Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Butch Harmon
Butch Harmon Net Worth
What is Butch Harmon's net worth and salary? Butch Harmon is an American golf instructor and former professional golfer who has a net worth of $16 million. Claude "Butch" Harmon Jr. is widely regarded as the most influential and successful golf instructor in modern history, a coach whose impact on the sport rivals that of the champions he has trained.
The Masters 2025: Butch Harmon on Rory McIlroy having edge over Scottie Scheffler as favourite for Augusta National
Butch Harmon believes Rory McIlroy has the edge over defending champion Scottie Scheffler as favourite to claim major glory at The Masters this week, live on Sky Sports. Scheffler arrives looking to become the first back-to-back winner at Augusta National since Tiger Woods and secure the Green Jacket for a third time in four years, with last season's success part of a remarkable 2024 that saw him claim nine worldwide victories.
Butch Harmon breaks down Stephen Curry's 'excellent' golf swing
Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Butch Harmon breaks down Stephen Curry's 'excellent' golf swing
Last July, Steph and I played a round at Cypress Point. I gave him a few ideas for his game, but he didn’t need much. His swing is solid, and what a gentleman. Of all the superstars I’ve been around, he might be the nicest. A week later, he won the big celebrity event at Lake Tahoe on national TV— with a walk-off eagle on the last hole! RELATED: A timeline of Steph Curry's most golf-obsessed moments Looking at these photos above, I’m reminded how athletic and powerful Steph is swinging the club.
Rory McIlroy at The Masters: Butch Harmon on form, Vegas visit and Grand Slam hopes at Augusta National
Butch Harmon has urged Rory McIlroy to “relax and play golf” if he’s to end his major drought and complete the career Grand Slam at The Masters. McIlroy is without a major victory since his 2014 PGA Championship success and arrives at Augusta National having made a slow start to the PGA Tour season, failing to finish higher than 19th in his first five starts this year.
Golf instruction truths: What your divots should look like
Photographs by J.D. Cuban Next time you get to a par 3, compare the divots on the back tee to the ones on the closer tees. You should see two differences: Divot holes from better players start past the ball (you can usually tell where the tee was), and they point to the target. The ones from less-skilled players start behind the ball and point left, often way left. The ground can tell you a lot about what was going on at impact.
How to make the ball curve
Dom Furore Modern launch monitors have taught us exactly what makes the ball go where it goes, but most golfers would be smart not to get too caught up in technicalities. Decades ago, Jack Nicklaus described a simple way to shape shots, and it’s every bit as valid today. Jack said to hit a fade—his preferred shot—aim the clubface where you want the ball to come down, and align your body to the left (for right-handers).
Butch Harmon: Why Rickie Fowler's PGA Tour win means more than past major successes with others
Butch Harmon Golf Columnist Rickie Fowler registered a sixth PGA Tour title and first since February 2019 with play-off victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit; Butch Harmon, Fowler's coach, praised his latest success on the Sky Sports Golf podcast.
Masters champion Jon Rahm will become one of best players golf has seen, says Butch Harmon
Butch Harmon Golf Columnist Butch Harmon says new Masters champion Jon Rahm is destined for greatness with the Spaniard now having the composure to match his golfing ability; Rahm topples 2022 Augusta champion Scottie Scheffler as world No 1 after four-stroke victory in first major of 2023 Last Updated: 10/04/23 1:42am Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Watch the best moments from Jon Rahm's final round at The Masters as he became the fourth Spanish winner at Augusta...
The Masters: Butch Harmon backs Rory McIlroy to impress and Tiger Woods to surprise at Augusta
Butch Harmon Golf Columnist Rory McIlroy will become just the sixth player in history to complete the career Grand Slam if he wins The Masters this week; Watch all four rounds exclusively live from Augusta National on Sky Sports Golf Last Updated: 06/04/23 12:06am Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rory McIlroy says he needs to be patient and concentrate on playing his own game if he's to be in with a chance of winning The Masters.
The Masters: Butch Harmon on 'Tiger Woods-esque' win for Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy's major hopes
Butch Harmon Golf Columnist Scottie Scheffler extended his advantage as world No 1 with a three-shot victory in opening men's major of the year; Rory McIlroy claimed second after a round-of-the-day 64; Butch Harmon predicts strong performances from both players for the rest of the year Last Updated: 11/04/22 5:32pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Butch Harmon paid tribute to the new Masters champion Scottie Scheffler after the incredible performance from the world...
The Masters: Can pre-tournament focus on Tiger Woods work in Rory McIlroy's favour at Augusta?
Butch Harmon Golf Columnist McIlroy is looking for his first major victory since 2014, which would see him become the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam; Woods returns to major action for the first time since November 2020 - watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf Last Updated: 07/04/22 5:59am Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rory Mcilroy said Tiger Woods' return to The Masters has made preparation for others easier as there is less attention...
