Review of Hank Haney's "The Big Miss"

[Rick Shefchik]

Any man who claims he fixed Charles Barkley's swing has no sense of shame.

[Howard Riefs]

An implied player-coach confidentiality code?  Such a thing exists according to teaching pro Rick Smith:

"I would rather be broke and not have a penny to my name before I violate the code of player-teacher confidentiality," Smith said. "In 27 years out here, I've never done that. I'm personally upset with Hank because he's broken and violated our code of ethics. If you have the opportunity and you're privileged to conversations, you will not and should not share anything from them with anyone. I don't care who it is."

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2012/3/22/is-there-an-implied-player-coach-confidentiality-code.html

[Mike Hendren]

Rick Smith (from Golf.com):

"I would rather be broke and not have a penny to my name before I violate the code of player-teacher confidentiality. In 27 years out here, I've never done that. I'm personally upset with Hank because he's broken and violated our code of ethics. If you have the opportunity and you're privileged to conversations, you will not and should not share anything from them with anyone. I don't care who it is.

"For all the guys who have committed their lives to teaching, this should be very upsetting and I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. What Hank did is against the rules."

Really?  You teach people how to hit a ball with a stick.  Defending some ethical code that doesn't exist is a vain attempt to ratchet up your self importance.  Like me, you just work for a living, Rick.

[Tim Martin]

Rick Smith (from Golf.com):

"I would rather be broke and not have a penny to my name before I violate the code of player-teacher confidentiality. In 27 years out here, I've never done that. I'm personally upset with Hank because he's broken and violated our code of ethics. If you have the opportunity and you're privileged to conversations, you will not and should not share anything from them with anyone. I don't care who it is.

"For all the guys who have committed their lives to teaching, this should be very upsetting and I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. What Hank did is against the rules."

Really?  You teach people how to hit a ball with a stick.  Defending some ethical code that doesn't exist is a vain attempt to ratchet up your self importance.  Like me, you just work for a living, Rick.

And he doesn't have a "Photo Friday" either!

[Kalen Braley]

Rick Smith seems to be a bit of a FIGJAM.

His BIO reads like he's the best thing since sliced bread, including his <wink, wink> "Signature design" which was actually Warren Henderson's work.  A few excerpts from his website:  http://www.ricksmith.com/pages/bio.html

Rick Smith has won dozens of awards and accolades for his skill as a golf course designer. The list includes his “Signature” course at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan, “Arcadia Bluffs” on Lake Michigan and “Wuskowhan Player’s Club in Mount Olive, Michigan, just to name a few.

A list of players he's worked with:

As Smith honed his skills he has assisted some of the most accomplished golfers in the world including Phil Mickelson, (currently the 4th ranked golfer in the world) Lee Janzen (two time U.S. Open champion) and PGA Tour winners Rocco Mediate, Jerry Kelly, and Matt Kuchar. He has also worked with PGA Tour pros Jack Nicklaus-golfer of the century, Gary Nicklaus, Billy Andrade, Greg Norman, Bill Glasson, David Duval, Vijay Singh, Ray Floyd, Paul Azinger and many others.

Perhaps Rick is the one with sour grapes as Tiger never picked to work with him.  

[George Pazin]

Or maybe he really believes it's a betrayal of confidence, as many do.

It's a sad world when every celeb/wealthy person/whatever needs to get a non-disclosure agreement from everyone they meet. No wonder so many are pricks, with so many guiding them along the way.

[Tim Pitner]

The curious side of me notes:

Didn't Tiger cut loose Butch Harmon because Butch had a big mouth and talked outside Tiger's inner circle?  I recall that being reported.  Ironic.  I can't imagine there was ever a better golfer than Tiger circa 2000.  He should have never left Harmon. 

Didn't Mark O'Meara turn on Tiger to Hank Haney?  I wonder what Mark-O thinks of Haney's book.

The more rational side of me is ashamed to be posting on this gossipy thread. 

[Craig Van Egmond]

George,

      I personally think that if Tiger hadn't already been a prick and treated people so poorly, then this book wouldn't have been written.  Its kinda the ole chicken/egg thing.

[George Pazin]

George,

      I personally think that if Tiger hadn't already been a prick and treated people so poorly, then this book wouldn't have been written.  Its kinda the ole chicken/egg thing.

You may be right on that. My only contrary thought is that sometimes you have to be incredibly selfish to drive yourself in such a manner, and then when you feel people are using you, you develop a protective skin that can be misinterpreted. I don't think many really know the real Tiger; maybe even he doesn't.

Look at it this way: how much a prick do you think people would think you are if you had everyone around you sign NDAs?

