Mac O'Grady Ball-Striking Stats

[Brian Manzella]

From his two best years:

1986:

Driving Distance: 277.3 8th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 58.8% 150th
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 67.3% 40th
Putting Average: 1.828 129th
Total Driving: 158 61st

1987:

Driving Distance: 278.2 4th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 59.9% 152nd
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 68.3% 32nd
Putting Average: 1.819 130th
Total Driving: 156 55th

 

[tobell]

Today's Mac

Just for fun I looked @ stats from 2006 for a player similar to Mac.

Brett Wetterich
Driving Distance: 307.8 4th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 61.46% 122th
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 67.82% 33rd
Putting Average: 1.766 67th
Total Driving: 126 16th

Obviously Brett has some considerably better stats in total driving and putting, I hope he's not offended that I have compared him to Mac.

 

[birdie_man]

"I hope he's not offended that I have compared him to Mac."

Ha....

Ouch?

 

[David Alford]

It's interesting that these were his best years, yet some knowledgeable pros and commentators (Johnny Miller,etc.) have rated his ball striking so highly.

I don't have an answer as to the discrepency.

 

[birdie_man]

Ya u pretty much sum it up Dave.

 

[Brian Manzella]

So Pretty, So loud...

It's interesting that these were his best years, yet some knowledgeable pros and commentators (Johnny Miller,etc.) have rated his ball striking so highly.

I don't have an answer as to the discrepency.

Mac was a physical speciman. He made a "neat and tidy" pivot, but a powerful one. He hit the ball hard and on the range, would make a David Toms look like an also-ran.

But then, so would Tom Bartlett.

Golf "experts" worry about ALL SORTS of things that the BALL has no idea of.

David Toms would easily hit it inside of Mac 6 or 7 times out of 10 from every yaradge from 10 yards to 230.

I am not posting this to DIS Mac, I am just DISSING the so-called experts.

TV "experts" vs. The Itallian Stallion talking about the swing?

No contest.

 

[Dana Dahlquist]

It's interesting that these were his best years, yet some knowledgeable pros and commentators (Johnny Miller,etc.) have rated his ball striking so highly.

I don't have an answer as to the discrepency.

Well Miller is in the box he can say what ever he wants really.
O yeah I am playing square groves now ummm, that can help...
I am hitiing the ball 34 yard further than I did in 94 and i can stick more greens mabey one or two more.

 

[David Alford]

<Golf "experts" worry about ALL SORTS of things that the BALL has no idea of.>

As they say, "BINGO!"

 

[Dana Dahlquist]

<Golf "experts" worry about ALL SORTS of things that the BALL has no idea of.>

As they say, "BINGO!"

LOL.
Yes thats true.
I just would compare people of that day to people of that day.
Not Mac of 1987 to Toms of 2006.
Mac would hit it thirty past him evey time.

 

[tongzilla]

"Return of the NAT" (David Orr), have you got anything to say on these stats?

 

[Brian Manzella]

OK, ok...

LOL.
Yes thats true.
I just would compare people of that day to people of that day.
Not Mac of 1987 to Toms of 2006.
Mac would hit it thirty past him evey time.

David in 1986 & 87 would STILL hit it inside Mac 6 or 7 times out of 10 from 10 yards to 230.

The POINT is Mac was NOT a "great ball-striker" if that means hitting it where you are looking.

Stats vs. Hype.

 

[Dana Dahlquist]

David in 1986 & 87 would STILL hit it inside Mac 6 or 7 times out of 10 from 10 yards to 230.

The POINT is Mac was NOT a "great ball-striker" if that means hitting it where you are looking.

Stats vs. Hype.

Yeah I would bet other wise. I know Toms cant hit a one iron 250 stright up in the air and bend it in both directions and do the same low.Everytime. But who really cares.I played golf with him and quite a few of todays golf pro's including tiger.
Mac is on the top of the list.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Yeah I would bet other wise. I know Toms cant hit a one iron 250 stright up in the air and bend it in both directions and do the same low.Everytime. But who really cares.I played golf with him and quite a few of todays golf pro's including tiger.
Mac is on the top of the list.

You'd lose.

230 was a 5 wood shot for David in 1987.

Do really think Mac is—or was—more accurate with a one-iron than David is and was with a 5-wood?

I know what you are saying, Dana, 'cause I have said it on here too, when comparing Tom Bartlett and Mike Finney, to say David and DiMarco.

They "hit it" better...

...but the better is not C-L-O-S-E-R.

 

[Dana Dahlquist]

You'd lose.