Tiger Woods at The Masters: Butch Harmon on whether Woods will tee it up at Augusta National
Butch Harmon Golf Columnist Woods practised at Augusta on Sunday, and tweeted: "It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete."; watch The Masters throughout the week live from Augusta National exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf Last Updated: 04/04/22 10:31am Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player With speculation suggesting Tiger Woods could yet feature in this year's Masters, check out highlights from his five previous wins at Augusta National.
The 1-2-3 of great driving
Most golfers swing as hard as they can with the driver – in case they hit it solid. That’s my funny line, but it’s true. Let’s talk about what you can do to prepare and perform better on tee shots. Try my three-step process: two different practice swings and a better real one. The first practice swing is without a club. When you’re waiting for your turn to hit, grip an imaginary club and mimic your driver swing at full speed.
The Masters: Bryson DeChambeau unlikely to contend at Augusta National, says Butch Harmon
Butch Harmon Golf Columnist Bryson DeChambeau, who finished 18 shots behind winner Dustin Johnson at last year's edition in November, is optimistic a new driver will help his chances of victory at Augusta National - watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports The Masters Last Updated: 08/04/21 1:01pm 0:50 Bryson DeChambeau won't win around Augusta National as his game does not suit the course, according to Butch Harmon Bryson DeChambeau won't win around Augusta National as his game does not...
A quick setup checklist for every type of shot
It takes zero athletic ability to set up to the ball perfectly every time. What it does take is knowing the correct positions and having the discipline to get them right. Let’s start with the driver. Set the clubface square behind the ball, then take your stance so your feet are wider than your shoulders. Play the ball off your front heel, with your weight 50-50. Your head should be behind the ball, and the shaft should be neutral, not leaning forward or back. Now, want a tip for extra power?
A quick setup checklist for every type of shot
It takes zero athletic ability to set up to the ball perfectly every time. What it does take is knowing the correct positions and having the discipline to get them right. Let’s start with the driver. Set the clubface square behind the ball, then take your stance so your feet are wider than your shoulders. Play the ball off your front heel, with your weight 50-50. Your head should be behind the ball, and the shaft should be neutral, not leaning forward or back. Now, want a tip for extra power?
Two quick fixes to stop hitting fat and thin shots
A lot of golfers never get over the instinct to lift the ball off the ground. They swing off their back foot or flip their hands through impact, both of which make the club bottom out too soon. As a result, they hit the ground first (fat shot) or catch the ball on the upswing (thin shot). If that sounds familiar, let me give you two simple keys. First, make your initial move from the top a little bump onto your front foot. Feel like you’re shifting toward the target, so your chest is over the ball.
A better way to approach breaking putts - Golf Digest
If your breaking putts tend to miss on the low side, I’d bet your problem is how you look at the putt from over the ball. Most golfers spend too much time staring at the hole, and then putt toward it—after all, that’s where you want to end up. But you have to discipline yourself to focus on the route to the hole, not the hole itself. Try this routine: Read the green from behind the ball, and imagine the first six inches of the putt as a trough aimed where you want to start the ball.
Three keys for better control with your pitch shots
Thirty yards out. Over a bunker. Tight lie. You might think this shot is a nightmare, but you can beat the stress with a few simple keys. For starters, commit to the hit. Don’t make the common mistake of taking a long backswing so you have to decel at impact. Limit your swing so you can accelerate through the ball for better contact. The next thing is letting the loft of the club do the work.
Three keys for better control with your pitch shots - Golf Digest
Thirty yards out. Over a bunker. Tight lie. You might think this shot is a nightmare, but you can beat the stress with a few simple keys. For starters, commit to the hit. Don’t make the common mistake of taking a long backswing so you have to decel at impact. Limit your swing so you can accelerate through the ball for better contact. The next thing is letting the loft of the club do the work.
How to make your chip shots land soft and stop fast - Golf Digest
Play Your Best33 minutes ago J.D. Cuban Your ball rolls through the green, just far enough so you really can’t putt it. You need a little drop shot that lands softly and creeps to the hole. Nervous? Don’t be. With the right setup and a couple swing keys, you’ve got this shot. Use your most lofted wedge and open the clubface before you take your grip. Gripping first and then turning the face open won’t add loft, because your hands will tend to rotate back to their starting position.
Butch Harmon's checklist for overcoming first-tee jitters
This summer, I got to experience baseball’s version of the first-tee shot. As honoree of the PGA Tour’s 2019 Houston Open, I threw out the first pitch at the Astros game on July 23. With a few deep breaths and a little advice in my head (Aim high), I chucked a pretty good one, as Bob Uecker said in “Major League,” just a bit outside. People ask me if I was nervous, and what I was thinking about out there.
