The Haney Project gives us our first glimpse of Charles Barkley’s house in Scottsdale, AZ. He’s got little dogs running around everywhere — Charles has no idea what breed they are or anything. It’s like The Osbournes in there. We also get a look at Charles’ home course, Gainey Ranch Golf Club, which is what I imagine Golf Heaven looks like.
Haney learned a lot while they were on the course in Atlanta (in last week’s episode). When Charles starts getting bad, he keeps getting worse. Charles has been keeping his head steady on the practice tee, but when he gets on the course, the head starts dropping. Haney says he’ll hold his head still on every shot if he has to — he’s a brave man.
Just an aside, I know what Charles is going through. I’ve been struggling with similar stuff in my golf game for years. I can hit beautiful shots on the range when there’s no pressure or hazards or score. But put me on the course, and suddenly evil golf thoughts creep into my head and mess with my swing. I think that’s what’s so great about this series. Anyone who has ever played golf has struggled at some point — maybe not to the degree that Charles has struggled — but we’ve all been there and know how much it sucks.
Even the master himself, Hank Haney, confesses that he once had the yips with a driver and he never wanted to play. He says it goes away once you hit good shots and rebuild your confidence.
Back at the Barkley Compound, we see Charles has a tennis court, a basketball court and a pool. “Black people don’t swim, so I never go in there,” he says. “I’m no Michael Phelps.” He’s also got a beautiful putting green in his backyard. “My putting green is my pride and joy.”
Charles makes a visit to S-T-R-E-T-C-H To Win, physical therapy and flexiblity specialists. Ann Frederick, who owns the operation with her husband, puts Charles through some treatments using manual traction and bondage. “Bondage,” Charles smirks. “This is serious bondage. Not for the weak-hearted,” Ann says with a straight face. OK, then. Ann compliments his hamstrings, and then Charles says, “I think I got a perfect ass, just for the record.”
Charles goes out to play a round of golf with Seth Joyner and some buddies, and his hitch returns. Haney’s not happy, but he’s prepared to do whatever it takes. Charles shanks a shot and it hits a house adjacent to the course. “Anybody who lives on a golf course should expect their house to get hit,” he says. I agree. And let me take it one step further — I think they deserve to get their house hit.
“Frustration a lot of times is when unrealistic expectations and reality kind of come clashing together,” Haney says. “The reality is that we’re not doing as good as I would like to do.”
Hank is now having Charles do a few exercises designed to keep his head up. One of them is to have Charles take his eyes off the ball and look up at Hank instead. Hank’s getting Charles to focus his on him, and Charles’ head stays steady. I’m not sure how someone makes solid contact without looking at the ball, but that’s not the purpose of the exercise. They got through a nine-hole round of golf without any hitches. There’s some hope yet.
Channel Guide Magazine
April 2, 2009
Posted by Ryan
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Charles Barkley Heads to the Course with Hank Haney
Charles Barkley’s golf swing will be put to the test on Monday’s newest episode of The Haney Project (March 16, 9 p.m. ET) on Golf Channel when Hank Haney takes him out on the golf course for the first time to assess his progress.
While practicing on the driving range, George Lopez, Brett Hull, Tommy Armour III and David Feherty will pay a visit to witness Barkley’s improvements. Haney also will take Barkley to the “Nike Oven” to be fitted for new clubs, followed by another visit from an old friend, 2007 U.S. Amateur Champion Colt Knost, who won’t be afraid to push Barkley’s buttons.
Wednesday (March 18) from 9:30 – 11 p.m. ET and Thursday (March 19) from 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET, Golf Channel will re-air the first three episodes of The Haney Project.
While practicing on the driving range, George Lopez, Brett Hull, Tommy Armour III and David Feherty will pay a visit to witness Barkley’s improvements. Haney also will take Barkley to the “Nike Oven” to be fitted for new clubs, followed by another visit from an old friend, 2007 U.S. Amateur Champion Colt Knost, who won’t be afraid to push Barkley’s buttons.
Wednesday (March 18) from 9:30 – 11 p.m. ET and Thursday (March 19) from 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET, Golf Channel will re-air the first three episodes of The Haney Project.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Haney Project with Charles Barkley sets viewership records for GOLF CHANNEL
GOLF CHANNEL’s Monday premiere of The Haney Project, the network’s real-life series featuring Charles Barkley, was the most-watched premiere episode of a GOLF CHANNEL original series in the network’s history.
