Leadbetter fan speaks..

[Ryan Smither]

I wouldn't consider myself a swing guru by any means but I know krap when I see it; watched a tape of Leadbetter teaching this summer and it was KRAP.

 

[hue]

quote:Originally posted by Iowagolfpr

I think someone has the right to be critical of David Leadbetter when someone like Ernie Els knocks on their door. Until then we should ask what Ernie knows . His list of students who have done well is endless. I don't see Ernie falling off the map!

Don't underestimate IMG's role in Mr Leadbetter"s success and directing players his way . IMG handle Leadbetter"s business affairs as well as most of the top players. Also don't overestimate top players judgement. Many have been hoodwinked by snakeoil swing gurus. Tour players are like the rest of us looking for that extra something . Els was a great player before he went to Leadbetter . I preferred his pre Leadbetter swing . Leadbetter"s record of training good players on to the tour is not impressive and IMO this is a better indicator of his true teaching talent. Any tour player that works with him is going to be maxed out PR wise by IMG and suckers will buy into the hype. He also has an impressive record of good players that were ruined by his teaching methods but the IMG PR machine does not advertise this.

 

[MizunoJoe]

I first saw Leadbetter roaming the range at the 1988 PGA Championship. He was walking up and down the line giving advice to anyone who would listen. Someone or something very powerful($) was required to get him that access. Don't believe it? Try to get inside the ropes of the range at ANY tour event, much less a major. Once in there, to get access to a player requires an intermediary. I used to discuss the golf swing with the inventor of the Momentus, who was at one time a local instructor of a public driving range. At the 1996 Tour Championship, he got somehow got inside the ropes, and was standing there in a suit and tie with his bag of Momentuses. Norman was hitting balls and an intermediary approached Norman's caddy for permission to speak to Norman and Norman, without even looking, just shook his head no. Jim (the inventor) eventually got David Duval to endorse the Momentus.

So for Lead to get unlimited access to tour players without going through the caddies required unbelievable clout.

 

[matt]

Anybody can pretty much walk out onto the range early in the week. If you look like you belong and you look like you know what you're doing, you can just stroll out there and try to talk to someone.

 

[MizunoJoe]

I'd like to see you do that at a tour event at Southern Hills in Tulsa! Unless you are a staff member of the club, who are all wearing a special matching outfit, or have one of a specific badge type, even if you manage to get inside, you will be quickly escorted out. That includes the equipment reps. At the Byron Nelson a few yrs ago, a player couldn't get his instructor on the range because he didn't have a badge. Even the guys in the tour vans need badges.

At the 2001 US Open, Tiger's Mom was forced outside the ropes by security.

 

[matt]

Things operate a little looser in Wisconsin. But if we're talking just majors, then yes the security is super-tight. At a regular tour event, though, at least in my experience one can get away with some wandering early in the week.