Nov
05
Why doesn't Leadbetter cut Michelle Wie loose? Also, putt like Tiger Woods and a new line of golf gloves by Taylor Made/Adidas
Click here to listen.
Michelle Wie’s golf career has been in a downward spiral for the past year. She has run the gamut from physical to emotional trauma. Her “people” have been jumping ship, most recently Greg Nared, her second manager of the year. As you know, everyone loves a winner, and Michelle Wie hasn’t won.
Wie has gone from media darling with cameras frantically clicking and both PGA and LPGA Tours throwing exemptions at her to being shunned by the Casio World Open, an event on the Japanese Tour which has, in the past, always welcomed her with open arms. Spokesman Yuichi Miyakawa contended, “We have concluded that it is important for her to fully recover from her hand injuries before playing to her potential". The key word here is “potential".
Golf.com has even decided that Michelle Wie is no longer “hot”.
But in all of the darkness that surrounds Michelle Wie there is one bright light, one person who will stick by her no matter how far she falls…besides B.J. and Bo, and that person is…David Leadbetter.
Leadbetter realizes that he stands to gain either way from remaining on Michelle Wie’s payroll. If she does indeeed make a comeback (which is possible if she reinforces her mental game), he may claim that it was because of his steady instruction that she persevered. If she fails, Leadbetter can always shrug his shoulders and say that he tried…and he did.
You have to give David Leadbetter credit for his dedication to Michelle Wie in the face of her overbearing parents, her lack of common courtesy and somewhat dubious knowledge of the Rules of Golf.
In this week’s Golf for Beginners podcast we discuss the Wie/Leadbetter relationship. A putting tip by Tiger Woods regarding grip is also featured. Since we’re on the subject of the grip, we also take a look at the new golf gloves being offered by Taylor Made and Adidas for the 2008 season.
Send your golf questions and comments to golfforbeginners@worldgolf.com.
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You can also download previous Golf for Beginners episodes by clicking here.
“Shiny Tech” courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)”
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20 comments
Comment from: Norman [Visitor] 
Barry,
I listened to the podcast.
With all due respect you haven't a clue what you are talking about. I actually laughed out loud when you suggested she give up golf and maybe take it up again when she finished college. I sure am glad you aren't coaching young players or any player for that matter.
What Michelle needs is to play MORE golf. Yes that is right. MORE GOLF and much more.
In an ideal scenario, she would play for the Stanford Ladies Team, and the competition at college level is very weak so she would do well, even at her Samsung level.
Since she can't play with that college team, it is important for her to find as many events as possible. Give her a free pass for the 1st quarter if you want, but what she really needs is competitive golf and plenty of it.
Ideally she should quit Stanford, and play on various ladies tour, some events on the Japanese Ladies Tour, Korean Tour, European Tour and also the lpga tour.
If she has some huge desire to gain extra education, then she has to figure out a way to have plenty of breaks from Stanford to go play plenty of events and ensure that she has plenty of time to practice.
The key thing though is plenty of competitive golf.
I listened to the podcast.
With all due respect you haven't a clue what you are talking about. I actually laughed out loud when you suggested she give up golf and maybe take it up again when she finished college. I sure am glad you aren't coaching young players or any player for that matter.
What Michelle needs is to play MORE golf. Yes that is right. MORE GOLF and much more.
In an ideal scenario, she would play for the Stanford Ladies Team, and the competition at college level is very weak so she would do well, even at her Samsung level.
Since she can't play with that college team, it is important for her to find as many events as possible. Give her a free pass for the 1st quarter if you want, but what she really needs is competitive golf and plenty of it.
Ideally she should quit Stanford, and play on various ladies tour, some events on the Japanese Ladies Tour, Korean Tour, European Tour and also the lpga tour.
If she has some huge desire to gain extra education, then she has to figure out a way to have plenty of breaks from Stanford to go play plenty of events and ensure that she has plenty of time to practice.
The key thing though is plenty of competitive golf.
