March 9, 2021 • 33 mins
Brady Riggs joins Tony Ruggiero from our partner podcast, The Tour Coach. Brady has been recognized as a Top 100 Teacher for the past 13 years, and was inducted into the Southern California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame, in 2017. Alongside of coaching Tour Players, he's added Director of Instruction at Hualalai Golf Hale. Tony and Brady talk in depth about his practice strategies - 'Combine-arama', and utilizing stress - as well as the evolution of teaching.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
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Alright let's get into it. We're on a mission to help
golfers from all over the world,achieve their goals by
understanding what. Actually takes to play their
best golf. We're talking is leading
instructors, researchers and players themselves to find what
(01:08):
is actually working. Hey, thanks for joining us
today. You are listening to one of our
partner shows. It is the tour coach podcast
with Tony ruggero. He has some phenomenal guests on
talking about teaching tour Pros, will have his players on
(01:30):
just always a great show. Today was another great episode,
want to share that with you hereon the gulf Science Lab podcast,
let's get into it. So we're sitting in here,
another edition of the tour coach podcast, I thought it was
time actually with the year ago at Pebble Beach since I was at
Pebble, which made me decide to do this since we sat down and
(01:52):
had dinner. And we take one of your visits
here on the tour coach. I thought it was a good time to
bring you back because there's, I got lots of stuff to talk to
you about lots of questions. But mr.
Brady, Riggs, Brady, you've had a lot going on here and some
different places. Now buddy, what's going on
Hannah? And I remember that day.
Actually, we had a really nice dinner and then we were hanging
out and having a cocktail and itwas a wonderful evening.
(02:13):
As always with you, I'm out herein Hawaii.
Now had a place called The Four Seasons walleye Resort and it's
Paradise. So, I'm doing a little back and
forth to LA but very busy, but having a great time.
Well, if you follow on social media after I know most people
do and at Red goat way to followhim.
I mean, it's it looks awesome. And I think one of the cool
(02:34):
things about our business and getting to know people is like,
I know you You wanted to be there in Hawaii.
That's, that's a dream situationfor you, A Dream location.
And I remember when you called me and we talked you were
talking about the opportunity ofme.
That's it's a cool thing to see somebody have the opportunity to
go teach and kind of. I mean, I mean, really kind of
(02:55):
build it from the ground up fromscratch a little bit.
But in do and do a Premiere, excellent Learning Center.
Yeah, I mean, this is a, we did kind of have a clean slate but
we had a big Advantage because we were in Hawaii number one.
At an incredible place, but it'sa pretty good reasons.
It's not a bad place to hang your hat, but we also have this
incredible teaching building 3,000 square feet.
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We've got three days, we've got trackman range, you know, all
the tech you could ever want. And, you know, for me, I love
teaching without the tech, but to have the tech right here,
when we want to use it as an amazing opportunity, for sure,
how has the tech because I know,you know, we joke around and you
know, obviously the public or a driving range type.
(03:38):
Operation in Los Angeles. And so obviously, you're really
good on the tech. You've been a resource for me
that I bounce stuff off of four years, but don't always use it.
Don't always have it at your disposal every day on the t, is
it changed? Health influence your PT midday
today. Having it there all the time.
Kind of, how have you mean, what's the effect been on having
(04:00):
all that stuff? Just curious, you know, it's a
great question. I know I should probably say
that I found a new respect for it, and it's the greatest thing
ever. But To be honest, like, I always
respected it. I'm glad I know all about it,
but to me on the grass with the client, you know, a player
whether the regards to their skill level, being able to see
the club, hit the ground, watch the ball, fly in the air, you
(04:23):
can't beat that. Yeah, I would agree with that.
You know, it's interesting, I have it obviously at my disposal
at Frederick a, you've been there.
It's interesting, but I still don't think it replaces.
What we do out on the grass? Watching the ball watching, how
a player does it without, you know, because I think it to me
and I'd like your opinion on this as well.
Like when you have a player and I'm going to use the swing
(04:45):
Catalyst for example because I have one but I can get them on
the swing Catalyst. Everything squared up.
You know like it basically aims you, right?
Yeah. You know, everything squared up
framed up nice and you're just you're hitting out at this
target out of a hike to me that's totally different than on
a tee where there's nothing down.
(05:05):
No references and you got to hitit at a Target.
That's Tony. Why I love your wisdom because
that is so true. Like you can get somebody in a
bad, you've got all everything taken care of for them.
It always looks good, it looks pretty decent and then you get
on the golf course and I can't say because I love people taking
people out on the course we havea huge Advantage here because we
(05:25):
can take people out anytime we want and when I say people
cannot set up, I mean, it blows my mind how bad people are at
aligning themselves. Halfway decently having a clue
about ball position. They don't adjust for the slopes
at all the balls below their feet.
You know. It's just something.
I think that yes you can do somegreat work in the bay and you
(05:46):
can isolate some things but it isn't reality.
Reality is on the golf course with the target with a problem,
you know, wind or whatever it isand and being able to watch
people actually play golf. I still think is the best way to
help people get better. No question about it.
And I think that runs true from mid upper amateur level golfer
Club level golfer to Junior golfers and Kudos to you, you've
(06:09):
got some of the good young players from around that area
coming out and working with you being able to practice it and
that's really grow in the game. And then obviously you've got
the tour players and that stuff and and that's fun.
And we do some of that together.But like again that's it's cool
to see what you're building there and it's been fun to
watch. I know I'm looking forward to
(06:30):
what looks like, she will be in October visit for me over there
in the fall. Can't wait for becoming awake
and, you know, Tony on that point.
Just I think what you said. It is so true, even we've
experienced this with tour players, right?
Practice round is great. Right?
Driving rain session is great, get on a golf course and some
horrible shots and you're like, okay well that's different on
(06:50):
the course than it was on the Range or in the practice round.
Why is that the case in a tournament that happens and you
know, I think that's that's why you.
There's no there's no substitutefor being on a golf course with
somebody and watching and be able to play and compete.
What's your opinion for why? And I think this applies to any
golfer been Level. Why is it sometimes so different
(07:11):
from and we can use to or players here?
Why is it so different sometimesfrom the range to the golf
course? Because it is as a coach?
Sometimes it's, I mean, we expect it.
I think sometimes it's baffling.Yeah, I met.
I wish. I had all the answers to that.
I think like, you know, I've a really good friend, requesting
housework. She was not called mourik our
(07:31):
great mental game coach. And, you know, he was talking
about your state, you know, yourstate of mind and kind of where
you are. If you're like on the You're
practicing, you're relaxed. You know, you do a lot of weird
about the results and then you get on the course and all those
things change and you want to I think for me what I found is if
I can train people and stress them out when they're
practicing, I have a better chance of them being effective
(07:54):
on the golf course because they're used to that stress and
used to that pressure rather than trying to relax them more
on the course necessarily. You know, I think is what we all
try to get people to do. Brian times, I got to stress
them out more on the Range, so the golf courses, More like it.
I think both approaches pretty much apply, but I that's one of
the things that I've done that, I think is to help keep in that
(08:15):
spot. One of the things I've learned a
lot of stuff from you and I borrow stuff that we've done or
you've done all the times, but one of the things that that I
apply regularly is because Ali has a secret Elissa this, I do a
lot of Retreats at Frederica, especially for for, for people
that want to get better. Especially competitive players
(08:35):
that juniors in particular and I've stolen In your combine
work, your combine or Rama. And I think the stuff you've put
together from a short game perspective wedge in and what it
is as far as a combine to train people.