Use Butch Harmon's keys to simplify bunker shots - Golf Digest
When most golfers climb into a greenside bunker, it’s like an out-of-body experience. They lose all sense of what they need to do, fear takes over, and a few hacks later . . . triple bogey. The good news is, most of the mistakes I see come at address, and those are the easy ones to fix. A lot of golfers play the ball back and push their hands ahead. Typical miss: chunk. Others set up tilting away from the target. Typical miss: skull. So let’s check your setup. First, open the clubface.
Butch Harmon: My Anti-Slice
When I meet golfers who’ve been struggling with a slice since day one, I know I’m going to have some fun. Why? Because I can straighten their ball flight, even teach them to hit a draw, in a matter of minutes. Getting in the correct positions is easy. Beating a slice is ultimately about commitment and good habits. ‘Don’t look at the trouble right. Look where you want to go” – Butch Harmon If you’re like most slicers, the first fix you need is in the setup.
What Pure Feels Like: Three moves to help you find the sweet spot
There's so much talk about impact and the positions of your body and the club. But with the clubhead moving 90 miles an hour, it's impossible to control exact positions. Instead, think bigger: Think motions. You'll improve your impact without getting fixated on the actual strike. -- with Peter Morrice “Stop scooping -- Extend your right arm.” Let's start with lower-body action. You can see in the photo above how my right knee is kicking in—that's a big one.
What Pure Feels Like: Three moves to help you find the sweet spot
There's so much talk about impact and the positions of your body and the club. But with the clubhead moving 90 miles an hour, it's impossible to control exact positions. Instead, think bigger: Think motions. You'll improve your impact without getting fixated on the actual strike. -- with Peter Morrice “Stop scooping -- Extend your right arm.” Let's start with lower-body action. You can see in the photo above how my right knee is kicking in—that's a big one.
Butch Harmon on mastering the short-sided bunker shot
This is one of those shots where you think to yourself, How am I gonna get anywhere near the hole? First, accept that it's OK to hit the ball past the flag. The worst thing you can do is get too cute and have the same shot again. Second, realize that with enough loft, you can swing with some speed and still hit a short shot. -- with Peter Morrice Before you even take your grip, turn the clubface open 30 or 40 degrees.
When the Chipping Gets Rough
All too often amateurs have one basic chipping stroke, and they use it no matter the lie. I'm all for keeping it simple on standard chips, but you have to adapt to different lies. When you try to force a technique, you get in trouble. Let's look at two common chipping scenarios: the perched lie and the buried lie. When the ball is sitting on top of the grass, it's easy to slide the clubhead under it and flub the shot.
When the Chipping Gets Rough
All too often amateurs have one basic chipping stroke, and they use it no matter the lie. I'm all for keeping it simple on standard chips, but you have to adapt to different lies. When you try to force a technique, you get in trouble. Let's look at two common chipping scenarios: the perched lie and the buried lie. When the ball is sitting on top of the grass, it's easy to slide the clubhead under it and flub the shot.
Butch Harmon's two-step slice fix
When I meet golfers who've been struggling with a slice since day one, I know I'm going to have some fun. Why? Because I can straighten their ball flight, even teach them to hit a draw, in a matter of minutes. Getting in the correct positions is easy. Beating a slice is ultimately about commitment and good habits. If you're like most slicers, the first fix you need is in the setup. Close your feet, hips and shoulders so they're pointing to the right of your target.
Butch Harmon: How To Make The Ball Curve
Modern launch monitors have taught us exactly what makes the ball go where it goes, but most golfers would be smart not to get too caught up in technicalities. Decades ago, Jack Nicklaus described a simple way to shape shots, and it’s every bit as valid today. Jack said to hit a fade – his preferred shot – aim the clubface where you want the ball to come down, and align your body to the left (for right-handers).
Hit More Greens
For a lot of golfers, I know when I say don’t swing all-out with the driver, it’s a lost cause. They want to bust that thing as far down the fairway as they can. But with irons, there’s no excuse for swinging out of control, because you almost always can use a longer club. If you grab an iron you have to hit perfectly to get to the green, go back and take the next longer iron. Not using enough club on approach shots is the silliest fault I see.
Hit More Greens - Golf Digest
For a lot of golfers, I know when I say don’t swing all-out with the driver, it’s a lost cause. They want to bust that thing as far down the fairway as they can. But with irons, there’s no excuse for swinging out of control, because you almost always can use a longer club. If you grab an iron you have to hit perfectly to get to the green, go back and take the next longer iron. Not using enough club on approach shots is the silliest fault I see.
Be A Better Lag Putter And Control Your Distance
In golf, your instincts can get you into trouble. A good example is when you have a long putt. The tendency is to think you have to hit the ball harder than normal. That mind-set leads to a short backstroke and a fast flick on the downstroke. The result is usually poor contact—and a putt that never gets to the hole. A better technique is to lengthen your backstroke but keep the pace of the motion the same.
