Tom Watson Lessons of a LifeTime

Comments

1. Mac McAdams says:

   July 28, 2010 at 6:46 pm

   Review by Mac McAdams for Tom Watson Lessons of a LifeTime
   Rating:
   TW, the original, is one of the all-time great golfing legends. And the legend continues to grow, as we all witnessed at Turnberry and even this year at the Masters. That a champion golfer would be asked to produce an instruction video is no surprise and traces its history all the way back to Bobby Jones’ Hollywood golf instruction videos produced in the 1930’s. “Lessons of a Lifetime” was obviously made by very intelligent man who has spent a lot of time thinking about the golf swing. And it takes a certain amount of introspection and humility to admit that despite having won 8 majors, he didn’t completely understand the golf swing until 1994 when he says he discovered “the secret”. There is a grainy video on YOUTUBE where while at an exhibition obviously conducted for an outing or pro-am, TW tells the audience that he didn’t know how to swing a golf club until 1994. The audience is heard laughing. This guy’s won 8 majors, ha ha, they were thinking. It wasn’t until a few moments later when he elaborated further that they suddenly understood he was quite serious. Let me just say this as an avid golfer used to paying an hourly rate of $100-120 for golf tune-ups: this is the best instruction I have received, probably ever. I didn’t say best video, I said instruction, period, live or on tape. Take a look at the simplicity of his swing. Compare it to the many videos you can find on the web of Ben Hogan. While they differ in plane–Tom is more upright–both are exemplars of simplicity and efficiency. I have Hogan’s book, Five Lessons. I used to refer to it often. It was trail blazing in its analysis, the new benchmark for golf instruction. I would put TW’s CD’s in the same camp, except his instruction is far far easier to understand. There’s something cryptic about Hogan’s supination and pronation thesis– gives me a headache frankly, and I’ve been a single digit handicapper for close to 40 years! These are fantastic golf lessons set in a bucolic setting at the Greenbrier. I could go on about how TW’s approach is so much simpler and useful compared to today’s back breaking contortions advocated by the guru’s. But I will stop here: Tom Watson is 60 and his golf swing still works effectively at the highest levels of golf. Most former golf champions his age, spend their mornings in traction to relieve back pain before going off to do a few small appearances here and there. Tom Watson’s lessons are well worth half the price of one lesson with your local pro. Hogan’s “Five Lessons” is back on the book shelf. I don’t think I’ll be needing it anytime soon.
2. Fiore C. Dilullo says:

   July 28, 2010 at 7:46 pm

   Review by Fiore C. Dilullo for Tom Watson Lessons of a LifeTime
   Rating:
   What is the secret to Tom Watson’s success over the years? I was hoping he would tell me in one short hour so I could go out and score in the low 70’s or maybe in the 60’s. Well that’s not going to happen real soon. But Tom did an excellent job in reviewing the fundamentals that will benefit golfers at any level. His comprehensive explanations cover many aspects of the game from womb to tomb in a clear concise manner. I now know his secret and with a little practice maybe I can beat the other three in my foursome.
   
   The two DVD set with booklet are about the same price as a round of golf with a portion going toward the Bruce Edwards Fund. I recommend this excellent piece of work by Tom Watson.
3. David W. Ranck says:

   July 28, 2010 at 8:37 pm

   Review by David W. Ranck for Tom Watson Lessons of a LifeTime
   Rating:
   Tom Watson is one of the contemporary greats of the game. He got where he is by observing the best in golf and by listening to advice from the masters. In Lessons of a Lifetime, we get to listen to Mr. Watson share some of that knowledge with us. The DVDs take the viewer through the most important aspects of the game from swing basics to hitting particular shot types. His teaching is interesting, clear and easy to follow. As good as Tom Watson is, he continually makes references to others from which he learned important lessons and does not take the credit for himself alone.

   I believe these DVDs are well worth the cost and will likely serve well to help many golfers improve their game.