[Jud_T]

As Shel put more eloquently, this ain't about how much of a prick Tiger was or wasn't to Hank.  It's about Hank's decision to sell out a former student and get paid to air dirty laundry.  It's not like he's sweating his next mortgage payment, so what could he possibly have to gain from this?  I'd think the potential hit to Hank's reputation, and let's face it rep is everything for a teaching pro, would more than offset whatever he's getting paid for this.  And by the way, as long as we're wallowing in the mud, Hank has a trophy wife as well, is this his first?:

[Bob_Huntley]

Brian,

You wrote:

As distasteful as I find the idea of Haney completely betraying Woods' confidence, give the man credit where it's due. He's done well."

Reminds me of the missionaries to Hawaii in the 19th century, they came to do good, stayed and did well.

Bob

[Craig Van Egmond]

"As Shel put more eloquently, this ain't about how much of a prick Tiger was or wasn't to Hank.  It's about Hank's decision to sell out a former student and get paid to air dirty laundry."

And I'm saying that if Tiger treated people with respect, then Hank maybe doesn't go that route.  I know its tough being #1 and being the richest athlete ever, I'm sure its lonely at the top.

The sad thing about this whole conversation is, the people who have actually read the book, say that Hank is way more complimentary about Tiger then these few snippets that have leaked from the publisher.

[Tim Martin]

"As Shel put more eloquently, this ain't about how much of a prick Tiger was or wasn't to Hank.  It's about Hank's decision to sell out a former student and get paid to air dirty laundry."

And I'm saying that if Tiger treated people with respect, then Hank maybe doesn't go that route.  I know its tough being #1 and being the richest athlete ever, I'm sure its lonely at the top.

The sad thing about this whole conversation is, the people who have actually read the book, say that Hank is way more complimentary about Tiger then these few snippets that have leaked from the publisher.

Hank should have kept it on the DL. I think he partly wrote it for $ but mostly to make him self feel better about being a schlep/cabana boy.

[George Pazin]

This is sort of like watching people pick sides between Reggie Miller and Spike Lee......

 

I favor Reggie.

[George Pazin]

Don't look now, but Ty just took the lead at Bay Hill. Should be an interesting weekend.

[jeffwarne]

Don't look now, but Ty just took the lead at Bay Hill. Should be an interesting weekend.

He just gave out popsicles for his threesome.
sent some guy  to go get three more for the caddies.

[Tim Martin]

Don't look now, but Ty just took the lead at Bay Hill. Should be an interesting weekend.

He just gave out popsicles for his threesome.
sent some guy  ;)to go three more for the caddies

Sean Foley is on his way right now to Chick-fil-A for the bosses dinner. "Hey Seano grab some extra ranch and tell em well done on the fries. Here`s $10 so get something for yourself too. Thanks big guy".

[Brad Klein]

As usual, the wily lawyer, Shel, makes perfect sense. Though I must say I was not aware that the esteemed profession of golf swing coach had professional ethics. For Rick Smith to invoke them the way he does is a bit high-handed and pretentious. Unless I'm missing it, there's no such code of ethics embedded in some professional association (ASGSG) other than informal practice.

But then again, just in case, I do make my caddies agree on the first tee that everything to follow over the next few hours is off the record and on a confidential basis.

As for the book, I still think it makes for fascinating reading, reveals lot of detail that we would not otherwise have, and I'm glad Haney decided to write it, despite what will surely be the consequences for his teaching career vis a vis golf pros. Apparently he has decided enough is enough.

[John_Conley]

I do make my caddies agree on the first tee that everything to follow over the next few hours is off the record and on a confidential basis.

But not your playing partners?  I feel so small.  If it means I'll get your best stuff, I'll sign one gladly.

[Brent Hutto]

You know, it's hard to imagine why a book of this type would need reviewing in the first place. Surely anyone buying it can trust that...

A) It dishes a lot of dirt about Tiger and

B) It makes everyone involved, including the author, come off smelling like a bum's nut sack

A book like this pretty much reviews itself, I'd say.

[Bob_Huntley]

Brent,

Some of my favorite reading over the years have been biographies, even some autos, a lot ghost written. It is quite amazing and amusing to say that the naughty bits were generally the most interesting.

Bob

[JNC Lyon]

If everyone thinks the topic of Hank Haney's book is in poor taste, why do we have a seven-page thread devoted to said topic? 

[Craig Van Egmond]

Without the 'naughty bits' this book doesn't get published. Americans love the naughty bits.  

[Jud_T]

Brad,

Hank may have had enough of kowtowing to tour players, but the real issue is how does writing the book and not working with pros affect the enrollment and fees he can charge at the Haney Academy and his ability to help aspiring college players gain scholarships.  A friend's son is going there next summer.  Better tell the kid not to get too personal with the old man in case he becomes somebody someday.  If Hank will write this book, imagine what he'll say over a few cocktails....

[Brent Hutto]

Brent,

Some of my favorite reading over the years have been biographies, even some autos, a lot ghost written. It is quite amazing and amusing to say that the naughty bits were generally the most interesting.

Bob

Exactly, everyone goes straight to the nasty stuff. And we all knew the moment this book was announced that there would be naughty bits aplenty.

We like dirt. And we like dissing the folks who give us the dirt. It's a win-win situation!