Hank Haney Project: Michael Phelps Thread

[MyrtleBeachGolf]

Yeah im 6'4 pushing 6'5 and i've always felt my height was an advantage more than anything

I'm 6'5" tall with a wing span that's more like 6'7". I feel I can generate club head speed with ease because of the longer arc. I do admit that on occasion my arms get a little 'loose' when I play tired.

[tmf9]

Originally Posted by MyrtleBeachGolf

I'm 6'5" tall with a wing span that's more like 6'7". I feel I can generate club head speed with ease because of the longer arc. I do admit that on occasion my arms get a little 'loose' when I play tired.

Yeah im pretty much in the same boat, I've had a lot of people tell me they envy how high I get my hands in the backswing, last time I got in a launch monitor I got my swing speed up to 127.  I can have some "loose" shots as well but that's true for almost everyone that hits the ball long.

[jetsknicks1]

Just got to watch the last episode and the Ping center was awesome. When the fitter was describing what sort of club Phelp's needed, it sounded like he was building the space shuttle. Watching the worker set his loft & lie was interesting. I imagined some high tech machine delicately shaping the club, not some guy with a mallet! Who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon there getting fitted?

[Meltdwhiskey]

Anybody get the feeling that Phelps just isn't that into it?  When watching the Barkley series for instance, I felt like I was watching a guy that really loved golf, that really wanted to get better, that really wanted to play with his buddies on the weekend, that doesn't mine the practice, etc.

Phelps seems to (as previously stated) only practice when he is with Hank. No rounds for fun that he talks about.  Only seems to play if it will be in a ProAm.  The show seems to be about how he is DONE with swimming and wants to take up golf - but we see him swim at least as much as golf.  Hank seems to have to talk him into a little more practice here and there.  I'd bet the people on this forum just wish they had these few more hours of daylight here and there to get in some practice between jobs / family / house / etc.

I was really pulling for Charles to break through - but seem kinda disinterested in weather or not Phelps succeeds.

[newtogolf]

I watched it last night and I think Phelps is just a different type of person.  Charles had an embarrassing hitch that was really impacting his ability to enjoy the game where as Phelps seems to have woken up one day and decided he wanted was done swimming competitively and wanted to be a golfer.

Phelps is younger and has more distractions and demands for his time than Charles did.  I get the sense that Phelps needs a coach that pushes him and while he complains about Hank getting "on him" I think that's what he needs to focus on practice.  Only time will tell if Phelps is really serious about golf or just trying to extend his run as a celebrity and Ping endorsement deal.

[Joshsmit56001]

Originally Posted by Meltdwhiskey

Anybody get the feeling that Phelps just isn't that into it?  When watching the Barkley series for instance, I felt like I was watching a guy that really loved golf, that really wanted to get better, that really wanted to play with his buddies on the weekend, that doesn't mine the practice, etc.

Phelps seems to (as previously stated) only practice when he is with Hank. No rounds for fun that he talks about.  Only seems to play if it will be in a ProAm.  The show seems to be about how he is DONE with swimming and wants to take up golf - but we see him swim at least as much as golf.  Hank seems to have to talk him into a little more practice here and there.  I'd bet the people on this forum just wish they had these few more hours of daylight here and there to get in some practice between jobs / family / house / etc.

I was really pulling for Charles to break through - but seem kinda disinterested in weather or not Phelps succeeds.

I get the same feeling.  Phelps pisses me off because he has one of the best teachers in the world (debatable) instructing him, but doesn't seem to give a rip.  He doesn't practice and is just lazy as hell.  I would love to see the next Haney project be a true amateur, not a celebrity.  This would be awesome.

[Parker0065]

This is the first HHP series that I just can't get interested in at all. I've always been entertained to some degree or other with the past seasons but this one just bores the heck out of me and I agree with those that say Phelps just doesn't seem that into it.

Maybe after all the Olympics hoopla I've had enough of Phelps, he can go away now and come back in 40 years and light the Olympic torch or something.

[Meltdwhiskey]

Maybe a little off topic - but does anyone know the current state of Barkley's game?  Was he able to come out of it better off than he was before?

