Ian Poulter - Master Instructor.

[Tiger Spuds]

I found these amusing/interesting, thought I'd share.It's not an Ian Poulter hate thread, I find him as entertaining as I find him obnoxious.





Fail!And an illustration of what Erik was referring to with Nick Faldo's example of how to draw a ball around an obstacle a few weeks ago.




'Close the Face to the actual target'.

[jlund]

I enjoy watching Ian play. One of my favorite golfers..

[Jay-Bird]

"What a muppet"! LOL. That ball could've just as easily hit him in the face...

[sean_miller]

I found these amusing/interesting, thought I'd share.It's not an Ian Poulter hate thread, I find him as entertaining as I find him obnoxious.

Was the "fail" hitting the tree? Maybe he didn't have the clubface closed enough.

In video two, he mentions, in order, aiming at the tartet, then turning his feet, knees, and shoulders to the right, then finally closing the clubface a bit more. They don't really show where the ball ends up - where'd it go? If I had to choose, I'd rather be a great player who couldn't fully explain why, than the other way around. Luckily I'm neither, so there's no worries.

[iacas]

Fail!And an illustration of what Erik was referring to with Nick Faldo's example of how to draw a ball around an obstacle a few weeks ago.

And he wonders why he hit the tree... (though I'm not sure what gap he was shooting for).

If I had to choose, I'd rather be a great player who couldn't fully explain why, than the other way around. Luckily I'm neither, so there's no worries.

We all would be. But part of how we'l get better is eliminating roadblocks, and bad information is a definite roadblock.

[sean_miller]

And he wonders why he hit the tree... (though I'm not sure what gap he was shooting for).

I assumed Poulter was aiming where the camera was centred - regardless of where his feet, shoulders, etc were aimed. Watching someone's alignment on film can be really misleading - on TV and in candid driving range vids.

There's a phase in every new golfer's evolution (IMO), where they're a sponge, and absorb every tip and swingthought and theory they hear or read. This is a good time to forego the subscription to Golf Digest, pick a single instructor, coach, or mentor, or even a single book (like "5 Lessons" for example) and try to stick with that until that theory is either mastered or exhausted. Later on, when more knowledge and experience has been gained, we can better filter out "power angles" and other nonsensical page filling BS. [end hijack/]

[Tiger Spuds]

I assumed he was aiming for the gap to the right of the tree he hit.He said he wanted to move the ball from right to left, so that would make sense.If he wanted to go through the gap to the left it looks like it should have been more of a cut.Anyway, point is, he aimed the clubface at the tree, it's gonna hit the tree every time.

[sean_miller]

I assumed he was aiming for the gap to the right of the tree he hit.He said he wanted to move the ball from right to left, so that would make sense.If he wanted to go through the gap to the left it looks like it should have been more of a cut.Anyway, point is, he aimed the clubface at the tree, it's gonna hit the tree every time.

Why would he have taken that route - the smaller gap, the harder hook, the wrong camera angle to capture it - I'm just sayin'.

[Tiger Spuds]

I dunno man, but if you look at the reverse angle at 1:02, it really looks like he's trying to hook it out to the right of that tree (To the left of it in the reverse angle).It looks like a hook from there would be more online for the green from that angle too.A hook through the other gap looks like it would end up close to the wood again.That's how it appears to me anyway.

[sean_miller]

I dunno man, but if you look at the reverse angle at 1:02, it really looks like he's trying to hook it out to the right of that tree (To the left of it in the reverse angle).It looks like a hook from there would be more online for the green from that angle too.A hook through the other gap looks like it would end up close to the wood again.That's how it appears to me anyway.

Which gap he was going for doesn't really matter, since he hit the tree. He either had his clubface too closed or open, or he hit a slight push or pull. Or a combination. Having said that, here's why I think he was going for the gap directly in the center of the video. 1.) Look where he's looking. To me at least, it appears as though he's looking directly at the right half of the gap in the middle video. See video at 0:34, 0:37, 0:41, 0:49, and 0:52. 2.) They've taken the time to set up a reverse view camera on a direct line with the DTL camera and Poulter. A camera on a direct line would show the curvature of the ball. I think he was trying to hit it just to the right of the camera on the fairway and subconsciously he pushed it. 3.) He appears to be pointing at the center gap at 0:18 to 0:19. 4.) His swingpath at 0:55 seems a lot closer to the center gap than the right gap - I think he just either pushed it slightly, or left the face too open. My point is (yes, I have one), why would he hit a 40 yard hook when he could hit a < 20 yard draw like he's illustrating in the second video. Seriously, why?

[JetFan1983]

Damn, that ricochet was so close to nailing him in the nuts. Would've made this video an all-time classic.

[iacas]

Damn, that ricochet was so close to nailing him in the nuts. Would've made this video an all-time classic.

Indeed. I'd have favorited it immediately. It came so close and he didn't even flinch that I almost wondered if it was CG. But from the other camera view it doesn't appear to be as close, so maybe he had a few feet to spare.

[westcyderydin]

thats why ian poulter is awsome. very entertaining.

[senorchipotle]

i actually quite like ian poulter. he's a bit of an ass, granted, but so is everybody from time to time.

[kpaulhus]

I laughed at the first video.

[Boyder]

"What a Muppet!" .... I'm Still laughing!! and I've seen this a dozen times.
Poulter is one of my absolute favorite characters - no matter what sport you talk about!
And I like his game ...

[Quinn07]

I agree...I have really started to like Ian Poulter. I found he use to be a little stuck up, but now I find that we have really started to get to know him better and I think he just has that dry British humour with a little arrogance. I am often surprised when people complain how snobby or self centered some pro athletes are...it's probably taken that self love to get them where they are, particularly on a confidence level.

[Tiger Spuds]

I agree...I have really started to like Ian Poulter. I found he use to be a little stuck up, but now I find that we have really started to get to know him better and I think he just has that dry British humour with a little arrogance. I am often surprised when people complain how snobby or self centered some pro athletes are...it's probably taken that self love to get them where they are, particularly on a confidence level.

Definitely.That self confidence has served him well.You'd have to be seriously commited and have belief in yourself to turn pro with a 4 Handicap.And then to improve to the point of winning titles.You have to admire him for that at least.Not the most naturally talented player in the world but his mental strenght makes up for it.He gets carried away with himself in the heat of battle occasionally.If he could reign that in a little I wouldn't begrudge him any success.