Maginnes: Much to do about nothing  PGATOUR.com Contributor The two were spotted on the driving range at Doral during the World Golf Championships-CA Championship a month ago. Phil Mickelson was hitting balls while having what looked like an amiable conversation with Butch Harmon. A few members of the media noticed the previously unmatched pair, but little was made of conversation at the time.  Phil Mickelson has joined forces with Butch Harmon in hopes of becoming the world's No. 1 ranked player. (Greenwood/WireImage) The World Golf Championships not only pit the best golfers in the world against one another but they are also a point of destination for golf dignitaries. So it was not uncommon to see Golf Digest's No. 1-ranked teacher on the range. It was even less of an anomaly to see Phil on the driving range. It seems obvious that what looked like a chance meeting was now more of a rendezvous. The pair announced last week that they would be putting their collective brain power together for a run at the top spot in the world of golf. Phil's camp emphasized that long-time instructor Rick Smith was in no way at fault. There had not been a falling out with Phil of any kind. Sometimes a player just needs another set of eyes. In typical Phil fashion there has been very little discussion about the specifics of the collaboration. Of course those of us in the media were hoping for something a little juicier. But let's face it, these guys are all gentlemen at the top of their professions. Golf is a community built on tradition and respect. Each of these individuals has built a successful career within the parameters of the good conduct that the business of golf demands. No Floyd Mayweather camp here. In case you have missed it, Floyd's father used to be the trainer for his upcoming foe, Oscar De La Hoya. Floyd is being trained by his uncle. The uncle and the father don't talk. The best fight of the month might be outside the ring. But, comparing the gentlemen's game to the sweet science is only fair for those contestants who lost on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" Golfers tend to conduct themselves with the highest respect paid to proper conduct. Few PGA TOUR players stick with the same teacher throughout their careers. Interestingly enough, switching teachers only became newsworthy when Tiger left Butch Harmon a few years ago for Hank Haney. When David Duval was interviewing instructors a few years ago as he began his comeback there were some rumbles. David still maintains a close relationship with his father. With that in mind going back to working with Puggy Blackmon, his coach at Georgia Tech, was a logical step. Perhaps the longest running teacher student relationship on TOUR these days involves another father-son combination. Jim Furyk has only had one instructor throughout his career. Jim's father Mike has nurtured his son's career quietly. Jim says that the professional relationship works because of the closeness of the personal relationship. When asked if he ever considered looking elsewhere Jim succinctly answers, "No." The high profile instructor is a concept unique to golf. Students who blossom under an instructor's tutelage immediately make that instructor more recognizable. Only in golf are these instructors accessible to both TOUR players and the general public. Todd Anderson is the head of instruction at Sea Island. It is not uncommon for him to spend the morning working with Brett Quigley or Charles Warren and give a 15 handicapper a lesson in the afternoon. Todd has quietly built a reputation as one of the most insightful instructors in the game. Recreational golfers have access to the top instructors in the game. If you can afford the ever-growing price tag you can spend quality time on the range with Butch, Hank or Leadbetter. What you will probably find, though, is that the head pro at your local club is just as effective as one of these teaching dignitaries. You don't need Jeff Gordon's crew chief to change the oil in your car for it to run on the highway. Whether or not Phil's new collaboration with Butch will yield the success that the two men are hoping for remains to be seen. There is certainly room for growth and improvement in Phil's budding Hall of Fame career. However, perhaps no player or student has ever taken on a greater challenge than the one facing these two. After all, Tiger is still Tiger. |