I think it's as good as anythingout there and I'd love that you
don't mind. I'm not, give away all your
(08:55):
secrets, but expand on that, andwhy it works because I knew you
do it religiously with your daughter.
Maddie, I've watched her progression and I think that's
one of the coolest things I've seen in golf, but would love to
talk a little bit. About you combine around.
Yeah. So I think the whole premise
behind all of it is we try to stack up a practice session so
that the start of it is technical or a baseline block
(09:19):
kind of thing. So let's say we're doing
putting, right? So we start maybe on the cutting
wheel, I love The Cutting plates, we use the cutting
plate, we do technical work for 5-10 minutes, then we go into a
short, cutting combine of three,six and nine feet, always under
pressure, and full routine. And then we kind of build into
some longer putts and having to try and make Some birdie putt at
15 to 30 feet and then putting out those shorter ones.
(09:42):
And I think if you train that you're keeping score your
monitoring, OK? If I miss left-to-right putt,
slow, I want to write that down.And, and so there's a lot of
data points there that really can help and your track it over
time. The person on the course, then
they have a background of putting under the gun.
And in this combine under stress, they kept track of what
(10:03):
their misses are. So they're aware of that.
They've worked on the technical stuff that can help them improve
that they were. I'm putting out there really
prepared on the golf course to any lengths spot, any brake pipe
they're doing it. Under pressure in the combine,
they can do it under pressure onthe golf course.
We work on routines a lot. We change basically are trying
to ramp up all this practice session.
So they're just like plane as much as possible, the stress and
(10:24):
I think if you kind of apply that to all areas of the game,
you've got to play ready to go as best as you can.
Instead of just taking three balls on the putting green and
hitting them to the 20-footer which you're never going to make
anyway. So it's just an Has practice
which I love doing what I think.That's where I think that's one
of the things. I like I've always known that
(10:45):
practice needs to be more organized and even you know to
me it's amazing how many really good players aren't very good at
practice and I mean I'm talking to a player's.
It's amazing. How many of them if you walk the
T, obviously they're better at it.
Each level you go down then eachlevel you go down.
But it's amazing how many reallygood players aren't as good
practice in as they could be? Yeah, I think we see that
(11:08):
across. Board and sometimes they're
really good in some areas that are not as good as they could be
another areas. I think, you know what I like to
see from somebody as they have anice mixture of technical
practice combines and drills andthen competitive things and then
on the golf course work. You know?
So that they're kind of touchingall those all checking all those
(11:28):
boxes as it were rather than being, okay?
I'm just gonna be at the range, you know, or I'm just going to
play. I always want to mix it up so
that, you know, I feel like we're getting different
environments, different stressesstill being a little technical
but not too much and then getting on the golf course and
trying to apply, which is think of everything.
Yeah. And again, that I know from our
(11:48):
talk, I mean that's everything to you and I think that's but I
think that's why, you know, you look at the results you had.
I think that's why your players play better and and play better
when it counts. Because if you do most of the
work is geared towards stress and them and then helping them
learn to apply it on the golf course.
Why me when it comes time and they're on their own.
I always say it's like it, you know, golf such a crazy game
(12:11):
compared to, you know, I remember, we would talk all the
time and when you were coaching soccer all the time for your
daughter and you know, you're atevery practice and every game.
Well, I mean, golf isn't that way for most are high schoolers
and college players or whatever?We're not at all the games and
we're not at every practice. And so I think helping a player
(12:32):
learn to structure and get more out of practice is really
important as far as gets to transfer and do the golf course.
I agree. Totally.
I think you said it perfectly. I mean, I think every other
sport we played growing up, we had a team environment and Coach
ran the practice, there was an organized practice session.
You know, you worked on whateverin the game didn't work in the
last competition you had and then you feel more prepared to
(12:55):
go for the next game you have, you know, in golf we just sort
of you know guys take their 7-iron and Driver to the range
and they pick at the same Target.
They just hit ball after ball atit and you know, that doesn't
really get it done. They very rarely work on there.
Or came enough and then there, you know, pittin 20-foot pots on
the putting green, and then they're grabbing, you know,
grabbing their clubs and off, they go.
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And that's just not the way to get ready to go, a success and
then they get frustrated when they don't play well, you know,
I want my players to feel like they're prepared and then when
they don't play well, we can always go right back to.
Hey, we need to work on this some training and then we're a
little more prepared for the next time it obviously there's
no guarantees. We're just trying to take some
of those variables, a way to help them be ready to go right
(13:37):
away. I agree that and So, let's shift
to talk it about your daughter, Maddie, tell us what without
going on with her and her game. I mean, like, if you watch the
swings on Instagram, easiest thing for me to do when I'm
flying, I peruse through. And look at those swings, man,
she's gotten better, she's addedsome speed.
I'm not like a huge numbers guy and I don't know the numbers but
I can tell you, she's hit it harder and it doesn't take a
(14:00):
rocket scientist to figure that.And man, she's gotten good.
What have you done with her? How have you helped her continue
to improve of? Just kind of Curious, you know,
I think it's fascinating teaching your own daughter and
the job you've done and being a coach and being a father at the
same time, I can only imagine his.
I'm sure at times its challengesit is, but it's a labor of love
(14:21):
and she's just really talented more talented than her old band,
that's for sure. I mean, you were around when she
was sort of starting to be competitive.
Yep. When I brought her out to Auburn
that camp and that was a great camp for her and exposing her to
Great teachers with you. And I both love to share
information and with her, I think too.
Try not to screw up. Now is really my main job.
(14:41):
You know, she's a pretty athletic kid and has figured out
her own little ways of doing things.
I think my experience of screwing people up in the past
has helped me not screw up as much, in other words like her.
Swing was a little longer last year and she was hitting a
really good last year and it's gotten shorter now and you know,
she was like, is it too short? I'm like, well, you're hitting
(15:01):
it further now than you did before you're hitting hitting
the even more solid than you didbefore.
I don't see a reason to make it.Longer just so it looks longer
right on drums. Pretty good, you didn't take it
very far back so you know so Xander softly so I think just
trying to figure out let the player was apoplectic, run with
the ball, you know, if they are better a little shorter than the
(15:23):
average bear going back and so be it if they're longer, I don't
care. You know.
I just want it to feel like she owns it and it's not something
I'm trying to make look a certain way and the more she
owns it, the better, she's goingto be under pressure, right?
She doesn't have to try and makesomebody else's swing.
She's just got To make her swingand she's improved a lot and
working hard and, you know, we're on the journey.
(15:43):
So we've got a great coach at Irvine, Julie Brooks, who's, you
know, just an amazing lady and agreat coach.
And that's really made a big difference for Maddie and giving
her an opportunity and she's running with the chance.
So I'm super proud of her and looking forward to the future
with her. She's enjoyed your time in
Hawaii to I could tell ya. I gotta say both both daughters
(16:05):
you know Abby my youngest Abby she's doing all my Instagram
stuff. She takes both Instagram
accounts, she's doing all the filming, so she's great.
She's having a ball that assessment.
She's really good at it, and she's a good little player.
She likes to check to hit it past her sister that makes a
real happy. So, you know, there are a lot of
fun out here. And, you know, we're just so
fortunate to be here during a pandemic.
(16:26):
I can't even begin to tell you. So, you mentioned and I've
alluded to this bad. People hear me.
Say it all the time. You mentioned, not messing them
up. Not screwing him up, I'd like
your thoughts on that. I think that that for good
players. Ours is way more important and
way bad more valuable to people think because I think and I and
we're not going to talk about people as because it's not late
(16:47):
enough for me to talk about people but that's a really good
quality in a teacher, somebody that when they start thinks, I
don't want to mess somebody up because there's a lot of
construction out there in my opinion and there's a lot of
people that will just take a player.
