Point well taken. I define a top ballstriker as one that has an extraordinary command of the golf ball, both distance and accuracy.
With that definition, he may be the best in the world. He understands the geometry of the swing and has taken that into his own realm. He also applies his knowledge (demonstrates)to an exceptional degree. I'm just not convinced that when you take him out of his comfort zone and into competition, that the ballstriking ability holds up.
I don't know Mac, have never met him, my opinion is based on the first hand accounts from people who have.
A dear friend and student of mine, Tommy Moore, who also worked a bunch with Rob Noel, and who passed away in his late 30's a few years back, played with Mac in a US OPEN qualifier during the period of time I was teaching Tommy.
He was totally unimpressed by his ballstriking, and at this time, I hailed Mac as "one of the all-time best ball strikers."
Tommy knew the difference, and although one round is no way to measure such a thing, it said a lot to me. I looked into the stats and saw the same thing as mrodock.
Just in case you think that Tommy was never impressed, it should be noted that he was EVRY impressed by Tom Bartlett, GSEB, who is—like another New Orleanian Stan Stopa—one of the very best ball-strikers EVER who hasn't carried a PGA Tour card.
A dear friend and student of mine, Tommy Moore, who also worked a bunch with Rob Noel, and who passed away in his late 30's a few years back, played with Mac in a US OPEN qualifier during the period of time I was teaching Tommy.
He was totally unimpressed by his ballstriking, and at this time, I hailed Mac as "one of the all-time best ball strikers."
Tommy knew the difference, and although one round is no way to measure such a thing, it said a lot to me. I looked into the stats and saw the same thing as mrodock.
Just in case you think that Tommy was never impressed, it should be noted that he was EVRY impressed by Tom Bartlett, GSEB, who is—like another New Orleanian Stan Stopa—one of the very best ball-strikers EVER who hasn't carried a PGA Tour card.
Well, the guy (Mac)keeps trying to qualify here, there, and everywhere, and doesn't. I guess SOMETHING is missing...
Well.....I try not to base my facts on others opinions of someone...Yes...I've seen him first hand....NOT through someone elses's bias...my own bias....I've seen Tiger,Phil, and O'Meara, Faldo.,etc........worked with Branshaw,Clearwater, and Lancaster....
Never saw Hogan..met Snead...or Trevino...
Know a guy that kicked Johny Miller's ass day in and day out at BYU..used to teach him....10 time...Mike Taylor
Yeah...Mac used to be the best during his era...80's....
And He has more Command of your swing than you do...and has command over his gozillion models....
But what matters ain't that at all...It's about going Low...as pretty or as ugly as it needs to be!!!!
He used to go low...but has since lost that "instinct"!!!
People that haven't seen, worked, learned from him first hand really can't have an educated opinion here... heresay is just a bunch of crap...
I have seen him first hand a few times and his ball striking is a different league, his clinics are also awesome with the club the right way round or turned upside down using a left handed swing.
I think the only true assessment of Mac's ball-striking capabilities would come from the touring pros who saw him play day in, day out. Certainly, someone's evaluation based on a single round in a US qualifier doesn't mean much. Even the best ball-strikers have off days.
Having had the privilege to attend two of Mac's seminar's gave me an insight into his knowledge and love of the game and Homer Kelley. I told him he was a credit to the game and he appreciated it very much and I have that on tape. I enjoyed the clarity of his message and his desire to make sure you came away with a lot of information. I hope to attend another seminar in the future.
Well.....I try not to base my facts on others opinions of someone...Yes...I've seen him first hand....NOT through someone elses's bias...my own bias....I've seen Tiger,Phil, and O'Meara, Faldo.,etc........worked with Branshaw,Clearwater, and Lancaster....
Never saw Hogan..met Snead...or Trevino...
Know a guy that kicked Johny Miller's ass day in and day out at BYU..used to teach him....10 time...Mike Taylor
Yeah...Mac used to be the best during his era...80's....
And He has more Command of your swing than you do...and has command over his gozillion models....
But what matters ain't that at all...It's about going Low...as pretty or as ugly as it needs to be!!!!
He used to go low...but has since lost that "instinct"!!!
People that haven't seen, worked, learned from him first hand really can't have an educated opinion here... heresay is just a bunch of crap...
I have....
I will certainly defer to your expertise. We all know you have worked with him.