What happened to Luke Donald? | Golf Stories

[@theeyesurgeon1]

this is such a good channel, love the time and effort you put into these edits. ESPN quality (before ESPN sucked)

[@John_Wood_]

He decided he needed more distance and in chasing that he lost his brilliant precision. End of story. Confidence goes, the putter gets cold and next thing it's difficult to compete. Golf has become a power game and that dosen't fit Luke. He's a bit like GMAC, but McDowell accepted that he cannot compete on certain courses and created a schedule that suited his game. No reason why Luke cannot get back to his old swing and win more. Euro tour is probably more suited to his game at this stage but his life is now in America. One of the classiest players on tour and a gentleman.

[@RealCoachLee]

I think that the game has been made too long though and it removes players from contention. Players such as Luke Donald, Mike Weir, Corey Pavin, and Justin Leonard. Could Gary Player or even Ben Hogan compete on today's courses that seem to be made so that only the longest hitters can compete? Distance should be an advantage, but not a requirement. Real golf is mostly gone.

[@k.dickie8972]

I became a fan of Luke during his rise to #1. He had a marvellous iron and short game, was accurate if not long off the tee and his consistency reminded me of Tom Kite. He's already had a career many (most) PGA pros would kill for and as you have pointed out has a wonderful family. I admire that he still burns for the game and would love to see him return to prominence. Thanks for your well researched video. I'll have to check out more.

[@steveoliver2317]

Great video! The only one I can think of who successfully changed their swing, apart from Sir Nick, is me actually! I did it and over night I lowered my score from 104 to 102! But I got a bit carried away with myself and started partying too much and the inevitable happened! Within 2 weeks I was back to shooting 104 again! All I can say is that I had my time in the sun and will always treasure those memories!

[@thewatchman6074]

Well, it just needs to be said. You obviously succumbed to the lure of Bryson De Chambeaux distance, at the expense of your previous unerring accuracy. You may find it difficult to get back in contention after such a radical move.

[@stevengriffin5349]

thats good Steve.....I was taught to caddie by my pro brothers in Pebble Beach. I had a couple players at your 'skill " level.....If they playing like crap and ask me to club them.......... "hand them a 9 iron......(even bad golfer can hit the 9.) You remind me of Bob Lund PGA winner in 60, wanted to play more like Jack......so lost a lot of weight. Sucked after that ! His hands shrunk .

[@stud105]

You'll get back to the glory days of shooting 102. I believe in you and I barely know you. Get to 101 and ill carry your clubs for a year. Gratis.

[@themonacoartguy3421]

He was and still is one of my favourite players to watch. Just a sublime swing, simple with no pretence. He's young enough for a comeback and I think most golf fans would like nothing better than to see him in the mix.

[@christopherfranklin972]

I think you absolutely nailed it as far as his swing and game are concerned,having such a lovely family must make it hard to take on the travelling and tournament grind especially in the US where the distances can be so great and having had such a successful career it must also be difficult to regain and retain that competitive edge and desire to win,'the hunger'. I thoroughly enjoyed your objective and sympathetic view of Luke who is someone to respect as a golfer and a genuinely decent person,thanks from the UK.

[@algernonwolfwhistle6351]

One of my favourite golfers to watch. It's a great pity that he fell from the top tier of world golf but I've heard him in the commentary box and there's definitely a future for him there, if he wants it. When he rose to world number 1 there was still room for the golfer who hit the ball averagely long but had a fantastic short-game. The game has moved on rapidly from there to a different form which favours brute strength and super-long hitting. The governing bodies have a lot to answer for, in my opinion.

[@thecarrotmonster8827]

My absolute favourite golfer. I love sportsman who have limitations but cat still do it the hard way. Didn't hit it far or particularly straight but his short game and ability to scramble was head and shoulders above everyone else. You definetly didn't want to be up against him in the Ryder cup either, almost unbeatable no matter who he was up against. Great player, I hope he can find something to get him back up there contending again, even if it's just confidence, because golf needs someone to show its still possible to win without hitting it 350 yards every time. We need Cool Hand Luke back

Still a favourite of mine. All the best Luke. One of the sweetest swings in golf - - - - - when he is on song.

