Opinion & Analysis

The Coach, The Student, The Relationship

Published

14 years ago

Nov 9, 2012

Matt Stansfield

By Matt Stansfield

GolfWRX Contributor

When Tom Lehman hoisted the 2012 Charles Schwab Cup Championship trophy becoming the first back-to-back winner of the season long points race. He did so with a heavy heart as his longtime swing coach, Jim Flick was losing his battle with pancreatic cancer; he held on long enough to see Lehman follow through on Flick’s last piece of advice, “Be Tom Lehman” before losing his battle on Monday.

It was a relationship that Flick and Lehman shared for 12 years and one Tom Lehman commented on during an interview on the Golf Channel, “He always said, Remember who you are. Remember how good you are. I believe in you so go believe in yourself.” It’s a testament to the relationship shared not only between coach and student but what appears to also be two great friends that made an impact in each other’s lives off the golf course as well.

Yes, coaches may come and go but when you find that coach that clicks like it did for both Tom Lehman and Jack Nicklaus, it’s a relationship that has the opportunity to stand the test of time; Without having a coach that believes in you and believes in your abilities, how can you the student share in that belief and listen to coaches teaching methodology.

In Flick’s case, he put the emphasis on learning to use the club first and then training the body to be supportive of what you want the club to do instead of focusing on how the body moves and hoping the club will show up at the right place and hit the right shot. It’s a teaching methodology that’s hard to argue with when coupled with a belief in the student and a belief in their abilities; It sure worked for Jack Nickalus and Tom Lehman.

Look at Tiger Woods and the three different methodologies he’s followed going from Butch Harmon to Hank Haney and now to Sean Foley. If you can develop a relationship with your coach that is based upon believing in yourself and your abilities, allow yourself to adapt to a teaching methodology because the coach isn’t seeing you as just another Lesson on the books; you’re being seen as someone who’s sought out their help and has made a commitment regardless of if that commitments been made to chase your dream and take your game to the next level or you’re just getting into golf.

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Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

5 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.

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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

Club Junkie

Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast

Published

7 days ago

Jun 4, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.

Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.

If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.

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Club Junkie

Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

Brian Knudson

On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.

I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.