My experience caddying for Monte at the 2023 U.S. Senior Open

[_Hawk3y3_]

**MODS**   Not sure where to post this, so feel free to move this if you deem it necessary.

 

 

To make a long story short, Monte got in touch with me shortly after he qualified for the U.S. Senior Open about a month ago.  He needed a looper for a day, as his caddy was arriving a day later than he was, and asked if I'd like to spend a day inside the ropes carrying his bag.

 

Ummm.....absolutely.

 

To make things even better (well, better for me anyways), one day of caddying turned into two as Monte's looper ran into travel difficulties.  Don't worry, he's here in Wisconsin safely now and ready to bust Monte's chops every time he gets steep on a ball.  

 

Below you'll find any pertinent information that I can remember regarding my experience on Monday and Tuesday at the 2023 U.S. Senior Open.  I know I'm leaving a metric ton of information out, so feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to check back here frequently.  Dropbox link with some poorly taken photos and videos at the bottom.

 

************************

 

I'll start with a WITB...this is WRX after all...

 

DRIVER: Cobra Aerojet LS 9* (Standard Configuration), House of Forged MS Icon 75X

MOTHER-IN-LAW (3 WOOD): TaylorMade Sim2 Titanium Rocket 13.5*, Fujikura Ventus Blue TR 8X

DRIVING IRON: Srixon ZX Utility 2 Iron 18*, Graphite Design AD-IZ 95X

IRONS: Cobra King Forged CB 4-GW, Project X LS 125g 6.5

WEDGES: Titleist Vokey SM9 54*S & 60*D, Project X LS 125g 6.5

PUTTER: Evnroll ER 1.2

BALL: Taylormade TP5X

 

 

 

We arrived at SentryWorld a bit after 1:00 both Monday and Tuesday.  Monte is a self-proclaimed vampire golfer, stating that he would've made $50 million on the tour if golf were played at 2 in the morning like anyone with a brain knows it should be.  His goal was to have lunch, get in a full warm-up, and play 18 both days.  Incidentally, he will not be playing a practice round tomorrow, simply showing up to the course to eat and have a range session.  He hasn't walked a lot of rounds since Covid, and wants to make sure his body is well rested for Thursday.

 

The players hospitality area has everything you can imagine, and likely a bit more.  After registering and enjoying a bit of lunch (there was some delicious looking hot roast beef that Monte tried, amongst other delicacies), we made the tough decision to bypass the massage table and barber's chair to go straight out to the range.  They had Pro V1s and V1Xs available for players to choose from.  Once they got the sign up, Monte went through about a 20 minute warmup, followed by 10 minutes on the putting green.  We hit the first tee around 2:30 and were paired with Christian Raynor, a qualifier out of Atlanta, GA.  Weather was in the high 60s, overcast with haze, and the "10-15 mph wind" was blowing pretty steady at 20 and gusting over 30 at times, including on the par 3 third (180 par 3 playing about 220, Monte absolutely flushed a 5 iron and left it short).  Thankfully the wind calmed down a bit for the back 9.

 

A typical hole for Monte looked something like this: 1 teeball, a second only if the first was deplorably bad, an approach, and 5 minutes of chipping in U.S. Open rough around each and every green.  Very little putting, as he had the speed of the greens down very quickly.  The rough was already 5 inches on Monday, longer in many spots.  Here's an Instagram video Monte released on Monday (any shoddy camera work is my doing...my fullest apologies).  There is about a 5 foot wide first cut that ran about 2.5 inches, then you're in the broccoli, as Monte put it.  Think of what a U.S. Open looked like 15 years ago...that's what you can expect to see this week.  Anyways, if you've attended any of Monte's clinics you know he has an innate ability to make shots buried in impossible greenside lies come out high and soft, and that was on full display.  In my opinion it was the best part of his game over the last 2 days to be honest.

 

A definite highlight of the day was stumbling across course architect Robert Trent Jones at the turn, who was gracious enough to have about a 5 minute conversation with Monte about the course.

