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A Conversation with Jim McLean

Since Arnold Palmer and friends started the Golf Channel, Jim McLean has served as resident swing instructor. He enjoys a worldwide audience—but how did the man behind the great advice grow to love golf so much? We find out in this exclusive interview.

Q: What were some of the events that happened in your younger years that contributed to your decision to teach golf?

A: I think that two pros had a huge impact on my teaching golf. The first was Al Mengert. Al was my first golf teacher and was also a great player. The second person who has been a mentor throughout my career is Jackie Burke. I met Jackie while I was at the University of Houston. Jackie helped get my first job in the Met Section.

Q: Where did you play golf, and how did you learn the game?

A: Like so many others, my father introduced me to the game of golf. John McLean was an accomplished amateur player and was my first coach. From there, I played golf in Seattle at Rainier Golf and Country Club, and there was a great group of amateur golfers to play with and try to beat. The talent level was very high, and this helped me a ton. Then I received a four-year scholarship to the University of Houston where I joined Bruce Lietzke, Fuzzy Zoeller, Bill Mahaffey, Bill Rogers, Tom Jenkins, Bobby Wadkins, and Keith Fergus (all of whom became solid PGA TOUR players). We won the NCAA twice and finished second twice.

Q: What were some of the qualities of golf that fascinated you the most and eventually convinced you to make it both a great joy and a livelihood?

A: I have been very fortunate in that my passion for the game of golf has enabled me to provide for my family. From the days of my youth, golf has been a part of life and is more so than ever today. As a player, I was searching for ways to improve my own game, and in the process, I learned a tremendous amount from golf’s greatest instruction.

Q: Who were your favorite players? If you could break down the game of your favorite player for us, what areas really worked for your students of the game?

A: I always loved players like Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino, Player, Miller, Woods and many others. My good friends Carl Welty and I spent years studying the greats and trying to figure out what made them excel. This work helped me develop my 25% Theory, which divides the game into the long game, short game, mental game, and management game.

Q: Who were your golf teachers as you developed your own career, and what were some of the things you learned from them?

A: As I mentioned earlier, Jackie Burke and Al Mengert had a huge influence on my career. I played a tremendous amount of golf with Ken Venturi, and Ken had a huge impact on my teaching ideas. While I was at Westchester, I would visit Winged Foot and watch Claude Harmon teach. Claude was the best teacher of the bunker shot that I have ever seen. To this day, I teach the bunker shot much the same way that Mr. Harmon did. Johnny Revolta was brilliant at giving the 30-minute lessons, probably the best I ever saw.

Q: Besides average driving length and the presence of Tiger Woods, what has changed about golf in the past 25 years? How do players prepare for tournaments today, compared to how they prepared in the 1970s?

A: The game has changed tremendously in the last twenty years—in some ways for the better, and in some ways for the worse. There are more people playing golf now than ever. For the most part, instruction has improved tremendously, especially with the proper use of video. I think that playing junior golf is more organized now than ever before. However, the decline in caddy programs has had an adverse effect in bringing people of all economic levels to the game. If you don’t have the brand new ball and driver, you are losing twenty yards on every tee shot.

Professionals today play less than they did 25 years ago. They are much more specialized in the practice and play. Back in the late 70s, it was not uncommon for players to play golf every day, often times 36 holes a day.

Q: We hear stories about how Vijay Singh pounds balls on the range until his hands turn to pulp, and how hard Tiger Woods works. For the committed recreational golfer, how much practice time on the range and putting green is truly required? When they’re out on the range and putting green, what types of things do you recommend that they work on?

A: One of the great things we do at all of my golf schools is spending time doing drills which do not involve the golf ball. It is important for the average person to realize that he doesn’t have to hit a thousand balls a day to be good. Apart from body drills and position work, I think that it is important for the average golfer to have a plan when they practice. Just hitting a bucket of balls does not mean that you are going to improve. With a pre-determined focused practice session, there is a greater probability that a player will improve.

Q: How has the role of the coach/teacher changed and evolved over the past twenty-five years?

A: There is no question that there are a lot more of them today. In many ways, they are more mainstream now than ever. The only problem with coaches is they like to coach and perhaps over-teach. Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all, which is especially true with children. Let’s face it; there are a lot more experts and gurus in all areas of our society. Some are much better than the others, as marketing tends to see true talent.

Q: The market is loaded with technology; you can buy virtually any type of driver, iron, angled wedge or putter that you want. Yet, if I’m a recreational golfer with a good game who wants to play well and have a good time, what types of clubs and equipment should I be seeking?

A: In my experience, playing well usually makes for a good time on the golf course. In terms of equipment, I think that it is important to test equipment before buying it and also make sure your irons are fit to your specifications. First, build a swing. You won’t buy that on any shelf.

Q: What are three or four specific and simple pieces of advice you could offer an average golfer to knock five strokes off his or score?

A: Chip, pitch, and putt. If a person gets good with the short shots and builds a solid short swing, their ball striking will improve. The goal of the short shots is consistent contact. Most amateurs are unable to hit the center of the clubface. Spend time on the short shots and your scores will decrease dramatically.

Q: What are your favorite courses to play today? How about your favorite resorts? What are your favorite holes?

A: My favorite courses are Pebble Beach, Shinnecock, Quaker Ridge, Winged Foot and Augusta National. In terms of resorts, I really enjoy Doral, La Costa and PGA West. My favorite holes include #18 on the Blue Monster and #17 PGA West Stadium.

Q: What courses provide the ultimate challenge to the world’s top pros?

A: I think the US Open and the British Open Championship provide the most challenging tests of golf in the world.

Q: You’ve become internationally known for your work in the golf swing. Thousands if not millions of golfers listen to what you say and implement your advice on courses throughout the world. How do you integrate your philosophy into your own game? Does that seem a little difficult sometimes?

A: It is difficult because I expect a high standard of golf from myself. I want to demonstrate the shots I teach, even to tour players. Playing golf at a high level requires a major commitment. Sometimes, at this stage of my career, I just don’t have that time. When I played more competitive in New York, I was very organized with my practice and played very well. My 25% Theory has also helped my practice and preparing for playing great golf. I organized my practice schedule to the minute and worked on all parts of the game.