Butch Harmon

Phil Mickelson Makes a Change

/ The Grateful Golfer / 2 Comments

It is no secret that I am a fan of Phil Mickelson. I have always felt that his style of play was something I would like to emulate. Of course, without the skill it is very difficult, but heck it is worth a try.

The recent announcement of Phil Mickelson separating from his long-time swing coach Butch Harmon really comes as no surprise. Mickelson has struggled over the past few years and with only a few exceptions has not played to his potential.

Given Mickelson’s competitive spirit I would suggest that this parting is happening a year too late. It is not that Harmon has failed to help Mickelson or that Harmon’s teachings were not spot on, it is a matter of ‘time to move on”!

Both Mickelson and Harmon seem to be splitting amicably. And after 8 years, they both understand that it is time for a change.

“I’ve learned a great deal from him in our eight years together,” Mickelson said in a statement released to media. “It’s just that at the moment I need to hear new ideas from a different perspective.” Mickelson added, “Butch is one of the great teachers in the history of the game, and I believe he deserves to be in the World Golf Hall of Fame.”

“Helping him win the Open Championship in 2013 was one of the pinnacles of my career,” Harmon said through Mickelson’s representatives in the statement, which was initially released to Golf.com. “I see nothing wrong with him seeking advice from another source. We’re great friends and always will be.”

There is a bit of speculation about who Lefty’s new swing coach will be, but right now, it does not matter. Mickelson has decided it was time for a change and I completely agree. “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got” (Henry Ford)

Phil Mickelson has made the first step towards winning on Tour in 2016! Lefty likely hopes that this fundamental change to his support group will result in something great. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing “Phil the Thrill” back in the winner’s circle and completing his career grand slam.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Rickie Fowler: Rising to the Top of Golf

/ The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Rickie Fowler is a rising star. He is a hungry lion who is proving that the young players on the PGA Tour are here to stay. After turning pro in 2009 at the age of 21, Fowler has steadily improved his standing within the professional ranks. Since the moment he emerged on tour, he has been touted as one of the future stars of golf.

Exactly one year ago, I predicted that Rickie Fowler would have a breakout year in 2015. His steady improvement over his first 5 years of professional golf was a great indicator that Fowler’s time had arrived. However, many pundits and critics suggested that Fowler was on over-rated player who did not meet the hype ‘they’ built early in Fowler’s career.

In 2015, Fowler finished with 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third and 7 to 10s. He won the Players Championship, the Deutsche Bank Championship, and, most recently, helped the US win the Presidents Cup. Fowler finished 4th in the FEDEXCUP and finished 5th in the world ranks as if this article. Not bad for an over-rated player.

As great of a season that Fowler had, there were still golf analysts, as late as August, suggesting that Fowler is a flash in the pan. He would not sustain his great play and doubted if he was one of the future superstars of golf. Of course, when comparing Fowler to Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, all players look a full tier below the two best golfers in the world. But, as I stated in earlier posts, Fowler is ready to be included as one of the future stars of golf.

Since losing his swing coach in May 2011, Barry McDonnell, Fowler tried to find his own way with moderate success. He had a great 2014 season, however something was still missing. In January of this year, he found it in Butch Harmon. Harmon has worked with many of the great players over the years, and Fowler’s choice to work with Harmon immediately paid dividends.

Harmon is best known for having been Tiger Woods’ golf coach from 1993 to 2004, though they have since gone their separate ways. In April 2007, it was announced that Harmon would start working with Phil Mickelson. He has also worked with other major champions such as Ernie Els, Stewart Cink, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Fred Couples and Justin Leonard, and with younger stars such as Nick Watney, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson,Natalie Gulbis, and most recently Jimmy Walker and Brandt Snedeker. (Wikipedia)

Fowler is a unique player. He is traditionally a slow starter. He reminds me of a snowball being rolled down a hill. At first it is small and unimpressive; but, as it is helped down the hill it starts to grow bigger and bigger. Eventually, it has enough momentum that it rolls by itself and enough mass that everyone starts to take notice. Well, that is Rickie Fowler to a tee! Each year, Fowler starts off slow, but by the end of the season he is a force that is noticed and sometimes feared!