More than 800,000 unique viewers watched an airing of the program Monday night. The 9 p.m. show garnered a .40 household rating and also set records with Men 25-54 (.45). The previous high for a GOLF CHANNEL premiere was episode one of Big Break III: Ladies Only in 2005.
The premiere of The Haney Project also represented the most-watched Monday night (non-tournament) program of any kind on GOLF CHANNEL, and was the highest-rated program any day this year outside of tournament coverage and Golf Central.
The Haney Project follows one of the world’s best golf instructors, Hank Haney, in his attempt to fix one of the world’s ugliest swings. The seven-part series air Mondays at 9 p.m. ET, when Barkley allows cameras to chronicle a game gone south and follow Haney’s efforts to improve a swing that has been laughed at by millions and ridiculed by his closest friends.
With the successful launch of The Haney Project, GOLF CHANNEL continues its strong momentum in 2009, which has included record-setting viewership for PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour events, as well as unprecedented Web traffic for GolfChannel.com.
More than 800,000 unique viewers watched an airing of the program Monday night. The 9 p.m. show garnered a .40 household rating and also set records with Men 25-54 (.45). The previous high for a GOLF CHANNEL premiere was episode one of Big Break III: Ladies Only in 2005.
The premiere of The Haney Project also represented the most-watched Monday night (non-tournament) program of any kind on GOLF CHANNEL, and was the highest-rated program any day this year outside of tournament coverage and Golf Central.
The Haney Project follows one of the world’s best golf instructors, Hank Haney, in his attempt to fix one of the world’s ugliest swings. The seven-part series air Mondays at 9 p.m. ET, when Barkley allows cameras to chronicle a game gone south and follow Haney’s efforts to improve a swing that has been laughed at by millions and ridiculed by his closest friends.
With the successful launch of The Haney Project, GOLF CHANNEL continues its strong momentum in 2009, which has included record-setting viewership for PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour events, as well as unprecedented Web traffic for GolfChannel.com.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Haney Project Airs on the Golf Channel
Hank Haney, Tiger Wood's swing coach, recently took a stab at straightening the swing of the Hall of Fame basketball player Charles Barkley, who looked as if he were trying to hack at a rattlesnake, not hit a golf ball. The result is “The Haney Project,” a weekly show that makes its debut tonight on the Golf Channel.
YOU WORK WITH THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD. SO WHAT WAS IT LIKE TAKING ON SOMEONE WITH A SWING THAT IS PERHAPS THE WORST? With Charles, I had no idea where to start. I knew I was going to have to do some experimentation. That’s why the show’s named The Project.” It’s a pretty great challenge when you’re trying to help someone like Tiger, who’s arguably the greatest player ever, because it’s harder to improve at that level. With Charles, all I have to do is get him to hit the ball.
WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM PEOPLE ON THE TOUR ABOUT THIS VENTURE? I’ve had more reaction from people talking to me about the show with Charles than anything I’ve done in teaching because everyone knows about his golf swing. He’s got the most recognizable swing in golf. It’s obviously not for a good reason, but that’s why everybody’s so curious.
WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT WORKING WITH CHARLES? I guess you’re always surprised when you see somebody who works as hard as he does. You know he’s one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game, but I was surprised to see his mental focus and how dedicated he is to improving his game. He was a pleasure to work with. His work ethic was like Tiger’s. Every day that we practiced, he hit over 1,000 balls. You’re not going to find many people who do that.
By Karen Crouse
New York Times
YOU WORK WITH THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD. SO WHAT WAS IT LIKE TAKING ON SOMEONE WITH A SWING THAT IS PERHAPS THE WORST? With Charles, I had no idea where to start. I knew I was going to have to do some experimentation. That’s why the show’s named The Project.” It’s a pretty great challenge when you’re trying to help someone like Tiger, who’s arguably the greatest player ever, because it’s harder to improve at that level. With Charles, all I have to do is get him to hit the ball.
WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM PEOPLE ON THE TOUR ABOUT THIS VENTURE? I’ve had more reaction from people talking to me about the show with Charles than anything I’ve done in teaching because everyone knows about his golf swing. He’s got the most recognizable swing in golf. It’s obviously not for a good reason, but that’s why everybody’s so curious.
WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT WORKING WITH CHARLES? I guess you’re always surprised when you see somebody who works as hard as he does. You know he’s one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game, but I was surprised to see his mental focus and how dedicated he is to improving his game. He was a pleasure to work with. His work ethic was like Tiger’s. Every day that we practiced, he hit over 1,000 balls. You’re not going to find many people who do that.
