Tiger's mindset allows him to hit more 3-woods and 2-irons, while Phil's mindset keeps on plugging the driver. I'd give the advantage to Tiger here.

It's never smart to give Tiger even more motivation, but I'd back my guy too if I was Pelz.

[Konrad]

Bottom line is that Pelzy is high on some gasoline fumes right now.

[allin]

I think it is amazing that Dave P. pumped up Phils short game, which he asssits with, and sort of back door slammed his long game. I wonder what Rick S. thinks about that. The truth is Phil is not as long as tiger doesn't have as many differnt shots off the tee, and probably is not as good a short putter. So he has to be on to beat Tiger. Tiger doesn't have to be on to beat Phil. Thats why tigers going to win 20-25 majors and Phil 5 or 6.

[cmarkmyers]

While I don't disagree with Tubby's comments about Phil, I'm a bit unclear as to why he decided to loop Tiger's name in...

Pelz stated that he felt Lefty was better than anyone (when he was on) from 150 yards in. The reporter then asked something like, "Does that include you know who?".

At that point Pelz would have looked the fool if he backed down so he really had no choice but to say 'yes'. I don't think he intentionally went hunting for Tiger but the reporter - who did his job well, I might add - jumped on the reply and essentially forced Pelz to say what he said.

[muskegman]

Pelz is right to say Phil is very good from 150 in but he is ignoring reality to say that he's better than Tiger. I think he has to believe that being Phil's teacher but its not true.

I listened to him on TGC and thought he was on crack. Don't get me wrong, Phil is good, but he's not Tiger.

[iacas]

I find the comments are in line of someone who is employed by a superstar and wants to remain employees. If Pelz, promoted Tiger over his star pupil how long will he still be employeed. Pelz also has a lot to gain to pump up Phil, Pelz is a business man with spots to fill in his golf schools so why not promote your superstar and say he has a better short game than Tiger. I would never expect Pelz to say Tiger's game is so much better than Phil's, Phil has no chance head to head with the best player in the world. Pelz is trying to boost the confidence of his star pupil.

I have to wonder whether it was a bright career move to tie yourself so closely to someone like Phil.

Would it not have been better for Pelz to diversify and maintain a wide range of clients? Perhaps he's just getting lazy in his old age, or Phil is paying him enough (read: a LOT) to make it worth his while.

[BigAl5150]

Interesting quotes. Pelz also seems to be in the news quite a bit lately compared to other Tour pro's teachers (trying to drum up some new business??).

I'm not sure it's too smart to give Tiger any bulletin board material. Just ask Stephen Ames.

[ezmoney5150]

If Phil hits the draw he's just as long as Tiger if not longer. They are both pretty creative. (Today's 5 wood cut out of the trees to hit the par 5 in two) I think Tiger has better course management than Phil. I watched Tiger pitch out to the fairway and get up and down for par. Phil would try to hook (for him) around the tree and try to put it on the green. (Remember 18 at Winged Foot)

[Finn07]

I cannot believe we are even comparing these two. IMO Tiger is light years ahead of Phil. Tiger is so much more mentally stronger then Phil is. When Phils is like six shots back on a Sunday he looks like a beaten man on the course just hitting shots to get the round over. Tiger can putt better then Phil, and is a better ball striker then Phil hands down. Why Pelz would even compare the two is beyond me.

[muskegman]

The missing component in the Mickelson short-game discussion is the fact that Tiger Woods' short game is awesome. Sure, Phil has a solid short game but how many times has Tiger put the ball where he needs to in big tournaments? He's hit some amazing flops, chips, pitches that have led to regular tour and major victories. It just seems that many don't give Tiger the credit he deserves, including Mr. Pelz.

When Phil is playing at his best he's tough to beat but when Tiger is playing at his best he's impossible to beat... short game included.

Sorry Cody .

[Madriver]

I think if someone has to tell you that Phil is better than anyone at anything is comical. If Pelz had been working with Tiger as a coach and he said that about Tiger, Tiger would haved fired him the same day. Does anyone need to tell us how good Tiger is?