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It's safe to say David Leadbetter is one of the most famous golf instructors of our time. He helped Nick Faldo dominate the 1980s and helped Ernie Els rise to prominence in the '90s. This decade, his most famous student is likely Michelle Wie. Leadbetter, who opened an academy at Irvine's Strawberry Farms Golf Club last month, offers a few pointers. What do you enjoy most about instruction? You get to help people enjoy a great game. That's what it's all about, really. What attracted you to the game? I was born in England and I grew up in Africa, and some of my peers were people like Nick Price and Denis Watson, who played great on the Champions Tour this year, and Mark McNulty, from a little country, Zimbabwe, where I spent a lot of time. Who has the best swing you've seen? The best swing doesn't necessarily mean the best player. When you take all things into account, I'd have to say that probably from an aesthetic standpoint more than anything else, Ernie Els. Do you prefer links courses or more modern courses? I just love being out on golf courses. If I had a choice, I would probably say links. It's maybe a little bit more variety. You might have to manufacture a few more shots. What's the strangest thing you've ever seen in the game? I've seen a couple of streakers at the British Open. Peter Jacobsen tackled one (in 1985) at Royal St. George's. You see some funny swings, I'll tell you that. Some of these swings I look at and I can't believe they actually get to hit the ball. Including yourself, who would make up the ultimate foursome? Because I grew up in southern Africa, Gary Player was always one of my idols. Jack Nicklaus, just because of who he is and what's done. And Ben Hogan, because I idolized him from a teaching standpoint and how he looked at the swing. SG |
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