It's good and try to put their stamp on them.
So everybody knows this person taught So true, so that they can
(17:11):
stay on their videos and in an article or whatever.
Well, they were way out of whack.
So I went ahead and did this, and I want Europeans cuz you're
the, I always tell people, you're wondering my wisest
friends, like you really do. You always have good insight and
like I mean I just think if they're already really good.
Brady like that's probably not really far off the track and
(17:34):
they probably done most of the shit we're going to ask him to
do at some point anyways. So Like not messing them up and
being careful is a really valuable thing.
I couldn't agree more. I mean, I try and be incredibly
conservative that's what I tell them, you know.
And on that point you made, which I think I have this little
pet theory of the evolution of ateacher.
(17:54):
So when we start when we first start teaching, we are teaching
kind of what we're working on, right?
So we think we've discovered secret sauce or we're trying to
work on something and so we teach everybody what we're
working on and then you kind of grow past That level maybe find
a pattern that really works, youknow, and you counter use their
used. It yourself or you taught a
player or a player came to you with that pattern which we know
(18:17):
happens and then you're like wowthat patterns really good.
I'm going to teach that pattern to everybody, right?
So then you become a guy who teaches one way to everybody and
then I think you get to that last page and I think you're
towing stage. I really can't understand that I
believe that to be true and I think I know bushes as well.
Where instead of teaching what you're working on instead of
teaching a pattern that worked for what?
(18:38):
Empire. You actually teach that person
on how to do it best for them and you do it mostly by working
with them and talking with them it's like a discovery you know
of the things that worked in thepast so I'm trying to get to
that level. I'm trying to get to Tony and
bushes level about it's a lofty goal, but I really think that's
the way to do it. You know, like we get to this
(18:58):
point, we want to let the playerbe the player and we just, we
want to make sure we don't try and impose our will on them
because generally speaking, they're already great this.
Let them be great. I know that I've had periods of
time, I look at people that leftme, you know, I'm sure I would
imagine so well, I look at people that left me that I was
really emotionally attached to because like I taught him since
(19:20):
their kids, you know? And then you look back and you
try to figure out, like, Why didn't it work or why did you
get the person to where you wanted them to?
And I think as you cut and then,you know, it's like I don't
think that answer just comes to you and you think about it over
time and then I think it always comes back to like, well, you
know, like the answer was right there like 10 to help them do
(19:42):
what they were already good at doing.
Instead of always trying to findlike the Mist, like there's this
magical herb that we're going touncover.
This kind of make them a tour player.
Make them a winner and and I guess the longer I'm around out
there. I just think that, that magical
herb would isn't there? No, there is no secret.
You know, and I think the best coaches that I've ever seen are
(20:05):
the ones that are really helpingthat player.
Out why they're good. And then just writing that you
know, like not trying to change who they are but just trying to
exploit who they are when they're good.
And I really think that Instagrams can be and social
media can be a little super misleading, but right because
(20:25):
you're just people are putting up their players best stuff and
they're not putting up the stuffwhen they're struggling.
And you know, don't see where the ball went on a video online,
right? So you don't know where the ball
went and so it's just all very Aesthetic and it's not
necessarily practical and, you know, I think it can be
dangerous because a lot of people are watching.
I want to swing like that guy, you know, and really that can
(20:48):
more often than us going to messhim up.
Sure. I have a rule were like, I don't
ever really put on Instagram anything.
I'm working on with the player especially Tour player because I
think that the if there's a lot of positives there's a lot of
negatives but like I say, take this tour players or you know,
they're in their own little Alden.
(21:09):
I think the biggest thing is they've got to believe what
you're telling me and I think the - with Instagram is you can
get some guy who's never taught anybody to hit a chip on the
green and they can comment. Well don't you think that it's
Trail arm this or trailer that and your player reads it as like
you've never said anything aboutmy right arm you know mistake
(21:31):
that's that's why I never put anything up and there's some you
know some jerk-off wants to comment on something.
Well, don't you think that? I just delete it baucom his high
school, you know, like I don't really care.
I mean if you or there's a handful of teachers want to call
me and say hey I was looking at that video of.
So and so have you thought aboutthis?
(21:51):
We talked for hours but from some guy on Instagram to the
teach anybody, I don't think we're probably gonna let him
comment. Yeah, I think there's a lot of
armchair coaching going on and Ithink, you know, Tony, that's
one of the things I love about you is, you know, there's a lot
of respect for the guys that do this for a living and I think
You know, they don't necessarilywant their stuff all over
Instagram about they're working on and you know, we owe it to
(22:14):
that as professionals if that's how they are.
We kind of respect that, we don't put it out there, trying
to pump our own name up and and I think it matters.
I think that that level of respect is they've earned that
for sure. Look at how good they are and
you and I feel the same way about that.
I want them to be in their own space with they're working on
with me is their business and nobody else.
If they want to put it up, I'm all for it.
(22:35):
But I'm not going to put it up myself.
That's for sure you and I it'd probably be slanted by some as a
anti social media people. I mean it wouldn't be that hard
to make that case but I think a lot of its cool.
I love looking through it and I think that there's a real value
to the average golfer at Club level golfer to be able to go on
there and have access to some content.
I mean I think a lot of it's good, you know.
(22:57):
I mean there's stuff I read through that's good but I still
don't think that that replaces this kind of circles back to
that question with you it's with, you know, And and all the
nice stuff. You got there in Hawaii like
that, still does it. Replace walking out on p with
you and you watching the golf ball and watching them do it
(23:17):
with nothing around know. And I think I would ask you this
question because I think I know the answer to it.
How much of a value in percentage is a FaceTime lesson
or a video Lesson that you're giving with a tour player worth
versus being there in person. I hate it first.
I think that also is it's a necessary, you know, one of my
(23:38):
Things I've tried to get better at it.
I don't know that I'm doing great at it, but is to try to be
a little more understanding of the times we live, right?
And that like to say that I'm not going to get better at doing
online lessons and people that want access to you that way,
like I think I need to do that and I think I can be a little
(23:59):
bit effective but I would still tell whether it's I mean, the
SPAC I did a couple of them. This morning, I had a mimosa
going and I was doing online. Lessons.
And but like that still doesn't replace, have you put it in a
percentage? I can't pause me.
I'd like to ask the student thatsometime but I can't possibly
think that that would be a thirdof the way as good as being
(24:23):
there in person. And I know there's people that
tell you and I watched some of these like you know these folks
that are huge just online and like that's all they do
one-eyed. Wonder like how do you not fall
asleep every day but two Like I mean and they say it's great.
There's no way that can be as, as good learning is being in
(24:44):
front of you and I know that there's people that don't have
access to Great teachers and money, whatever.
There's lots of reasons to do it, but I still don't think that
makes it better than standing infront of you.
I couldn't agree more and I think, yeah, there's a value to
it. I mean, people that are able to
send videos in and you can give them some feedback on what's
going on, but boy, it requires alot of conversation with that
(25:06):
person in advance, right? Like what?
What's your Miss? What's your good child's life?
You know how far is that do and you hit it off the toe or the
heel. I mean there's a huge
conversation that has to happen at forehand.
That makes that virtual lesson alittle bit better and if your
students into a net sending you video and you can't see anything
about what the ball did, you're only just looking at like
technique, right? Yeah.
(25:28):
And we know that there's a lot of weird technique that works so
I think it's better than no lesson and it helps.
