Can Sean Foley Restore Tiger Woods to Greatness. (The Golf Magazine Interview)

[EverythingGolf]

If you can't read them save them to your computer then view them.

[shortstop20]

Great article, I love how he takes on Chamblee's misconception about the swing theory he is teaching Tiger.

It's time for these TV commentators to get with the times and recognize/learn the scientific factors about why the ball does what it does and quit relying on stuff from 40 years ago that was based solely on feel.

As I like to say, I can't feel the earth spinning, but I think we can all agree that it is, based on science.

[Stretch]

Interesting. Do think it's a bit odd (and borderline unfair) to have "critics ... call Foley a swing-theory thief" in the introduction and then never raise the issue in the interview for him to deal with.

[Harmonious]

As much as everyone is interested in what Tiger will do with Foley's help, what's more interesting to me is the "Where It All Went Wrong" page.  Tiger lost 1.2 strokes per round (4.8 strokes per tournament) on his full swing, but lost 1.8 strokes per round (7.2 strokes per tournament) on the short game and putting.  It's true that if you put yourself in trouble off the tee, you won't hit your approaches as close, but check out Tiger's scrambling stat: 72% down to 48%.  That tells me he should consult Dave Stockton or Stan Utley if he wants to return to the top.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

As much as everyone is interested in what Tiger will do with Foley's help, what's more interesting to me is the "Where It All Went Wrong" page.  Tiger lost 1.2 strokes per round (4.8 strokes per tournament) on his full swing, but lost 1.8 strokes per round (7.2 strokes per tournament) on the short game and putting.  It's true that if you put yourself in trouble off the tee, you won't hit your approaches as close, but check out Tiger's scrambling stat: 72% down to 48%.  That tells me he should consult Dave Stockton or Stan Utley if he wants to return to the top.

I don't think one can focus on 2010 when talking Tiger -- you've got to throw that year out the window. In fact, he should not have played last year -- he should have stayed home and got it together.

If he wants to return to the top, he's got to get his mental frame of mind together along with his swing. The short game will come around again when he is mentally strong and dedicating more time to it over the full swing.

I guess we're accustomed to seeing a somewhat profane-laced Superman on the golf course who wins. We expected the same. After seeing Tiger in 2011, I don't expect much until 2012. I think we'll see progress ... but the new swing is a huge change ... his mental frame of mind seems to be shot ... so I think it will take another year.

If anyone has been through the throes of a divorce and your life being turned upside down, I think it's a two year cycle. 2012 - He's back.

[talismand]

Golf Digest also has a Tiger-centric article this month. Must be something in the air

I liked GD's though, as it went through his 5 swing instructors and what they tried to work on with him.

Although without the Golf Magazine piece, I never would have known that Foley can freestyle. This is something that must be found and youtube'd NOW!

[Thrash13]

I guess I've never really learned much about Foley, but this interview definitely puts him at the top of my list of golf people.  I love the fact he is honest, and he doesn't dodge any question about anything.  I've always been a fan of Sean O'Hair and Hunter Mahan, but I've never really looked into their swing coach much.  I'm going to start following Foley a little more because I respect his honest nature on things.  I've never been a fan of Tiger, but I'm hoping he gets to the top of the rankings again with the help of Foley.  That will prove all the detractors wrong if nothing else.

Great read.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

As much as everyone is interested in what Tiger will do with Foley's help, what's more interesting to me is the "Where It All Went Wrong" page.  Tiger lost 1.2 strokes per round (4.8 strokes per tournament) on his full swing, but lost 1.8 strokes per round (7.2 strokes per tournament) on the short game and putting.  It's true that if you put yourself in trouble off the tee, you won't hit your approaches as close, but check out Tiger's scrambling stat: 72% down to 48%.  That tells me he should consult Dave Stockton or Stan Utley if he wants to return to the top.

I think you knew (and Erik!) that I would jump in here. This is exactly how I see this too...

...however, giving the what's more important the short game/putting or long game discussion some more thought over the past week, I think working on the short game/putting for Tiger is like putting a band aid on a severe cut that really needs stitches. I think his long game has gone so downhill that he's finding places on the course he simply can't get up and down from. So rather work on the band aid, he's opted for a trip to the hospital and stiches. In this way, he'll hit more fairways from where he can hit more greens and therefore make more birdies (at least in theory!).

This is what I think Erik was getting at when he felt the long game was more important. I haven't done a full 180 degrees here as I still think it depends on how much off the planet you are hitting it as to which is more important. In Tiger's case, I believe he needs to sort his swing out as he is finding places not even the best short game player in the world can get up and down from.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

I think you knew (and Erik!) that I would jump in here. This is exactly how I see this too...

...however, giving the what's more important the short game/putting or long game discussion some more thought over the past week, I think working on the short game/putting for Tiger is like putting a band aid on a severe cut that really needs stitches. I think his long game has gone so downhill that he's finding places on the course he simply can't get up and down from. So rather work on the band aid, he's opted for a trip to the hospital and stiches. In this way, he'll hit more fairways from where he can hit more greens and therefore make more birdies (at least in theory!).