 

There was no score keeping, but Monte was playing "good bad golf".  He was getting steep on almost every shot and "not getting left enough" (AKA poor shift).  He did have a stretch on the back 9 starting on about hole 12 where he strung together several of his "A-game" swings, including stuffing a tee ball to 6 feet on the 12th hole (par 3 over water with peninsula green) and a 370 yard bomb off 13 tee.  After making a true U.S. Open par on 17 (he hit 4 fantastic shots on a 360 yard par 4, the last being a 10 footer for par), his 18th was his best hole of the day.  2 perfect tee balls that landed side by side in the fairway, an uphill approach to 20 feet, and a 1 putt.  Monte did hit the range for about 10 minutes following the round to record some swings, just wanting to confirm that what he was feeling was actually what he was doing.

 

Tuesday looked very similar...lunch, range, play.  The schedule was thrown off a bit, as Monte's caddy unexpectedly found a flight in this morning and had to be picked up.  Although this means he did not need my services today, Monte graciously honored his word and allowed me to carry the bag for a second day anyways.  Besides, his caddy had had a pretty rough 48 hour stretch with all the travel fiascos and deserved a peaceful walk anyways.  Weather today was partly sunny, low 80s and humid with 5-10 mph of wind.  An air quality warning went up on the boards during the back 9.  Monte was not paired up with anyone today, and pace of play was a bit slower than yesterday.  We followed KJ Choi on the front 9 (who was also playing by himself), and an alternate on the back 9.  He put much more of an emphasis on what he was feeling today...He was not too concerned with "learning the course" but simply wanted to get himself more shallowed out.  He mentioned several times that he felt as though he needed to feel like he was 8 inches in front of the ball at the top of his swing.  Lots of 2nd and 3rd balls today, particularly with his wedges.  I thought his best swing of the day came on the 16th (flower hole, playing 212 into the breeze today); a beautifully struck 5 iron to 15 feet.  

 

Player's hospitality was basically shutting down by the time we got off the course, so Monte and his caddy decided to keep the Wisconsin energy going with Culvers for dinner.  As stated earlier, he's not looking to play tomorrow...it'll be a rest day with a range session focussing on getting into his left side earlier in his swing.  Some wedges and putting after that.  I'm sure he will take more time tomorrow to socialize with other players than he has the first 2 days as well.  He had a good chat on the range with childhood friend Bob May today, but didn't go out of his way to speak with anyone else.

 

Other random thoughts...

• Monte goes out of his way to thank the volunteers and workers he encounters out on the golf course.  He may be a grumpy and curmudgeonly old man to most of us, but he treats the people who make these tournaments possible the right way.  Kudos to you, Monte.
• Monte has the second to last tee time on Thursday.  He said today that while there are certainly advantages to both, he slightly prefers getting a "late-early" draw, as he has drawn this week.
• Monte LOVES this golf course, stating that it is in the top 5 courses he's ever played tournament golf on. Apart from the 5th hole being a bit quirky (90* sweeping dogleg left par 5 around water), he says each and every hole is both fair and interesting.  He feels like there is the potential for a half-shot penalty on every swing on the course if you miss it in the wrong spot.
• Keep your eyes on the 2nd hole this week, a 505 yard par 4 (converted par 5, we are playing an up tee, it plays around 550 all the way back).  It's a monster of a hole with water right, swampy death area left, a miniscule green, and some of the thickest rough on the course around the green.  I'd be pretty shocked if that hole doesn't play to the highest stroke average this week.   For the record, Monte parred it both days.
• 9 is another par 5 playing as a par 4 this week.  It's gimmicky as a par 5 with 2 fairways bisected by a creek, but is playing around 460 this week.  The right fairway will not be in play, and this is one of the crazier greens on the property.
• 11 is driveable for Monte under the right conditions (355 par 4), but it will most likely be a 2 iron.  We noticed today that they had blocked off an area on a forward teebox that would play around 275 if they decide to use it, but Monte said he would likely run 2 iron up just short of the green from there.  It's an infinity green with water behind, and has large bowls front right and back left.  Monte is convinced that if they use the up tee, they will bury the pin back left.  Good luck to anyone trying to get close to it.
• I think 10 under wins this week.  Yes, the rough is beyond ridiculous, but these guys are really freaking good.  Monte has the potential to generate more clubhead speed than anyone else in the field, and even he is having trouble getting through this 5 inch rough (which will only get longer as the week progresses).  Somebody will be hitting it obscenely straight and make some putts, however.  Someone always does.  Monte also categorically states that the harder a golf course plays for everyone else, the more it benefits him.  Monte thinks that if he gets his sequencing sorted out that he has a good shot to make the cut, and if he plays really well could see himself finishing in the top 15.  

