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Thomas Warren Purtzer (born December 5, 1951)
In 1973 at the age of 22, Tom Purtzer turned pro.
Purtzer won five tournaments on the PGA Tour in three different decades, and won four times on the Champions Tour. His best finishes in major championships were 4th at the 1977 U.S.Open and T4 at the 1982 Open championship.
The Purtzer swing was seen as one of the most impressive to be seen, which was confirmed by his peers in 1992 when they voted his swing as the best on the Tour.
Side view with mid-iron
It is probably the simplicity of the Purtzer movement that left watchers with a feeling of beauty. With a tall set-up and good upper-arm body contact he seemed to just lift his arms up and down; with no blemishes or unnecessary added bits.
Frontal with mid-iron
Yet the famed for its beauty swing was less than perfect in results for a significant period in Purtzer`s career. Even long term respected coach Peter Kostis was unable to find answers while his pupil suffered from an ever reaccuring block to the right. The answer was found by the pupil himself as Purtzer came across some old film of his swing when he first appeared on the Tour.
He was able to notice how he made a better turn with the hips on the forward swing, which was in total contrast to the slide he was now making. The correction was installed and he was able to enjoy some of the best form he had ever experienced for the following two years.
Driver swing from the front
As far as the driver is concerned it is interesting that Tom Purtzer was one of the longest on the tour, proving how superior striking can create as much distance as applied speed. That is not saying that Tom Purtzer was slow of course.
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Frank (Fuzzy) Zoeller-born November 11, 1951 and joined the PGA Tour in 1973:
In 1979, Fuzzy Zoeller became the first golfer since 1935 to win The Masters in his first appearance in the event. Zoeller had a successful playing career, going on to win the PGA in `84 and finishing close in both the British Open and USPGA. Zoeller won a total of 10 Tour events.
A very long hitter of the ball in the eighties Zoeller had two important characteristics in his swing that are worthy of extra note.
To those who watched the Zoeller swing up close, many will remember his unusual trait of placing the clubhead-hosel directly behind or even beyond the ball.
For most golfers this would cause an inevitable shank, or, a serious straightening of the spine to avoid the said effect. In The Zoeller swing it was a source of power as his forward swing tracked back to the inside path and squared up perfectly in contact.
Which leads us on to the other outstanding characteristic of his powerful swing.
The left-wrist of Fuzzy Zoeller is bowed outwards in a position normally only associated with the absolute highest quality strikers. I remember Bernard Cooke being highly impressed with this aspect.
I have found several films of Fuzzy Zoeller and many photographs in the collection of my old teacher, which confirms the admiration Bernard had for the Fuzzy Zoeller swing.
In 1985 Frank Zoeller received the Bob Jones award
in recognition of his distinguished sportsmanship in golf.
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Tom Lehman-A bit of Lee Trevino?
Born March 7, 1959 in Minnesota.
Turned professional in 1982
Tom Lehman has won 5 PGA tournaments, including one major ( British Open in 1996). Lehman`s consistency facilitated his rise to number one in the world rankings for a week in 1992, and was also the reason he was chosen to play in the Ryder cup team on three occasions.
Being chosen as Ryder Cup Captain in 2006 confirmed how respected he was by his peers, although his players lost heavily to a very strong European team.
The Lehman backswing summit bears a resemblance with one of the top players of the 1970s to 90s, Lee Trevino. The "clawed" left-wrist and flatter swing plane ensured Lehman was, like Trevino, also an impressive striker of the ball.
Also, just like Trevino, Lehman increased his waist angle in the forward response and held the release off until the last split-moment.
Any similarities are lost at contact and beyond as Lehman`s swing path follows a more "to the target" direction and the clubface is allowed to close in accordance with clubhead momentum.
The feet remain well planted on the floor while the torso revolves around the spinal axis upholds a Trevino connection.
Not unalike
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Jay Dean Haas -born December 2, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Haas turned professional in 1976 and had a solid career on the PGA Tour, winning nine times between 1978 and 1993. He was chosen to play in the Ryder team three times.
A great example of longevity he was still featured in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking after his 50th birthday. In 2005, he won twice on the Champions Tour, while also continuing to play regularly on the PGA Tour.
A complete session on the range from wedge to driver. 1997
The swing of Jay Haas is one of the greatest examples of rhythm I have ever seen. Only the video camera can capture the essence of his action. If you are looking for a recipe for rhythm one version would be;
smooth back, pause, through.
The Jay Haas swing was a beautiful example of this.
Perfect balance and timing
Jay Haas was voted the 2006 Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. In February 2005, he received the Payne Stewart Award, and in April 2005, he received the Murrey Award for his cooperation with the media.
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Cory Pavin-born November 16,1959 Turned Professional in 1982-15 tour wins and one major (the 1995 U.S. Open).
Corey Pavin spent over 150 weeks in the top 10 of the Official world ranking between 1986 and 1997 and achieved his highest world ranking of No. 2 in June 1996.
Pavin demonstrates favourite drill and his long swing.
Small in stature Pavin had to work hard to keep up with his much taller athletic fellow competitors . The film shows him practicing one of his drills designed to create more length.
Pavin`s contact is exemplary. His left-arm and wrist unyieldingly drive through and beyond the ball.
The Pavin finish is unmistakable with body fully turned and right shoulder well around and pointing at the target.
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One of my favourite tournament golfers ever; to echo your points, wanted to earn enough to spend the the maximum amount of time with his family-made a strategy as a one-dimensional golfer and stuck with it. I guess being so talented helped ... 🙂