This 'HACKER' Swing Won 65 Tournaments! What Can We Learn?

In this video, Steve analyzes the swing of Hale Irwin - who despite not having a 'model' golf swing won prodigiously on both the PGA and Senior Tours.
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[@ewohl0895]

I was lucky enough to see him in person at the Riviera in LA for the US Senior open in the 90's. His results were too good to not compete so I think he'd still be winning today.

[@g.workingman4598]

Yes I think he could compete, he'd hit it farther with the new drivers and clubs, tournaments like the US Open reward accuracy, the rough is usually so deep.

[@timothytuttle7907]

I played with him in a Pro Am at the 2004 Bruno’s Memorial Classic in Birmingham. Yes, he was only about 250-260 off the tee, but it was right down the middle EVERY time… and his 7 iron approach was more accurate than most other players’ PW. What he lacked in distance he made up for in bank account 😂

[@frankcrowe4375]

Nice to see you back Steve. I have always respected Hale Irwin as a doughty competitor. There is still room for accuracy on tight difficult courses. His swing had longevity about. Tiger Woods had a young man's swing that caused him trouble later on before the crash. A safe fade worked for many years for Colin Montgomery too.

[@Inmotion70]

Great comment.

[@dttruman]

Even worked for Ben Hogan

[@avionism]

Bruce Lietzke also

[@randomzero3]

Tough to say, but probably. Jordan Spieth was winning regularly early on with a sizable disadvantage off the tee compared to the long hitters. I still miss seeing the version of Spieth before the swing changes. Great shortgame and putting can beat a longer hitter that's average in those categories.

[@davidwalters313]

Good video Steve. Modern equipment would help him now. The ethos on today’s tour is to bomb it as far as you can but I am not convinced this is always the best strategy. Tiger Woods won a British Open using (virtually) just a 2 iron. More recently Justin Rose played the last hole of his recent tour win with irons. A reasonable distance with grinding accuracy must surely take some beating. Particularly as he had that special ability to perform under extreme pressure

[@Inmotion70]

Great comment thank you.

[@jeffreywj7773]

Hi Steve. Great video. Thanks. I am looking at some of the comments. A lot of Yes and some No votes. I am going to say No. One comment was that with today's equipment, his average driving distance would be longer, but I still don't think that would make him long enough on today's PGA length courses, even if he was in his prime. To be competitive he would have to have a phenomenal long iron or fairway club game. I don't think anyone can be consistent relying on those clubs to get to the green. Would a swing like his work for the average golfer. Hell Yes. Fairway accuracy is an absolute must for us Weekend Warriors so if you want to copy a swing, his would be a great example. Thanks again.

[@weldo1948]

Steve, loved this video! Never saw him play in person but did see many of his contemporaries. Would like to see you compare the swing of Miller Barber who also was a success on the senior tour. The last time I played with him, he was hitting a six iron from where I hit a three. Matthew Wolfe’s swing seems similar. Thanks

[@dttruman]

You talk about Hale Irwin and Miller Barber. Did you see that interview with Hale Where he talks about Miller. Hale will never keep a straight face when he tells the story. If you go to the 39:26 mark of the video below, You will hear Hale telling the story of Miller and a fake Rattler and also Miller's new car. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKjHZYqtrrWEh7s

[@weldo1948]

@@dttruman Thank you so much for sending this link! Warmed my heart and brought back many memories.

[@61JZ]

The equipment is significantly superior than when Irwin was playing, so of course his numbers would improve significantly.

[@richardlowe8062]

He won 3 us opens. Us opens used to demand accuracy which he had. He could definitely win today on the right courses. Especially since the pga has been watered down with players going to the LIV tour.

[@leerogers9192]

I don’t believe that swing and distance could make it today. Too many college athletes learned how to go for distance, then practiced short game. Except Bernard Erhlanger, continues to amaze on the senior tour.

[@part1801]

Hale Would most certainly win in today's game if he were just starting out. The courses are longer but the equipment is better and the ball goes further. Irwin was also a great putter.

