Lunch with Leadbetter

[FL-John]

To all:

Yesterday, I was asked to play out at ChampionsGate in Orlando, FL with some of my Corporate chaps. Most are VPs on the sales/marketing side of the house. Ironically, our company has struck a deal with David Leadbetter Golf Academy to co-Market our Resorts with his name, etc, etc.

One of the guys from my company is basically a walking 'black book' of contacts from Arnold Palmer, to College Football Coaches, etc. He tells me to meet him in the grill room at ChampionsGate around 12:30. I arrive a bit late, and see most of the guys from work. I couldn't make out the fourth...it was Leadbetter. Sat and chatted about a whole slew of stuff from Ty Tryon to Wie to Mickelson's debacle, along with some other stuff.

Before teeing off, we drove to his Golf Academy range area (back side of the range) and met his first assitant Sean (or Shawn) Hogan. As we were hitting some range balls, David and Sean gave a quick looksie and offered about 5 minutes worth of advice to each of us.

Both David and Sean were extremely nice gents...now hold on, I'm still a believer in TGM and follow the teachings. Most of the advice they gave was quick tips on setup, posture, etc. Sean gave me a quick tip to get my posture better...I haven't hit a ball in over a month and wound in my slouched/bent over ugly looking posture. After hitting the first ball in the new, very awkward feeling posture, I proceeded to hit a beautiful high fluffy hosel. Not a complete hosel rocket, but everyone new what happened. I turned to Sean and said, "I hope you aren't teaching Michelle and Ernie the same things!". He laughed as did David.

Anyway, don't really follow his teachings but he was a good guy. By the way, I did ask about his knowledge of Homer and he said, "Very smart guy!"

[lagster]

Mr. Leadbetter does have a very nice way about him when you are taking instruction, or talking to him. He is probably a genius at marketing himself.

In his book with David Frost as the model... the positions look very similar to the ones in Chapter 9 and 10 of TGM.

It looks like he uses the REVERSE SHIFT Variation.

[Seanmx]

To all:

By the way, I did ask about his knowledge of Homer and he said, "Very smart guy!"

Did I read somewhere that Leadbetter has TGM on the recommended reading list for his instructors

[drewitgolf]

I was with David Leadbetter in the clubhouse bar at the Women's U.S. Open on Sunday at Newport CC. As Michelle Wie was finishing her round, I asked him about TGM.

Here are some of his comments to me:

"TGM, the Physics and Geometry of the stroke, abosolutley has its place in golf instruction. My contention is with how some instructors present it. They need to use more common sense."

"The worst thing that happened to TGM was when Bobby Clampett lost the British Open."

"I still have my assistants read TGM."

[Burner]

I was with David Leadbetter in the clubhouse bar at the Women's U.S. Open on Sunday at Newport CC. As Michelle Wie was finishing her round, I asked him about TGM.

Here are some of his comments to me:

"TGM, the Physics and Geometry of the stroke, abosolutley has its place in golf instruction. My contention is with how some instructors present it. They need to use more common sense."

"The worst thing that happened to TGM was when Bobby Clampett lost the British Open."

"I still have my assistants read TGM."

His assistants also have dowels and raquets as part of their basic equipment.

Saw it for myself last week at a Lead' Academy in Spain.