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Open Golf analysis

Elementary Watson: Why class is permanent

Posted: 18 July 2009
by Andy Raitt

Note Tom Watson's enduring poise and balance in his swing

Tom Watson proved the old adage that form is temporary, class is permanent. Thirty-two years ago, aged 27 he beat Jack Nicklaus in what was possibly the best head-to-head confrontation the Open has ever seen!

Now at nearly 60 years of age he is proof that the quality of his play is enduring..

While his 65 on Thursday was eclipsed only by Miguel Angel Jimenez finishing with a putt as long as a cricket pitch to take an overnight lead yesterday, in much tougher conditions, Watson proved his level par 70 - with a long putt of his own - proved that he has lost none of his ability to tame the world's best links courses.

In 2003 at Royal St Georges, I had the opportunity and the honour to play a practice round with him ahead of The Open that year and watch and watched closely how he used all his skills to attack the course.

Tom Watson kisses his ball after holing out at the 18th

He was just great to play golf with and his game was truly impressive. I grew up watching him play on TV and hearing about the flag-hunting iron shots and the booming drives - it was true!

His ability to hit a ball straight at a flag even in the toughest conditions, was something special.

Throughout his career, his long game has been outstanding. His swing has not changed in a career that has already spanned 40 years and does not look like ending any time soon.

The reason his long game has been so sound for so many years is ability to pivot over the ball and let his arms swing naturally up and down the target line.

Many of the players we watch on the Tours around the world appear to make a big turn in their backswing and then drive down towards the ball with their legs and hips. When these players are out of sequence or rhythm and the top half cannot keep up, they create a semi circular shape with their body at impact resulting in active hands through impact and a whole variation of shots, none of which tend to be straight.

With Watson note how he keeps his upper body synchronized with his lower body better than perhaps any other player at Turnberry this week. That's why his balance and poise is always perfect at the finish of his swing.

There are two keys that enable Watson to do this. In his backswing, he allows his arms to swing up and not around his body. As the club goes behind your body going back, a good player will shift their hips on the way down to make room to hit the ball, creating that angle in his body at impact.

The second key is Watson's ability to swing down with the top half of his body matching his bottom half by keeping the relationship between left shoulder, hip and knee together from the top as he swings down through the ball.

The man is a golfing legend with an effortless and long-lasting swing from which we can all watch and learn. All he needs is for his putting to hold up and I wouldn't bet against him over the final holes tomorrow?

*Andy Raitt is a former European Tour pro and currently top of the PGA Southern Region order of merit.

Previous article:
Open 09 Day 1: Old guard take glory

Open Golf Day 2: Marino matches Watson

Discuss this story

Bob Warters

What tips have you picked up to help your game from watching The Open?
Posted: 18/07/2009 08:15

Chris Curry

The way Tom Watson kept his calm after dropping 4 shots on the front 8 and not letting it phase him - carding 3 additional birdies - to post a level par 70 at the end of his round. It was a master class in patience and undertanding that everyone would be finding those same holes tough and "who knows". At 59 he's out in the last group today. I think it's magic, this year Tom Watson, last year Greg Norman. Brilliant.
Posted: 18/07/2009 09:03

Dick in shorts(15.5)

That hitting the ball straight and onto the fairway/green is the most important thing on a links course - especially when the rough is jungle!

I have struggled both times I've played Murcar Links up here near Aberdeen - and the first time lost about 9 balls in 18 holes - because of missing fairways/second shots to fairway/green.

At least now I know that our world number one - and several other "top" golfers - has/have the same problems.

But - surely as they do it for a living - shouldn't they at least be able to hit the ball to where they want?????

Posted: 18/07/2009 09:10

Spartacus (9.7)

To watch the swing tempo of Mr Watson is a pleasure on the eyes.

Almost as pleasurable as watching Anna Friel undress, almost.

