LIVE CHAT WITH JASON GORE! Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6pm ET

[RookieBlue7]

Jason,
A recent report in Golf Digest had a poll of PGA caddies. One of the interesting questions I noticed in it was in regards to caddies observing competitors on Tour being observed cheating (marking their ball and gaining a few inches here or there, etc). As a competitor on Tour, would you confront the offender or would it be something one would try to not pay attention to? The reason I ask is I've observed others playing in tournaments I've played in doing the same thing, but I never know how to deal with it.

My other question is how does one decide on their caddie and what makes an ideal candidate, in your opinion, for a caddie? That's the other thing I've always wondered about. Do you look for the the motivator, the mechanic, the technician (personality traits, I'd suppose one would say). Not that I'm interested in caddying at all, I just find it fascinating to know what type of thought goes into that process.

Lastly, which course on tour is your favorite? I know which event is my favorite to attend, but it's always cool to hear the guys that play the courses perspective.

And mostly, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule, especially around this time of year, to respond to some of us mere mortals questions.

[pga43]

What's the new favorite Steel Panther song and how many of their concerts have you been to with Pat & Mike Perez?

[Knockdown]

[quote name='JasonGore59' timestamp='1324508930' post='3972691']
[quote name='dsparob' timestamp='1324508744' post='3972663']
Welcome Jason, great to have you on here. As a touring professional your life is pretty hectic, what do you do in the off season to recharge the batteries, and what do you do to prepare for the upcoming year? Also, I see you have a Fourteen wegde in the bag, plans to move to the Trusty Rusty? or is this one trusty enough for you?

Thanks again!!!
[/quote]


No plans for the Trusty Rusty right now... I'm no longer with Cobra/Puma starting 2012. Right now, I'm obviously doing some serious equipment testing. So, not much time off. Plus, I'm still ticked off from q school!
[/quote]

That was a real shame. Six days and you miss it by a stroke. TPC Valencia or Big V, which one is better in your mind?

[JasonGore59]

[quote name='jpastor' timestamp='1324508905' post='3972685']
What do you think is the main difference between a regular minitour player and a Nationwide/PGA Tour Player? Also, do you think it is necessary to have a golf coach/instructor in order to get on Tour?
[/quote]

I've said it before, I don't think there is much of a difference between the Nationwide Tour and the PGA Tour other than the upper "echelon" (sp?) of players. You have your great players on Tour. But, the guys that can "win at any time" aren't that much better. Sometimes its just a little luck, sometimes, its just one putt that hits something and goes in.

Golf coaches seem to be a serious trend. There are some guys that need them, some don't. Hogan (I don't think) ever had one and he is considered to have one the best swings of all time. I think the line is blurred sometimes between playing golf and playing golf swing. I'm guilty! Thats for sure!

[BuckyBadger]

Wow. I love Jason Gore...not in that way. I hope 2012 is a great year for you. I'd love to see you and Steve Stricker battling it out Sunday at the Masters. Steve would beat you in a playoff by one shot, (I really love Steve) but you would win next year.

Good luck.

[MadGolfer76]

Do you feel tour players pick up a bit of distance due to high quality, fast fairways, or are you guys just as brutal as you look on TV?

[Sean2]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for spending time with us. :-)

How do you make your transition on your down swing? Do you use your lower body and let your arms, hand and club follow, or do you swing with your shoulders?

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Sean

[JasonGore59]

[quote name='RookieBlue7' timestamp='1324509115' post='3972715']
Jason,
A recent report in Golf Digest had a poll of PGA caddies. One of the interesting questions I noticed in it was in regards to caddies observing competitors on Tour being observed cheating (marking their ball and gaining a few inches here or there, etc). As a competitor on Tour, would you confront the offender or would it be something one would try to not pay attention to? The reason I ask is I've observed others playing in tournaments I've played in doing the same thing, but I never know how to deal with it.

My other question is how does one decide on their caddie and what makes an ideal candidate, in your opinion, for a caddie? That's the other thing I've always wondered about. Do you look for the the motivator, the mechanic, the technician (personality traits, I'd suppose one would say). Not that I'm interested in caddying at all, I just find it fascinating to know what type of thought goes into that process.

Lastly, which course on tour is your favorite? I know which event is my favorite to attend, but it's always cool to hear the guys that play the courses perspective.