 

This was an absolute opportunity of a lifetime, and I can't thank @MonteScheinblum enough for his time and generosity these past few days.  Having never looped a day in my life before yesterday, I'm sure I made his job harder at times.  He was, however, patient and gracious with me, and I'll forever be in his debt (a fact that he'll remind me of constantly, I'm sure).  It was an honor to be your shadow inside the ropes for a few days, and now I look forward to being your shadow outside the ropes as you try and conquer this course.  Play well Monte, and thanks a million.

 

 

Photos/Videos

[ReefDonkey]

We will be pulling for him for sure. Thanks for the amazing post.

[tthomasgolfer605]

Better get this sorted. 

[aenemated]

Outstanding! We're all pulling for our pal that gives to much to this community. 

 

Thanks for the dope AF report. 

Edited June 28, 2023 by aenemated

[golfinbrad]

Great write up!!!!  Thanks for sharing.  Hope he has a good week.

[OspreyCI]

Awesome write up. Thanks for sharing and must have been awesome. 

[_Hawk3y3_]

8 hours ago, tthomasgolfer605 said:

Better get this sorted. 

Believe me, he's aware. Those with keen ears might have been able to pick up on a few choice expletives after that particular swing (and several others, if I'm being honest). Hence no play today, only a range session. In Monte we trust...he'll get it sorted out.

[Sean124]

Great post!

[getitdaily]

8 hours ago, tthomasgolfer605 said:

Better get this sorted. 

Hey @MonteScheinblum, I know that position.

 

Good luck this week.

 

Aerojet ls 9 driver....interesting. 

[golfinbrad]

9 minutes ago, _Hawk3y3_ said:

Believe me, he's aware. Those with keen ears might have been able to pick up on a few choice expletives after that particular swing (and several others, if I'm being honest). Hence no play today, only a range session. In Monte we trust...he'll get it sorted out.

He'll get it figured out. 

[PracticeSwinger]

In true WRX fashion, kind of surprised that no one mentioned the Justin Rose drill, his own Broom force series and/or Milos transition right side bend action yet haha. Let's all enjoy this and (sort of) live it through him. #Voodoo !

[uscheese]

What an awesome post, thank you!!!!

 

LETS GO MONTE!!!

[vernon]

Good stuff!  Best of luck this week.

[L3fty]

This is seriously so cool. Thank you for posting and good luck to Monte!

[jgallant415]

Great post, thanks for sharing. Here’s hoping that by the end of the weekend major winner Monte is too much of a big shot to spend all his time on the forum. 

[jholz]

Wow, amazing stuff. Thanks for taking the time to do the write up.

 

Certainly pulling for Monte! Go out there and show Bernhard Langer who the REAL boss is!

[Carolina Golfer 2]

Thanks for sharing the experience.  Looking forward to following Monte, and as someone who hosted Montes clinics for a couple years here in MD, I can attest he is great with the staff and very appreciative of everyone. 

[Zitlow]

Good write up. Monte has the game and talent or he wouldn't be there. Too late to be worrying about swing issues instead he needs to adopt the mindset of a predator. 

 

 

 

 

[MonteScheinblum]

That was really well said.  
 

You all can absolutely learn something from what’s going on with me.

 

For 40 years I have had the same tendency.  I get vertical with the shaft in transition and it turns me from a borderline elite professional, into a 5 handicap.

 

2 weeks ago I was hitting it as well as I ever had.  Tendencies always return.

 

ALWAYS.

 

So here’s the deal.  I see posts here all the time that sound just like this….I was playing great and all of the sudden……

 

Then it turns into a merry go round of bad golf trying 75 different things that work for 5 shots and it’s a EUREKA moment.

 

If you understand a few things, you can make your stretch of bad golf less bad and shorter.