[@garthly]

Exactly right. Still,as you say, Luke comes across as a great guy, with a fine temperament, which is its own reward.

[@carlosmolina292]

I was literally asking myself this just last week. He was one of my favorite players ever.

[@MojoZ20]

Even if he doesnt win again, he ll be long remembered for the visor and as mizuno golf ambassador ✌️

[@marvistadutch]

The MP-62s served him best.

[@chrishagan9366]

No else probably wanted him..

[@CJD666]

@@chrishagan9366 No real need for that comment is there!

[@chrishagan9366]

@@CJD666 🖕🤣🖕

[@Quin.Djarin]

Bro what a great video. Great job and analysis. Let’s hope he can still turn it around somehow. He’s a great player and will keep adding on to his career as the next the captain of the European Ryder cup team.

[@folaogun]

Really enjoying this & pls, keep it coming. Thanks for all of your efforts.

[@folaogun]

Well! I really don’t know how you come up with this concept. Regardless! Kudos to you. Thanks…

[@ddvette]

In his prime his approach shots seemed liked they would be half the distance to the cup compared to any other players shot, regardless of who he was playing with. Just spot on every time, beautiful to watch. Wish him well.

[@bseely772]

Great video series :). Enjoying them a lot! Being Canadian, I'd love to see you do one for Mike Weir. Just a suggestion :)

[@colinglen4505]

interesting analysis. It reminded me of what happened to Padraig Hariington. He won two majors in close succession, then changed his swing and tumbled down the rankings. Such a pity.

[@sheedy9]

No he didn't. He just continued his swing development.

[@coolhandluke7760]

Can you believe some idiot down the list said "His swing was not very good". Luke Donald was the best player in the world, with a swing to die for. He's always been my inspiration in what is the most challenging game in the world. I wish he could make a come back. Please go and look at some of his early videos where he hit almost evey club in the bag on the same hole and, incredible and one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet. Thank you for making this video as I have often wondered what happened to him.

[@TheRealDetectiveM]

To be fair he was bloody awful with the driver, but to say his swing was not very good is blasphemy. Very solid iron player along with world class short game. Golf is a game of confidence and doubt about the longevity of game ultimately was his demise.

[@johnnypenso9574]

The guy got to #1 in the world with 4 career PGA victories and no majors. He got there by being consistent, not spectacular. A string of top 10s and a win here or there can get you to #1 but he wasn't long enough to dominate. World class iron play and touch around the greens can make a shorter hitter competitive but if your ball striking or play around the greens slips then you are suddenly a middle packer. No mysteries here, he just isn't as good striking the all as he used to be. Could be injury related but few players can sustain good play for very long. Look at Jordan Speith, J Day, Adam Scott and a host of other guys. You can get up there but it's hard to remain on top.

[@jongalt6837]

Adam Scott is obvious, dude can't putt. Great player other than that, but putting absolutely kills him.

[@johnnypenso9574]

@@jongalt6837 But he's never been a good putter. The year he won the Masters he was ranked 108th in SG putting. Last year he was 31st. It was ball striking and his game off the tee that carried him back in the day.

[@essm4179]

@@jongalt6837 agreed Jonny & had it not been for the period before the Broomsticks were not banned, Adam Scott would have definitely NOT won the Masters 2013 either

[@notatarget3216]

What happened to Matteo Manassero? Great serie! Thx.

[@AlwaysEvolvingPythons]

Another great video 🙌🏼 ...

[@jimmyheng2334]

Luke if you're watching this, and if you happen to read this comment, just know that your attitude and demeanor on and off the golf course is setting a great example for folks, and you're a great inspiration to a lot of golfers.

[@ahol9120]

Just like Jordan Spieth he chased distance and lost his brilliant ball striking and short game! Great video! Keep up the great content!

[@danielterry382]

You can get better without wholesale changes, Jordan should take A College coaching job before he has a nervous breakdown, it is so hard to watch him play these days.

[@arjanpetersen]

Spieth is not chasing distance....