Posted: 18/07/2009 09:21

Taz

Not to play links

Posted: 18/07/2009 09:26

Jimbow

I think it's great that a young lad and a senior can compete in the same competition on equal terms. Isn't golf a great game!
Posted: 18/07/2009 09:51

Creosote

Jimbow wrote (see)

I think it's great that a young lad and a senior can compete in the same competition on equal terms. Isn't golf a great game!

Exactly my thoughts also.
Posted: 18/07/2009 10:01

pasty

When you go on your summer holidays to Scotland, take your waterproofs, umbrella, wooly hat and extra socks.
Posted: 18/07/2009 14:19

Reckless

My age(same as Tom's) is no excuse.
Posted: 18/07/2009 18:36

Sham 28

One thing I've noticed is the many different stances and differing amount of spine angle used by the Pro's, my Pro had me trying to have my shoulders and knees directly over the balls of my feet , he even put Tiger Woods and Ernie Ells up on his Computer screen to impress on me the need for it.

After today I can honestly say what an absolute load of B*ll*cks that is , I watched player after player Tee off with their shoulders and arms hanging well forward's of their knees and feet, even some of the knees were well back from the balls of the feet , the Likes of Callcavekia were leaning well over the ball .

But the one thing that I did see today was just how still Tom Watson kept his head throughout the whole of his swing , even with the Driver , it never moved a Micron , that guy is Class , I even watched him in the Slo Mo's of his shots and he doesn't move his head tillthe ball has well gone.

The rest of them had their heads bobbing up and down and from side to side BUT not Tom , he's a real rock steady Eddie , I just wish I had his balance and Control , or even a third of it.

Guess what I'm going to be practicing next time out.

Posted: 18/07/2009 20:49

Tiger Wes (12)

Spartacus (11) wrote (see)

To watch the swing tempo of Mr Watson is a pleasure on the eyes.
Almost as pleasurable as watching Anna Friel undress, almost.

mmmmmm can i watch next time please.

Posted: 18/07/2009 22:18

pasty

Sham 23 wrote (see)

One thing I've noticed is the many different stances and differing amount of spine angle used by the Pro's, my Pro had me trying to have my shoulders and knees directly over the balls of my feet , he even put Tiger Woods and Ernie Ells up on his Computer screen to impress on me the need for it.
After today I can honestly say what an absolute load of B*ll*cks that is , I watched player after player Tee off with their shoulders and arms hanging well forward's of their knees and feet, even some of the knees were well back from the balls of the feet , the Likes of Callcavekia were leaning well over the ball .
But the one thing that I did see today was just how still Tom Watson kept his head throughout the whole of his swing ,

That's a great observation I think.

It seems that the most important thing, once we find our "best" posture, is to keep that posture throughout the swing. When looking at Watson, and to be honest all of the top guys, it's not just the head that stays steady, it's the whole spine angle.

Much more of this and you'll be kicked out the Shamblers......

Posted: 18/07/2009 22:41

Sham 28

*** Much more of this and you'll be kicked out the Shamblers...... ***

Never, I may see others Faults and Good Habits but getting my body to do what I ask is highly unlikely, all my moves are segmented and uncoordinated , the only thing that works for me is my gob and the one finger I type with.

Posted: 18/07/2009 22:50

Tom Wilkinson 8

Without being arsey, the pros use the rules very well and will argue the toss/stand their ground to get a decent ruling. You can't exactly do that in the monthly medal (and still have people agree to play with you.)

Luke Donald chopped one from the right of the 9th fairway to the left. A young lad found his ball in the clag. But because the kid had stood on it, Donald got to drop the ball (twice) and naturally got a better lie. Now I'd have just been chuffed to find it, but LD, quite legitimately, got his bit of luck (finding the ball), and then capitalised on it (getting a better lie).

BTW - I am not one of those people who reckon pros are actually 'that good', because they can miss the fairway and still find a great lie if they find a walkway, or knock one in the grandstand for a free drop. When these guys shoot low, it's from hitting fairways and greens.

Posted: 18/07/2009 23:18

Chris Curry