2007-11-05 @ 17:42
Comment from: Art [Visitor]
My God Norman
What do you want to do, forever kill Bubbles.You must be one of those Korean parents. The last thing She needs for a while is any competition at all. She needs at least a year off of golf for her very fragile head to heal. Her golf problems have nothing to do with her injuries since she never really had them. They were fabricated to hide her severe Mental problems. She needs mental help not physical healing or any time in compitition.
What do you want to do, forever kill Bubbles.You must be one of those Korean parents. The last thing She needs for a while is any competition at all. She needs at least a year off of golf for her very fragile head to heal. Her golf problems have nothing to do with her injuries since she never really had them. They were fabricated to hide her severe Mental problems. She needs mental help not physical healing or any time in compitition.
2007-11-05 @ 23:53
Comment from: Ron [Visitor]
Art,
You must be one of those insecure men who
are afraid they might get beaten on the golf course
by a girl. Let's just keep them off of the course
so that can never happen. Too bad you didn't have
Korean parents. You might have made something of
yourself.
You must be one of those insecure men who
are afraid they might get beaten on the golf course
by a girl. Let's just keep them off of the course
so that can never happen. Too bad you didn't have
Korean parents. You might have made something of
yourself.
2007-11-06 @ 03:04
Comment from: Oui Oui Oui [Visitor]
When it comes to Wie, everyone offers up parental advises like they are the frigging parent of the year.
People on both sides of this debate should just pipe down, move on to something else, and let her be whatever she turns out to be. After all, she is the one that is living her life.
People on both sides of this debate should just pipe down, move on to something else, and let her be whatever she turns out to be. After all, she is the one that is living her life.
2007-11-06 @ 07:56
Norman,
Has it ever occurred to you Wie-wee's that perhaps Bubbles really doesn't want any serious competition?
If she had been itching to do battle with some golfers of her own sex and about her own age, she'd have been in the California section of the LPGA "Q" school, which was played BEFORE classes began at Stanford.
The only reason she showed up at the Samsung was that it was a guaranteed paycheck since there was no cut.
Oui,
Sure, Bubbles should be allowed to make her own decisions now that she is of age. But BJ and Bo will try mightily to stop any such moves.
Ron,
What in blazes are you talking about?
Has it ever occurred to you Wie-wee's that perhaps Bubbles really doesn't want any serious competition?
If she had been itching to do battle with some golfers of her own sex and about her own age, she'd have been in the California section of the LPGA "Q" school, which was played BEFORE classes began at Stanford.
The only reason she showed up at the Samsung was that it was a guaranteed paycheck since there was no cut.
Oui,
Sure, Bubbles should be allowed to make her own decisions now that she is of age. But BJ and Bo will try mightily to stop any such moves.
Ron,
What in blazes are you talking about?
2007-11-06 @ 08:08
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
Alex,
Michelle has showed that she does want the competition. She came back after injury way too early, what could be a bigger sign of wanting to play, then racing back to competition before you were even ready to.
That was a naive youthful decision but at least it shows that she has a love for the game of golf.
What she needs to do is get out there and play more competitive golf. You suggested the lpga q-school but that would be a bad idea. She would be far better served by travelling around to different women's tours, some of which are much weaker than the lpga tour, and playing plenty of competitive golf.
Michelle has showed that she does want the competition. She came back after injury way too early, what could be a bigger sign of wanting to play, then racing back to competition before you were even ready to.
That was a naive youthful decision but at least it shows that she has a love for the game of golf.
What she needs to do is get out there and play more competitive golf. You suggested the lpga q-school but that would be a bad idea. She would be far better served by travelling around to different women's tours, some of which are much weaker than the lpga tour, and playing plenty of competitive golf.
2007-11-06 @ 08:29
Norman,
It doesn't get anymore competitive than "Q" school.
And if she has shown that she wants to compete so badly that she couldn't even wait for her "injury' to sufficiently heal, why is it that she is choosing classes at Stanford over the weak competition on the other women's tours?
Norman, she can't have it both ways, and neither can you.
