by Hank Haney
Mark O’Meara, the greatest student and friend any instructor could ever have, who changed my life by allowing me to teach him for 25 years.
Corey Carroll, for his friendship and insight.
Tiger Woods, for an incredibly rewarding six years.
Jeremy Aisenberg, a tireless agent with great judgment.
Steve Johnson, a loyal and always reliable business partner.
Rick Horgan, a wise and artful editor.
Nathan Roberson, for his patience with revisions to the manuscript.
Tammy Blake, for her guidance through the marketplace.
Tina Constable, Crown Archetype’s dynamic publisher, whose vision gave this project life.
Jerry Tarde, Mike O’Malley, and Kathy Stachura of Golf Digest, Geoff Russell of Golf World, and Sam Weinman of Golfdigest.com, for their support and assistance on this project.
Finally, to Jaime Diaz, my collaborator, for his dedication and skill in helping me put this book together.
TIGER WOODS’S WORLDWIDE PERFORMANCE RECORD
WHILE HANK HANEY WAS HIS COACH
March 2004 to May 2010
GLOSSARY OF GOLF TERMS
Across the Line
With the clubshaft parallel to the ground at the top of the backswing, and looking down the target line from behind a right-handed golfer, the clubshaft points to the right of the target, is therefore “across the line.” From this position, the tendency would be for the golfer to swing on an “in to out” path, producing either a shot that curves from right to left or a push to the right. When I first began working with Tiger, he was slightly across the line at the top of his swing.
Draw
A shot, when hit by a right-handed golfer, that curves slightly from right to left. Because a draw carries less backspin than a fade, it tends to hit the ground harder and roll farther, making it the ideal shot for distance. Powerful players tend to be wary of regularly playing a draw because a misdirected draw can roll farther into trouble. Short hitters tend to favor a draw as a way to gain needed distance. A shot with significantly greater right-to-left curve is called a hook.
Fade
A shot that, when hit by a right-handed golfer, curves slightly from left to right. A fade is often favored by the most powerful touring professionals because, while it sacrifices some distance due to the relatively high backspin it carries, it tends to be the best shot for control due to the softness and backspin with which it lands. A shot with significantly greater left-to-right curve is called a slice.
Hook
See Draw.
Laid Off
The opposite of across the line. Looking down the target line from behind a right-handed golfer, the club shaft points to the left of the target, thus is “laid off.” From this position, the tendency would be for the golfer to swing on an “out to in” path, producing either a shot that curves from left to right or a pull to the left. I wanted Tiger to always err more toward a laid-off position at the top of his swing.
Links Course
Links courses are located almost exclusively in the British Isles. Each year, the British Open is held in either Scotland or England on one of nine classic links courses. The term links refers to the relatively thin strips of land—often amid dunes—that “link” the sea with more fertile growing areas. Links are where golf began several centuries ago. The characteristics of links golf include firm, fast-draining turf that allows for a lot of roll, nearly constant wind, gentle undulations, and few trees. There are fewer than 200 true links courses in the world.
On Plane
In an ideal swing, the correct swing plane retains the angle of the shaft at address. An important distinction in an “on plane” swing is that the shaft actually travels along multiple parallel planes. On the backswing, it travels above—but parallel to—the original plane angle established at address, and on the downswing it travels below but parallel to the original plane angle. When Tiger’s swing was at its best, he was on plane.
Pull
A shot that, when hit by a right-handed golfer, does not curve but is hit straight and left of the target. It is typically caused by moving the upper body more quickly than the lower, causing the right-handed player to pull the shot left.
Push
A shot that behaves opposite of a pull. It does not curve but goes straight and right of the target. It may be caused by moving the upper body too slowly, resulting in a shot that is pushed out to the right.
Saw Across
A term Tiger and I used that refers to an intentional “out to in” downswing path that produces a controlled fade or slice, primarily to reduce the possibility of a “big miss.” I recommended that Tiger use this technique with his driver in particular whenever he felt uncomfortable or lacked confidence on a tee shot. Although playing the shot meant sacrificing distance, even when it missed the fairway, it usually wasn’t by much.
Slice
See Fade.
Stinger
A term coined to describe the low-flying tee shot that Tiger favored when getting the ball in the fairway was the priority. The shot was particularly effective for him in the windy conditions and fast-running fairways found at the British Open. Tiger performed the shot best with his 2- and 3-irons, but he was also proficient with his 5-wood and 3-wood. My unfulfilled goal was to get Tiger to confidently and consistently perform the shot with a driver.
Strong Grip
Marked primarily by a left-hand position (in a right-handed golfer) in which the thumb rests on the right side of the club handle. At address, the golfer would look down and see at least two knuckles showing on his left hand. In a strong grip, the club tends to be held more in the fingers. A strong grip is good for creating power, but because it allows the hands more play to turn counterclockwise through impact, it carries more potential for wild shots to the left.
Stuck
The position that occurs on the downswing when the lower body gets too far ahead of the upper body, leaving the arms and hands behind. The club can then no longer be released to square with a simple rotation of the body, but must be “caught up” with compensating arm and hand actions in the hitting area. Highly gifted players like Tiger can often “save” shots in this manner, but not with real consistency. A more reliable downswing would have the hands and arms coming down more “in front” of the body. Players who are across the line at the top of the backswing are more likely to get stuck than those who are laid off.
Weak Grip
When the left thumb rests more on the top of the club handle (in a right-handed golfer). At address, the golfer would look down and see fewer than two knuckles, and in an extremely weak grip, barely one knuckle. In a weak grip, the club tends to be held more in the palms. Because such a grip restricts hand rotation through the ball, it tends to be favored by players who are seeking accuracy more than power. Tiger weakened his grip shortly after I became his coach.
Up and Down
The act of taking two strokes to hole out from areas within about 50 yards of the putting surface, including sand bunkers. For a professional golfer “getting up and down” usually means “saving” a par, but it can also produce a birdie on a par 5 after a player has gotten near the green in two shots. Getting up and down consistently requires both skill and creativity with short shots, and a sure putting stroke.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
1. The Last Time
2. Beginnings
3. Coaching Tiger
4. Greatness
5. Distraction
6. Highest Mountain
7. Quitting
8. Adding It Up
Acknowledgments
Tiger Woods’s Worldwide Performance Record While Hank Haney Was His Coach
Glossary of Golf Terms
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
1. The
Last Time
2. Beginnings
3. Coaching Tiger
4. Greatness
5. Distraction
6. Highest Mountain
7. Quitting
8. Adding It Up
Acknowledgments
Tiger Woods’s Worldwide Performance Record While Hank Haney Was His Coach
Glossary of Golf Terms