And mostly, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule, especially around this time of year, to respond to some of us mere mortals questions.
[/quote]

Seriously loaded questions here... I've made the mistake of getting too close to my caddies. Becoming friends with them. It really is a business out there and sometimes, you spend so much time with them, you can annoy each other. It's basically like an "on-course marriage." I have a guy on my bag right now that happens to be from Valencia, CA, same as me, and I have known him since he was a kid. He played at UCLA. Great guy. Great player. But, he was always way younger than me, so, we never become too close of friends. he caddied for Kevin Chappell last year. I really enjoy being around him. He's so easy to be around. Very relaxing, but, I'm trying to keep it all business....

I'm a HUGE fan of Pebble Beach. My wife and I for married right off the 18th green there. Very special place. Also LOVE Quail Hollow in Charlotte. Great track, great people, great tournament!

[JasonGore59]

What's the new favorite Steel Panther song and how many of their concerts have you been to with Pat & Mike Perez?

 

We have been to 3 concerts. They get better every time! "Just Like Tiger Woods" is my favorite. Unbelievably talented musicians that just aren't quite right in the head. Right up my alley!

[JasonGore59]

[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1324509262' post='3972727']
Do you feel tour players pick up a bit of distance due to high quality, fast fairways, or are you guys just as brutal as you look on TV?
[/quote]

Yes. I believe those conditions NEVER hurt. But, we are so dialed in with everything equipment wise, and physically that... Heck, who am I kidding! Yes, firm fairways ROCK!

[JasonGore59]

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1324509420' post='3972733']
Hi Jason,

Thanks for spending time with us. :-)

How do you make your transition on your down swing? Do you use your lower body and let your arms, hand and club follow, or do you swing with your shoulders?

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Sean
[/quote]

That's a great question Sean. I have been working on that for about 5 years. I've somehow, in my quest to bring down my ball flight, have developed an over-the-top steep move at the transition. I actually watched some old VHS (yep, still have one!) of the 1997 NCAA Championships where our team won, and noticed something. I noticed how I stayed back and "tall" during the transition. I've somehow developed what I like to call a "dive" when starting down. I videoed a few swings today and it looked like I may be onto something! I'll keep you posted!

[pga43]

We know that Scotty Cameron has re-worked the neck on your copper putter. Any new custom putters added to the collection (any new covers in the works for you)?


Greg

[Knockdown]

[quote name='JasonGore59' timestamp='1324509711' post='3972761']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1324509262' post='3972727']
Do you feel tour players pick up a bit of distance due to high quality, fast fairways, or are you guys just as brutal as you look on TV?
[/quote]

Yes. I believe those conditions NEVER hurt. But, we are so dialed in with everything equipment wise, and physically that... Heck, who am I kidding! Yes, firm fairways ROCK!
[/quote]

Do you feel that your size/fitness hurts your game? I am the same age and have a similar build and have seen my swing speed go down significantly as I have started getting bigger.

[sedowney]

Jumped the gun and asked my son's too soon! LOL

He wants to know how you got into golf, what led you there? Thank you

[fore_life]

Steel panther rules! Awesome that you're here, my only question is if you can get me on at whisper rock here in AZ haha

[fsusp]

Thanks for coming on the site. It is pretty cool that you are taking time out of your day to do this.

Quick questions...how old were you when you got into the game? Was there any early moment that made you go, "hey, I'm really going to pursue this"?

Finally, do you have any advice to offer young golfers as they begin the game (I currently coach the high school team and they would love the idea that Jason Gore took the time to address them)?

Thank you in advance, and wishing you the very best this year and beyond.

John

[JasonGore59]

[quote name='BuckyBadger' timestamp='1324509197' post='3972725']
Wow. I love Jason Gore...not in that way. I hope 2012 is a great year for you. I'd love to see you and Steve Stricker battling it out Sunday at the Masters. Steve would beat you in a playoff by one shot, (I really love Steve) but you would win next year.

Good luck.
[/quote]

Thanks Bucky... I would never want to be the third wheel! LOL Thanks for your support. It's always cool to hear I've got fans.... (I really love Steve Stricker too)

[Eck42]

[quote name='JasonGore59' timestamp='1324509711' post='3972761']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1324509262' post='3972727']
Do you feel tour players pick up a bit of distance due to high quality, fast fairways, or are you guys just as brutal as you look on TV?
[/quote]

Y[b]es. I believe those conditions NEVER hurt. But, we are so dialed in with everything equipment wise, and physically that... Heck, who am I kidding! Yes, firm fairways ROCK! [/b]
[/quote]

Too funny!!