If you have that conversation Advance about everything that's
going on with the ball flight inthe mist and everything but you
know ultimately Mately. There's still no substitute for
being in person with somebody ongraphs watching hit balls and
getting on the golf course. That's the best way to get
better 100% And and look, I'd doit a lot of stuff on Gillis.
(25:50):
I had Baden chap. I don't know if you know, but
you would enjoy talking with himfrom Australia.
And he, he owned Skillet stand and really tries to put together
a great online community. And I've gotten more and more
into it and I enjoy it. And I enjoy it from the aspect
as me as a teacher. Like, it challenges me, try to
figure it out. Online, but I still don't think
that replaces. If you did go stand with me
(26:13):
instead of sending a video and, you know, and from a tour player
I think that it's I mean I thinkthat you'd have a hard time,
fixing a tour player all the time by just watching videos of
them exchange well and you wouldare living that right now.
And I think that's that's why, you know, I value your
friendship and also your professionalism because you know
(26:35):
you know I trust you and then and you've been a great resource
This for me, as a teacher guide keeps its on tour.
And then you've been even eyes for me out there with him and,
you know, found some things thatI wouldn't have found just
because you're great at what youdo and I think, you know, as a
coach you know, put your ego aside and being looking out for
your players well-being and their best interest is that's
(26:57):
what I want to do. I want to be, I want to be that
guy rather than the guy that's worried that somebody's going to
you know, do something better than I do.
I could care less. I want my players get better.
So right that's why you know, having that In person thing
makes a big difference on and you know so folks listening
you've taught Brandon Hagee for ever since he was a kid and the
eeo, obviously, all the way to the PGA Tour.
(27:19):
I mean kids, unbelievable and unbelievable talent and
unbelievable human being, which is more important than any of
it. Which I also think speaks
volumes about what you do because you don't have never met
any young person that you've taught at any point.
Dime that's a jerk and he can't say that about everybody.
That speaks volumes for for whatyou're doing.
(27:40):
But, so we started, you know, it's the first time I've ever
done this kind of like, I'm the substitute teacher.
Like, I'm the pinch-hit teacher coming out and help them with
Brandon while he's on the road and you're in Hawaii and stuff
it. So, go ahead and talk a little
bit about Brandon and what you've done and what we're doing
together and how it's different.Yeah.
So you know, I'm in Hawaii, I can't get out there as much as
(28:01):
I'd like to right now especiallyduring the pandemic and, you
know, it's great to have somebody in the business.
You trust that, you know, they What they're doing and even can
add some stuff to what you're doing as a coach and so Tony's
been kind enough to jump in and and help out Brandon while he's
out there and I'm not there. And you know I think it's been a
really good combination Brands, played some great rounds of golf
(28:22):
over the last two months and I, you know, I credit a lot of that
to Tony and and I think you know, like we were saying that
mean in this case, two brains are better than one.
Two sets of eyes are better thanone.
Sometimes you can get a little caught up in old stuff if
you're, if you've been with somebody a long time and it's
Nice to have somebody else there.
Who could maybe see things from a different perspective or
explain it in a way that maybe resonates differently.
(28:44):
So it's been a great coaching opportunity for me and learning
opportunity. And I think, you know, I'm
looking forward to you. And I doing more of these in the
future to because they think it's a really good combination.
I think could be really effective.
Yeah, you know, I've always donebits of it the other way, like I
always think about self as, you know, the Bim redneck.
So like I said, you know, but I always shared videos and brought
(29:06):
tons of people in to help my folks.
Right, you know. And yeah, I mean I can't paint.
If you charged me a dollar for every video I've sent you to
look at people over the years. My gosh, you could buy that
Resort down there, but but it's been fun doing this together and
I've learned a ton from working with you and from working with
(29:27):
Brandon, and it's been fun but it's different, you know?
I mean, I just watch. I think that's one thing that's
interesting about going on the PGA tour and you look at a bunch
of the teachers are some of the personalities.
And the personas and the images and, you know, a little bit and
I mean that you know, I don't know that, that's my specialty
my image but we've had, we've had a blast doing it and I mean,
(29:50):
it'd be interesting to some point we had asked Brandon, if
he likes it but you know he's played a little better and it's
been fun but I don't think in any form or fashion we've
changed anything y'all were doing.
No I think you just explained itin a different way and you
actually used, you know some tech with him.
I think that he enjoyed I think that was You know, I think we're
in such a world weird business, you know, when you're dealing
(30:13):
with a pro player and everybody's, you know, kind of
like like a nervous Nelly Nancy right here.
I mean, we're seeing out there around like cats in a room full
of rocking, chairs waiting for somebody to take our job, and
it's just the nature of the Beast.
It's going to happen anyway. So for me, it's just it's a
little easier just to find something that I like that I
could trust and then we could work together and, you know,
(30:34):
it's like said maybe down the road, maybe we're trendsetters,
Tony maybe the guy I from Hollywood, California.
And the dude from the south or are really, we figured it out.
Who knows who I think did it, you know?
Don't you think that that goes like tomorrow weather
permitting, which is a big crosscountry right now, you know I'm
going to La and Robbie Sheldon are going to go visit with
(30:55):
Scotland dr. Lin and just to give another
point of view perspective on something we've been working on
and so I think that that's valuable I mean I don't know and
I think there are more teams outNow, I mean, I wash them Mark
Blackburn. I know he's got a group of
people around him. I know Chris Como does and I
think he see more of that. But yet still, I mean, I think
(31:20):
the more even teachers to collaborate instructors, could
collaborate all the player. I mean, I think it's healthy.
I do to make it takes, sort of a, I don't know.
I'd gotten old enough that I don't care.
I just want to do what's best for, for my player rather than
worrying about me. So, and it's been only been good
for me, you know, and good and Most importantly has been really
good for Brandon so I couldn't think of anybody better to hang
(31:42):
out with anyway. The two of us.
Now the figure out a swing in one of us will have the right
idea. Right?
Maybe more than a model hook, yours will fade.
Exactly, exactly. That's why in all we're with all
works together. We're straight together who
spent all day together, stay together, all stuff.
Hey, the first man, I'm proud ofyou and happy for what you doing
down there in Hawaii. I think that one I love it when
(32:03):
a person cases their dream and goes and does what the hell they
want to do. And I think it's cool.
You got going on down there in Hawaii and the move you're
making over there man. Kudos it's awesome.
Thanks Tony. I mean we had a lot of
conversations about it and you were very positive about, you
got to go and you're right. As usual, it's been a great
situation for me. So I know you're doing the same
on your end and you know when you come out here in October, I
(32:25):
promise you a good time, 100% here in peace, trust me just
wait till I get that. But now also, you know,
continued success to you and Maddie, you mean Me and watching
that. I mean, in anybody listening,
follow him on social media, it'sa cool deal.
I think anytime I've got a daughter that's 26, and I've
told you this on the phone, she's got her real estate
(32:47):
license and selling out. Like you're just proud of when
your kid finds what they want todo and is having fun and you can
support, heck. Yeah.
No Lex very, very lucky for sure.
No doubt and the you and Brandonand I appreciate the little bit
of a piece. I've been able to hang out and
watch. It's been great for me and man,
I can't wait till we tape like 15 of these.
(33:08):
Down to Hawaii next October. All we're going to do is turn
the recorder on everywhere we go.
It's going to be it's going to be gold.
Tony is for sure. We may have three people listen
to it, but it will still be goodto you.
No doubt about it. My bad.
All right, buddy, you're the best.
Hey, travel safe. I know you're heading back over
Stateside and we got lots going on down there.