 

1.  Unless your name is Tiger Woods 2000, you’re going to play bad sometimes,  It’s golf.

 

2.  Your bad stretches of golf don’t appear out of nowhere.  Mine started last Monday and I’ve been fighting the vertical shaft since then.

 

3.  Your stretches of bad golf are ALWAYS the result of the same tendency you fall into.  If you address why it’s happening you can sort of minimize the damage.

 

I knew I was steep coming in here.  The OP will tell you I have hit some  hooks and fat wedges trying to iron it out.

 

Unlike the past 4 decades where I went through the merry go round just like all golfers do, I have been addressing the one issue.  
 

As he stated, it’s been pretty erratic these two days, but attempting to rectify it the right way has me hitting short stretches of good golf.  Only for 3-4 holes, but that’s better than the zero holes it used to be.

 

Thanks for all of the support.  Hopefully I can find a little better rhythm before tomorrow.

[getitdaily]

1 hour ago, MonteScheinblum said:

That was really well said.  
 

You all can absolutely learn something from what’s going on with me.

 

For 40 years I have had the same tendency.  I get vertical with the shaft in transition and it turns me from a borderline elite professional, into a 5 handicap.

 

2 weeks ago I was hitting it as well as I ever had.  Tendencies always return.

 

ALWAYS.

 

So here’s the deal.  I see posts here all the time that sound just like this….I was playing great and all of the sudden……

 

Then it turns into a merry go round of bad golf trying 75 different things that work for 5 shots and it’s a EUREKA moment.

 

If you understand a few things, you can make your stretch of bad golf less bad and shorter.

 

1.  Unless your name is Tiger Woods 2000, you’re going to play bad sometimes,  It’s golf.

 

2.  Your bad stretches of golf don’t appear out of nowhere.  Mine started last Monday and I’ve been fighting the vertical shaft since then.

 

3.  Your stretches of bad golf are ALWAYS the result of the same tendency you fall into.  If you address why it’s happening you can sort of minimize the damage.

 

I knew I was steep coming in here.  The OP will tell you I have hit some  hooks and fat wedges trying to iron it out.

 

Unlike the past 4 decades where I went through the merry go round just like all golfers do, I have been addressing the one issue.  
 

As he stated, it’s been pretty erratic these two days, but attempting to rectify it the right way has me hitting short stretches of good golf.  Only for 3-4 holes, but that’s better than the zero holes it used to be.

 

Thanks for all of the support.  Hopefully I can find a little better rhythm before tomorrow.

I think this begs the obvious question...

 

 

Could a 5 handicap beat monte... 🙂

Edited June 28, 2023 by getitdaily

[_Hawk3y3_]

On the range with Monte at the moment, and just heard him say the magic words...

 

That almost looks like a golf swing. 

 

25 balls in today he already says he feels a lot better than Monday or Tuesday. 

[Gsea]

Really hope he makes the cut. This is awesome

[bortass]

18 minutes ago, _Hawk3y3_ said:

On the range with Monte at the moment, and just heard him say the magic words...

 

That almost looks like a golf swing. 

I thought the magic words on the range were 'but that feels weird'?

[_Hawk3y3_]

[tthomasgolfer605]

Way better. Did the ball flight change? 

[nitram]

Thanks for sharing and good luck.

[_Hawk3y3_]

49 minutes ago, tthomasgolfer605 said:

Way better. Did the ball flight change? 

Yes. Bad swings were dead straight, good ones turned over with a slight draw. He didn't hit many balls today. Said it felt better today and the only thing hitting more balls would do would be to F it up.

[RoyalTroon]

16 hours ago, _Hawk3y3_ said:

Monte also categorically states that the harder a golf course plays for everyone else, the more it benefits him.  Monte thinks that if he gets his sequencing sorted out that he has a good shot to make the cut, and if he plays really well could see himself finishing in the top 15.

 

Nice write up.  Making the cut will be a big challenge.

[getitdaily]

1 hour ago, _Hawk3y3_ said:

So, is this where we all give advice on his swing? Lol

[PracticeSwinger]

4 minutes ago, getitdaily said:

So, is this where we all give advice on his swing? Lol

Yeah - thank god we straighten him up with the help of those lines on still images haha - good to go!