Mac O'Grady top ballstriker? Annikan and others thoughts?

[mrodock]

I have read several times that Mac O'Grady is considered one of the best ballstrikers of all time. His swing is a thing of beauty, but the statistics on the pgatour.com website do not correlate with the type of ballstriker people have made him out to be. His greens in regulation statistic is quite average on tour. I invite anyone to check it out. While I don't consider this to be the end all-be all of this topic, I am just wondering what knowledgeable people would say in response to this. I am truly not trying to be disrespectful.

Matt

[Bagger Lance]

I think it would be helpful to define the term "ballstriker".

I'm sure Mac can compress the ball with the best of them. I have heard first hand about his exploits in 2 iron flop shots and other tricks. But is that all there is to ballstriking? I hope not, otherwise some will never make it off the range.

Bagger

[mrodock]

Point well taken. I define a top ballstriker as one that has an extraordinary command of the golf ball, both distance and accuracy.

[bray]

I have yet to meet Mac, but it is something I plan to do because those who have talk about it as one of those unforgettable golf experiences.

From what I have been told the sound that you hear off Mac's clubhead is undeniable. Mac is one of the best at transfering the energy of his swing to the golf ball, and he can tell you why he's one of the best, and then he can do it left handed with a Taylor Made rescue club turned upside down or whatever you like.

So the measure is not on greens although trust me the tour stats don't do him justice. Instead it's on the quality of his motion and impact.

Sorting Through the Circuit Player's Handbook.

B-Ray

[Bagger Lance]

Point well taken. I define a top ballstriker as one that has an extraordinary command of the golf ball, both distance and accuracy.

With that definition, he may be the best in the world. He understands the geometry of the swing and has taken that into his own realm. He also applies his knowledge (demonstrates)to an exceptional degree. I'm just not convinced that when you take him out of his comfort zone and into competition, that the ballstriking ability holds up.

I don't know Mac, have never met him, my opinion is based on the first hand accounts from people who have.

[brianmanzella]

I always feel like I am raining on a parade....

A dear friend and student of mine, Tommy Moore, who also worked a bunch with Rob Noel, and who passed away in his late 30's a few years back, played with Mac in a US OPEN qualifier during the period of time I was teaching Tommy.

He was totally unimpressed by his ballstriking, and at this time, I hailed Mac as "one of the all-time best ball strikers."

Tommy knew the difference, and although one round is no way to measure such a thing, it said a lot to me. I looked into the stats and saw the same thing as mrodock.

Just in case you think that Tommy was never impressed, it should be noted that he was EVRY impressed by Tom Bartlett, GSEB, who is—like another New Orleanian Stan Stopa—one of the very best ball-strikers EVER who hasn't carried a PGA Tour card.

[efnef]

I always feel like I am raining on a parade....

A dear friend and student of mine, Tommy Moore, who also worked a bunch with Rob Noel, and who passed away in his late 30's a few years back, played with Mac in a US OPEN qualifier during the period of time I was teaching Tommy.

He was totally unimpressed by his ballstriking, and at this time, I hailed Mac as "one of the all-time best ball strikers."

Tommy knew the difference, and although one round is no way to measure such a thing, it said a lot to me. I looked into the stats and saw the same thing as mrodock.

Just in case you think that Tommy was never impressed, it should be noted that he was EVRY impressed by Tom Bartlett, GSEB, who is—like another New Orleanian Stan Stopa—one of the very best ball-strikers EVER who hasn't carried a PGA Tour card.

Well, the guy (Mac)keeps trying to qualify here, there, and everywhere, and doesn't. I guess SOMETHING is missing...

[annikan skywalker]

Well.....I try not to base my facts on others opinions of someone...Yes...I've seen him first hand....NOT through someone elses's bias...my own bias....I've seen Tiger,Phil, and O'Meara, Faldo.,etc........worked with Branshaw,Clearwater, and Lancaster....


Never saw Hogan..met Snead...or Trevino...

Know a guy that kicked Johny Miller's ass day in and day out at BYU..used to teach him....10 time...Mike Taylor

Yeah...Mac used to be the best during his era...80's....

And He has more Command of your swing than you do...and has command over his gozillion models....


But what matters ain't that at all...It's about going Low...as pretty or as ugly as it needs to be!!!!


He used to go low...but has since lost that "instinct"!!!

People that haven't seen, worked, learned from him first hand really can't have an educated opinion here... heresay is just a bunch of crap...

I have....

[brianmanzella]

Annikan, you are right. I am wrong. Sorry.

[quantumgolf]

I have seen him first hand a few times and his ball striking is a different league, his clinics are also awesome with the club the right way round or turned upside down using a left handed swing.