It doesn't get anymore competitive than "Q" school.
And if she has shown that she wants to compete so badly that she couldn't even wait for her "injury' to sufficiently heal, why is it that she is choosing classes at Stanford over the weak competition on the other women's tours?
Norman, she can't have it both ways, and neither can you.
2007-11-06 @ 09:55
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Norman,
I have explained on a number of occasions what I believe Bubbles' true problem to be: Her mental state. And I'd bet dollars to donuts that I'm not wrong.
Bubbles doesn't really WANT to play more golf because she can't stand the pressure. Were she to dedicate herself solely to golf, the pressure would be worse because there would be no built-in excuse; were she to play on lesser tours, the pressure would be greater because she would have less of an excuse, as she would be expected to win.
This is why what you recommend will never come to pass. The problem you're having, Norman, is that you're basing your prescription on an incorrect diagnosis. You're assuming that Bubbles has an average psychological profile, which isn't the case.
Think about it.
I have explained on a number of occasions what I believe Bubbles' true problem to be: Her mental state. And I'd bet dollars to donuts that I'm not wrong.
Bubbles doesn't really WANT to play more golf because she can't stand the pressure. Were she to dedicate herself solely to golf, the pressure would be worse because there would be no built-in excuse; were she to play on lesser tours, the pressure would be greater because she would have less of an excuse, as she would be expected to win.
This is why what you recommend will never come to pass. The problem you're having, Norman, is that you're basing your prescription on an incorrect diagnosis. You're assuming that Bubbles has an average psychological profile, which isn't the case.
Think about it.
2007-11-07 @ 08:13
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
Alex,
Q-school would be the last thing she should be thinking about. As someone who has injuries I know all about coming back from them and the last thing you want to do is come back playing in high class tournaments straight away.
Q-school is highly competitive as you say, but I wasn't talking about her facing the highest class of competition. In fact if she wanted an even higher class she could try pga q-school but that's not what it is about.
When I say she should have more competition, I mean at the appropriate level. And going to q-school when coming back from injury is far from ideal. If she instead went onto the Ladies Korean, Japnanese or European Tours, that would be far better.
There, it is still difficult to win, but making the cut is easier and so she would be practically guaranteed to play full events.
Judge Smails made the point that she would be expected to win if she played those lesser tours and that is simply not true, not when coming back from an injury. Sure she would have been expected to win if she played those events in 2006 but not after the injury.
Q-school would be the last thing she should be thinking about. As someone who has injuries I know all about coming back from them and the last thing you want to do is come back playing in high class tournaments straight away.
Q-school is highly competitive as you say, but I wasn't talking about her facing the highest class of competition. In fact if she wanted an even higher class she could try pga q-school but that's not what it is about.
When I say she should have more competition, I mean at the appropriate level. And going to q-school when coming back from injury is far from ideal. If she instead went onto the Ladies Korean, Japnanese or European Tours, that would be far better.
There, it is still difficult to win, but making the cut is easier and so she would be practically guaranteed to play full events.
Judge Smails made the point that she would be expected to win if she played those lesser tours and that is simply not true, not when coming back from an injury. Sure she would have been expected to win if she played those events in 2006 but not after the injury.
2007-11-07 @ 08:29
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
Alex asked "why is it that she is choosing classes at Stanford over the weak competition on the other women's tours?"
Alex, if you have been following the Wie story, you will know that they have been talking about Stanford for years and how she wanted to go there.
If she had stayed amateur, it would have been a great idea. In fact, as it turned out with the injury, the opportunity to play college level golf would have been great. The competition there is of a very low standard in comparison to the lpga tour and it would be good to play those events coming back from an injury.
Since she turned pro, and cannot play for the college team, it is a shambles. The normal college players there, will be playing 3-4 events per quarter, and they will have excellent practice help from coaches.
I am not particularly worried about the 1st quarter of Stanford, as she has not traditionally played many events at this time of year anyway. However for the 2nd quarter, she would want to play a very minimum of 2 events during that quarter and hopefully more.
