Spent yesterday walking around the practice round at the PGA Tour stop in Norton,MA. Hardly any spectators due to the scattered rain showers. None of the superstars were practicing on the course or range. I followed Tanaka and Miyase for 6 holes among a few others.
Both are small fellows (Tanaka 5'6" / 136 lbs). I got very close to them on the tee boxes since we were almost the only ones watching them. they had an entourage of Japanese press, equipment people, etc walking behind them. Tanaka has a wide powerful smooth swing. Hits a nice draw. Carries his driver about 270-280 and carries a 3 wood off the deck about 250-260. 4 Iron Carry about 205 yds. Course was long and soft. No large divots except hitting wedges from 100 and in. Low trajectory with spin. Amazing how well they chip/pitch around the greens. They all are masters of the lob wedge. You can see the ball just run up the face of the club generating lots of bite/spin. The range was like a zoo. It has to be really distracting with all the coaches, equipment sales people, caddies, agents, friends etc. A lot of guys working really hard. Heath Slocum another little guy must have hit range balls for 4 straight hours then off to the putting green for more practice.
Both are small fellows (Tanaka 5'6" / 136 lbs). I got very close to them on the tee boxes since we were almost the only ones watching them. they had an entourage of Japanese press, equipment people, etc walking behind them. Tanaka has a wide powerful smooth swing. Hits a nice draw. Carries his driver about 270-280 and carries a 3 wood off the deck about 250-260. 4 Iron Carry about 205 yds. Course was long and soft. No large divots except hitting wedges from 100 and in. Low trajectory with spin. Amazing how well they chip/pitch around the greens. They all are masters of the lob wedge. You can see the ball just run up the face of the club generating lots of bite/spin. The range was like a zoo. It has to be really distracting with all the coaches, equipment sales people, caddies, agents, friends etc. A lot of guys working really hard. Heath Slocum another little guy must have hit range balls for 4 straight hours then off to the putting green for more practice.