[@migbgold3191]

seems he would be okay on a handful of courses in today's PGA -- Hilton Head; Riviera; TPC San Antonio -- those tighter driving courses. But fewer of those courses out there to yield much success in the 7500+ courses

[@dttruman]

He won 3 times also at the Hilton Head.

[@mitchy7051]

in theory anyone that has the ability to be a main stay on the PGA can compete any week and against any player - Furyk proved this when he beat 80% of the field 80% of the time. Consistency on the tour is a falacy, no one in the modern era is consistent with the exception of Tiger - NO ONE. 142 made cuts in a row - my gosh Irwin had 86 - guys now can barely get into the teens. Irwin would make a killing in the modern game - he would qualify in all the elevated events, WGCs and since the prize pools are so large - he could cherry pick courses that he could compete on. btw steve - the main reason for Hale's "steep swing" was to offset his huge lateral move that he developed when he was younger trying to copy Jack. He absolutely needed the steepness other wise he would have 50 yard push cuts and be a 20 hdcp. i think he mentioned this in a interview somewhere.

[@Inmotion70]

Thank you for the wonderful contribution.

[@dttruman]

Hale was never accused of taking HGH, Tiger's proficiency has always come into question.The most obvious thing you could say about Hale was that he always played within himself.

[@emiliojesena1800]

If the question was can Hale Irwin win today with the modern equipment and courses, the answer is no. There are more par fours over 470 yards now than in his day and he would be using hybrids to approach those holes. But on the other hand would he be playing on the PGA Tour today, the answer is yes. An example of a player today that fits those abilities is Brian Stuard. A guy that makes just enough cuts and occasionally some top 10’s to barely keep his PGA Tour card. Hale in my opinion would bounce around the Korn Ferry and PGA tours.

[@dttruman]

If Irwin was hitting the ball regularly 250 yds back in the mid 70's, would he be hitting it over 300 yds with today's equipment and today's balls?

[@mikesmith8100]

I remember hearing that he was the greatest fairway wood striker on tour. So he went with his strength. In the fairway. Fairway wood to the green. Seems really smart.

[@Inmotion70]

Do you think he would fall behind too much on par 5's today?

[@daveparsons7756]

Exceptional athlete…..made his home made swing work for him….great hands

[@alanduncan9204]

Is it the swing or his hand control at contact? The old wooden Drivers could be used to control draws and fades much easier than the "forgiving" Drivers of today. You could also play Punch shots that are about accuracy with really low tees. Doug Sanders, Lee Trevino, George Knudson were controlling impact and all winning - Just to name a few from before "modern Drivers". If the Modern Driver/clubs is so forgiving why is the Global Handicap still around 16 ? and has been since the 60's.

[@TMar1961]

Because those that are lower handicaps, 13 and below, are significantly better 120 yards and in. I play with a 75 yr old golfer whose driver doesnt touch 200 yds, inside 120 he will put it within 10 feet on a regular basis and his handicap is 10.

[@Inmotion70]

Otherwise he would be a 20. Insightful comment ty.

[@v1ck1985]

nice vid but Irwin didn't swing like that in the 70s

[@sirtogii5216]

I had not seen his swing before so thanks for the share. Unless you are extremely talented and with hand eye coordination from god, that swing will not work well for many amateurs, which is why you have a job sorting us out :-) And no, Hale would not build a successful career today, giving up 40-50 yards off the tee. There are simply too many guys that hit it far and accurate. With the balls they played during his time on the PGA tour hitting it long and straight was more difficult than it is today. As for what we can learn, yes, to swing your swing and play the course with what you have that day is not a bad idea but learning the most efficient repeatable way that doesn't require super timing is also very important for us hackers who don't spend every day practising.

[@bugmanmech]

Narrow the fairways grow the rough and todays bombers will be done. Courses made now for long ball no doubt. Hit it long in the rough now there's isn't a penalty. Still can reach the green.

[@Inmotion70]

I tend to agree. A few well place fairway bunkers and hazards too.

[@shawnsmith1439]

Sure he’d compete. Bryson doesn’t win every time, does he?

[@billryan8707]

No chance today. That’s sad as well but factual true