Bobby Clampett
Joey Sindelar
Jim Nelford
Pat McGowan
Bob Tway
Willie Wood
Scott Verplank
Andy Dillard
Dick Zokal
Bob Walcott
Mac O'Grady
Robert Wrenn
Keith Clearwater
Jeff Hart
Jim Albus
Chick Evans
Steve Elkington
Paul Azinger
Curtis Strange
Tom Kite
Johnny Miller
Bernard Langer
Gary Player
Dan Forsman
Mark Lye
Mark Brooks
Jerry Heard
Jody Mudd
Christian Cevear
Bill Glasson
Jeff Maggert
John Flannery
Rafael Alercon
Jim Carter
Brad Greer
Congrats to LBG friends Brian Gay and John Riegger. Both made the cut today in this week's PGA TOUR's $5.5 million Deutsche Bank Championship. Have a lucrative weekend, guys!
On Thursday, I was at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, MA for the Pro-Am. As a member of The PGA, I was roped in to being an Ambassador of Golf for the day, my official title for the event (my wife is still laughing about that one). When I arrived for my 12:10 tee time assignment, I was paired with Brad Faxon. Now I have done Junior clinics with Faxon for the last ten years so seeing his motion was nothing new. Also in the group was Donald Trump (I am not a big Trump fan). Not wanting to listen to the gallery yell, “You’re Fired!” all day long, I switched off with another ambassador (again, I can hear my wife laughing), given the choice between Justin Rose, who is now leading the tournament or Steve Elkington. Silly me, of course I chose Elk. After all he is a GSED and neither John Reigger nor Brian Gay were in the Pro-Am.
So off we go with four amateurs in tow. If you have ever heard Elkington on “The Jim Rome Show” on the radio, you will think that Elk is a nice guy. Not true. He is a great guy. He signed ever autograph stuck in his face, stopped to talk to every little kid, took a picture with everyone who asked, and was helpful to his amateur partners. And his caddy Gypsy, a long time tour looper, is just as nice.
Spending five and a half hours with the group (I was in charge of rules and pace of play as a few of my duties), I got to ask Elk about TGM:
He still talks to Ben Doyle regularly, had just talked with him a few days ago.
He absolutely believes that TGM is “The Truth”.
He thinks that the complexity and terminology is what has held TGM back from universal acceptance. I brought up the point that Jack Burke, former Master’s Champion and one of his friends and instructors, must not like TGM, Elk replied on the contrary. Burke would like it if presented in the right way.
Elk thinks Angled Hinge Action is easier to learn than Horizontal Hinge Action, even for Swinging. When I pressed him on this one he stated that most amateurs don’t know how to use their body effectively. I was not going to argue this point with him; after all I am an Ambassador of Golf.
Flexibility has never been an issue with him. If anything, he is trying to tighten thinks up. He works out ever other day mostly with latex bands and does a lot of “monster walks” (what he calls the exercise).
Sorry to say Elk missed the cut; balky putter. But, it was a fun day, none the less, except for the five and a half hour round. Time for a new Ambassador.
I did get to follow around John Reigger for his first nine on Friday. My neck still hurts from trying to watch his tee ball.
On Thursday, I was at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, MA for the Pro-Am. As a member of The PGA, I was roped in to being an Ambassador of Golf for the day, my official title for the event (my wife is still laughing about that one). When I arrived for my 12:10 tee time assignment, I was paired with Brad Faxon. Now I have done Junior clinics with Faxon for the last ten years so seeing his motion was nothing new.
Aggg, Drew! Should'a told me! Brad and I have been swapping emails this past week and you could'a -- maybe still'a can! -- put in a good word.
There are teachers and/or players who acknowledge the influence of Mr. Kelley's work. However, anyone who has a flat left wrist, a clubhead lag pressure point and a straight plane line IS a TGM player.
Hey Drew, thanks for the behind the ropes commentary!!!!!.
I guess it beats staying home and watching the Red Sox lose again.
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