Best Player's Game to Emulate | USHandicap Classic

Goynes42 Professional Champion
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Lots of folks talk about emulating a certain player's swing. But I'd like to talk about whose GAME you can maybe learn the most from and apply it to yours. I'm talking about the way they manage their way around the course and hit different shots. I've believed, for a long time now, that the guy most of us mortals should really pay attention to is Corey Pavin. Corey doesn't hit it very long, but he hits it quite straight. On dogleg holes, he plays along with the dogleg rather than trying to smash the ball over the corner. He can't go for many par 5s in two shots, so he usually lays up to a comfortable range to ensure that his 3rd shot will give him a good birdie putt. He takes advantage of the par 3s when he can since length isn't as much of an issue. He has a tremendous short game and has always been a solid putter. I think these are things that can really be studied, learned and applied into your own game quickly. Some might say, "Why not just emulate Tiger's game? He's the best in the world!" But the deal is, Tiger can hit shots that most of us can only dream of hitting. He plays a golf course in a different fashion than most of us ever could. And also, he's still not that great with the driver week-in/week-out, so there's that. So check out Corey if you haven't yet. I think he has a gaming style that most golfers can relate to in terms of distance he hits and the shots he plays. What he does so well is plot his way around the golf course so that he's almost never in trouble. That makes up for a lot of the loss in distance. And as far as the short game and putter...well, I'll tell you the honest truth...ANY of us can learn to be wedge wizards and good putters. Because those shots do not require the same amount of physical strength as a full shot, they are far easier to pull off if we'd just PRACTICE them. Who are some golfers who's games you admire?
JayPet Legend
# 1 8/30/2013 11:09:02 AM
I love Freddie, but that's just me. A guy with a sweet swing, great demeanor and every woman out there thought he was golf's version of George Clooney. On top of that, guys like Jordan wanted to hang with him. Probably got a fee pass to the HOF, but a very successful career for 25 years. If your looking for a "short knocker" to mimic... as nice as Corey Pavin had done, I think the modern-day Pavin is Zack Johnson. Steady as they come... won a major... and will probably equal Pavin's #'s once he's done. Solid, steady game with lots of longevity.
Mark Simmons Legend
# 2 8/30/2013 12:09:27 PM
Cory and Zack are the first names that came to my mind too. I would add Jim Furyk and Jerry Kelly to that list. Again we're talking about guys to emulate and learn from at how they get around a golf course, not how pretty their swing or how long they can bomb it.
HOGAN418 Professional Champion
# 3 8/30/2013 1:09:02 PM
might sound a little cheesey.. but the LPGA seems more suited to the average male golfer... I was first taught by a LPGA professional.. the basics...
JayPet Legend
# 4 8/30/2013 1:46:58 PM
I can assure you Tim, when we play in a few weeks I will be trying to "Bubba" my way around the course! Nothing about my game will remind you of Pavin or Johnson. I only used Johnson in my example because I wanted to use a guy playing now with a very conservative approach to the game. I am far from conservative out there. :)
cogolfer1 LowIndex
# 5 8/30/2013 5:02:15 PM
I did this very simply. Looked to see who the player is on Tour who's made the least amount of bogeys as anyone, while still contending on a regular basis, and it's Matt Kuchar. 2nd to Bob Estes who's only ahead of him by a couple of decimal points.
Don Freeman Professional Champion
# 6 8/30/2013 6:53:16 PM
I love Freddie, but that's just me. A guy with a sweet swing, great demeanor and every woman out there thought he was golf's version of George Clooney. On top of that, guys like Jordan wanted to hang with him. Probably got a fee pass to the HOF, but a very successful career for 25 years. If your looking for a "short knocker" to mimic... as nice as Corey Pavin had done, I think the modern-day Pavin is Zack Johnson. Steady as they come... won a major... and will probably equal Pavin's #'s once he's done. Solid, steady game with lots of longevity. Freddy !!! I just did a swing change 2 1/2 months ago to try to exact Freddy's swing. I think I'm very close. My left knee hurts, but so does the hole. I have drained 3 from the fairway since the change, so stick that in your pipes and smoke it! I may not be as pretty as Freddy, but his swing is actually very simple, and very repeatable. The only reason I am not scoring nowdays is because of my putting. But I would match my tee to green game with the best of them. and it's all Freddy. did I mention Freddy?.....................
Mark Simmons Legend
