Watch & LearnG
ONE OF THE TOUR’S LONGEST DRIVERS LEANED ON HIS
IRONS AND PUTTER—AND A NEW, STEELY RESOLVE—TO PULL
OFF A U.S. OPEN WIN THAT HARDLY ANYONE SAW COMINGThe Champ: Gary Woodland
1Setup
Woodland looks
“strong” even at
address! Copy
the way he sets his
rear end behind his
heels and stands
with a “tall” back.
Your arms should
dangle vertically,
forcing the
club to “reach”
for the ball.
(^2)
Downswing
A lot of players
unwind early from
the top with
the arms and club
lagging so far behind
that they have very
little left to give
at impact. Gary
is a proponent of
swinging his
arms down first,
then letting his body
unwind. Can’t argue
with his results!
OLF’S COGNOSCENTI HAVE KNOWN FOR A DECADE that Gary Woodland had all the
tools. But tools alone are not enough. That was the lesson of his U.S. Open win at Pebble
Beach. In victory, Woodland, 35, spoke of how he has learned to manage his talent, praising
particularly his former coach (Butch Harmon) and his current coach (Pete Cowen).
“I kept telling myself, ‘Enjoy this moment. Enjoy the pressure. Enjoy being uncomfortable. Don’t
shy away from it, embrace it.’ And I think that helped me stay a little more calm.”
Three quick things about that statement. First of all, it’s deeply articulate, as is Woodland. Also, Ky
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Clubhouse
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