I'll look forward to catching upwith you soon and I look forward
(33:29):
to talking more with you down there.
Aloha Tony. Hello, Hobbies, goodbye.
Indeed and hello. We'll see you soon.
This episode of the gulf ScienceLab podcast is sponsored by rap.
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Alright let's get into it. We're on a mission to help
golfers from all over the world,achieve their goals by
understanding what. Actually takes to play their
best golf. We're talking is leading
instructors, researchers and players themselves to find what
(01:08):
is actually working. Hey, thanks for joining us
today. You are listening to one of our
partner shows. It is the tour coach podcast
with Tony ruggero. He has some phenomenal guests on
talking about teaching tour Pros, will have his players on
(01:30):
just always a great show. Today was another great episode,
want to share that with you hereon the gulf Science Lab podcast,
let's get into it. So we're sitting in here,
another edition of the tour coach podcast, I thought it was
time actually with the year ago at Pebble Beach since I was at
Pebble, which made me decide to do this since we sat down and
(01:52):
had dinner. And we take one of your visits
here on the tour coach. I thought it was a good time to
bring you back because there's, I got lots of stuff to talk to
you about lots of questions. But mr.
Brady, Riggs, Brady, you've had a lot going on here and some
different places. Now buddy, what's going on
Hannah? And I remember that day.
Actually, we had a really nice dinner and then we were hanging
out and having a cocktail and itwas a wonderful evening.
(02:13):
As always with you, I'm out herein Hawaii.
Now had a place called The Four Seasons walleye Resort and it's
Paradise. So, I'm doing a little back and
forth to LA but very busy, but having a great time.
Well, if you follow on social media after I know most people
do and at Red goat way to followhim.
I mean, it's it looks awesome. And I think one of the cool
(02:34):
things about our business and getting to know people is like,
I know you You wanted to be there in Hawaii.
That's, that's a dream situationfor you, A Dream location.
And I remember when you called me and we talked you were
talking about the opportunity ofme.
That's it's a cool thing to see somebody have the opportunity to
go teach and kind of. I mean, I mean, really kind of
(02:55):
build it from the ground up fromscratch a little bit.
But in do and do a Premiere, excellent Learning Center.
Yeah, I mean, this is a, we did kind of have a clean slate but
we had a big Advantage because we were in Hawaii number one.
At an incredible place, but it'sa pretty good reasons.
It's not a bad place to hang your hat, but we also have this
incredible teaching building 3,000 square feet.
(03:17):
We've got three days, we've got trackman range, you know, all
the tech you could ever want. And, you know, for me, I love
teaching without the tech, but to have the tech right here,
when we want to use it as an amazing opportunity, for sure,
how has the tech because I know,you know, we joke around and you
know, obviously the public or a driving range type.
(03:38):
Operation in Los Angeles. And so obviously, you're really
good on the tech. You've been a resource for me
that I bounce stuff off of four years, but don't always use it.
Don't always have it at your disposal every day on the t, is
it changed? Health influence your PT midday
today. Having it there all the time.
Kind of, how have you mean, what's the effect been on having
(04:00):
all that stuff? Just curious, you know, it's a
great question. I know I should probably say
that I found a new respect for it, and it's the greatest thing
ever. But To be honest, like, I always
respected it. I'm glad I know all about it,
but to me on the grass with the client, you know, a player
whether the regards to their skill level, being able to see
the club, hit the ground, watch the ball, fly in the air, you
(04:23):
can't beat that. Yeah, I would agree with that.
You know, it's interesting, I have it obviously at my disposal
at Frederick a, you've been there.
It's interesting, but I still don't think it replaces.
What we do out on the grass? Watching the ball watching, how
a player does it without, you know, because I think it to me
and I'd like your opinion on this as well.
Like when you have a player and I'm going to use the swing
(04:45):
Catalyst for example because I have one but I can get them on
the swing Catalyst. Everything squared up.
You know like it basically aims you, right?
Yeah. You know, everything squared up
framed up nice and you're just you're hitting out at this
target out of a hike to me that's totally different than on
a tee where there's nothing down.
(05:05):
No references and you got to hitit at a Target.
That's Tony. Why I love your wisdom because
that is so true. Like you can get somebody in a
bad, you've got all everything taken care of for them.
It always looks good, it looks pretty decent and then you get
on the golf course and I can't say because I love people taking
people out on the course we havea huge Advantage here because we
(05:25):
can take people out anytime we want and when I say people
cannot set up, I mean, it blows my mind how bad people are at
aligning themselves. Halfway decently having a clue
about ball position. They don't adjust for the slopes
at all the balls below their feet.
You know. It's just something.
I think that yes you can do somegreat work in the bay and you
(05:46):
can isolate some things but it isn't reality.
Reality is on the golf course with the target with a problem,
you know, wind or whatever it isand and being able to watch
people actually play golf. I still think is the best way to
help people get better. No question about it.
And I think that runs true from mid upper amateur level golfer
Club level golfer to Junior golfers and Kudos to you, you've
(06:09):
got some of the good young players from around that area
coming out and working with you being able to practice it and
that's really grow in the game. And then obviously you've got
the tour players and that stuff and and that's fun.
And we do some of that together.But like again that's it's cool
to see what you're building there and it's been fun to
watch. I know I'm looking forward to
(06:30):
what looks like, she will be in October visit for me over there
in the fall. Can't wait for becoming awake
and, you know, Tony on that point.
Just I think what you said. It is so true, even we've
experienced this with tour players, right?
Practice round is great. Right?
Driving rain session is great, get on a golf course and some
horrible shots and you're like, okay well that's different on
(06:50):
the course than it was on the Range or in the practice round.
Why is that the case in a tournament that happens and you
know, I think that's that's why you.
There's no there's no substitutefor being on a golf course with
somebody and watching and be able to play and compete.
What's your opinion for why? And I think this applies to any
golfer been Level. Why is it sometimes so different
(07:11):
from and we can use to or players here?
Why is it so different sometimesfrom the range to the golf
course? Because it is as a coach?
Sometimes it's, I mean, we expect it.
I think sometimes it's baffling.Yeah, I met.
I wish. I had all the answers to that.
I think like, you know, I've a really good friend, requesting
housework. She was not called mourik our
(07:31):
great mental game coach. And, you know, he was talking
about your state, you know, yourstate of mind and kind of where
you are. If you're like on the You're
practicing, you're relaxed. You know, you do a lot of weird
about the results and then you get on the course and all those
things change and you want to I think for me what I found is if
I can train people and stress them out when they're
practicing, I have a better chance of them being effective
(07:54):
on the golf course because they're used to that stress and
used to that pressure rather than trying to relax them more
on the course necessarily. You know, I think is what we all
try to get people to do. Brian times, I got to stress
them out more on the Range, so the golf courses, More like it.
I think both approaches pretty much apply, but I that's one of
the things that I've done that, I think is to help keep in that
(08:15):
spot. One of the things I've learned a
lot of stuff from you and I borrow stuff that we've done or
you've done all the times, but one of the things that that I
apply regularly is because Ali has a secret Elissa this, I do a
lot of Retreats at Frederica, especially for for, for people
that want to get better. Especially competitive players
(08:35):
that juniors in particular and I've stolen In your combine
work, your combine or Rama. And I think the stuff you've put
together from a short game perspective wedge in and what it
is as far as a combine to train people.
I think it's as good as anythingout there and I'd love that you
don't mind. I'm not, give away all your
(08:55):
secrets, but expand on that, andwhy it works because I knew you
do it religiously with your daughter.