# 7 8/30/2013 11:46:37 PM
might sound a little cheesey.. but the LPGA seems more suited to the average male golfer... I was first taught by a LPGA professional.. the basics... I don't think that is cheesy. When it comes to emulating someone's swing I think a number of LPGA players have more to offer than most PGA Tour players when it comes to we mere mortals. However, Tim provided the parameters for this topic and he was explicit he isn't talking about the best swing, rather he's "talking about the way they manage their way around the course and hit different shots." When I think about managing their way around the course, no LPGA player jumps out at me. When I look at the relevant stats (of which the LPGA only has a few) the names Jiyai Shin, I.K. Kim and Paula Creamer pop up. These are players that are close to the top when it comes to rounds under par, do so without being a long hitter, and are above average on the LPGA Tour in fairways hit and greens in regulation. Being above average in fairways hit and greens in regulation isn't exactly a high bar. But if you set the bar higher, say top 10% of tour players in those categories, everybody falls out. My conclusion is that there aren't any current LPGA players that are as skilled at managing their way around the course and hitting different shots as the PGA Tour players already mentioned.
JayPet Legend
# 8 8/31/2013 8:41:24 AM
might sound a little cheesey.. but the LPGA seems more suited to the average male golfer... I was first taught by a LPGA professional.. the basics... I don't think that is cheesy. When it comes to emulating someone's swing I think a number of LPGA players have more to offer than most PGA Tour players when it comes to we mere mortals. However, Tim provided the parameters for this topic and he was explicit he isn't talking about the best swing, rather he's "talking about the way they manage their way around the course and hit different shots." When I think about managing their way around the course, no LPGA player jumps out at me. When I look at the relevant stats (of which the LPGA only has a few) the names Jiyai Shin, I.K. Kim and Paula Creamer pop up. These are players that are close to the top when it comes to rounds under par, do so without being a long hitter, and are above average on the LPGA Tour in fairways hit and greens in regulation. Being above average in fairways hit and greens in regulation isn't exactly a high bar. But if you set the bar higher, say top 10% of tour players in those categories, everybody falls out. My conclusion is that there aren't any current LPGA players that are as skilled at managing their way around the course and hitting different shots as the PGA Tour players already mentioned. Too many LPGA players rely on their caddies for alignment and course management. I haven't seen one that manages the game well on their own.
Goynes42 Professional Champion
# 9 8/31/2013 9:46:58 AM
Cofish, I like Matt Kuchar, he could be a very good example. But here's the question...from watching him play, what are some things he does in his game that we all can apply to ours?
JayPet Legend
# 10 8/31/2013 9:50:06 AM
Cofish, I like Matt Kuchar, he could be a very good example. But here's the question...from watching him play, what are some things he does in his game that we all can apply to ours? He doesn't swear! Not sure it would help my game though... every once in a while you need to drop a good F Bomb just to feel better.
Don Freeman Professional Champion
# 11 8/31/2013 10:41:37 AM
He doesn't swear! Not sure it would help my game though... every once in a while you need to drop a good F Bomb just to feel better. hehe. I don't swear on the course either, but I mark my ball with an "F". I call it the "F ball". and when I get mad after a bad hole, I beat the F out of it on the next tee box.
LyinLewis Legend
# 12 8/31/2013 12:18:03 PM
Swing...I watch Justin Rose. I would not call our swings identical, but we work on similar things. I love watching Zach Johnson, and when we lived in Iowa we belonged to the same club so you could hit balls side by side him. If I swung like Zach I would hurt my back. The way he holds off his release involves more lower back than I am built for.
LyinLewis Legend
# 13 8/31/2013 4:49:52 PM
Speaking of Fred Couples. When I won my alumni tournament I was paired with a classmate 5 years my elder and his swing was exactly like Couples. I mean exactly! For the first 9 he was beating me and I swear I was watching his swing more than I was paying attention to my own. I have never before played with someone who swung like Couples...the guy had the posture, the bent left elbow at the top of the swing, the slight cross over and probably the best tempo of any guy I have ever played with. He hit it soft and long.
Don Freeman Professional Champion
# 14 8/31/2013 5:33:11 PM
Speaking of Fred Couples. When I won my alumni tournament I was paired with a classmate 5 years my elder and his swing was exactly like Couples. I mean exactly! For the first 9 he was beating me and I swear I was watching his swing more than I was paying attention to my own. I have never before played with someone who swung like Couples...the guy had the posture, the bent left elbow at the top of the swing, the slight cross over and probably the best tempo of any guy I have ever played with. He hit it soft and long. So where've ya been? Did you make it to Tampa yet?
cogolfer1 LowIndex
# 15 8/31/2013 6:32:15 PM
Cofish, I like Matt Kuchar, he could be a very good example. But here's the question...from watching him play, what are some things he does in his game that we all can apply to ours? Well, he's #1 in 3-putt avoidance. That never hurts. His style of putting I think is what the Bradleys and Simpsons are gonna go to when the ban takes effect. It should be an easy transition for the guys that do anchor. He's also 11th in scrambling. Ball-striking stats aren't anything special, which is odd since he finishes in the Top 20 like every week. Gets his work done around the greens.

