Greetings Golfers,

I just finished reading Brandel Chamblee’s new book “Anatomy of Greatness”. Chamblee is the golf analyst on the Golf Channel who people love … and love to hate.

Chamblee is a smart guy and outspoken. He was pretty tough on Tiger and lots of Tiger fans resented it. But, he focuses quite a bit on Tiger in his book. He is especially impressed with Tiger in his early years on Tour – before Woods went to Hank Haney.

Chamblee is also very impressed with Jack Nicklaus … and Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, and Bobby Jones. I love the book – I think he nails what all of the great players share. And, he’s aware of where instruction goes off the rails. I’ll try to summarize as succinctly as I can:

* He emphasizes a strong grip – not a neutral grip.
* He wants a slightly open stance.
* He likes more of a natural slumped back during set-up, rather than the rigid straight back like Rory McIlroy.
* He stresses the need for the right knee to be kicked in at address.
* He advocates a low and slow take away with a slightly shut clubface.
* He likes a rocking trigger move and lateral body movement to get the backswing going.
* He says the transition from backswing to downswing is the key move – much more important than how you look at the top of the backswing.
* He wants the chin pointed right of the ball during the backswing and at impact.
* He wants the finish to feel “going out and up” – not low left like modern teachers are preaching.

This book will be heresy to many golf instructors. Those who’ve had to listen to me over the years will know that this is what I like. In fact, I’ll probably write about it much more in depth in one of my columns. If interested, you can find my columns at tomabts.com.

Cheers,
                              
Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com