Maddie, I've watched her progression and I think that's
one of the coolest things I've seen in golf, but would love to
talk a little bit. About you combine around.
Yeah. So I think the whole premise
behind all of it is we try to stack up a practice session so
that the start of it is technical or a baseline block
(09:19):
kind of thing. So let's say we're doing
putting, right? So we start maybe on the cutting
wheel, I love The Cutting plates, we use the cutting
plate, we do technical work for 5-10 minutes, then we go into a
short, cutting combine of three,six and nine feet, always under
pressure, and full routine. And then we kind of build into
some longer putts and having to try and make Some birdie putt at
15 to 30 feet and then putting out those shorter ones.
(09:42):
And I think if you train that you're keeping score your
monitoring, OK? If I miss left-to-right putt,
slow, I want to write that down.And, and so there's a lot of
data points there that really can help and your track it over
time. The person on the course, then
they have a background of putting under the gun.
And in this combine under stress, they kept track of what
(10:03):
their misses are. So they're aware of that.
They've worked on the technical stuff that can help them improve
that they were. I'm putting out there really
prepared on the golf course to any lengths spot, any brake pipe
they're doing it. Under pressure in the combine,
they can do it under pressure onthe golf course.
We work on routines a lot. We change basically are trying
to ramp up all this practice session.
So they're just like plane as much as possible, the stress and
(10:24):
I think if you kind of apply that to all areas of the game,
you've got to play ready to go as best as you can.
Instead of just taking three balls on the putting green and
hitting them to the 20-footer which you're never going to make
anyway. So it's just an Has practice
which I love doing what I think.That's where I think that's one
of the things. I like I've always known that
(10:45):
practice needs to be more organized and even you know to
me it's amazing how many really good players aren't very good at
practice and I mean I'm talking to a player's.
It's amazing. How many of them if you walk the
T, obviously they're better at it.
Each level you go down then eachlevel you go down.
But it's amazing how many reallygood players aren't as good
practice in as they could be? Yeah, I think we see that
(11:08):
across. Board and sometimes they're
really good in some areas that are not as good as they could be
another areas. I think, you know what I like to
see from somebody as they have anice mixture of technical
practice combines and drills andthen competitive things and then
on the golf course work. You know?
So that they're kind of touchingall those all checking all those
(11:28):
boxes as it were rather than being, okay?
I'm just gonna be at the range, you know, or I'm just going to
play. I always want to mix it up so
that, you know, I feel like we're getting different
environments, different stressesstill being a little technical
but not too much and then getting on the golf course and
trying to apply, which is think of everything.
Yeah. And again, that I know from our
(11:48):
talk, I mean that's everything to you and I think that's but I
think that's why, you know, you look at the results you had.
I think that's why your players play better and and play better
when it counts. Because if you do most of the
work is geared towards stress and them and then helping them
learn to apply it on the golf course.
Why me when it comes time and they're on their own.
I always say it's like it, you know, golf such a crazy game
(12:11):
compared to, you know, I remember, we would talk all the
time and when you were coaching soccer all the time for your
daughter and you know, you're atevery practice and every game.
Well, I mean, golf isn't that way for most are high schoolers
and college players or whatever?We're not at all the games and
we're not at every practice. And so I think helping a player
(12:32):
learn to structure and get more out of practice is really
important as far as gets to transfer and do the golf course.
I agree. Totally.
I think you said it perfectly. I mean, I think every other
sport we played growing up, we had a team environment and Coach
ran the practice, there was an organized practice session.
You know, you worked on whateverin the game didn't work in the
last competition you had and then you feel more prepared to
(12:55):
go for the next game you have, you know, in golf we just sort
of you know guys take their 7-iron and Driver to the range
and they pick at the same Target.
They just hit ball after ball atit and you know, that doesn't
really get it done. They very rarely work on there.
Or came enough and then there, you know, pittin 20-foot pots on
the putting green, and then they're grabbing, you know,
grabbing their clubs and off, they go.
(13:15):
And that's just not the way to get ready to go, a success and
then they get frustrated when they don't play well, you know,
I want my players to feel like they're prepared and then when
they don't play well, we can always go right back to.
Hey, we need to work on this some training and then we're a
little more prepared for the next time it obviously there's
no guarantees. We're just trying to take some
of those variables, a way to help them be ready to go right
(13:37):
away. I agree that and So, let's shift
to talk it about your daughter, Maddie, tell us what without
going on with her and her game. I mean, like, if you watch the
swings on Instagram, easiest thing for me to do when I'm
flying, I peruse through. And look at those swings, man,
she's gotten better, she's addedsome speed.
I'm not like a huge numbers guy and I don't know the numbers but
I can tell you, she's hit it harder and it doesn't take a
(14:00):
rocket scientist to figure that.And man, she's gotten good.
What have you done with her? How have you helped her continue
to improve of? Just kind of Curious, you know,
I think it's fascinating teaching your own daughter and
the job you've done and being a coach and being a father at the
same time, I can only imagine his.
I'm sure at times its challengesit is, but it's a labor of love
(14:21):
and she's just really talented more talented than her old band,
that's for sure. I mean, you were around when she
was sort of starting to be competitive.
Yep. When I brought her out to Auburn
that camp and that was a great camp for her and exposing her to
Great teachers with you. And I both love to share
information and with her, I think too.
Try not to screw up. Now is really my main job.
(14:41):
You know, she's a pretty athletic kid and has figured out
her own little ways of doing things.
I think my experience of screwing people up in the past
has helped me not screw up as much, in other words like her.
Swing was a little longer last year and she was hitting a
really good last year and it's gotten shorter now and you know,
she was like, is it too short? I'm like, well, you're hitting
(15:01):
it further now than you did before you're hitting hitting
the even more solid than you didbefore.
I don't see a reason to make it.Longer just so it looks longer
right on drums. Pretty good, you didn't take it
very far back so you know so Xander softly so I think just
trying to figure out let the player was apoplectic, run with
the ball, you know, if they are better a little shorter than the
(15:23):
average bear going back and so be it if they're longer, I don't
care. You know.
I just want it to feel like she owns it and it's not something
I'm trying to make look a certain way and the more she
owns it, the better, she's goingto be under pressure, right?
She doesn't have to try and makesomebody else's swing.
She's just got To make her swingand she's improved a lot and
working hard and, you know, we're on the journey.
(15:43):
So we've got a great coach at Irvine, Julie Brooks, who's, you
know, just an amazing lady and agreat coach.
And that's really made a big difference for Maddie and giving
her an opportunity and she's running with the chance.
So I'm super proud of her and looking forward to the future
with her. She's enjoyed your time in
Hawaii to I could tell ya. I gotta say both both daughters
(16:05):
you know Abby my youngest Abby she's doing all my Instagram
stuff. She takes both Instagram
accounts, she's doing all the filming, so she's great.
She's having a ball that assessment.
She's really good at it, and she's a good little player.
She likes to check to hit it past her sister that makes a
real happy. So, you know, there are a lot of
fun out here. And, you know, we're just so
fortunate to be here during a pandemic.
(16:26):
I can't even begin to tell you. So, you mentioned and I've
alluded to this bad. People hear me.
Say it all the time. You mentioned, not messing them
up. Not screwing him up, I'd like
your thoughts on that. I think that that for good
players. Ours is way more important and
way bad more valuable to people think because I think and I and
we're not going to talk about people as because it's not late
(16:47):
enough for me to talk about people but that's a really good
quality in a teacher, somebody that when they start thinks, I
don't want to mess somebody up because there's a lot of
construction out there in my opinion and there's a lot of
people that will just take a player.
It's good and try to put their stamp on them.