By Karen Crouse
New York Times
Tiger Will Be Better Than Ever at Masters
Tiger Woods will be “better than ever” when he competes at The Masters in April, despite his early KO at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.
His coach, Hank Haney, made the confident prediction after seeing the world No 1 put his left knee and a new swing to the test after an eight-month injury lay-off.
Haney said: “It’s not a real bold prediction when I say he’s going to be better — I mean he won the US Open on one leg, so it’s not like I’m going out on a limb or anything.
“He’s not there right now but he’s more ready than he was last week. This was only his second tournament in 10 months. He’s human but he will be better than ever.
“He hasn’t had any setbacks. He wants to play The Masters in April and he’s going to need to get in some events.”
Golf’s undisputed superstar will take his next step at the next WGC CA Championship in Miami on March 12, though he has yet to make this official.
Haney added: “Every athlete who comes back from injury has mental hurdles that they need to overcome. Tiger is no different in that regard.
“Having said that, I can’t think of anyone in the world who is better at overcoming a mental hurdle than Tiger.”
From Simon Shaw in Arizona
The Sun
His coach, Hank Haney, made the confident prediction after seeing the world No 1 put his left knee and a new swing to the test after an eight-month injury lay-off.
Haney said: “It’s not a real bold prediction when I say he’s going to be better — I mean he won the US Open on one leg, so it’s not like I’m going out on a limb or anything.
“He’s not there right now but he’s more ready than he was last week. This was only his second tournament in 10 months. He’s human but he will be better than ever.
“He hasn’t had any setbacks. He wants to play The Masters in April and he’s going to need to get in some events.”
Golf’s undisputed superstar will take his next step at the next WGC CA Championship in Miami on March 12, though he has yet to make this official.
Haney added: “Every athlete who comes back from injury has mental hurdles that they need to overcome. Tiger is no different in that regard.
“Having said that, I can’t think of anyone in the world who is better at overcoming a mental hurdle than Tiger.”
From Simon Shaw in Arizona
The Sun
Haney Says Tiger Was Solid In Return
The sun still rose over the mountains Friday, even though Tiger Woods was no longer here to take in the view -- or perhaps more appropriately, no longer here to be viewed by thousands of spectators yearning to get a glimpse of the world's No. 1 golfer.
With Woods eliminated from the Accenture Match Play Championship, a calm came over the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain, where crowds were noticeably thinner and the buzz appreciably diminished.
Hank Haney stayed behind after his famous client had jetted off following his defeat to Tim Clark on Thursday, and Haney was generally upbeat about what had transpired this week, despite the 4-and-2 defeat. All in all, it was a very encouraging comeback from knee surgery, Haney said.
"The amount of satisfaction I have is related to how Tiger feels he did, and he felt like he did well," Haney said. "He told me he thought he hit the ball real well, and I thought he did, too. I thought he hit a lot of great shots."
"The goal was to start getting some rounds of golf in and the goal obviously is to be ready for [the Masters at] Augusta. I didn't see anything in the last two days that made me think he won't be ready for Augusta."
By Bob Harig ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3940371
With Woods eliminated from the Accenture Match Play Championship, a calm came over the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain, where crowds were noticeably thinner and the buzz appreciably diminished.
Hank Haney stayed behind after his famous client had jetted off following his defeat to Tim Clark on Thursday, and Haney was generally upbeat about what had transpired this week, despite the 4-and-2 defeat. All in all, it was a very encouraging comeback from knee surgery, Haney said.
"The amount of satisfaction I have is related to how Tiger feels he did, and he felt like he did well," Haney said. "He told me he thought he hit the ball real well, and I thought he did, too. I thought he hit a lot of great shots."
"The goal was to start getting some rounds of golf in and the goal obviously is to be ready for [the Masters at] Augusta. I didn't see anything in the last two days that made me think he won't be ready for Augusta."
By Bob Harig ESPN
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=3940371
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Haney Says Tiger Looked Great
Tiger Woods pulled into the parking lot as sunlight began to filter across the desert floor. He ducked into the clubhouse to change into golf shoes and headed out for a practice round, a routine he has followed for a dozen years. For a moment, it didn't seem as though he had been gone from golf for the last eight months recovering from knee surgery.
"It feels the same. Nothing feels any different," Woods said, recalling a conversation with his wife Tuesday morning. "Just because it feels like I'm coming back to what I used to do."