Rickie Fowler had a breakout year in 2015. He exceed all expectations and although overshadowed by Spieth and Day, he is now considered a rising superstar in golf. Rickie Fowler is already a fan favorite and if he continues to improve his game, he will be a multiple Major winner very soon! Congratulations Rickie on a great 2015 professional golf season!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Rickie Fowler – The Next Breakout Player

/ The Grateful Golfer / 6 Comments

Rickie Fowler is a rising star. He is a hungry lion who is proving that the young players on the PGA Tour are here to stay. After turning pro in 2009 at the age of 21, Fowler has steadily improved his standing within the professional ranks. Since the moment he emerged on tour, he has been touted as one of the future stars of golf.

Fowler’s first three years on tour proved that the early predictions of his potential were well founded. His record of one win, 12 top 10s, 39 top 25s, out of 75 events was impressive. More importantly, he demonstrated improvement each year by his climb up the FedEx Cup standings and his steady movement up the money list. Overall, Rickie Fowler was a golfing professional who pundits considered as a future champion.

The PGA Tour season of 2013 was not as kind to Fowler. He faltered in the money list and appeared to be human. He was not as prominent on the Tour as the previous three years and his game seemed headed in the wrong direction. The main reason for Fowler’s failing game could be attributed to the death of his swing coach Barry McDonnell in early 2011. His play in 2012 was erratic and showed signs of weakening throughout the entire season. He continued through the 2013 season without a swing coach and to no surprise, his erratic play continued. After finishing 38th in the FedEx Cup standings, his second worst performance since turning pro, Fowler must have realized it was time for a change.

Enter Butch Harmon in December 2013. Not surprisingly, Fowler’s golf game immediately improved as seen by his eighth place finish in Thailand. Already considered to have a great swing, Fowler needed some minor adjustments to get back to his great play. Coaching some of golf’s great players, Harmon was the right person, at the right time, to make a dramatic impact on Fowler’s golf game.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with Butch and been around with him and with the other guys that he’s worked with,” Fowler said. “He’s kind of seen me develop over the last few years and really felt that with the experience he has as a teacher he could help me reach my goals and aspirations and help me be the best player that I can be.” (PGATour.com)

“It’s just basically taking what I have and turning it and cleaning it up and making it the best it can be,” Fowler said of his work with Harmon. (PGATour.com)

Suddenly, Fowler had renewed hope for the 2014 season. Starting off slow, except for his performance at the Masters, Fowler did not perform as expected. However, in June something happened. Fowler found his golf game and the second half of the 2014 PGA Tour season was what everyone was waiting for.

The biggest change in Fowler’s game was his attitude. He impressed Harmon by his desire to be a Major champion. “I love the kid,” Harmon said. “The thing I like is he’s been saying ‘I want to be known more for my golf than my clothes and my hat. I want to contend in majors.” Well, the Fowler/Harmon combination did not disappoint! Fowler’s performance in the 2014 Majors was outstanding. Overshadowed by the PGA Player of  Year, Rory McIlroy, Fowler was the best overall performer in the 2014 Majors.

Tournament 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Master Tournament DNP DNP DNP T38 T27 T38 T5
US Open T60 CUT DNP CUT T41 T10 T2
The Open Championship DNP DNP T14 T5 T31 CUT T2
PGA Championship DNP DNP T58 T51 CUT T19 T3

There is little question that the golfing experts are curious about Rickie Fowler. I bet many are asking:

  • What is next for Rickie Fowler?
  • Is Fowler ready to claim his first Major championship?
  • In 2015, can Fowler repeat his stellar play in the Majors?
  • Is Rickie Fowler here to stay?

If Rickie Fowler stays with Butch Harmon, great things are expected from him in 2015. There are many great players on the PGA Tour, but this upcoming year will be a breakout year for Rickie Fowler. If he wins the Masters, then expect him to win a second Major! He will build on the momentum of an early win and will challenge Rory McIlroy for the title of world’s number one golfer! Regardless, expect Rickie Fowler to win a Major championship in 2015.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!