Johnny Miller sees the ball

[zaphod]

In the most recent Golf Magazine/Digest johnny Miller comments he played his best golf when he saw the ball come off the club face. Jack Nickolas was skeptical.

I tried this today with 7 iron and 14* hybrid. I do not actually see the ball but I do see the white streak of the ball and the club. Never really paid attention to this before. But I can see how this could help focus. I did not
try it on chipping and putting.

 

[Rockford35]

Johnny Miller is a douche.

That is all.

R35

 

[Slingblade61]

Just because you don't like him is no reason to disregard what he says....he had game back in the day, I doubt I'd be so dismissive.

 

[Rockford35]

Miller does make sense. However, the other 99% of the time, he's an ass.

I tend to err on the side of caution with him. For the wisdom that he seems to have gained from playing the game at a high level, he sure puts himself on a pedastal when he relays to to the masses. If he was more genuine and not such a "douche" as I like to put it, I think his words would carry to more of a broader audience. As of right now, he's an arrogant prick IMO.

He's no Nicklaus (who's arrogant in his own right, but carries himself much better that JM), or Palmer, or any of the old legends that have graced the greens of the PGA in the past.

R35

 

[zaphod]

I am hoping a Shottalker residing or traveling to warm weather would try this out would give an analysis. Miller is not my fav however he has experienced more golf than I. So personality aside I will listen.

While I was in my garage hitting into the net the idea seemed to make sense. However hitting into a net does not give great feedback.

How about a report to us in the frozen tundra. The Green Bay Packers are officially DOA so the void will be filled with dreams of warm weather and spectacularly heroic golf. Dreams and fantasies:beach3:

 

[Wi-Golfer]

No way in hell can I see the ball coming off the club face. I can't even see it when others swing.

 

[Fourputt]

Miller does make sense. However, the other 99% of the time, he's an ass.

I tend to err on the side of caution with him. For the wisdom that he seems to have gained from playing the game at a high level, he sure puts himself on a pedastal when he relays to to the masses. If he was more genuine and not such a "douche" as I like to put it, I think his words would carry to more of a broader audience. As of right now, he's an arrogant prick IMO.

He's no Nicklaus (who's arrogant in his own right, but carries himself much better that JM), or Palmer, or any of the old legends that have graced the greens of the PGA in the past.

R35

Way I see it Miller just does the job he was hired for. He doesn't mince words, he just calls it as he thinks it. Sometimes that's a bit blunt, but I prefer that to pussyfooting around in fear of hurting someone's feelings.

IMO his qualifications are impeccable, with 25 wins, 2 majors, 105 top tens, and 2 Ryder Cup appearances. He is acknowledged as one of the purest ball strikers ever, and if his putter had been as solid, His career might have been longer, and his record would probably have been even more impressive.

 

[LyleG]

I think Miller is the best commentator in the game. In a world of sugar coating and political correctness he is a breath of fresh air, and back in his day was as good as anyone ever was tee to green. It was a wonky putter that cost him dearly.

 

[eli_yates]

ive been doing this for the last year. i read it in the magazine also. and id like to see those old tommy armour irons he had.

anyway, i do take a mental snapshot of what the clubface is doing at impact.

maybe its just a feel thing. like i dont actually see it but i have pretty good feel and so i can picture it in my head what the clubface is doing at impact... but if thats the case its working well.

i just need to work on that 75% thing lol ill be damned if im only going to hit my 4 iron 175 yards.

 

[slickpitt]

Johnny Miller is a douche.

That is all.

R35

This is true. I have no other contribution to this thread! rop:

 

[mont86]

I like miller there isn't a filter on his mouth. He probably did see the ball leave the face or so he thought. Kirby Puckett
claimed he could see the stitches on a baseball when he was batting well.

 

[eclark53520]

This brings back something for me....

Last winter down at Vitense(heated driving range), i had a really long day at the office so after warming up with a few wedges i just started pounding the driver out there...got in a groove and i really started laying them out there...Guy sat down behind me as the range was full...and out of the blue after i hit about 5 balls he goes..."you ever notice that you never see the club hit the ball?"

I just stood there thinking...damn...hes right. I have never witnessed the ball come off the clubface...i always looked up before impact. So i made myelf keep my eye on the ball untill impact and it was a completely new feeling...i could watch the ball and the club come together and then the ball was gone. It felt pretty good...but at that point i only had bout 5 balls left but they all went very well.

After that i didnt hit the range untill spring and by the time i got on teh course in spring i had forgotten all about it. And now that its winter again i can forget it again before spring...fantastic.

Anyway...that was my pointless story of the day...at least it was on topic!

 

[bryank]

I like Miller so much I hear him giving me crap when I play! Yeah, he's arrogant, but I dare say any of us can't predict exactly how we'd be if we had accomplished what he did.

 

[niblick]

Ben Hogan said he lost sight of the ball "somewhere on the downswing". :shrug:

Johnny Miller is there to offer insight, not judgement. He'd do well to remember that distinction.

 

[zaphod]

This brings back something for me....

Last winter down at Vitense(heated driving range), i had a really long day at the office so after warming up with a few wedges i just started pounding the driver out there...got in a groove and i really started laying them out there...Guy sat down behind me as the range was full...and out of the blue after i hit about 5 balls he goes..."you ever notice that you never see the club hit the ball?"

I just stood there thinking...damn...hes right. I have never witnessed the ball come off the clubface...i always looked up before impact. So i made myelf keep my eye on the ball untill impact and it was a completely new feeling...i could watch the ball and the club come together and then the ball was gone. It felt pretty good...but at that point i only had bout 5 balls left but they all went very well.



After that i didnt hit the range untill spring and by the time i got on teh course in spring i had forgotten all about it. And now that its winter again i can forget it again before spring...fantastic.

Anyway...that was my pointless story of the day...at least it was on topic!

thank you eclark----I guess I'm going to go to Vitense and see the results.

When hitting into garage net I have no idea of the results but I sure like the feel and sight of the Ball (blurred as it is) coming off the club. maybe its just getting my head in the right position, weight shift or something but if it proves to work I'm likin' it.