[JasonGore59]

[quote name='Knockdown' timestamp='1324509909' post='3972783']
[quote name='JasonGore59' timestamp='1324509711' post='3972761']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1324509262' post='3972727']
Do you feel tour players pick up a bit of distance due to high quality, fast fairways, or are you guys just as brutal as you look on TV?
[/quote]

Yes. I believe those conditions NEVER hurt. But, we are so dialed in with everything equipment wise, and physically that... Heck, who am I kidding! Yes, firm fairways ROCK!
[/quote]

Do you feel that your size/fitness hurts your game? I am the same age and have a similar build and have seen my swing speed go down significantly as I have started getting bigger.
[/quote]

I've actually lost 40+ pounds... and YES, it did. It slows you down, and most importantly zaps your energy. Now, I'm struggling with finding the club. Before, I used to just hit gut and rotate. Now, I've got some room, and its difficult to find where its going. But, I know its good for my health and my game in the long run. Not getting younger!

[TWshoot67]

Thanks Jason for taking time to join us today. Do you have any new clubs that are making there way into your bag for 2012?

PS: sorry I just noticed you already answered that question, wish you luck on finding the OEM that works for you! I happen to play Cobra mb's as we speak and I love their irons!

[Sean2]

[quote name='JasonGore59' timestamp='1324509897' post='3972779']
[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1324509420' post='3972733']
Hi Jason,

Thanks for spending time with us. :-)

How do you make your transition on your down swing? Do you use your lower body and let your arms, hand and club follow, or do you swing with your shoulders?

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Sean
[/quote]

That's a great question Sean. I have been working on that for about 5 years. I've somehow, in my quest to bring down my ball flight, have developed an over-the-top steep move at the transition. I actually watched some old VHS (yep, still have one!) of the 1997 NCAA Championships where our team won, and noticed something. I noticed how I stayed back and "tall" during the transition. I've somehow developed what I like to call a "dive" when starting down. I videoed a few swings today and it looked like I may be onto something! I'll keep you posted!
[/quote]
Thanks!

[pga43]

Wow. I love Jason Gore...not in that way. I hope 2012 is a great year for you. I'd love to see you and Steve Stricker battling it out Sunday at the Masters. Steve would beat you in a playoff by one shot, (I really love Steve) but you would win next year.

 

Good luck.

 

Thanks Bucky... I would never want to be the third wheel! LOL Thanks for your support. It's always cool to hear I've got fans.... (I really love Steve Stricker too)

 

Does Megan know this? Not that there's anything wrong with that

[Br1an02;]

Jason, what do you do on the days leading up to a tournament, Monday-Wednesday?

[Eck42]

How much do you work on your putting? Any special or favorite drills you can share?

[TWshoot67]

[quote name='JasonGore59' timestamp='1324510102' post='3972811']
[quote name='Knockdown' timestamp='1324509909' post='3972783']
[quote name='JasonGore59' timestamp='1324509711' post='3972761']
[quote name='MadGolfer76' timestamp='1324509262' post='3972727']
Do you feel tour players pick up a bit of distance due to high quality, fast fairways, or are you guys just as brutal as you look on TV?
[/quote]

Yes. I believe those conditions NEVER hurt. But, we are so dialed in with everything equipment wise, and physically that... Heck, who am I kidding! Yes, firm fairways ROCK!
[/quote]

Do you feel that your size/fitness hurts your game? I am the same age and have a similar build and have seen my swing speed go down significantly as I have started getting bigger.
[/quote]

I've actually lost 40+ pounds... and YES, it did. It slows you down, and most importantly zaps your energy. Now, I'm struggling with finding the club. Before, I used to just hit gut and rotate. Now, I've got some room, and its difficult to find where its going. But, I know its good for my health and my game in the long run. Not getting younger!
[/quote]

Funny I'm going through a weight program as we speak. i had my left knee replaced almost 1 1/2 ago. While being sidelined during the injury and before the surgery I gained 50-60 lbs. I have a big upper body and it's hard to be as flexible as i once was, but being a former ice- hockey player I always had great flexibility. Do you have any certain exercises that you use to get a bigger shoulder turn? Thanks, Tim

[RookieBlue7]

[quote name='JasonGore59' timestamp='1324509523' post='3972743']
[quote name='RookieBlue7' timestamp='1324509115' post='3972715']
Jason,
A recent report in Golf Digest had a poll of PGA caddies. One of the interesting questions I noticed in it was in regards to caddies observing competitors on Tour being observed cheating (marking their ball and gaining a few inches here or there, etc). As a competitor on Tour, would you confront the offender or would it be something one would try to not pay attention to? The reason I ask is I've observed others playing in tournaments I've played in doing the same thing, but I never know how to deal with it.