[newtogolf]

Originally Posted by Meltdwhiskey

Maybe a little off topic - but does anyone know the current state of Barkley's game?  Was he able to come out of it better off than he was before?

Last I heard, the hitch was back but he was still playing.

[Old1964]

I wonder if Phelps has a sense that he has already peaked in his life. I don't know if that's true or not, but I wonder.

If so, he would be the guy with all the medals, trying to pursue happiness, but often finding it elusive.

Someone said that happiness is a byproduct of living a life that one believes is full of meaning and significant.  Seems true to me.

Wouldn't it be amazing if he just poured himself into the game and became a pro?!

He is so flexible...could be one of the best golf stories of all time.

[newtogolf]

Overall, Phelps has to be a bit burnt out, he's been living a crazy live the last 9 years and giving up swimming has had to create a huge void in his life.

I'm not sure what Phelps long term goals are.  Does he just wants to be a very good golfer or does he have aspirations to make the PGA Tour.  If it's to make the Tour, he may not realize the practice required to achieve that may be equal to or as much as he had to for swimming.

[uttexas]

Phelps' outwardly carefree disposition doesn't bother me. From seven to twenty five years old, when his friends were playing, relaxing, and partying he was probably either training or competing. Being diagnosed with ADHD, Phelps likely needs a strict, demanding coach and schedule to stay focused. The Haney Project has consistently been superficial, scattered ,and piecemealed.

[saturday]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Overall, Phelps has to be a bit burnt out, he's been living a crazy live the last 9 years and giving up swimming has had to create a huge void in his life.

I'm not sure what Phelps long term goals are.  Does he just wants to be a very good golfer or does he have aspirations to make the PGA Tour.  If it's to make the Tour, he may not realize the practice required to achieve that may be equal to or as much as he had to for swimming.

I don't think he's trying to get on tour. He's trying to break 90 and improve his game, just happens to have the celebrity luxury to have Haney teaching him. You're right, he's going to have to train ridiculously over at least the next 5 years before he can even think about competing with tour pros. The sponsorship deal with PING was perfect because he's a great ambassador for the game, and that's what they're recognizing him as.

[Moto19]

I'd have to say it's a little too late for Michael to ever go pro.  I don't want to sound to callous, but not only is he relatively too old, he's also too unskilled at golf at this stage anyway.  In addition, he has given up almost all of his young life to be dedicated to swimming.  I bet you he's going to live these next ten years without so much organization and a regimented lifestyle.  Those are the exact things needed to train for professional golf.  I just don't see him ever getting close to even scratch.  Although, this is just my honest opinion.

[BuckeyeNut]

I watched the first 2 episodes....................

I quit watching because it got boring.   Not interesting TV IMO.....................

[clutchshot]

So either A: phelps isn't as good in practice as they make him look or B: this guy really can't perform under pressure. I watched the show last night and although played "+1" during practice, got killed at the Phoenix Open...

[iacas]

Originally Posted by clutchshot

So either A: phelps isn't as good in practice as they make him look or B: this guy really can't perform under pressure. I watched the show last night and although played "+1" during practice, got killed at the Phoenix Open...

The best score they showed him getting was a four on a par three. The rest of the time he was topping and fatting the ball everywhere, hitting massive toe hooks, the works.

[ApocG10]

Originally Posted by Joshsmit56001

I get the same feeling.  Phelps pisses me off because he has one of the best teachers in the world (debatable) instructing him, but doesn't seem to give a rip.  He doesn't practice and is just lazy as hell.  I would love to see the next Haney project be a true amateur, not a celebrity.  This would be awesome.

Phelps is used to having the best instructors in the world. It is a regular part of life for him. He certainly isn't lazy, 22 olympic medals prove that, sounds like a lot of bias to me, not just from you, but everyone who doesn't like the kid.. Hank was talking about how he knows what it takes, and keep going and going until he hits his goals. I think its his attitude that puts off many, and if you know athletes, they all have an attitude. Hell, the NEED and attitude. You don't become #1 in the world at ANYTHING without strong work ethic on top of gobs of talent, and some cockiness. You need to believe you are the best to be the best.