Let's Talk about Butch Harmon...
Every golfer and every golfing fan is familiar with Butch Harmon, Phil’s new swing coach and Tiger’s previous coach.
Butch has an amazing ability to watch a shot and see about “20 things at once”. He says his head is like a computer. He sees the grip, ball position, alignment, swing path, clubface angles, and arm angles. In those moments, he can diagnose immediately the cause of a bad result. But just as important, he can explain it to the player in terms the player can understand. And, he has an uncanny knack of being able to show the player, in a very simple way, how to correct the problem.
Some have raised their eyebrows at the fact that Tiger paid Butch only $50,000/year. Doesn't seem like much, but his net worth has grown a big, big bunch from the association. There were obviously other valuable benefits. Here's a pic of Butch visiting with Tiger and Hank Haney (Tiger's current coach) on the practice range:
Butch doesn't charge his tour players anything. He says he charges only his travel expenses, based on how much time he spends with them at a tournament. He says that they all know he is on the range from "sunup to sundown" and if they need him, they have his cell number.
He tells them, if they have a good season, they can write him a check at the end of the year,"or not." Adam Scott writes the biggest checks and has been with Butch since he was a teenager. Other players, instead of money, give him very nice perks ... such things like expensive hours on their private jets.
I understand the Coach charges $600/hour to students at his school, so he's living quite well these days. And has, the past four years, been voted again the Number One Coach. David Ledbetter was voted number 2. I have read that Ledbetter charges $10,000/day. Another source says it’s $10,000/half-a-day. I have tried but am unable to verify David’s fees. If anyone knows, please post it here
Butch says there is a "pecking order" and that he let Phil know that Scotty comes first. But you can be sure that Phil will get plenty of attention. Their main objective is straightening out Mickelson’s driving , through better lower-body control and a tighter swing. Have you noticed? Phil's backswing was shortened immediately, and he seems to have better control. It also appears that he is working on "patience". No fancy shots in the backstretch when he beat Tiger at Deustche Bank. What an exciting round that was! For Phil fans and Tiger fans alike!
Phil says the driver is the main goal and that's why he went to Butch. Phil explains, "He's led two players to No. 1 in the world, and they both were great drivers of the ball." And Butch remarks, "I like Phil ... I think he's the only guy who can catch Tiger now."
Butch jokes that he led 2 players to Number 1 and both of them fired him – Greg Norman and, of course, Tiger. Well, he has two more players now … Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson. What do you think? Will history repeat??
by
Marion Walther