As you said yourself, she shouldn't have gone to Stanford, if you look at it from a golfing point of view. If she has some burning desire to get an education, then hopefully she is using it to simply go to her lectures, do her study and then practice her butt off the rest of the time. The only question I have regarding her is her work ethic. Will she make the sacrifices necessary to play great golf?
Alex, if you have been following the Wie story, you will know that they have been talking about Stanford for years and how she wanted to go there.
If she had stayed amateur, it would have been a great idea. In fact, as it turned out with the injury, the opportunity to play college level golf would have been great. The competition there is of a very low standard in comparison to the lpga tour and it would be good to play those events coming back from an injury.
Since she turned pro, and cannot play for the college team, it is a shambles. The normal college players there, will be playing 3-4 events per quarter, and they will have excellent practice help from coaches.
I am not particularly worried about the 1st quarter of Stanford, as she has not traditionally played many events at this time of year anyway. However for the 2nd quarter, she would want to play a very minimum of 2 events during that quarter and hopefully more.
As you said yourself, she shouldn't have gone to Stanford, if you look at it from a golfing point of view. If she has some burning desire to get an education, then hopefully she is using it to simply go to her lectures, do her study and then practice her butt off the rest of the time. The only question I have regarding her is her work ethic. Will she make the sacrifices necessary to play great golf?
2007-11-07 @ 08:45
Norman,
I have two questions for you.
1)In your experienced opinion, how long will it take for Bubbles' "injury" to completely heal?\\
2)Are you serious?
The reason fo my asking the second question is this: In all my 64+ years I've never known anyone to make such an inane proposal.
That is, that an 18 year old female college student with an obviously fragile psyche abruptly quit classes at a prestigious university, one to which she has dreamed of attending for at least five years, and travel full-time around the world in the company of her money-grubbing parents in order to play golf on women's golf tours where the competition is weak.
Norman, many times in the past on this board, you have confidently predicted that Bubbles would in the near future win many LPGA events and even be competitive on the PGA tour.
Have your expectations of her slipped so far as for you to now take this bizarre tack?
Will you be willing to admit that if Bubbles doesn't follow your advice and try the Asia, Euro, and Japan women's tours, that she doesn't want ANY sort of competition?
Alex USMC 1969-73
I have two questions for you.
1)In your experienced opinion, how long will it take for Bubbles' "injury" to completely heal?\\
2)Are you serious?
The reason fo my asking the second question is this: In all my 64+ years I've never known anyone to make such an inane proposal.
That is, that an 18 year old female college student with an obviously fragile psyche abruptly quit classes at a prestigious university, one to which she has dreamed of attending for at least five years, and travel full-time around the world in the company of her money-grubbing parents in order to play golf on women's golf tours where the competition is weak.
Norman, many times in the past on this board, you have confidently predicted that Bubbles would in the near future win many LPGA events and even be competitive on the PGA tour.
Have your expectations of her slipped so far as for you to now take this bizarre tack?
Will you be willing to admit that if Bubbles doesn't follow your advice and try the Asia, Euro, and Japan women's tours, that she doesn't want ANY sort of competition?
Alex USMC 1969-73
2007-11-07 @ 09:20
Comment from: Matt [Visitor]
I think people need to remember that she is an 18 year old kid. Remember what you were like at that age and now add all the pressure that comes with being under the gaze of the world. I just hope she makes it through this with her sanity in tact.
2007-11-09 @ 10:12
Matt,
Exactly. And that is why any sensible person would think that Bubbles needs a lengthy respite from golf.
But as you can see, a guy like Norman and several others believe that she should jump into the pressure cooker with gusto. That she should quit Stanford and hit the tournament trail full-time in Europe and Asia.
One cannot help but wonder what these fellows are thinking. And her parents are no help either. They must not care much if she keeps her sanity in tact.
Exactly. And that is why any sensible person would think that Bubbles needs a lengthy respite from golf.