My other question is how does one decide on their caddie and what makes an ideal candidate, in your opinion, for a caddie? That's the other thing I've always wondered about. Do you look for the the motivator, the mechanic, the technician (personality traits, I'd suppose one would say). Not that I'm interested in caddying at all, I just find it fascinating to know what type of thought goes into that process.

Lastly, which course on tour is your favorite? I know which event is my favorite to attend, but it's always cool to hear the guys that play the courses perspective.

And mostly, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule, especially around this time of year, to respond to some of us mere mortals questions.
[/quote]

Seriously loaded questions here... I've made the mistake of getting too close to my caddies. Becoming friends with them. It really is a business out there and sometimes, you spend so much time with them, you can annoy each other. It's basically like an "on-course marriage." I have a guy on my bag right now that happens to be from Valencia, CA, same as me, and I have known him since he was a kid. He played at UCLA. Great guy. Great player. But, he was always way younger than me, so, we never become too close of friends. he caddied for Kevin Chappell last year. I really enjoy being around him. He's so easy to be around. Very relaxing, but, I'm trying to keep it all business....

I'm a HUGE fan of Pebble Beach. My wife and I for married right off the 18th green there. Very special place. Also LOVE Quail Hollow in Charlotte. Great track, great people, great tournament!
[/quote]

Thanks for the reply. I'm an Augusta guy myself, been attending for 10+ years now (by virtue of my uncle getting his feeble neighbor's tickets annually, which sounds harsh when I word it like that I suppose). Again, thanks for taking the time to respond to our questions. Good luck in 2012.

[JasonGore59]

[quote name='fsusp' timestamp='1324509971' post='3972797']
Thanks for coming on the site. It is pretty cool that you are taking time out of your day to do this.

Quick questions...how old were you when you got into the game? Was there any early moment that made you go, "hey, I'm really going to pursue this"?

Finally, do you have any advice to offer young golfers as they begin the game (I currently coach the high school team and they would love the idea that Jason Gore took the time to address them)?

Thank you in advance, and wishing you the very best this year and beyond.

John
[/quote]

Hi John,

I actually got started late. I started when I was 11. My brother bought my dad a set of clubs, and I followed him out to the course. I was always a good athlete. Played baseball, football, etc... I knew that as soon as I hit a driver once, I wanted to do that a lot more. My dad didn't let me hit anything more than a 7 iron starting out. Subsequently, my dad ended up quitting (smart guy), I ended up trying to do it for a living (fill in the blank).

My advice to kids always is... Have fun! There is only a small % of kids that are actually going to be good enough to ever make a living at this game. But, a large % can be able to play it for the rest of their lives!

Thanks for your well wishes!

[dsparob]

Not that you want to think about Q-school, but what do you think about the PGA Tour changing the format, or possibly eliminating it all together. I like the current set up with some from Q-school and some from the Nationwide, what is the word among the guys on the tours?

Have you narrowed down any equipment for this year yet, or are you still testing everything?

[KYMAR]

Hey jason Nice work on cutting some serious lbs! Curious for some more detail about your driver. What shaft have you been using and are you testing anything that might replace it next season.

Also, where do I find those monkey headcovers?

[JasonGore59]

[quote name='Eck42' timestamp='1324510273' post='3972833']
How much do you work on your putting? Any special or favorite drills you can share?
[/quote]

I work on my putting quite a bit. There isn't a greater sound than hearing a ball rattle around in the bottom of that hole. I always try to play games. I STILL try to make putts to win the US Open and the Masters. I practice a lot of short ones. anything inside 6 feet. Always seem to have a bunch of those during rounds and if you can make most or all of them, they add up! Work on rhythm. In putting and long game! Rhythm makes up for many flaws in your action!