[@VeganWelshman]

Good video! Luke's my favourite player still

[@ianthomas739]

Luke's swing always reminded me of Woosies's swing - totally natural, effortless, fluid and almost metronomic. He made golf look ridiculously easy. What he lacked in distance he made up for with accuracy. Unfortunately, he decided he needed more distance to compete on the long US courses whern he should have realized that the only thing that matters is the scorecard.Trying to turbo charge a swing like Luke's just broke it all to pieces. He can win again if he clears his mind of all technical swing thoughts and just plays, and most importantly, enjoys his golf once again.

[@stevengriffin5349]

maybe, but few examples of champs turned bad from too much twick Bobby Clampett - went into "Golf Machine" Homer Kelly made him too mechanical (no pun intended) then have Ian Baker Finch maybe won a major ? Short circuited his changes to swing. David Duval injured himself lifting weights etc. Why Brandell Chamblee was so critical of Brooks Kepka for losing so much weight to look better for a magazine nude pic . called him "reckless" It didn't matter because he is just a powerful smasher, and his timing is not so integral. Bob Lund was a PGA winner in 60's -70's- he emulated Jack Nicholson who lost lot of weight. Lund never won again and lost his card- his hands shrunk and wreaked his swing.

[@justin5803]

He's pured so many mizzy iron shots, he's already a legend. Lol

[@markwatson5329]

Great video, keep up the good work. Maybe add some actual swing analysis, in this case showing Lukes old swing compared to his new swing?

[@fradaja]

Do you think heel lifting , is better for the swing long term ?

[@kc8923]

A long time before Tiger, Nick Faldo, working with David Ledbetter, took a long time to change his swing and went on to win 4 majors. From then on I think some top players have gone down this road, some with more success than others.

[@stuartandrews6425]

Being happy in family life doesn’t just count for something, it counts for everything.

[@TrojanMars1]

Great video. I think his other interests off the course- wine for one- May have also contributed to his fall. However, from recent stuff he’s shared, he seems to be on his climb back. Moreover, I absolutely believe he could’ve won a Major with his old swing. Who knows, maybe now that he’s with Jordan, he might even grown wings! All in all, Luke seems like a fantastic chap! I, for one, keep rooting for his return to top golf! And go Mizuno!

[@stevehallett4585]

You didn’t mention that he started playing and was junior champion for 2 years at Hazlemere Golf Club where he still has a hole and a suite named after him. Also Beaconsfield is pronounced “Beckonsfield”

[@jackcorrigan3273]

These are awesome videos thank you

[@essm4179]

What happened to Yani Tseng? Also, what happened to the LPGA Tour? Does anyone watch it anymore?

[@gozer825]

ESSM id rather watch klpga. Some hotties on tour.

[@arjanpetersen]

No one cares

[@xboxvolley360]

I was a big fan of Luke Donald. His swing was easily the best looking on Tour. So well balanced. It would be the one swing I would copy

[@vivanverma6703]

Solid videos keep it up g

[@johnfisher747]

Some players just don’t stay as hungry as a Tiger or a Jack. Having money takes the edge off too.

[@philipp2854]

Bit of an unneccesary statement when you think about the fact that he's mainly struggling with his fitness...

[@govansquared4759]

nice look at an interesting career, and hopefully one with a twist in the tale

[@sjweaver125]

I totally agree with you Peter about Like changing his swing, big mistake! He was freaking #1 in the world! He should have just refined what he was doing and he would've gotten a major, maybe. But overall Luke maximized his abilities to become one of the few men in the world to can claim being #1 in the world. He's had a nice career, but I think he's done until the Champions Tour is available to him. Once again excellent research and great video. Keep them coming!

[@swampThaang]

His swing looks really easy on the back... I’m surprised he injured it.

[@Brewster999]

Super stuff once again

[@TIZWAS]

That was great Thankyou 👍🇬🇧

[@ChrisM-rn8bh]

This guy is the reason I have Mizuno visor that I never wear, dangling from my bag.

[@part1801]

Gorgeous golf swing

[@Justwanthavefun_100]

Luke Donald is one of my favourite golf players 🏌️‍♂️

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

Donald, Westwood, Poulter, Casey - all English golfers who have been good enough to win majors - but will ANY of them actually live up to this?