Goynes42

Professional Champion

Go to Last Reply

181 Views 25 Replies 0 Likes

Lots of folks talk about emulating a certain player's swing. But I'd like to talk about whose GAME you can maybe learn the most from and apply it to yours. I'm talking about the way they manage their way around the course and hit different shots.

I've believed, for a long time now, that the guy most of us mortals should really pay attention to is Corey Pavin. Corey doesn't hit it very long, but he hits it quite straight. On dogleg holes, he plays along with the dogleg rather than trying to smash the ball over the corner. He can't go for many par 5s in two shots, so he usually lays up to a comfortable range to ensure that his 3rd shot will give him a good birdie putt. He takes advantage of the par 3s when he can since length isn't as much of an issue. He has a tremendous short game and has always been a solid putter.

I think these are things that can really be studied, learned and applied into your own game quickly. Some might say, "Why not just emulate Tiger's game? He's the best in the world!" But the deal is, Tiger can hit shots that most of us can only dream of hitting. He plays a golf course in a different fashion than most of us ever could. And also, he's still not that great with the driver week-in/week-out, so there's that.

So check out Corey if you haven't yet. I think he has a gaming style that most golfers can relate to in terms of distance he hits and the shots he plays. What he does so well is plot his way around the golf course so that he's almost never in trouble. That makes up for a lot of the loss in distance. And as far as the short game and putter...well, I'll tell you the honest truth...ANY of us can learn to be wedge wizards and good putters. Because those shots do not require the same amount of physical strength as a full shot, they are far easier to pull off if we'd just PRACTICE them.

Who are some golfers who's games you admire?

JayPet

Legend

# 1 8/30/2013 11:09:02 AM

I love Freddie, but that's just me. A guy with a sweet swing, great demeanor and every woman out there thought he was golf's version of George Clooney. On top of that, guys like Jordan wanted to hang with him. Probably got a fee pass to the HOF, but a very successful career for 25 years.

If your looking for a "short knocker" to mimic... as nice as Corey Pavin had done, I think the modern-day Pavin is Zack Johnson. Steady as they come... won a major... and will probably equal Pavin's #'s once he's done. Solid, steady game with lots of longevity.

Mark Simmons

Legend

# 2 8/30/2013 12:09:27 PM

Cory and Zack are the first names that came to my mind too. I would add Jim Furyk and Jerry Kelly to that list. Again we're talking about guys to emulate and learn from at how they get around a golf course, not how pretty their swing or how long they can bomb it.

HOGAN418

Professional Champion

# 3 8/30/2013 1:09:02 PM

might sound a little cheesey.. but the LPGA seems more suited to the average male golfer... I was first taught by a LPGA professional.. the basics...

JayPet

Legend

# 4 8/30/2013 1:46:58 PM

I can assure you Tim, when we play in a few weeks I will be trying to "Bubba" my way around the course! Nothing about my game will remind you of Pavin or Johnson. I only used Johnson in my example because I wanted to use a guy playing now with a very conservative approach to the game. I am far from conservative out there. :)

cogolfer1

LowIndex

# 5 8/30/2013 5:02:15 PM

I did this very simply. Looked to see who the player is on Tour who's made the least amount of bogeys as anyone, while still contending on a regular basis, and it's Matt Kuchar. 2nd to Bob Estes who's only ahead of him by a couple of decimal points.

Don Freeman

Professional Champion

# 6 8/30/2013 6:53:16 PM

I love Freddie, but that's just me. A guy with a sweet swing, great demeanor and every woman out there thought he was golf's version of George Clooney. On top of that, guys like Jordan wanted to hang with him. Probably got a fee pass to the HOF, but a very successful career for 25 years.

If your looking for a "short knocker" to mimic... as nice as Corey Pavin had done, I think the modern-day Pavin is Zack Johnson. Steady as they come... won a major... and will probably equal Pavin's #'s once he's done. Solid, steady game with lots of longevity.

Freddy !!!
I just did a swing change 2 1/2 months ago to try to exact Freddy's swing. I think I'm very close. My left knee hurts, but so does the hole. I have drained 3 from the fairway since the change, so stick that in your pipes and smoke it!
I may not be as pretty as Freddy, but his swing is actually very simple, and very repeatable.
The only reason I am not scoring nowdays is because of my putting. But I would match my tee to green game with the best of them. and it's all Freddy.
did I mention Freddy?.....................

Mark Simmons

Legend

# 7 8/30/2013 11:46:37 PM

might sound a little cheesey.. but the LPGA seems more suited to the average male golfer... I was first taught by a LPGA professional.. the basics...

I don't think that is cheesy. When it comes to emulating someone's swing I think a number of LPGA players have more to offer than most PGA Tour players when it comes to we mere mortals.

However, Tim provided the parameters for this topic and he was explicit he isn't talking about the best swing, rather he's "talking about the way they manage their way around the course and hit different shots."

