Although David Leadbetter and Butch Harmon don't have a forum whereby golfer's can ask them questions about their golf ability, they do demonstrate their golf swings on television in commercials and lessons. I think everyone would agree that they have good swings. Golfer's expect a level of competence in their instructor's ability to play the game. From time to time, the instructor may be required to demonstrate a shot for the student. That is why there is a minimum Player Ability Test required of all aspiring PGA professionals. How much confidence would any of us have in a golf instructor that slices every shot with an awkward, off-balanced swing?

When you profess to the world that you are THE putting expert, people like HumblePie, Johnny Lamarr, and others, naturally want to know how well you putt, not on a practice green, but under pressure during a round of golf. Only in Putt-Putt is Putting a sport by itself.

The line of questioning from HumblePie was designed to get at your actual putting ability while playing golf since you have stated "modesty ain't my thang". Up till now, you haven't said too much about playing golf. In an old post, someone asked you what your handicap was. You stated that golf instructors (non-amateur status) aren't allowed to have USGA Handicaps.

Recently, we learn you used to be a scratch golfer that hits 7-irons 190-200 yards routinely! Geoff, it isn't necessary to make up tall tales to buttress your putting credentials. It is obvious that you possess enormous putting knowledge. You also have a nice putting stroke (although very long and with slow tempo) and I don't doubt your ability to demonstrate distance control on the practice green. However, you should stick to putting. Please, routine Mickelsonian 190-200 yard 7-irons with your slight build and 50+ age is as unlikely as pigs flying. When you state things like that, your credibility suffers.

dean

I cant restrain myself from responding to the not very subtle attacks on Geoff..he has studied this subject in great depth and tolerates fools better than anyone I know.. .
His claim is honest and straight forward-he has studied putting in great depth.He has come to scientific logical conclusions based on his studies.He is willing to share these.
I know based on his in depth answers to your often unusual questions,that he is willing to share his knowledge on this website and seems to enjoy being questioned. Read his book if you would like to learn something..if not please study the following expression:

DONT BITE MY FINGER-LOOK WHERE I AM POINTING

Leadbetter and Harmon do not demonstrate their swings under "pressure situations" as neither are players (though Butch was at one time). Leadbetter's swing is adequate, but certainly not one I choose to emulate. Haney admits to having the driver "yips", yet the number 1 player in the world will tell you he has learned a bunch from him and I'm sure gives him some credit for his success. It is true that neither Butch or Lead have a forum in which they are willing to take and respond to questions. The idea that a P.A.T. qualifies anyone to give full swing lessons is absurd.

But this is the internet age, and there are pleny of "forum police" out there with no qualifications related to the topics they make challenges to. And it makes no difference if it's "off topic" or not....these guys will post! The thing to keep in mind is that in sites/forums such as Geoff's (where the owner is obviously an expert in what he does and has an incredibly deep understanding of all facets of putting) posts such as those wanting detail about Geoff's putts per GIR and how long he hits his 7-iron are usually discounted by those who read them. Kinda makes you wish that Lead or Butch DID have their own forums.... it might occupy more time of the "forum police" that choose to post here.

Enough already!

Geoff's knowledge about putting is second to no one,
You could take the next ten 'best' putting instructors out there and their combined knowledge or willingness to share their knowledge isn't close to being competitive with Geoff,
His ability to execute, demonstrate, explain, perform is unrivalled.

His tolerance of people like you may just top the list.

Damon Lucas, PGA

Harmon and Leadbetter have good swings, for amateurs. The difference is that they don't(publicly at least) claim to be able to hit shots better than their pga tour students. Note that this does not invalidate their ability to teach the golf swing or their knowledge about golf. The other thread was based around trying to see evidence for the very bold claim that Geoff is a better putter than most PGA tour players. This was not an attempt to reveal him as a fraud, it was wanting to see his theories in action, so as to validate their superiority over the anecdotal teaching that dominates putting instruction elsewhere. Evidence that this information works to such an extreme extent would only bring more people to his information and result in better putters everywhere.

Dear Dean,

What Part of "Last Post on This Thread" Don't You Understand?

Aside from your obviously ignoring the above, you are calling me a liar on my own forum. Okay, that's your problem. As final word to you: anytime you'd like to see me hit 50 or 60 balls 190 to 200 yards with my seven iron, you just drop by, and when I'm finished I'll personally have a private word with you about your low level of intelligence and prominent absence of civility.

So, thanks for your past posts. As you know, attacking people is not something I tolerate except a modest number of attacks on me personally. You have used up your quota and your welcome here. Please do not return.

Thank you, and I sincerely hope you are the only person I ever have to ask this. If you would like to contact me personally via email; (geoff@puttingzone.com) or phone (336-340-9079) to discuss future participation on my forum, please feel free to do so. Hope springs eternal.

Geoff Mangum