[@anaks247]

Agreed. All getting up there in age so it’ll be tough. I think Casey out of all of them still has enough juice to pull it off.

[@garylee7169]

Well done

[@raulmorenoartalejo7475]

In my opinion, the best swing that I have never seen. I think that it was mistake to change it to do more distance. My prefer golfer forever.

[@AAGolf.]

These are entertaining

[@spy-c-boi5864]

Just looks like golf is friggin hard 😆

[@ben-vf]

Peter, I/We would love to hear your story. Lofty heights aside, I have a feeling you probably could have or at least thought about turning pro, I'm not 100% sure. I'm pretty sure you have a great story to tell anyways. 🙂

[@anaks247]

Thanks for the suggestion! My story is similar to many of those who had success in junior golf but couldn’t quite push it to the next level. I’d love to share more of it with y’all eventually if there’s enough interest 🙂

[@Tlhakxza]

I would be interested too in hearing your insights coz you do present great stories about players who’ve somehow faded to oblivion and you do it with great aplomb,no noise,no shitty loud music,one can hear you clearly and with full attention paid. So go on man,some day when your channel’s grown,please do share. Regards.✌🏿🇿🇦

[@RealHIFIHelp]

It's a very competitive field. Especially now that most golfers are hitting it past 300 yards. He has to hit 3w, where the many top players are hitting 8 irons.

[@injuredtabletennisplayer1474]

Good job. You gwapos are doing it.

[@stuartsterry1181]

One very fine golfer, have a lot of respect for Luke hes a very decent guy

[@aaronmccardie8795]

Like so many golfers they get to the top and for some reason they have this mind set they need to change, swing mechanics or distance why,they have got to the top level with what they have why change its been so many great golfers down fall in search of something in which they already have a great game.

[@npd6225]

Injuries > Confidence > Motivation.

[@ambirdie4163]

nice!!! thanks Anaks!!! did you make this video because of my comment? or was it in you plan all along???

[@anaks247]

I was planning to do one on him, but definitely got motivation to go ahead and do his story next based on your and others’ suggestion!

[@ambirdie4163]

@@anaks247 thanks so much for listening! and this is a great piece! he is one of my favorite player due to his game and his style of play. also a side note: i think he wanted to increase his distance and messed him up a lot (he was always a bit short and based his game on nick faldo = which is definitely another legend you should look into should you have the time). fyi: by wanting to increase his distance he didnt just change coaches, luke donald also fired his long time caddide and his brother as well.

[@anaks247]

@AmBirdie absolutely! Thanks for watching! Yeah he definitely tried to make a lot of changes in order to get that major whether it was trying to get longer, swing changes, and/or personal adjustments. Like I said in the video, I can't blame him for going for it, but it did lead to his decline in the world rankings. Hopefully, he can find that magic again because, like you said, he really does have a nice style of play.

[@ambirdie4163]

@@anaks247 will be looking forward to watching you "what happened to" video! keep up the good work~ awesome contents!

[@ambirdie4163]

@@anaks247 another idea/topic for "what happened to" is the company nike? what do you think about researching this company?

[@giuseppebongiovanni3513]

Penso che i miglioramenti possono arrivare dal putt. Luke ha tutto per essere leader. Ha capacità naturali e quando le esprime gioca al top e si diverte. I think the improvements can come from the putt. Luke has everything to be a leader. He has natural abilities and when he expresses them he plays at the top and has fun.

[@andymagoon9352]

What happened to Jordan Spieth ?

[@walterbuchanan2303]

He got married. Happened to many of us

[@commonsense2156]

He is a player that has a handsy swing particularly at impact, that wrist injury just killed him

[@fraggo13]

Luke wasn't risking as much as say Tiger Woods when he changed his swing. Imagine if Tiger never changed his swing from Butch Harmon, he may have had more majors.

[@essenegnostic8711]

Having three daughters would affect anyone's golf game.

[@fischputza]

Federer has 4......plays pretty solid...what's your point?

[@essenegnostic8711]

@@fischputza Federer plays golf ? What's yours ? :-D

[@fischputza]

@@essenegnostic8711 So having children only affects Golfers? Interesting logic

[@essenegnostic8711]

@@fischputza Obviously you don't play golf. :-D

[@fischputza]

@@essenegnostic8711 You're friggin' clueless....