But there was one change that brought so much satisfaction.
Standing on the first tee at Dove Mountain, he drew back his 3-wood and sent the ball soaring against the Arizona sky, his swing looking just as good as it did that Monday in June at Torrey Pines when he won the U.S. Open in a playoff.
Only this time he didn't wince. He didn't stoop over and clutch his left leg. He didn't have to use his club for a cane.
Nothing hurt.
"I feel great," Woods said. "I didn't think it would feel this good before the surgery, or even just after the surgery, because I hadn't known what it's like to feel this way. It's been so long. So to have it feel this healthy and this solid and secure, man, it's a great feeling."
He was about an hour late for his press conference, but he had a good excuse.
It was his first time walking 18 holes since the U.S. Open, and "I forgot how long it takes," said Woods, who has been riding a cart at home.
Woods does not know what to expect from his game when the Accenture Match Play Championship begins Wednesday, mainly because there is sure to be rust. He has not competed since surgery to rebuild ligaments in his left knee the week after Torrey Pines.
"I've played one tournament in 10 months," Woods said. "I've simulated tournaments the best I possibly can, but it's hard to get the adrenaline up to where it's going to be tomorrow when I play. I'm trying to get into the rhythm of the round as fast as I possibly can.
"And hopefully, it will happen quickly for me."
His first-round opponent is Brendan Jones, an Australian Woods has never met.
Woods is the defending champion, which means nothing in this fickle format. It doesn't matter what score he shoots, as long as he wins more holes than his opponent.
"You have to be on your game right away," he said. "You have to make sure you bring the intensity and bring your game from the very first hole. Because if you don't, then I'll be going home."
The intensity might come from the circus around him.
Even if Woods felt like his drive to The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club was just like going to the office, it soon was clear this week will be different. About 50 photographers were waiting at the entrance of the practice range, and a dozen of them camped on the slope behind where Woods set up to hit balls.
The only other player on the range was Phil Mickelson, who won two days ago at Riviera and virtually was ignored. "As I'm walking to the range, I've never seen so many cameras, especially that early in the morning," Mickelson said.
Woods played alone, followed by swing coach Hank Haney, agent Mark Steinberg and spokesman Glenn Greenspan.
"He looked great," Haney said. "I'm very pleased with how he did today. It's slowly coming around, and he's getting more consistent. His knee is not flopping all over the place. It's nice to see him not in pain, not hurt when he's playing."
Haney said Woods was hurting when the won the Match Play for the third time last year. Woods tried to take care of his wounded knee with surgery to clean out cartilage after the Masters, but the ACL already was gone. And then came a double stress fracture of the tibia while practicing for the U.S. Open.
Woods figures he had only 20 percent of his ACL some five years ago, none since stepping in a hole while jogging after the British Open in 2007.
"I feel a lot stronger in my left leg," Woods said. "Both legs have been stronger than they ever have been. Stability is something I haven't had in years. So it's nice to make a swing and not have my bones move. ... It's nice to hit into it for the first time."
Woods doesn't watch a lot of golf on TV, but he knows what has transpired during his absence.
He remains No. 1 in the world ranking, although the gap has closed from an 11.33-point margin over Mickelson to a 1.74-point lead over Sergio Garcia.
Padraig Harrington won the British Open and PGA Championship, meaning the Irishman will go to the Masters with a chance to join Woods and Ben Hogan as the only players to win three straight majors. Once considered young, the 33-year-old Woods has noticed the next generation making its move, from Anthony Kim to Camilo Villegas, from Rory McIlroy to Dustin Johnson.
None of it made him eager to return.
He spent the last eight months chasing around his 20-month-old daughter, Sam, and waiting on the Feb. 8 birth of his son, Charlie.
"It was a blessing in disguise to have an opportunity just to see Sam grow that fast and that much," he said. "As players, you travel so much that I would have missed a lot of that. So I was very lucky there."
In the last few weeks, he said he would go to the range at home in Florida while Charlie was asleep. His wife, Elin, would call when the child woke up, and Woods would head back to the house.
His family is in Florida, and Woods said this week would be a time to catch up on sleep. That's one incentive to win matches.
"I'm looking forward to the rush tomorrow. I really am," Woods said. "Waking up tomorrow, and getting ready for my round, and getting focused, and coming out here, warming up and getting fired up. I'm really looking forward to that more than anything else. Because I haven't had that in a long time."
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP
"It feels the same. Nothing feels any different," Woods said, recalling a conversation with his wife Tuesday morning. "Just because it feels like I'm coming back to what I used to do."
