I posted back in February about Aldrich Potgieter after he had set the golf world afire in reaching a 660 yard par 5 hole in two.
I had said at the time that it shouldn’t be that incredible with his youth, size and strength and the equipment they use today.
I still don’t see, looking at him without a chart to measure his height, how he is listed at 5’11” and 87 kg (191 lbs), but whatever.
What is more to be considered is how long he will last out there, because the more I watch his swing mechanics, the scarier they are.
Not much to explain here, as we see it all day long.
A lot of shoulder turn with very little hip turn:
The change of direction swinging this fast and this hard is going to be murder on his lower back, as well as the post-impact torque:
So, a twenty-year old swinging this way is concerning, because he will definitely not make it to 30 swinging this way.
In fact, he’s probably already a ticking time bomb, unless he’s made of rubber. You’ll note however that even rubber will fatigue and crack when stressed repeatedly.
I wish I had something more positive to say, but aside from his obvious talent and athleticism, there isn’t.
As for another topic of discussion recently where I remarked on how pros shouldn’t be playing equipment made for amateurs who can’t swing properly, Golf Digest is doing a great sales job with its weekly “The Clubs That ABC Golfer Used To Win XYZ Event”:
Potgieter possesses prodigious length and for the week averaged 337.2 yards off the tee to top the field in that stat. His driver is Titleist’s GT2 at 9 degrees with a hefty Fujikura Ventus Black 8x shaft.
I imagine they’re doing a tidy business today. As if buying Aldrich’s driver will do anything for you other than lighten your bank account.
But notice how a top-level pro is using a driver whose “larger head provides more stability on mis-hits…”
Because the best players in the world should absolutely be playing equipment made for hackers.
WAX Golf 
Love how the commentary on the YouTube begins with how FAR the kid hits an iron…I wonder who claims to be his teacher? I hope the teacher has invested his money wisely -an indepentdent, high-end orthopedic surgery center has excellent promise and serves as a potent diversifier of income flows – The day will come when that diversification is necessary…Anthony Kim sure wishes he’d done so…
Anthony Kim – there’s a name from the Smash Gg blog days, Peter!
If he had, he wouldn’t have to slap it around on the LIV Tour, at the very least. 😉
Anthony Kim – The phenom who Tiger really liked..Was a fabulous player until his swing injuries sent him to the sidelines for 12 YEARS!! Not a durable swing motion….
He was the Chosen One if I recall, when TW was out for the rest of ‘08 and AK backstopped the American Ryder Cup squad after winning two events that year.
How time flies.
Anthony Kim actually did take out an insurance policy on his expectation of physical injuries ending his golf career of which he was able to handsomely collect. His injury list sounds more like he was playing football or competing in MMA (torn Achilles surgery, spinal fusion, hand surgery and shoulder surgery). The payouts are currently being litigated with his return to the LIV tour.
That post impact torque is partly what brought me to this blog 2 years ago.None of the greats used to do it,only the modern players.It’s always made me feel uncfomtable just watching people finish like that.
Yes be careful, it could be contagious. Ben Hogan avoided watching other golfers swing for that reason.
He probably had a weak stomach. Oh wait – that was Byron Nelson. But still, I’m sure Hogan would be sick to his stomach watching his swing being adulterated and defamed as it has been for going on 40 years.
I still think he went to his grave knowing exactly what people were doing and saying, and in typical Ben Hogan style, he would have chuckled ironically to himself, “My secrets are safe with this crew on the case…”
I take covid measures to prevent it.
“I imagine they’re doing a tidy business today. As if buying Aldrich’s driver will do anything for you other than lighten your bank account.
But notice how a top-level pro is using a driver whose “larger head provides more stability on mis-hits…”
pahaha if your credit score is becoming lower than your handicap,you’re not investing in the things that matter most in golf…golf manafactures must laugh at the easy money they make from the unknowing.
I long for the day when pros feel using forgiving equipment is beneath them.It should be.
Exactly that, silly- it should be beneath them but with the money at stake, I can’t blame them.
It’s up to the governing bodies to have safeguarded the game, at which they’ve sadly failed.
Yh, the rules they have on how you can grip a putter,and what grips/wraps you can put on your club,don’t really mean much when pros can use the most forgiving equipment possible,and bryson can make his clubs all the same length
Yes, sir.
Clearly, the corporate overlords, the font of all riches for Tour pros and the Tour front office mannequins, see their sales and profits enhanced by their financial support and prize money. They run the show. Since the game was invented, there has always been a push to hit the ball longer and further than anyone else. And Taylormade found the pot o gold with “Pittsbutgh Persimmon” way back when. And the race continues. Generally, golf fans love it and ordinary players love it. Golf equipment sales to the hoi polloi support that fact. Purists may decry the day when a 550 yd par 5 was a three shot GIR. But pros all play the same equipment leveling the competition for the corporate loot. The best skilled players continue to win and there are many best-skilled players. Expect more of the same until and when corporations see unattractive returns from their investments in professional golf. As for the unknowing, I would submit they know exactly what they buy. Its part of the dream, part of the enjoyment and excitement is to buy something shiny and new. Remember the Tour tagline, “these guys are GOOD!” It equally applies to equipment manufacturers, and the corporate sponsors/overlords…
I used to say that buying a series of golf swing lessons would serve better than dropping nearly a week’s wages on a golf club… but seeing the state of golf instruction today, you’re safer buying the club.
LOL! MUCH safer!
If that hoss is 5’11” and 191…then I’m 5’11” and buck 30 (instead of the 170 I actually am).
I’m 6’1” and 245 on a kind day… if he’s that height and weight, I’m a smooth 220 like when I was 39 😂😂