So everybody knows this person taught So true, so that they can
(17:11):
stay on their videos and in an article or whatever.
Well, they were way out of whack.
So I went ahead and did this, and I want Europeans cuz you're
the, I always tell people, you're wondering my wisest
friends, like you really do. You always have good insight and
like I mean I just think if they're already really good.
Brady like that's probably not really far off the track and
(17:34):
they probably done most of the shit we're going to ask him to
do at some point anyways. So Like not messing them up and
being careful is a really valuable thing.
I couldn't agree more. I mean, I try and be incredibly
conservative that's what I tell them, you know.
And on that point you made, which I think I have this little
pet theory of the evolution of ateacher.
(17:54):
So when we start when we first start teaching, we are teaching
kind of what we're working on, right?
So we think we've discovered secret sauce or we're trying to
work on something and so we teach everybody what we're
working on and then you kind of grow past That level maybe find
a pattern that really works, youknow, and you counter use their
used. It yourself or you taught a
player or a player came to you with that pattern which we know
(18:17):
happens and then you're like wowthat patterns really good.
I'm going to teach that pattern to everybody, right?
So then you become a guy who teaches one way to everybody and
then I think you get to that last page and I think you're
towing stage. I really can't understand that I
believe that to be true and I think I know bushes as well.
Where instead of teaching what you're working on instead of
teaching a pattern that worked for what?
(18:38):
Empire. You actually teach that person
on how to do it best for them and you do it mostly by working
with them and talking with them it's like a discovery you know
of the things that worked in thepast so I'm trying to get to
that level. I'm trying to get to Tony and
bushes level about it's a lofty goal, but I really think that's
the way to do it. You know, like we get to this
(18:58):
point, we want to let the playerbe the player and we just, we
want to make sure we don't try and impose our will on them
because generally speaking, they're already great this.
Let them be great. I know that I've had periods of
time, I look at people that leftme, you know, I'm sure I would
imagine so well, I look at people that left me that I was
really emotionally attached to because like I taught him since
(19:20):
their kids, you know? And then you look back and you
try to figure out, like, Why didn't it work or why did you
get the person to where you wanted them to?
And I think as you cut and then,you know, it's like I don't
think that answer just comes to you and you think about it over
time and then I think it always comes back to like, well, you
know, like the answer was right there like 10 to help them do
(19:42):
what they were already good at doing.
Instead of always trying to findlike the Mist, like there's this
magical herb that we're going touncover.
This kind of make them a tour player.
Make them a winner and and I guess the longer I'm around out
there. I just think that, that magical
herb would isn't there? No, there is no secret.
You know, and I think the best coaches that I've ever seen are
(20:05):
the ones that are really helpingthat player.
Out why they're good. And then just writing that you
know, like not trying to change who they are but just trying to
exploit who they are when they're good.
And I really think that Instagrams can be and social
media can be a little super misleading, but right because
(20:25):
you're just people are putting up their players best stuff and
they're not putting up the stuffwhen they're struggling.
And you know, don't see where the ball went on a video online,
right? So you don't know where the ball
went and so it's just all very Aesthetic and it's not
necessarily practical and, you know, I think it can be
dangerous because a lot of people are watching.
I want to swing like that guy, you know, and really that can
(20:48):
more often than us going to messhim up.
Sure. I have a rule were like, I don't
ever really put on Instagram anything.
I'm working on with the player especially Tour player because I
think that the if there's a lot of positives there's a lot of
negatives but like I say, take this tour players or you know,
they're in their own little Alden.
(21:09):
I think the biggest thing is they've got to believe what
you're telling me and I think the - with Instagram is you can
get some guy who's never taught anybody to hit a chip on the
green and they can comment. Well don't you think that it's
Trail arm this or trailer that and your player reads it as like
you've never said anything aboutmy right arm you know mistake
(21:31):
that's that's why I never put anything up and there's some you
know some jerk-off wants to comment on something.
Well, don't you think that? I just delete it baucom his high
school, you know, like I don't really care.
I mean if you or there's a handful of teachers want to call
me and say hey I was looking at that video of.
So and so have you thought aboutthis?
(21:51):
We talked for hours but from some guy on Instagram to the
teach anybody, I don't think we're probably gonna let him
comment. Yeah, I think there's a lot of
armchair coaching going on and Ithink, you know, Tony, that's
one of the things I love about you is, you know, there's a lot
of respect for the guys that do this for a living and I think
You know, they don't necessarilywant their stuff all over
Instagram about they're working on and you know, we owe it to
(22:14):
that as professionals if that's how they are.
We kind of respect that, we don't put it out there, trying
to pump our own name up and and I think it matters.
I think that that level of respect is they've earned that
for sure. Look at how good they are and
you and I feel the same way about that.
I want them to be in their own space with they're working on
with me is their business and nobody else.
If they want to put it up, I'm all for it.
(22:35):
But I'm not going to put it up myself.
That's for sure you and I it'd probably be slanted by some as a
anti social media people. I mean it wouldn't be that hard
to make that case but I think a lot of its cool.
I love looking through it and I think that there's a real value
to the average golfer at Club level golfer to be able to go on
there and have access to some content.
I mean I think a lot of it's good, you know.
(22:57):
I mean there's stuff I read through that's good but I still
don't think that that replaces this kind of circles back to
that question with you it's with, you know, And and all the
nice stuff. You got there in Hawaii like
that, still does it. Replace walking out on p with
you and you watching the golf ball and watching them do it
(23:17):
with nothing around know. And I think I would ask you this
question because I think I know the answer to it.
How much of a value in percentage is a FaceTime lesson
or a video Lesson that you're giving with a tour player worth
versus being there in person. I hate it first.
I think that also is it's a necessary, you know, one of my
(23:38):
Things I've tried to get better at it.
I don't know that I'm doing great at it, but is to try to be
a little more understanding of the times we live, right?
And that like to say that I'm not going to get better at doing
online lessons and people that want access to you that way,
like I think I need to do that and I think I can be a little
(23:59):
bit effective but I would still tell whether it's I mean, the
SPAC I did a couple of them. This morning, I had a mimosa
going and I was doing online. Lessons.
And but like that still doesn't replace, have you put it in a
percentage? I can't pause me.
I'd like to ask the student thatsometime but I can't possibly
think that that would be a thirdof the way as good as being
(24:23):
there in person. And I know there's people that
tell you and I watched some of these like you know these folks
that are huge just online and like that's all they do
one-eyed. Wonder like how do you not fall
asleep every day but two Like I mean and they say it's great.
There's no way that can be as, as good learning is being in
(24:44):
front of you and I know that there's people that don't have
access to Great teachers and money, whatever.
There's lots of reasons to do it, but I still don't think that
makes it better than standing infront of you.
I couldn't agree more and I think, yeah, there's a value to
it. I mean, people that are able to
send videos in and you can give them some feedback on what's
going on, but boy, it requires alot of conversation with that
(25:06):
person in advance, right? Like what?
What's your Miss? What's your good child's life?
You know how far is that do and you hit it off the toe or the
heel. I mean there's a huge
conversation that has to happen at forehand.
That makes that virtual lesson alittle bit better and if your
students into a net sending you video and you can't see anything
about what the ball did, you're only just looking at like
technique, right? Yeah.
(25:28):
And we know that there's a lot of weird technique that works so
I think it's better than no lesson and it helps.
If you have that conversation Advance about everything that's
going on with the ball flight inthe mist and everything but you
know ultimately Mately. There's still no substitute for
being in person with somebody ongraphs watching hit balls and
getting on the golf course. That's the best way to get
better 100% And and look, I'd doit a lot of stuff on Gillis.
