Hank Haney says goodbye to Tiger Woods

Golf coach Hank Haney has taken a bold step in resigning as coach to world number 1 Tiger Woods. Ever since 2004 Hank Haney has been Tiger’s swing man rebuilding and sculpting the golfing masterpiece which is Tiger Woods. During this time Tiger has experienced unprecedented success claiming 6 Major Championships as well as numerous PGA Tour titles and World Golf Championships. Often referring to Haney’s swing work as imperative to his success, Woods has had to develop with physical changes and injuries in his quest to become golf’s greatest ever player.

Following Tiger’s split from the coach who put him on his path to greatness, Butch Harmon, Haney set about creating a more upright and in my opinion a more athletic swing. The results haven’t been explosive since his return to the professional scene since his “sabbatical” earlier in the year. So, the question is, who will replace Haney as the coach of the world number 1? Here is a brief list of some coaches who could take up the challenge –

Butch Harmon (YGT odds 5/1)
Been there, done that and with the likes of Cink, Watney and Mickelson already in his stable he’s got to be in there with a shout. Plus he’s based in Las Vegas which isn’t exactly a bad place to go for a lesson!

David Leadbetter (YGT odds 3/1)
Widely regarded as one of the modern greats of the golf swing, Leadbetter has been responsible for fine tuning the likes of Faldo and Els. So if Tiger is looking to give it the Big Easy or become a Knight of the Realm we’re pretty sure Leadbetter can help with this!

Jim McLean (YGT odds 8/1)
Based out of Miami Florida, McLean has been quick to distance himself from the Woods job saying that he isn’t interested – “I’ve been contacted by several people very close to Tiger Woods in regards to becoming his personal swing coach. I’m not interested in the position and I’m not considering it for the future.” It’s a big claim from McLean but does appear to show that Woods brings more than just a swing fault to his lessons.

Rick Smith (YGT odds 8/1)
Having worked with Major Champions Janzen, Norman and Mickelson Smith brings with him a wealth of experience as well as being based at the rather snazzy Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. So if Tiger is looking to incorporate a golf holiday with his next lesson we’d go with Mr. Smith!
These are the YGT picks (mainly because I’ve had lessons off both these chaps and I’m easily of the same standard as Tiger ).

Nick Bradley (YGT odds 4/7)
Having guided Justin Rose to the mantle of European Number 1 in 2007, Bradley is based out of sunny Sunset Beach has written one of the most popular instruction books in recent years in the 7 Laws of the Golf Swing. He’s also seen some pretty terrible swings in his time having taught me for 6 years. His most recent success was with Kevin Chappell who had his first victory on the Nationwide Tour with the Fresh Express Classic.

Darren May (YGT odds 4/7)
As coach to Robert Allenby for just over a year (I think!), May has aided the continual success of the talented Australian who managed to finish 2nd in last week’s Players Championship at Sawgrass. As the Director of Instruction at the exclusive Nicklaus desgined Bears Club in Florida, May has swapped teaching me on a cold range in Surrey to teaching at one of the slightly warmer climes of the US and one of the PGA Tour’s best players!

Whoever Tiger decides on for his next coach it won’t exactly be an easy job. A combination of media hype and each swing move being scrutinised doesn’t sound like fun but I guess that’s why I’m not a golf coach!