But as you can see, a guy like Norman and several others believe that she should jump into the pressure cooker with gusto. That she should quit Stanford and hit the tournament trail full-time in Europe and Asia.
One cannot help but wonder what these fellows are thinking. And her parents are no help either. They must not care much if she keeps her sanity in tact.
2007-11-09 @ 10:51
Comment from: ToddCommish [Visitor]
I think that Norman is making a very bad assumption: that Michelle Wie is a golfer and ONLY a golfer. She's still a person, perhaps more talented at ONE thing (golf), but no different from thousands of other teens who are just trying to figure out what direction her life should take. Stanford is a GREAT place for her to decide whether she wants to be a pro golfer for the rest of her life because she'll be exposed to many more options and ideas than BJ ever showed her.
She may decide that she wants to be a teacher or an entrepreneur or an engineer. This is HER time to decide, away from the pundits and parents who would force her down a path she seems incapable of sustaining.
She may decide that she wants to be a teacher or an entrepreneur or an engineer. This is HER time to decide, away from the pundits and parents who would force her down a path she seems incapable of sustaining.
2007-11-09 @ 13:22
Todd Commish,
All very true.
What's more, I don't think there has ever been a teenage female anywhere on this earth who could sustain any success with that amount of pressure. Her omnipresent parents just add to the suffocating pressure.
I've had a lot of fun trading barbs with the Wie-wee's over the last few years, but something as fragile as the emotional well being of a teenager is nothing to joke about
It may or not be possible, but it probably wouldn't hurt if Bubbles were to be absent from the golf scene for the next eighteen months to two years, and then return on a limited basis.
But she should not even then be thrown into the meat grinder of men's events and elite fields to which she has not qualified. That is what started he descent in the latter part of 2006.
It is only a theory, but I also think that she will do far better when her body strength catches up naturally with her unusual height.
All very true.
What's more, I don't think there has ever been a teenage female anywhere on this earth who could sustain any success with that amount of pressure. Her omnipresent parents just add to the suffocating pressure.
I've had a lot of fun trading barbs with the Wie-wee's over the last few years, but something as fragile as the emotional well being of a teenager is nothing to joke about
It may or not be possible, but it probably wouldn't hurt if Bubbles were to be absent from the golf scene for the next eighteen months to two years, and then return on a limited basis.
But she should not even then be thrown into the meat grinder of men's events and elite fields to which she has not qualified. That is what started he descent in the latter part of 2006.
It is only a theory, but I also think that she will do far better when her body strength catches up naturally with her unusual height.
2007-11-09 @ 14:22
Comment from: NC Golf [Visitor]
I really feel that the whole wie situation is getting outta hand...
2007-11-12 @ 11:31
Comment from: Boola Boss [Visitor]
None of you guys know anything at all about Michelle. You will see a different golfer in 2008. She will not only make ALL the cuts, but will WIN a few times also. Remember you read it here first!
2007-11-20 @ 15:27
Boola Boss,
Actually, we will not have read it here first.
Stanley and Norman, as well as a few other misguided characters, predicted those fantasies several weeks ago.
All which cuts? Which events will she be competing in? Remember, she is not exempt by virtue of her play in any 2008 LPGA tournaments.
Actually, we will not have read it here first.
Stanley and Norman, as well as a few other misguided characters, predicted those fantasies several weeks ago.
All which cuts? Which events will she be competing in? Remember, she is not exempt by virtue of her play in any 2008 LPGA tournaments.
2007-11-20 @ 18:56
Comment from: King Of Siam [Visitor]
I've seen people predicting wins for years now. I'm afraid I'm getting too old and wise to fall for that one again. Face it she is overrated.
2007-11-24 @ 05:20
Comment from: DudeHoward [Visitor]
Michelle needs to do some serious rehab on her wrist to get it back in working order. She should also hit the mini tours and get back into things mentally. I think she will make a comeback. She just needs her confidence back. As for leadbetter dumping her. Why would he? He is getting a paycheck.
2008-03-25 @ 09:41
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