But there was one change that brought so much satisfaction.
Standing on the first tee at Dove Mountain, he drew back his 3-wood and sent the ball soaring against the Arizona sky, his swing looking just as good as it did that Monday in June at Torrey Pines when he won the U.S. Open in a playoff.
Only this time he didn't wince. He didn't stoop over and clutch his left leg. He didn't have to use his club for a cane.
Nothing hurt.
"I feel great," Woods said. "I didn't think it would feel this good before the surgery, or even just after the surgery, because I hadn't known what it's like to feel this way. It's been so long. So to have it feel this healthy and this solid and secure, man, it's a great feeling."
He was about an hour late for his press conference, but he had a good excuse.
It was his first time walking 18 holes since the U.S. Open, and "I forgot how long it takes," said Woods, who has been riding a cart at home.
Woods does not know what to expect from his game when the Accenture Match Play Championship begins Wednesday, mainly because there is sure to be rust. He has not competed since surgery to rebuild ligaments in his left knee the week after Torrey Pines.
"I've played one tournament in 10 months," Woods said. "I've simulated tournaments the best I possibly can, but it's hard to get the adrenaline up to where it's going to be tomorrow when I play. I'm trying to get into the rhythm of the round as fast as I possibly can.
"And hopefully, it will happen quickly for me."
His first-round opponent is Brendan Jones, an Australian Woods has never met.
Woods is the defending champion, which means nothing in this fickle format. It doesn't matter what score he shoots, as long as he wins more holes than his opponent.
"You have to be on your game right away," he said. "You have to make sure you bring the intensity and bring your game from the very first hole. Because if you don't, then I'll be going home."
The intensity might come from the circus around him.
Even if Woods felt like his drive to The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club was just like going to the office, it soon was clear this week will be different. About 50 photographers were waiting at the entrance of the practice range, and a dozen of them camped on the slope behind where Woods set up to hit balls.
The only other player on the range was Phil Mickelson, who won two days ago at Riviera and virtually was ignored. "As I'm walking to the range, I've never seen so many cameras, especially that early in the morning," Mickelson said.
Woods played alone, followed by swing coach Hank Haney, agent Mark Steinberg and spokesman Glenn Greenspan.
"He looked great," Haney said. "I'm very pleased with how he did today. It's slowly coming around, and he's getting more consistent. His knee is not flopping all over the place. It's nice to see him not in pain, not hurt when he's playing."
Haney said Woods was hurting when the won the Match Play for the third time last year. Woods tried to take care of his wounded knee with surgery to clean out cartilage after the Masters, but the ACL already was gone. And then came a double stress fracture of the tibia while practicing for the U.S. Open.
Woods figures he had only 20 percent of his ACL some five years ago, none since stepping in a hole while jogging after the British Open in 2007.
"I feel a lot stronger in my left leg," Woods said. "Both legs have been stronger than they ever have been. Stability is something I haven't had in years. So it's nice to make a swing and not have my bones move. ... It's nice to hit into it for the first time."
Woods doesn't watch a lot of golf on TV, but he knows what has transpired during his absence.
He remains No. 1 in the world ranking, although the gap has closed from an 11.33-point margin over Mickelson to a 1.74-point lead over Sergio Garcia.
Padraig Harrington won the British Open and PGA Championship, meaning the Irishman will go to the Masters with a chance to join Woods and Ben Hogan as the only players to win three straight majors. Once considered young, the 33-year-old Woods has noticed the next generation making its move, from Anthony Kim to Camilo Villegas, from Rory McIlroy to Dustin Johnson.
None of it made him eager to return.
He spent the last eight months chasing around his 20-month-old daughter, Sam, and waiting on the Feb. 8 birth of his son, Charlie.
"It was a blessing in disguise to have an opportunity just to see Sam grow that fast and that much," he said. "As players, you travel so much that I would have missed a lot of that. So I was very lucky there."
In the last few weeks, he said he would go to the range at home in Florida while Charlie was asleep. His wife, Elin, would call when the child woke up, and Woods would head back to the house.
His family is in Florida, and Woods said this week would be a time to catch up on sleep. That's one incentive to win matches.
"I'm looking forward to the rush tomorrow. I really am," Woods said. "Waking up tomorrow, and getting ready for my round, and getting focused, and coming out here, warming up and getting fired up. I'm really looking forward to that more than anything else. Because I haven't had that in a long time."
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)