0807DavidLeadbetter

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The Sultan Of Swing:

David Leadbetter

Tiger’s greatness, Michelle’s troubles, why golf should be in the Olympics and getting asked for swing tips in the Gents—the world’s most famous instructor was in typically candid form when HK Golfer met up with him at Mission Hills Golf Club last month. HKG: You’re known as “the golf guru.” Is that a title you ever get used to? DL: It's a nice accolade. I've been doing this for a long time with all sorts of different levels of players, but the fact of the matter is I'm still learning. That's the great thing about it. There's so much to know about the mind and how it works, and now there's big studies in biomechanics to see how we can help people. We're in a technologically advanced age and we're sort of analyzing and dissecting everything we look at. But the danger with golf is that we over-think and get into the old syndrome of “paralysis through analysis.” HKG: Indeed. But is that because there’s too much instructional material out there? You’ve written many books, dozens of other instructors have books out; the magazines are full of coaching tips… DL: The volume of material out there is just ridiculous— just to get that little white ball in the hole. You can certainly get suffocated by all the material. In the end, if you want to play good golf you've got to keep it simple, and that's why there's nothing better than having a one-on-one lesson. Yeah, you might get the odd tip from a magazine and that can help, but generally speaking it's best to get with somebody who really knows what they're talking about. But golfers are junkies—they are always looking for something that they think is going to help them. HKG: Obviously you’ve had an amazing successful career as an instructor, but do you ever think back to your own playing career? Presumably teaching wasn’t the goal when you became a professional? DL: If I had my druthers, absolutely I'd rather be a worldclass player than a world-class teacher. When I was 14 years old playing golf I didn't think: "Well, I want to be a great teacher." I just wanted to get out and play, but you realize that there's only a certain special few players that are going to be successful. The number of people that play golf around the world and the number of people that make a living out of it are few and far between. The damn game can drive you crazy, you know? HKG: You must get stopped almost every day by a stranger asking for advice? 30

HK GOLFER・JULY/AUG 2008

DL: And in the most strange places, too—like urinals. The guy beside me will say: “Hey, aren't you David Leadbetter? Can you help me with my grip?” I say: “Well, not right now, but yeah.” It's fun, though. People think that maybe I have the secret, and I sort of say: “Yeah, I do have the secret, but I only let it out occasionally—and for the right price.” HKG: Which leads nicely onto my next question: how much for a day with Leadbetter? DL: Well, I'm a bit like Robin Hood because I rob from the rich to give to the poor. I've got a lot of academies around the world, close to 30, but I don't have the time to be in one location. I do give instruction on a limited basis—and it’s expensive, absolutely, but I spend a lot of time with that person. On the other hand, I get a lot of kids or young pros who can't afford it and I'll basically work with them for nothing, so, you know, it just depends. HKG: OK, well if one of our well-heeled readers wanted to book a day’s instruction with you, how much is it going to set him or her back? DL: US$10,000. HKG: How much golf do you actually play? DL: I play about one full round of golf a month. I play a lot of nine holes when I’m out there teaching. I’m actually playing more than I used to. HKG: But are you still playing for fun? DL: Absolutely. As a teacher, you’re always trying to learn new things, new theories, so you have to try them out, which I find great fun. I would say I’ve taught better when I’ve been playing more. HKG: But when you’re out there playing golf with presidents and other dignitaries, do you feel as though you have to hit every shot perfectly because that's what people would expect? That must add a little pressure… DL: It does. The fact is everybody expects you to hit it like Ernie Els, and you think, "Jeez." But as the old saying goes: “Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach.” WWW.HKGA.COM

Leadbetter at Mission Hills, June 2008 WWW.HKGA.COM

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