230 was a 5 wood shot for David in 1987.

Do really think Mac is—or was—more accurate with a one-iron than David is and was with a 5-wood?

I know what you are saying, Dana, 'cause I have said it on here too, when comparing Tom Bartlett and Mike Finney, to say David and DiMarco.

They "hit it" better...

...but the better is not C-L-O-S-E-R.

Say what you must. 5 wood never hit the same as a 1 iron. But what ever dude.Ball striking is a grouping of power and accurate shots. No Im not saying from 230 ones better, just saying there is not a myth about Mac's ballstriking.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Say what you must. 5 wood never hit the same as a 1 iron. But what ever dude.Ball striking is a grouping of power and accurate shots. No Im not saying from 230 ones better, just saying there is not a myth about Mac's ballstriking.

Dana.

What don't you understand about the word CLOSER...

Please explain these facts:

1986:

Driving Distance: 277.3 8th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 58.8% 150th
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 67.3% 40th
Putting Average: 1.828 129th
Total Driving: 158 61st

1987:

Driving Distance: 278.2 4th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 59.9% 152nd
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 68.3% 32nd
Putting Average: 1.819 130th
Total Driving: 156 55th

 

[Dana Dahlquist]

Dana.

What don't you understand about the word CLOSER...

Please explain these facts:

1986:

Driving Distance: 277.3 8th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 58.8% 150th
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 67.3% 40th
Putting Average: 1.828 129th
Total Driving: 158 61st

1987:

Driving Distance: 278.2 4th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 59.9% 152nd
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 68.3% 32nd
Putting Average: 1.819 130th
Total Driving: 156 55th

I think we are being a bit defensive of other peoples stats.
First off. Mac in his prime bombed the ball, for that time it was very long. Todays ball and clubs make it imposible to compare.
Second yeah alot of guys hit it closer than these stats, Mac would be the first to say he lead the tour in flyier's to the green.
I have played with him alot, when he went to square grooves which was about a month ago we talked about this.
So really we can't compare the stats to today.
However I still don't know many who can hit a 1 iron over a 90 foot fence and draw it to a green. Or hit the back of a hybrid left handed 240.

 

[Brian Manzella]

While your thinking about it...

The Leading Money Winner and best player of the time,

Curtis Strange:

Driving Distance: 260.6 107th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 74.5% 12nd
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 70.2% 15th
Putting Average: 1.770 16th

Shorter...but MUCH straighter and closer.

Better putter too, but really no comparison to "hitting where you are looking."

**Side note***

So much for Head Movement reduces precision...

 

[Dana Dahlquist]

The Leading Money Winner and best player of the time,

Curtis Strange:

Driving Distance: 260.6 107th
Driving Accuracy Percentage: 74.5% 12nd
Greens in Regulation Pct.: 70.2% 15th
Putting Average: 1.770 16th

Shorter...but MUCH straighter and closer.

Better putter too, but really no comparison to "hitting where you are looking."

**Side note***

So much for Head Movement reduces precision...

So much for Head Movement,in relation to speed.
How and why are we even going over this anyway. I am being defensive because Mac's a freind of mine.
But my driver is about 30 yards further on average the Curtis here. back then I would have know idea how I would stack up

 

[Brian Manzella]

Good ole Mac.

The word "great ball striker" was being thrown around, and all I am saying is that, many times, the stats don't back up the hype.

This was one of those cases.

Mac is a very powerful, talented ball-striker, but they don't put pictures on the scorecards.

Give Tom Bartlett two-weeks notice, and TOM—a guy that has played LESS GOLF in the past 5 years than Mac has in the past two months—whould give a nice little clinic standing right next to Mac.

Trust me.

(and David can still beat their best ball).

 

[Dana Dahlquist]

The word "great ball striker" was being thrown around, and all I am saying is that, many times, the stats don't back up the hype.

This was one of those cases.

Mac is a very powerful, talented ball-striker, but they don't put pictures on the scorecards.

Give Tom Bartlett two-weeks notice, and TOM—a guy that has played LESS GOLF in the past 5 years than Mac has in the past two months—whould give a nice little clinic standing right next to Mac.

Trust me.

(and David can still beat their best ball).

I don't really get this statement "Give Tom Bartlett two-weeks notice, and TOM—a guy that has played LESS GOLF in the past 5 years than Mac has in the past two months—whould give a nice little clinic standing right next to Mac."

Brian what did you see when you played golf with Mac? I think we are being defensive right? I know I am. I like david's swing and I like his game,but I don't think I'm hyping Mac.