When I think about managing their way around the course, no LPGA player jumps out at me. When I look at the relevant stats (of which the LPGA only has a few) the names Jiyai Shin, I.K. Kim and Paula Creamer pop up. These are players that are close to the top when it comes to rounds under par, do so without being a long hitter, and are above average on the LPGA Tour in fairways hit and greens in regulation. Being above average in fairways hit and greens in regulation isn't exactly a high bar. But if you set the bar higher, say top 10% of tour players in those categories, everybody falls out.

My conclusion is that there aren't any current LPGA players that are as skilled at managing their way around the course and hitting different shots as the PGA Tour players already mentioned.

JayPet

Legend

# 8 8/31/2013 8:41:24 AM

might sound a little cheesey.. but the LPGA seems more suited to the average male golfer... I was first taught by a LPGA professional.. the basics...

I don't think that is cheesy. When it comes to emulating someone's swing I think a number of LPGA players have more to offer than most PGA Tour players when it comes to we mere mortals.

However, Tim provided the parameters for this topic and he was explicit he isn't talking about the best swing, rather he's "talking about the way they manage their way around the course and hit different shots."

When I think about managing their way around the course, no LPGA player jumps out at me. When I look at the relevant stats (of which the LPGA only has a few) the names Jiyai Shin, I.K. Kim and Paula Creamer pop up. These are players that are close to the top when it comes to rounds under par, do so without being a long hitter, and are above average on the LPGA Tour in fairways hit and greens in regulation. Being above average in fairways hit and greens in regulation isn't exactly a high bar. But if you set the bar higher, say top 10% of tour players in those categories, everybody falls out.

My conclusion is that there aren't any current LPGA players that are as skilled at managing their way around the course and hitting different shots as the PGA Tour players already mentioned.

Too many LPGA players rely on their caddies for alignment and course management. I haven't seen one that manages the game well on their own.

Goynes42

Professional Champion

# 9 8/31/2013 9:46:58 AM

Cofish, I like Matt Kuchar, he could be a very good example. But here's the question...from watching him play, what are some things he does in his game that we all can apply to ours?

JayPet

Legend

# 10 8/31/2013 9:50:06 AM

Cofish, I like Matt Kuchar, he could be a very good example. But here's the question...from watching him play, what are some things he does in his game that we all can apply to ours?

He doesn't swear! Not sure it would help my game though... every once in a while you need to drop a good F Bomb just to feel better.

Don Freeman

Professional Champion

# 11 8/31/2013 10:41:37 AM

He doesn't swear! Not sure it would help my game though... every once in a while you need to drop a good F Bomb just to feel better.

hehe. I don't swear on the course either, but I mark my ball with an "F". I call it the "F ball". and when I get mad after a bad hole, I beat the F out of it on the next tee box.

LyinLewis

Legend

# 12 8/31/2013 12:18:03 PM

Swing...I watch Justin Rose. I would not call our swings identical, but we work on similar things. I love watching Zach Johnson, and when we lived in Iowa we belonged to the same club so you could hit balls side by side him. If I swung like Zach I would hurt my back. The way he holds off his release involves more lower back than I am built for.

LyinLewis

Legend

# 13 8/31/2013 4:49:52 PM

Speaking of Fred Couples. When I won my alumni tournament I was paired with a classmate 5 years my elder and his swing was exactly like Couples. I mean exactly!

For the first 9 he was beating me and I swear I was watching his swing more than I was paying attention to my own. I have never before played with someone who swung like Couples...the guy had the posture, the bent left elbow at the top of the swing, the slight cross over and probably the best tempo of any guy I have ever played with. He hit it soft and long.

Don Freeman

Professional Champion

# 14 8/31/2013 5:33:11 PM

Speaking of Fred Couples. When I won my alumni tournament I was paired with a classmate 5 years my elder and his swing was exactly like Couples. I mean exactly!

For the first 9 he was beating me and I swear I was watching his swing more than I was paying attention to my own. I have never before played with someone who swung like Couples...the guy had the posture, the bent left elbow at the top of the swing, the slight cross over and probably the best tempo of any guy I have ever played with. He hit it soft and long.

So where've ya been? Did you make it to Tampa yet?

cogolfer1

LowIndex

# 15 8/31/2013 6:32:15 PM

Cofish, I like Matt Kuchar, he could be a very good example. But here's the question...from watching him play, what are some things he does in his game that we all can apply to ours?

Well, he's #1 in 3-putt avoidance. That never hurts. His style of putting I think is what the Bradleys and Simpsons are gonna go to when the ban takes effect. It should be an easy transition for the guys that do anchor.

He's also 11th in scrambling. Ball-striking stats aren't anything special, which is odd since he finishes in the Top 20 like every week. Gets his work done around the greens.

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