what happened to Charles Howell??
- Thread starter jenhaoyen
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Kevin Shields
Super Moderator
Given his swing, perceived talent level and coaching he probably got as much out of his career as possible.
adamscot89
New
Wow, I never realized how much he fights to keep the club from getting underplane at the bottom, seems that someone could use a little tumble.
Richie3Jack
New
He has one of the lowest vertical launch angles on the PGA Tour and he's one of the most inaccurate drivers of the golf ball on Tour.
My thinking is that what has happened to him is similar to what happened to Tiger. He was hitting too far down on the ball, perhaps in an attempt to keep the traj. windows lower with the thinking: lower = more accurate.
Instead he lost distance and I think he became more inaccurate. And he's never been a good putter by PGA Tour standards.
3JACK
My thinking is that what has happened to him is similar to what happened to Tiger. He was hitting too far down on the ball, perhaps in an attempt to keep the traj. windows lower with the thinking: lower = more accurate.
Instead he lost distance and I think he became more inaccurate. And he's never been a good putter by PGA Tour standards.
3JACK
Jared Willerson
Super Moderator
Why are people speaking as if he is done on tour? He is still out there, a solid money earner, just a poor short game and driver of the ball 
, so that must mean the guy can play a bit.
I really think he tinkered too much with his swing, he has a lot of forward lean and as 3 Jack said a very low launch. I am surprised he isn't on a trackman daily trying to improve his numbers.
, so that must mean the guy can play a bit.I really think he tinkered too much with his swing, he has a lot of forward lean and as 3 Jack said a very low launch. I am surprised he isn't on a trackman daily trying to improve his numbers.
Richie3Jack
New
Why are people speaking as if he is done on tour? He is still out there, a solid money earner, just a poor short game and driver of the ball
I really think he tinkered too much with his swing, he has a lot of forward lean and as 3 Jack said a very low launch. I am surprised he isn't on a trackman daily trying to improve his numbers.
I don't think he's tinkered much with his swing. I've talked to a couple of people who have gone to clinics he's done, one recently and one about 7 years ago and he talked about the same thing which was very Leadbetter-ish.
It's not so much that he's 'done', it's that this was a very highly touted golfer who was viewed at possibly being a top 3 ranked player in the world some day and he's not even close and I highly doubt that will ever happen. I'm not surprised he's not on Trackman. Guys these days are on a leash with their teacher and whatever their teacher tells them, they do...instead of exploring things for themselves.
3JACK
TaylorMadeAP25
New member
He is not done, he has plenty of time to win acouple more times,anyone remember steve stricker...oh ya...
He shot 62 in the final round of the McGladrey classic 3 weeks ago, and played the entire Greenbrier Classic without a bogey. He still has flashes of brilliance, but being the best college player doesn't guarantee you anything in golf like it does in football and basketball. In 10 years I wouldn't be surprised if Rickie fowler has had the same type of career.
tallathlete
New
That statement is not valid for those sports either. See Sam Bowie, JaMarcus Russell, Ralph Sampson, Ryan Leaf, Michael Olawakandi, KiJana Carter, and 1000 more if I took time to think about it.
billmckinneygolf
New
I believe he was only behind Sergio in overall driving when he first came out on tour. And if you go watch him live, you will see lots of terrific shots with a few "space balls" here and there...plus, spotty putting. But man, does he hit a lot of terrific shots. THWACK!
Kevin Shields
Super Moderator
All good points. IMO those 160 yd pitching wedges look good on the range but he never had good distance control for that level. Obviously a good Tour player but we may have seen all he's got.
Tall, I was talking about the "best". Of the players you mention, the only one who you could say was really the best in college was Sampson. He had a pretty good NBA career that was shortened by injuries. You almost have to disregard the quarterback position when ranking college players, because it seems to be a completely different game from the college to the pro level, Also the NBA has a tendency to draft the biggest guys in hopes that they will develop into a great player. Thats why Sam Bowie got picked ahead of Jordan, Greg Oden ahead of Durant, Bogut ahead of Chris Paul, Milicic ahead of Carmello Anthony.
Review the list of Heisman Trophy or Lombardi Award winners lots of guys that never made it.
tallathlete
New
Ok... do you agree the Heisman Trophy is supposed to be awarded to the best collegiate football player? If so...... Charles White, Archie Griffin, Charlie Ward, Gino Torretta, Mike Rozier, Troy Smith, Danny Wuerfel, Rashan Salaam, Jason White, Gary Beban, Matt Leinart, Eric Crouch, Ty Detmer, Andre Ware..........shall I go on?
BTW....Im not trying to hassle you....just having a little fun.
Richie3Jack
New
I think being the best college player in football and basketball is more likely to translate into the pros than in golf. That's one of the beauties of the game, EVERYBODY can 'get a shot' at the big time and while playing for a big program can be helpful, more often than not it means jack.
3JACK
Brian Manzella
Administrator
Flawed Golf Swing.
Period.
I could fix him in a half-day.
Period.
I could fix him in a half-day.
Richie3Jack
New
The problem with this list is that 3 of the players suffered major injuries and for the most part injuries are not a big factor in golf. In football, it's one of the biggest factors in the league. It can end a career or alter a career for the worse and can cause a team's performance to dip dramatically. Leaf was a headcase and Russell has zero motivation. I think what the poster was getting at is that just because you're a great college player, even if you have the work ethic it doesn't mean it will translate to the PGA Tour. I think Russell could've been very good if he had a decent work ethic. Leaf could be made an argument for you because you have to be a mature adult to play well and last on the PGA Tour Olawakandi wasn't very motivated either. I really hate to see Sam Bowie up there because when his knees were good, he was a great player and would've been an HoF'er had his knees not been shot by his 3rd year.
3JACK
Richie3Jack
New
Howell's avg vertical launch angle with the driver over the years, courtesy of PGA Tour stats (ranking)
2007 - 7.54* (193rd)
2008 - 7.87* (197th)
2009 - 7.89* (188th)
2010 - 7.58* (189th)
3JACK
2007 - 7.54* (193rd)
2008 - 7.87* (197th)
2009 - 7.89* (188th)
2010 - 7.58* (189th)
3JACK
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