Wow!! John Gulbis..the next Harmon, Haney...or dare I say Ledbetter!

[Three Putt]

Natalie's Dad...what's up???

Watching his pathetic instruction right now on golf channel.

Unless it's smoking some "wacky weed" he is not worth commenting on...

But as always...your opinions...

[JonnyGolf]

If he's responsible for that hack swing of Natalies, then No, he shouldn't be providing technical instruction to anybody.

I think she's a great athlete that does the best she can with a bad swing.

[lamebums]

If he's responsible for that hack swing of Natalies, then No, he shouldn't be providing technical instruction to anybody.

Her weird swing is actually caused by an extra vertebrae at the bottom. There was an article in Golf Magazine a few months back about it, actually, although I don't remember all the specifics.

[shredfit]

If he's responsible for that hack swing of Natalies, then No, he shouldn't be providing technical instruction to anybody.

What about Arnold Palmers "hack" swing? It did seem to work well for him... but it still is "hack" by modern standards. hmmm?

[JonnyGolf]

Her weird swing is actually caused by an extra vertebrae at the bottom. There was an article in Golf Magazine a few months back about it, actually, although I don't remember all the specifics.

I read about that but they just say it gives her extra flexibility. She and Paula Creame both lunge at the ball. She's better than I'll ever be, but I just wouldn't be happy about that swing and I don't think whoever taught it to her/let her swing like that should be teaching anyone else. And I think it has been holding her back on tour. Her misses have just been to big to recover from.

Just saying, if John Gulbis is responsible for that swing, he shouldn't be teaching it to anyone else. Natalie survives on the tour because of her athletism and her swing is holding her back from more success.

[Eore]

i think that if you can win with a "hack" swing, then its not really a "hack"

uhh, mr. furyk?

[popey]

She is better than most of us will ever be so he can teach me all he likes if I will play as well as that!!!

[Three Putt]

Did you guys watch the show? It's been running for a while, a series.

Needless to say i watched not because of her "golf talents"...but her Dad stuck out like a major tool , living his life through his gifted child's talents. Again, jmho.

[JonnyGolf]

i think that if you can win with a "hack" swing, then its not really a "hack"

No, it is still a hack. If Furyk had a solid swing, he would have won significantly more. He is a tremendous athlete (like Natalie), that is held back by his swing. There is no way on this planet he should be 122 in GIR (2007) considering his physique and mental attitude.

You can win with a bad swing, but it is way harder.

[g-funk13]

No, it is still a hack. If Furyk had a solid swing, he would have won significantly more. He is a tremendous athlete (like Natalie), that is held back by his swing. There is no way on this planet he should be 122 in GIR (2007) considering his physique and mental attitude.

Sorry JG, but in the PGACurrently Furyk is 26th in GIR% and 10th in Driver accuracy

2007: 6th in GIR% and 3rd in Driver accuracy 2007: 4th in GIR% and 8th in Driver accuracy He is 4th Money winner on tour with $35,741,404 only behind Tiger, Veeg, and Phil. That's 35 million reasons why his swing is just BEAUTIFUL. Stats are available at PGAtour.com you should look at them. http://www.pgatour.com/players/r/?/01/08/09/stats

[Titleist2p]

There is no perfect swing, and no swing is exactly the same. Natalie's swing is fine. Her putting needs some work.

Jim Furyk, Camillo Villegas, Zach Johnson, Chris DiMarco, Arnold Palmer, Ray Floyd, Sergio Garcia, and Lee Trevino all have funky swings... There are plenty of guys with great swings struggling to eat peanut butter on the hooters tour. All that matters is; can repeat the same swing over and over, and can you putt.

[Shooter McGavin]

The only thing i would want him coaching me on is how to make good looking kids. I think he's got the LPGA market cornered on that.

[sonicblue]

All that matters is; can repeat the same swing over and over, and can you putt.

If there's a better summary than this of how to play golf, I'd sure like to see it.

[OTTG]

There is no perfect swing, and no swing is exactly the same.

New member, Frankie C saying hello to all.

If only teaching pros realize that what you wrote is the key to graduating successful students, T2p, and begin imparting a method that average golfers are capable of performing. I had to create and hone my own swing (just five set-up changes, actually but it's been over a year so I have added more) only because there weren't any pros that would let me work with my over the top swing. Ridiculous since 80% of all amateur golfers have it and always will. Anyway, I'm the better for it but I feel bad for people taking lessons that are beyond their capabilities. I wrote a blog post about this earlier today. If you Google "Why Not Leadbetter?" you'll find it. Regarding Natalie Gulbis, I met her once in Tucson. She is regular people.

[plugged]

All things being equal, I think it is easier to be consistent with a conventional swing than with an unconventional one.

Back to topic - I have not seen the elder Gulbis on TV, but I am not a fan of Natalie's swing or even her as a player.

[david_wedzik]

All that matters is; can repeat the same swing over and over, and can you putt.

If there's a better summary than this of how to play golf, I'd sure like to see it.

This is truly not meant to be rude but this comment is ridiculous. All that matters is to repeat the same swing?? I can take you to any course in the country and show you 100 guys repeating the same swing and repeating the process of posting the same bad scores over and over. Seriously think about this. It is not just about "repeating" the same swing. Repeating the same swing would only really be worthwhile if the swing is...functional enough to hit shots, 1) with a predictable pattern and 2) far enough to play a typical course. This is what tour players are able to do...and they have always been able to do so whether or not their swing was good or bad, repeated or not repeated. Tour players are freaks of nature when it comes to their ability to hit a golf ball. The same way NBA players and NFL players are freaks of nature when it comes to their sport. You could ask the average tour pro to swing the club between their legs and they would still find the ball consistently.

Question for anyone reading: Do you really think that the average 15 handicap's swing changes THAT MUCH MORE from swing to swing than the normal tour pro? The 15 handicapper isn't a 15 because their swing changes dramatically from swing to swing..."most" are 15's because they...hit the ball too short to play typical courses effectively...or hit shots with deflected or glancing blows that are unpredictable (i.e. hit across the ball with open or closed clubfaces that they can't figure out how to control)...or cannot find the correct low point often enough to compress the ball consistently. There are more reasons than these but it suffices to say that the reason these golfers are not tour players has nothing to do with their ability to repeat (or not repeat) their motion. Bottom line - I'm not saying everyone should swing exactly the same - I am saying that a repeating a swing that doesn't work is no better than having a swing that changes all the time and doesn't work. Dave

[kpaulhus]

She does swing weird, but she makes everything about her game look soooooo damn good lol

[uttexas]

Natalie's extra vertebral body likely has very little influence on her swing. Many people have an L6 or sixth lumbar vertebral body and they never know it. She seems like a nice person and quality competitor, I'd say her dad has done a good job. Could Natalie be better with better coaching, yes.