Zach Johnson, Masters Champion!
 

Congratulations to Zach Johnson on his victory today in The Masters. Also, a tip of the LBG cap to his coach, Mike Bender, who has trained extensively in the principles and procedures of The Golfing Machine.

And its seems Bender has done a fair bit of work with Mac O'Grady.

On Learning Golf
 

Right you are, cj.

In his website bio, Mike Bender credits Mac -- who earned his GSEM (Golf Stroke Engineering Master) directly from Homer Kelley -- and also Mike Adams and David Leadbetter. http://www.egolfinstruction.com/Mike...MikeBender.htm

He also spent time with Chuck Evans. And no doubt many more.

We are always learning.

Even when we know...

We learn.

Iron sharpens iron. Men sharpen men.

Ask Zach.

And Tiger.

Congrats to Zach! As a fellow 10-2-D'er gotta love it when the turned left hand turns a trick!

What do y'all think about the course set up this year? Was it the weather or the set up or both that resulted in them high numbers?

They still got the drama thing pretty good but it was more of a war of attrition than an Arnie Charge or Bear Tracks type of deal. Are we done with the ubiquitous Masters Roars now? Wonder what Bobby Jones would think? Don't seem like the same type of course . . .

Way to go Zach! Winner of what could be considered the hardest Masters in history.

1-l?
 

Mike and Zach worked on Swing plane, double shift...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WtzWAoZ6Zk

Mike Bender - Hand control pivot?
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEm080v6ckY

Enjoy!

Nice work KOC

your on the ball :)

Congrats
 

Congrats to Zach! I'm impressed by his resolve and determination.

I think some of both. It was firm and fast for sure, and with the cold, swirling winds it had to be hard to stay focused, but good shots were holding on the greens and the pin positions weren't terrible. I was there Saturday, and about the time Tiger hit his tee shot on 17 it started getting really windy and cold. The 17th green/18th tee was so windy and cold there were no more than 50-75 patrons watching the post-Appelby groups with us. I didn't see a lot of bad tee balls; it was mostly distance control (wind) and poor touch around the greens (cold hands and fast greens).

Maybe this was a pre-cursor to Sunday, but of all the guys finishing up through 16, 17, and 18 in the cold, Zach was one of a very few that finished that stretch at par or better.

Awesome Video's KOC!!!! Thanks for Sharing!

I also noticed you had a video of Vikram and Justin on there that was very cool as well. I don't know if you've listed that link anywhere else on the site???

Sorting Through the Instructor's Textbook in the Midwest home of Master's Champ. Zach Johnson.

B-Ray

I think that should be in Comdpa channel.

His use of a standard address in putting is very effective! It shows the benefits of using it to stay on plane, from drive to putt.

Going off on a Bender.
 

Imagine how good Zack Johnson could be if he set his Right Forearm Flying Wedge :wink: :naughty: ; Masterful!

Congrats to Zach- he WON the Masters- don't let anyone say differently.

It seems the TGM cream is rising to the Top.

Great Stuff
 

It was great to see someone like Zach win the Masters. My son and I were there and we were at the edge of the ropes for the Green Jacket ceremony. It was very cool to see his wife, father, and other family and friends come into the area to be seated. They were clearly awe-struck and overcome with joy. Very cool stuff.

If any of you have the Sunday recorded, take a look at Tiger's shot out of the pine straw on the 5th hole. The camera shot is right behind Tiger. To the right, just out of the frame right in front of Tiger is my son Taylor. To the left, right next to Steve Williams is me. Right after the shot you catch a glimpse of my red arm. :)

We were lucky enough to be standing there when Tiger pushed his shot right to our feet. It was pretty cool being that close and listening to the exchange as they sized up the shot. Stevie got there first, made sure the area was clear. He politely asked everyone to stay still after the shot. Then Tiger came in. The exchange went like this:

Stevie: "You've got 11 and 23." (211 front of green/223 hole)
Tiger: "How about a little cinco de mayo buddy?"
Stevie: "I was thinking 6."
Tiger: "I'm thinking a little cut 5."
Stevie: "Sounds good mate."
Tiger: "Doo-da-doo-da-doo" (humming to himself while looking for the club)

Then he busted a beautiful towering 5 iron, with a slight fade, dead at the pin. The interesting thing was I could barely hear them talking even though I was 3 feet away and everyone was dead quiet.

Definitely a Masters moment to be remembered!

Sounds like you had an amazing weekend Trig----Saturday with your son visiting Lynn and Ted and Sunday chillin' with Tiger at the Masters. I think the Mastercard commercials put that in the "priceless" category!

I thought that was you! I saw who I thought was Taylor, then started looking for your red windbreaker and caught it just as the camera changed :)

Masterful Strategy
 

Anybody else catch the Golf Channel ...one of their experts categorized Zach Johnson as a single planer...they really should check with his swing coach on that one.

Was practicing next to a fellow today who was at the Master's...he said how the big guns like Tiger and Phil were always pushing the envelope...although hitting mostly incredible shots getting out of trouble.

An interview with Zach & his caddie after winning was quite interesting...explained how they kept to their game plan all week...not hitting anything lower than a four iron into any of the greens and not going for any of the Par 5's in 2. Looks like the game plan worked very well.

The new "thing to do" is to categorize players via the Hardy approach.

And since Zach has a short, flatish backstroke that "puts his left arm on the same 'plane' as his shoulders," he's a single planer.

Bender on TOMASELLO
 

That's ALL TOMASELLO Yeeeeeeeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Mike,
Thanks for validating Tom Tomasello's instruction.

Golf Illustrated: How long before a student makes significant improvement?

Tomasello: I can give you documented examples of golfers with no previous record of success who started winning tournaments at various levels almost immediately. But the learning is never- ending. The amount of time and dedication a student puts in determines how he or she can go.

Cheers......:)