Two Peas In A PODS

[Yoda]

Way back in 2005, Heath Slocum was struggling. He was playing poorly and in danger of losing his PGA TOUR card. That year, Heath met Mark Blackburn, PGA, GSEM, my student and LBG friend, and a partnership was formed that would transform his game. Before the year was out, Heath won the Southern Farm Bureau Classic and in 2006 would post career-high official money winnings of $1,180,681. http://www.pgatour.com/players/02/22...dia-guide.html

This year, he is off to a red-hot start. With back-to-back top-10s -- a 4th at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and a 6th at the FBR Open -- and one top-20 in his first three starts, he has won $505,000. Not coincidentally, he also leads the PGA TOUR in Scoring Average.

"Leads the PGA TOUR in Scoring Average."

Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?



Here are a few photos of Heath and Mark gettin' it done on Tuesday. I filmed some video in the afternoon, including a Q&A on what they're working on. We'll get it up soon!

#1 Mark and Heath still dressed for an early morning Florida chill.

#2 Their own 'Battle Central' located at the far end of the range. The strapping young fellow immediately to Mark's left is Heath's caddy, D.J. Nelson. D.J. and Heath played on the same college golf team, and trust me, this guy can hit it!

#3 Sharing a laugh between two stations.

#4 Heath in a 'Slow-Mo' drill programming his entire stroke. This is after Start Up and into the Backstroke. Check out the bag in the lower left corner...would those be dowels?

#5 The Finish of a fine golf shot.

#6 More 'Slow-Mo.' This time, at the Top (Hands at Right Shoulder and On Plane).

#7 'Slo-mo' drill -- at Release. BTW, in the background, that's Brian Mogg working with Joe Durant.

#8 A beautiful Pivot with a centered Head position. If anybody is wondering what we teach, you're looking at it. And on golf's biggest stage.

#9-#11 Mark tweaking the 'Slow-Mo' alignments (at Address and Release).

#12 Back at it after lunch. No need for those pullovers now!

Results?

In Thursday's opening round, Heath shot a blistering 3-under par 68 and is T-6 in a 144-man field of the game's greatest players. Congratulations, guys, keep it going!

But don't get too comfortable, 'cuz...

Brian Gay is only a shot back at 69!

[6bmike]

Man oh Man. Those Dowels are hot stuff in those bags. What is it a sercet club or something? Wonder when TGC notices.

[alex_chung]

Man oh Man. Those Dowels are hot stuff in those bags. What is it a sercet club or something? Wonder when TGC notices.

They are Tour Issued Dowels....only Tour Players and Yoda can get hold of them
This is great stuff Yoda. Good to see Brian playing well again after a couple of hiccups over the past couple of weeks. Did you guys work on anything special or is it just a case of things clicking again?
Alex

[Collin Neeman]

Great pics yoda. Looks like some fun down there. lets hope we see brian sunday come out on top

[Thom]

Brian might not come out on top, but you guys must have worked hard at the driving. He's T1 in accuracy, he's missed 3 fairways in 36 holes, pretty impressive!

[Yoda]

The Copperhead course at Innisbrook Resort is living up to its name. At the PODS Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida, 77 players in a starting field of 144 of the world's best made the cut at +2. This is only the second tournament of the season where over-par stayed for the weekend.

Up close and personal...

Heath Slocum, student of LBG Pro Contributor Mark Blackburn and the subject of a feature post (#5) earlier in this thread, shot 69 in the second round. At -5, he is now in solo 2nd, only one shot back of the lead.

Brian Gay shot 71 and is T29 at -1.

[Yoda]

With the leaders yet to tee off, Brian Gay has opened with birdies on three of the first eight holes. That fast start puts him -4 for the tournament and T4.

Go Brian!

[mrodock]

Way back in 2005, Heath Slocum was struggling. He was playing poorly and in danger of losing his PGA TOUR card. That year, he met my student and LBG friend, Mark Blackburn, PGA, GSEM, and a partnership was formed that would transform his game. Before the year was out, Heath won the Southern Farm Bureau Classic and in 2006 would post career-high official money winnings of $1,180,681. http://www.pgatour.com/players/02/22...dia-guide.html

This year, he is off to a red-hot start. With back-to-back top-10s -- a 4th at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and a 6th at the FBR Open -- and one top-20 in his first three starts, he has won $505,000 and leads the PGA TOUR in Scoring Average.

"Leads the PGA TOUR in Scoring Average."

Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?



Here are a few photos of Heath and Mark gettin' it done on Tuesday. I filmed some video in the afternoon, including a Q&A on what they're working on. We'll get it up soon!

#1 Mark and Heath still dressed for an early morning Florida chill.

#2 Their own 'Battle Central' located at the far end of the range.

#3 Sharing a laugh between two stations.

#4 Heath in a 'Slow-Mo' drill programming his entire stroke. This is after Start Up and into the Backstroke. Check out the bag in the lower left corner...would those be dowels?

#5 The Finish of a fine golf shot.

#6 More 'Slow-Mo.' This time, at the Top (Hands at Right Shoulder and On Plane).

#7 'Slo-mo' drill -- at Release. BTW, in the background, that's Brian Mogg working with Joe Durant.

#8 A beautiful Pivot with a centered Head position. If anybody is wondering what we teach, you're looking at it. And on golf's biggest stage.

#9-#11 Mark tweaking the 'Slow-Mo' alignments (at Address and Release).

#12 Back at it after lunch. No need for those pullovers now!

Results?

In Thursday's opening round, Heath shot a blistering 3-under par 68 and is T-6 in a 144-man field of the game's greatest players. Congratulations, guys, keep it going!

But don't get too comfortable, 'cuz...

Brian Gay is only a shot back at 69!

Only at lynnblakegolf.com! This place is amazing!

I noticed Yoda that you have a green id tag, very nice!

[Yoda]

Only at lynnblakegolf.com! This place is amazing!

I noticed Yoda that you have a green id tag, very nice!

Thanks, Matt. 'Preciate those comments!

I am proud to have qualified for that PGA TOUR INSTRUCTOR credential you mention. It gets me onto the Practice Tee and into the Locker Room and Clubhouse at all PGA TOUR events. It's a good thing!

And trust me...

It ain't for sale at Edwin Watts!

[glcoach]

I really like Heath Slocum's game. There must be something in the water around the Milton/Pensacola area with Slocum/Weekley/Watson & Durant all doing well.

Why would Joe Durant leave Ron Gring after being a top 10 ballstriker all these years to work with Leadbetter disciple Brian Mogg? Not hating, just asking.