The flawed geniuses won eight majors between them, but it could have been so much more. Gary Player explains why…
Jordan Spieth is “the best golfer in the world” and Seve Ballesteros “was not even a 10-handicap”.
Just two more incredible insights from the mind of Gary Player. Of course, we will allow him to explain.
Spieth racked up 16 wins in the first 10 years of his professional career, including a 27-month spell that saw him win three majors and move within one of the Grand Slam, while enjoying a lengthy spell as World No.1.
But the Texan has just concluded his third winless season in a row and is outside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
In an appearance on a video by The Golf Supply, Player blamed the modern way of coaching for Spieth’s career going the wrong way.
“There is a tremendous lack of knowledge with golf,” he explained. “I would say in America today the golf pros that are teaching know less about golf [than they ever have]. They have all the equipment and the technology, but they are teaching golfers to do this at the top.”
Player then demonstrates a backswing where the wrist bows in transition.
“But you can’t,” he continued. “Once you do that, you are gone.”
Using fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as a reference point, he added: “Jack won majors for 25 years. I won majors for 20 years. Palmer won for six years because he was shut. Look at Dustin Johnson. When was the last time you heard of Dustin Johnson? He’s like this.”
Player again demonstrates a bowed wrist.
“The moment you do that, your career is limited. You’ve got to get your wrist under the club. And you can see what [coaches] are doing. They did it with Jordan Spieth, they did it with Rickie Fowler.
“Jordan Spieth, I think, is the best golfer in the world. But, in my opinion, he was taught the wrong thing. And he just went downhill.”
The nine-time major champ then suggested that if Spieth “had a man like Ben Hogan teaching him” he might be the best player that ever lived.
“He’s such a competitor,” he added. “He’s such a wonderful man, a wonderful guy for golf, the best short game, best course management, but he just can’t hit the ball.
“It’s a tragedy.”
Player then turned his attention to another multiple major champion.
“Do you know who knew the least about the golf swing?” he asked, before answering: “Ballesteros.”
Player explained: “I played with him at Troon as a young man, and he wasn’t even a 10 handicap. He had no idea what he was doing. No idea.
“But he had the greatest feel of any man that ever lived. He was so good from 50 yards in – he was as good as anybody that ever lived. I don’t know who the best is, but he was as good as anybody. But hitting fairways? All over the place.
“If you don’t have the knowledge, you’re limited. You’re very limited.”
Ballesteros won three Claret Jugs, two Green Jackets, holds the European Tour record for titles with 50, and put 22 and a half points on the board across nine Ryder Cups. Imagine what he might have done if he knew how to swing a golf club.
About the author
News editor and writer. Probably entertainer third.
He is a keen golfer who claims to play off 12 and enjoys traveling the world to try new courses. His three favorites are Royal North Devon, the Old Course at St Andrews, and Royal Portrush – with special mentions for Okehampton and Bude & North Cornwall, where he first fell in love with the game.
He uses a combination of Ping, TaylorMade and Callaway gear, and once bought the Nike SQ driver which he absolutely did not immediately regret.