This is what I think Erik was getting at when he felt the long game was more important. I haven't done a full 180 degrees here as I still think it depends on how much off the planet you are hitting it as to which is more important. In Tiger's case, I believe he needs to sort his swing out as he is finding places not even the best short game player in the world can get up and down from.

I've seen Tiger stroke a lot of putts in the past 12 months that didn't even sniff the cup. Putts that pre-2009 PGA Championship Tiger was draining with regularity.

At the pace he's on, he could also consider game improvement irons and losing the long irons for hybrids.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I've seen Tiger stroke a lot of putts in the past 12 months that didn't even sniff the cup. Putts that pre-2009 PGA Championship Tiger was draining with regularity.

At the pace he's on, he could also consider game improvement irons and losing the long irons for hybrids.

Yeah, he hit rock bottom the other day when Foley handed him a Tour Striker.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

Yeah, he hit rock bottom the other day when Foley handed him a Tour Striker.

At least I hope it was the Tour Striker Pro.....

[bwdial]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

I've seen Tiger stroke a lot of putts in the past 12 months that didn't even sniff the cup. Putts that pre-2009 PGA Championship Tiger was draining with regularity.

At the pace he's on, he could also consider game improvement irons and losing the long irons for hybrids.

He's missing putts like an amateur, and some of the misses are downright comical... missing six footers by six inches.

[newtogolf]

Foley was very humble in this article, seemed like he was partially sincere and somewhat attempting to undo some of the damage he did in past interviews.  I like that he admitted to having a chip on his shoulder in the early years and sticking by what he said about Tigers past swing coaches.

I believe he can fix Tigers swing, but I'm not sure he can't fix Tigers head which is where I think most of his problems are right now.

[WUTiger]

Foley can observe what Tiger does, and analyze it, and offer suggestions. But Tiger must restore himself to greatness by reassembling a reliable game.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by shortstop20

Great article, I love how he takes on Chamblee's misconception about the swing theory he is teaching Tiger.

I'd like to go on record and say that this is far and away one of the best interviews I've read in a golf magazine. I didn't like all of it, but I liked the vast majority. I particularly liked the part about ball flight and his dismantling of Chamblee's stupid thoughts. Chamblee isn't an instructor, and apparently, doesn't know as much about the golf swing as he seems to think.

Originally Posted by Harmonious

Tiger lost 1.2 strokes per round (4.8 strokes per tournament) on his full swing, but lost 1.8 strokes per round (7.2 strokes per tournament) on the short game and putting.

2010 was an anomaly of a year. I think he putted badly and had a lousy short game because he was putting so much pressure on it. I've seen that before - a pro who is not hitting greens NEEDS to make every birdie putt he gets because he isn't getting as many.

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

...however, giving the what's more important the short game/putting or long game discussion some more thought over the past week, I think working on the short game/putting for Tiger is like putting a band aid on a severe cut that really needs stitches. I think his long game has gone so downhill that he's finding places on the course he simply can't get up and down from. So rather work on the band aid, he's opted for a trip to the hospital and stiches. In this way, he'll hit more fairways from where he can hit more greens and therefore make more birdies (at least in theory!).

Tiger said years ago that his secret to playing good golf was to always be pin high, and on the correct side of the pin. Didn't matter if he was chipping or putting, really, he simply wanted to avoid being long or short and on the wrong side of the hole.

His short game stats sucked because Tiger found himself in more positions from which he simply couldn't get up and down, like you said. That combined with his frazzled mind and/or lack of time practicing the short game was a lethal combination.

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Foley was very humble in this article, seemed like he was partially sincere and somewhat attempting to undo some of the damage he did in past interviews.

Agreed. He came off much better in this interview than in others.

Some friends of mine had dinner with him at the Toronto Golf Show. Said he was a great guy to be around. Also said he couldn't figure out how much to tip based on the bill and they had to help him out (he paid for his table of 8!). So while that dings him in the "smarts" department it lends weight to what I've said a few times: that when he's in front of a camera, you don't get the real Sean Foley, you get the Sean Foley he seems to think he needs to be for a camera. And that the real guy is perhaps better than the TV guy.

[Blades4me]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I don't think one can focus on 2010 when talking Tiger -- you've got to throw that year out the window. In fact, he should not have played last year -- he should have stayed home and got it together.

If he wants to return to the top, he's got to get his mental frame of mind together along with his swing. The short game will come around again when he is mentally strong and dedicating more time to it over the full swing.

I guess we're accustomed to seeing a somewhat profane-laced Superman on the golf course who wins. We expected the same. After seeing Tiger in 2011, I don't expect much until 2012. I think we'll see progress ... but the new swing is a huge change ... his mental frame of mind seems to be shot ... so I think it will take another year.

If anyone has been through the throes of a divorce and your life being turned upside down, I think it's a two year cycle. 2012 - He's back.

That is pretty much my thinking too. Also, from experience, I know that people who are that controlling don't just walk away from things.

He will be back, but I don't think anywhere near as dominating as he was. I still think he has a good shot at Jack's record.

[iacas]

http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,2057896,00.html

[Zeph]

Quote:

With Tiger I might only speak when he asks me a question.

Would've been interesting to watch Sean and Tiger on a full day of practice, listening in to the discussions.

I agree that this interview is the best yet from Sean.