(25:50):
I had Baden chap. I don't know if you know, but
you would enjoy talking with himfrom Australia.
And he, he owned Skillet stand and really tries to put together
a great online community. And I've gotten more and more
into it and I enjoy it. And I enjoy it from the aspect
as me as a teacher. Like, it challenges me, try to
figure it out. Online, but I still don't think
that replaces. If you did go stand with me
(26:13):
instead of sending a video and, you know, and from a tour player
I think that it's I mean I thinkthat you'd have a hard time,
fixing a tour player all the time by just watching videos of
them exchange well and you wouldare living that right now.
And I think that's that's why, you know, I value your
friendship and also your professionalism because you know
(26:35):
you know I trust you and then and you've been a great resource
This for me, as a teacher guide keeps its on tour.
And then you've been even eyes for me out there with him and,
you know, found some things thatI wouldn't have found just
because you're great at what youdo and I think, you know, as a
coach you know, put your ego aside and being looking out for
your players well-being and their best interest is that's
(26:57):
what I want to do. I want to be, I want to be that
guy rather than the guy that's worried that somebody's going to
you know, do something better than I do.
I could care less. I want my players get better.
So right that's why you know, having that In person thing
makes a big difference on and you know so folks listening
you've taught Brandon Hagee for ever since he was a kid and the
eeo, obviously, all the way to the PGA Tour.
(27:19):
I mean kids, unbelievable and unbelievable talent and
unbelievable human being, which is more important than any of
it. Which I also think speaks
volumes about what you do because you don't have never met
any young person that you've taught at any point.
Dime that's a jerk and he can't say that about everybody.
That speaks volumes for for whatyou're doing.
(27:40):
But, so we started, you know, it's the first time I've ever
done this kind of like, I'm the substitute teacher.
Like, I'm the pinch-hit teacher coming out and help them with
Brandon while he's on the road and you're in Hawaii and stuff
it. So, go ahead and talk a little
bit about Brandon and what you've done and what we're doing
together and how it's different.Yeah.
So you know, I'm in Hawaii, I can't get out there as much as
(28:01):
I'd like to right now especiallyduring the pandemic and, you
know, it's great to have somebody in the business.
You trust that, you know, they What they're doing and even can
add some stuff to what you're doing as a coach and so Tony's
been kind enough to jump in and and help out Brandon while he's
out there and I'm not there. And you know I think it's been a
really good combination Brands, played some great rounds of golf
(28:22):
over the last two months and I, you know, I credit a lot of that
to Tony and and I think you know, like we were saying that
mean in this case, two brains are better than one.
Two sets of eyes are better thanone.
Sometimes you can get a little caught up in old stuff if
you're, if you've been with somebody a long time and it's
Nice to have somebody else there.
Who could maybe see things from a different perspective or
explain it in a way that maybe resonates differently.
(28:44):
So it's been a great coaching opportunity for me and learning
opportunity. And I think, you know, I'm
looking forward to you. And I doing more of these in the
future to because they think it's a really good combination.
I think could be really effective.
Yeah, you know, I've always donebits of it the other way, like I
always think about self as, you know, the Bim redneck.
So like I said, you know, but I always shared videos and brought
(29:06):
tons of people in to help my folks.
Right, you know. And yeah, I mean I can't paint.
If you charged me a dollar for every video I've sent you to
look at people over the years. My gosh, you could buy that
Resort down there, but but it's been fun doing this together and
I've learned a ton from working with you and from working with
(29:27):
Brandon, and it's been fun but it's different, you know?
I mean, I just watch. I think that's one thing that's
interesting about going on the PGA tour and you look at a bunch
of the teachers are some of the personalities.
And the personas and the images and, you know, a little bit and
I mean that you know, I don't know that, that's my specialty
my image but we've had, we've had a blast doing it and I mean,
(29:50):
it'd be interesting to some point we had asked Brandon, if
he likes it but you know he's played a little better and it's
been fun but I don't think in any form or fashion we've
changed anything y'all were doing.
No I think you just explained itin a different way and you
actually used, you know some tech with him.
I think that he enjoyed I think that was You know, I think we're
in such a world weird business, you know, when you're dealing
(30:13):
with a pro player and everybody's, you know, kind of
like like a nervous Nelly Nancy right here.
I mean, we're seeing out there around like cats in a room full
of rocking, chairs waiting for somebody to take our job, and
it's just the nature of the Beast.
It's going to happen anyway. So for me, it's just it's a
little easier just to find something that I like that I
could trust and then we could work together and, you know,
(30:34):
it's like said maybe down the road, maybe we're trendsetters,
Tony maybe the guy I from Hollywood, California.
And the dude from the south or are really, we figured it out.
Who knows who I think did it, you know?
Don't you think that that goes like tomorrow weather
permitting, which is a big crosscountry right now, you know I'm
going to La and Robbie Sheldon are going to go visit with
(30:55):
Scotland dr. Lin and just to give another
point of view perspective on something we've been working on
and so I think that that's valuable I mean I don't know and
I think there are more teams outNow, I mean, I wash them Mark
Blackburn. I know he's got a group of
people around him. I know Chris Como does and I
think he see more of that. But yet still, I mean, I think
(31:20):
the more even teachers to collaborate instructors, could
collaborate all the player. I mean, I think it's healthy.
I do to make it takes, sort of a, I don't know.
I'd gotten old enough that I don't care.
I just want to do what's best for, for my player rather than
worrying about me. So, and it's been only been good
for me, you know, and good and Most importantly has been really
good for Brandon so I couldn't think of anybody better to hang
(31:42):
out with anyway. The two of us.
Now the figure out a swing in one of us will have the right
idea. Right?
Maybe more than a model hook, yours will fade.
Exactly, exactly. That's why in all we're with all
works together. We're straight together who
spent all day together, stay together, all stuff.
Hey, the first man, I'm proud ofyou and happy for what you doing
down there in Hawaii. I think that one I love it when
(32:03):
a person cases their dream and goes and does what the hell they
want to do. And I think it's cool.
You got going on down there in Hawaii and the move you're
making over there man. Kudos it's awesome.
Thanks Tony. I mean we had a lot of
conversations about it and you were very positive about, you
got to go and you're right. As usual, it's been a great
situation for me. So I know you're doing the same
on your end and you know when you come out here in October, I
(32:25):
promise you a good time, 100% here in peace, trust me just
wait till I get that. But now also, you know,
continued success to you and Maddie, you mean Me and watching
that. I mean, in anybody listening,
follow him on social media, it'sa cool deal.
I think anytime I've got a daughter that's 26, and I've
told you this on the phone, she's got her real estate
(32:47):
license and selling out. Like you're just proud of when
your kid finds what they want todo and is having fun and you can
support, heck. Yeah.
No Lex very, very lucky for sure.
No doubt and the you and Brandonand I appreciate the little bit
of a piece. I've been able to hang out and
watch. It's been great for me and man,
I can't wait till we tape like 15 of these.
(33:08):
Down to Hawaii next October. All we're going to do is turn
the recorder on everywhere we go.
It's going to be it's going to be gold.
Tony is for sure. We may have three people listen
to it, but it will still be goodto you.
No doubt about it. My bad.
All right, buddy, you're the best.
Hey, travel safe. I know you're heading back over
Stateside and we got lots going on down there.
I'll look forward to catching upwith you soon and I look forward
(33:29):
to talking more with you down there.
Aloha Tony. Hello, Hobbies, goodbye.
Indeed and hello. We'll see you soon.
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