Jim McLean, the teacher behind the X Factor, on living with Bruce Lietzke at Houston, watching Ben Hogan practice, and what’s new in his book X Factor 2.
Description
Jim McLean has taught major champions, tour winners and everyday golfers for decades, and he’s the teacher behind the X Factor, one of the most widely used ideas in the modern golf swing. In this conversation he takes us back to Houston, where he lived with Bruce Lietzke and Bill Rogers during the Cougars’ dynasty years, picked up Ben Hogan’s clubs when nobody was around, and learned lessons that shaped how he teaches the best players in the game.
Along the way we get Lietzke’s banana story, why Lietzke skipped the range after a bad round, and the answer Jackie Burke gave a pro who wanted to hit balls next to Hogan. Jim also tells us what’s new in his next book, X Factor 2, due out at the end of November.
Episode Highlights:
- Growing up in Seattle, caddying for his dad and playing putting games for walking around money
- Choosing Houston over Arizona State and Stanford, and living with Bruce Lietzke, Bill Rogers and John Mahaffey
- A rough freshman year when most of his recruiting class left
- Why Lietzke wouldn’t hit balls after a bad round, and the banana in the headcover
- Watching Hogan practice at Champions and Jackie Burke’s answer to a pro who wanted the same spot
- From mini tours to running the junior program at Westchester Country Club
- Learning from Claude Harmon, Ken Venturi and Jackie Burke
- The four parts of the game he teaches at his golf schools
- Working with players like Keegan Bradley, Cristie Kerr, Lexi Thompson, Gary Woodland and Russell Henley
- How the X Factor started, and what’s new in X Factor 2
Notable Stories:
- Bruce Lietzke and the banana in his headcover
- Picking up Ben Hogan’s clubs in the bag room
- “The very second you win 63 PGA Tour wins and nine majors”
- Lietzke leading a five round Bob Hope Classic at 48 after months away from the game
Links:
- Jim McLean Golf School: jimmclean.com
- X Factor 2 (out at the end of November, audiobook expected in December): [add Amazon link when it’s live]
Keywords
Jim McLean, X Factor, golf swing, golf instruction, Ben Hogan, Bruce Lietzke, University of Houston golf, Jackie Burke, Keegan Bradley, Cristie Kerr, Lexi Thompson, golf podcast