The Entertaining Twitter Debate Between Brandel Chamblee And Billy Horschel
Craig Rosengarden alerted me yesterday about an entertaining Twitter debate between GolfChannel’s Brandel Chamblee and PGA Tour pro Billy Horschel. It was never mean-spirited, but it was honest and at the end, our two combatants agreed to disagree.
I’ve said it before that I really enjoy Chamblee’s commentary. He does his homework and is willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone. Chamblee is the GolfChannel’s version of Johnny Miller or American Idol’s Simon Cowell. Meaning he doesn’t shrink from stirring the pot and why he’s GolfChannel’s most valuable asset.
The interaction essentially centered on whether Chamblee should be giving swing thought advice (using side-by-side pics of Tiger Woods) when he’s never seen on the range talking to the pros (Horschel calling him a (“ghost on the range.”).
Best to sit back, bring out the popcorn and follow along as Golf.com’s Josh Berhow highlights the highlights.
Chamblee tweeted two photos of Woods swinging, one from 2001 and another from 2013, and he called the 14-time major-champ’s swing in the latter photo “Trackman-drunk.” Horschel asked Chamblee to elaborate, and after he did, Horschel insinuated that Chamblee didn’t know what Woods and then-coach Sean Foley were working on.
“Are you sure that’s what Sean and Tiger were trying to accomplish,” Horschel wrote. “Doubt you talked to either of them about what they were working on. You are a ghost on the range.”
Horschel acknowledged Chamblee’s reputation as a shrewd analyst but said Chamblee doesn’t pace the range as much as some of his counterparts who “are getting first hand knowledge and seeing in person instead of on TV.”
Two of Tiger’s four swing philosophies. Wide shift and upright on the left (2001) and Trackman-drunk on the right (2013). He took both to #1 in the world rankings. I’d argue the one on the left is worth studying; the one on the right is what injured him. pic.twitter.com/UaDs1JP9Ny
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) November 16, 2017
One might take this commentary seriously if you weren’t trying so hard for attention with the “trackman-drunk” comment.
— Will Strickler (@wstrick17) November 16, 2017
Agree Will. Brandel was is it Trackman drunk on the right. Please explain. Did trackman tell him to stay more centered or on top of the ball. Very curious way you say trackman drunk. I agree. I like the swing on the left better. Best I believe he swung it
— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) November 16, 2017
Trapping the ball-with a lot of forward shaft lean-gives faster ball speed numbers for short to mid irons, theses numbers encouraged more and more forward shaft lean. Encouraged a lean left look, which necessitated a swing left move… Trackman-drunk.
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) November 16, 2017
You do a great job with stats and looking at all the data. Probably best in the business. You colleagues say the same thing. But I think it would be beneficial if you walked the range once or twice to talk to guys and see things in person instead of in camera.
— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) November 16, 2017
Tell you what, you lift your left heel for a week and I’ll spend every afternoon on the range next time I’m out. Perhaps we’ll both be better off. 😉
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) November 16, 2017
😂😂😂😂… now that’s got a smile on my face. 👊
— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) November 16, 2017