[@npc3743]

You hit the nail on the head, he would have been better to trust his original swing.

[@m.lymann2185]

Sad to see Luke's unfulfilled aspirations. Great swing.

[@mofojohnson1]

The wrist injury was reoccurring and he's struggled with it

[@Ptxlive]

Spieth?

[@paulwhite6367]

Miles Reuben already time right?

[@saxoncelt9823]

Remember he is nearly 43. Loads of great golfers in their 20s & 30s but simply can’t replicate success in their 40s. When did Tiger win all of his majors?

[@jeffarmstrong3017]

Think about this? If the R&A and PGA reduce the distance of the ball it will help luke Donald and other short hitters

[@bogee4u]

Well...wouldn't Luke go from 265 down to 245??

[@ScratchArkkitehti]

As Tiger Woods Masters book stated, Long hitters have longer careers because as they age they become average length hitters.....short hitters become either coaches or commentators....hence plinkers like Trevor Immelman or Brandel Chamblee or Trevino or Faldo.

[@Robert-ts2ef]

From what I hear, he tried to build up his physique like the other pro’s were doing so as to maybe get more length to compete with the long hitters but the outcome was that he lost his short game. Additionally, the Chuck Cook excessive rotary swing over time, damaged his back and he has since returned to his more lateral swing action, but I fear it is too late, what with DJ, Dechambeau and others smacking it miles off the tee box.

[@jmoll6503]

Good video

[@matthewdwan300]

How good was the European players in the noughties

[@ashleysewell3862]

Do Francisco Molinari

[@martynbrown9341]

As straight as a die.

[@joelliotjake1]

...you gotta show this to Jordan👍🏼

[@billybaxter6333]

I agree the chase for distance probably damaged his body. I wonder if Bryson’s body can last. On another point if the authorities really want to nullify distance then put in some good old Scottish pot bunkers. Bryson can go to the gym everyday and it won’t help getting out of those. Better than long grass.

[@booboojones2590]

I always thought he seemed like a good guy and wish him only the best. In Hoc, brother.

[@Justmyopinion81]

I think Luke got the most out of his talent and hard work.

[@Somewheredownintexas]

You should call this guys who screwed their career by reaching the top and deciding to revamp their swing.. you could make an entire series on that topic.. tiger, jordan, kaymer..

[@EE-ie9gm]

Put jin young ko on the list

[@handsomecopter6257]

He’s 44 years old but he looks more like 60. No wonder he has hard time competing with the young players.

[@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549]

Luke needs to use The Force

[@leithjarrett4085]

Luke will win his majors but they will be on the senior tour.

[@kihosarang]

Just simple... it is just hard to be no.1 And getting old...

[@jeremydavidson9194]

So it's only a mistake if it doesn't work? It is the same thing the Faldo did. He was number one on the European tour. It didn't work out, but it wasn't a bad decision. I wouldn't call it a mistake.

[@uspatriot4261]

Luke shot his watt, time to retire, which he has millions to live an extremely comfortable life, I don't feel sorry for him one bit, nice to be a millionaire, not like a majority of us working stiffs that just get by !

[@johnmcgee8023]

Do you know what happened to Luke Donald? Luke Donald got FU 💰 $$$

[@barneygermany530]

Luuuuuuke👍

[@dirtyharry7616]

wine taste's better then golf

[@jeffreyval9665]

These guys make so much money these days and lose interest and fall off. That's why Tiger, Phil, and Rory are the best to ever play.

[@andym28]

Luuuuuuuke

[@dasautodetailing]

I think he got married had enough money and a couple of kids.

[@saileshramcharan3445]

Professional golfers have to be some of the most selfish and brittle people on earth.

[@stevengriffin5349]

f....it, just hang out until 50 and go Champions Tour.

[@fradaja]

And then he had 3 girls , poor guy

[@chrishagan9366]

Luke Donald? 🤔

[@mikejarmoluk3523]

Luuuuuuuuk

[@irbose9895]

Much like all other athletes, it was probably poon that destroyed his career.

[@Rykbell]

Thou-n