Mike Austin longest drive on tour

spider · February 2, 2006

opinion on his technique

Any one heard or familiar with Mike Austin's swing theories? I was first taught by one of his disciples and I have my own opinions but would like to hear if any one else knows or studied his. BTW he holds the longest drive on tour. I believe it was a senior tour event of 400+ at an event.

slicefixer · February 2, 2006

Read a book about him......sort of a "biography".......not long ago written by one of his students who was a writer in CA......pretty good read......his technique sounded pretty "old school".......other than that I hate to speculate without some first hand knowledge.......:cheesy:

bantam · February 2, 2006

I bought the stuff. Thumbs down all the way.

spider · February 2, 2006

Slicefixer,

I believe the author was Dan Shauger. I happened to help him by printing the book. He was very interested in doing this as a tribute to his friend teacher because he was very ill. Funny thing is I printed it but never saw the final copy. We usually keep samples but he took them all so I never read it.

First hand I started with him teaching this method and have ever since tried to change to the modern method. Good guy Dan and maybe an ok style but I just lost belief in it after learning and listening to others. In summary a lot of leg action and a shut club face on the back swing.

I know another of his students and teachers was in texas. I think it was Dunaway or something like that. long drive guy.

thanks for the responses. good to see a local printer helped get someones dream book out there to texas even if it wasn't a great tool.

slicefixer · February 2, 2006

Mike Dunaway......and he could MOVE it.......and the book was an interesting read.......bought it hoping to learn the "secret" of the long ball......must have skipped over that part.....hehehe...:cheesy:

Powerpro · February 2, 2006

Mike Austin drove the ball 515 yards during the National Seniors Open in Las Vegas at the age of sixty four.

Austin was a large man and he had a great athletic swing motion. He died at the end of last year.

There is a website bearing his name and a new book about his swing action is due out sometime this year.

socalgolfr · March 22, 2006

I believe Phillip Reed was the Los Angeles, Ca. author that wrote the "biography" on Mike Austin before he passed away in late 2005. It was titled "In Search of the Greatest Golf Swing: Chasing the Legend of Mike Austin. The Man who Launched the World's Longest Drive".

Dan Shauger released an instructional book (and DVD) detailing the inner-workings of the Austin Method. Many within the Austin community believe that Shauger's interpretation deviates from the swing Mike used to hit the world's longest drive at age 64 (515 yards during a Senior PGA Tour event in Las Vegas, NV.) Shauger promotes a (slight) counter-rotation in the backswing, while the original Austinology/Mike Dunaway material does not. Austin disciples continue to debate this point today.

Even if you don't subscribe to his swing method, Austin's life would be fascinating to anyone with a mild interest in the game of golf. For what it's worth, I've seen the Dunaway DVD and it was very good. He absolutely crushes the ball using Austin's method, driving a 364 yard par 4 green over and over again. The Shauger material is lacking in quality, however.

SoCal

spider · March 22, 2006

I agree with you on the Shauger instructional book. I was the printer for it and really tried to help him out as a friend because he wanted to do something for Austin. He was the first person I took a lesson from. Nice guy just not an author nor publisher. I didn't even get to keep a copy. It wasn't the best written book nor done professionally by a publisher. We got it done in record time and a few thousand copies.

I read most of it just trying to help him out with the computer files but the pics were poor etc.

I have seen the Dunaway video as well. Seems really "old school" all the methods but to each his own.

He had big dreams but after that I never heard from Shauger again.

Socalgolfer do you subscribe to the "Austin" methods. They didn't work for me and since then I have tried to change the habits that were somewhat ingrained.

socalgolfr · March 22, 2006

Interesting info Spider. To clarify, I'm certainly not trying to knock your print job. It was the content of Dan's book more than anything. The DVD was very poor quality. I've always been fascinated by unique/different swing methods, so that was the draw for me. I wouldn't recommend it otherwise.

Shauger is still out there and he's still dreaming big. I read on another golf forum that he recently released a new book/DVD to improve on the quality of the first. He's reportedly a decent instructor, but I've never taken a formal lesson from him. I'm curious to see how he does the second time around.

Dunaway's swing is definitely old school, but I think it has merit. Of course he is arguably talented enough (and strong enough) to swing any way he wants to. Truthfully, I've experimented with everything from Austin to Leadbetter to Paul Wilson (Swing Machine Golf). They all have aspects that will work for some and not for others. I've probably done a disservice to my game by jumping from teacher to teacher, but that's what I find enjoyable. Most amateurs are better served finding one method and sticking with it.

The search continues I suppose....

SoCal

spider · March 22, 2006

SoCal, no worries about the printing I didn't think you were knocking it at all. I wanted it to look better but he just didn't have the time nor the knowledge to use the publishing program. The content... not sure if it was closely aligned to Austin's or not.

I took some lessons from him and I could hit it pretty far but there was just too much leg movement compared to what others were teaching. Dan was a nice guy but as I learned more and more about golf and the swing I realized it wasn't for me. He taught too much leg movement and a really closed club face.

I think I printed a putting book for him as well. I hope he does well he really admired Mike Austin and his wife.

thanks for the update. good luck on your swing adventurers. :drinks:

socalgolfr · March 23, 2006

Thanks Spider. I'll need it!

The leg drive is a big part of the MA method. It's a beautiful swing when executed properly. Like you said, the potential for power is there. It really moves when you hit it on the screws.

I've read that Howard Hughes took lessons from Mike Austin. He reportedly got down to a 2 hdcp before giving up the game. I've never been able to confirm this, which just adds to the legend and mystic of the man.

SoCal