3 Ways Tour Players Program Good Results
Over the years, I've been fortunate to work with some of the game's best players. They're all physically gifted, so it's often something else—a mental or emotional strength—that sets them apart. Here are a few of those qualities. 1.) A SHORT MEMORY Great golfers are like great defensive backs in football: When they get burned, they're immediately ready to go again. Whatever the mistake—a bad drive, a missed putt—the best players quickly put it in the past.
3 Ways Tour Players Program Good Results
Over the years, I've been fortunate to work with some of the game's best players. They're all physically gifted, so it's often something else—a mental or emotional strength—that sets them apart. Here are a few of those qualities. 1.) A SHORT MEMORY Great golfers are like great defensive backs in football: When they get burned, they're immediately ready to go again. Whatever the mistake—a bad drive, a missed putt—the best players quickly put it in the past.
How to make the ball curve
Modern launch monitors have taught us exactly what makes the ball go where it goes, but most golfers would be smart not to get too caught up in technicalities. Decades ago, Jack Nicklaus described a simple way to shape shots, and it's every bit as valid today. Jack said to hit a fade—his preferred shot—aim the clubface where you want the ball to come down, and align your body to the left (for right-handers).
Be Like Tiger: Beat Pressure With A Relentless Routine
We all know players who seem to always get it done under pressure. More likely, they just look good by comparison with the golfers around them who are collapsing. Putting seems to exaggerate this phenomenon. When that putt on the last hole falls or doesn't, the player's reputation on the greens is set for life. But you can do something to boost your chance of putting well in stressful situations. Develop a pre-putt routine, and stick to it no matter what's on the line.
Be Like Tiger: Beat Pressure With A Relentless Routine
We all know players who seem to always get it done under pressure. More likely, they just look good by comparison with the golfers around them who are collapsing. Putting seems to exaggerate this phenomenon. When that putt on the last hole falls or doesn't, the player's reputation on the greens is set for life. But you can do something to boost your chance of putting well in stressful situations. Develop a pre-putt routine, and stick to it no matter what's on the line.
How To Stay Aggressive From Short Distances
The best thing you can do for your swing is to let it be an athletic motion. What I mean is, let your body and the club flow back and through so the swing is smooth and natural. One area I see a lot of golfers losing this flow is on short wedge shots, say, 40 to 60 yards. Because it's not a full swing, the instinct is to overcontrol the motion. Trust me, that doesn't work. The key on those short wedges is to get into a good setup and make a backswing that allows you to accelerate through the ball.
British Open 2018: favourite, Tiger Woods, Carnoustie course
The course being this firm will present golfers with a lot of different problems, even though you would think that it might make the course easier because it plays so much shorter. Links courses aren’t designed to be easy! Players are hitting six or seven irons off some of the tees to avoid the bunkers, which are totally penal if you get in them, but balls are still catching the downslopes and ending up in them.
Finding Control Off The Tee
When you're hitting an approach shot, the yardage to the green immediately points you to a particular club. From 150 yards, you might think, That's my 6-iron . From 180, Gimme the 5-wood. You base those selections on the thousands of shots you've hit with those clubs. Better yet, think in terms of averages. Maybe you've crushed a few 7-irons 150—or even did it routinely 20 years ago—but the way you hit it now on average is the info you should use.
Butch Harmon's Simple Setup Tips Will Eliminate Chunks Or Skulls
When I get students who complain about poor chipping, here's where I go first: How far are they standing from the ball? If you're more than a foot away, you're adding variables that just aren't necessary. The biggest issue is, the club will tend to swing around your body, with the face fanning open (above). It's hard to hit a good chip from that position. Here's a simpler way to go. Start with your back foot across from the ball, and get very close to it.
These Simple Setup Tips Will Eliminate Chunks Or Skulls - Golf Digest
When I get students who complain about poor chipping, here's where I go first: How far are they standing from the ball? If you're more than a foot away, you're adding variables that just aren't necessary. The biggest issue is, the club will tend to swing around your body, with the face fanning open (above). It's hard to hit a good chip from that position. Here's a simpler way to go. Start with your back foot across from the ball, and get very close to it.
Score On A Drivable Par 4
When you're looking at a drivable par 4, you can bet there's something else that makes up for the lack of distance—like a brutal green. The 315-yard 10th at Riviera Country Club ( above ) is a perfect example. It might be the toughest drivable par 4 in the world, with a very narrow green that tilts severely to the left. If you miss it right, you can't hold a pitch shot on the surface.
Butch Harmon: I thought Tiger would never play again
Harmon told "AP Sports Special Events" podcast co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg on location at the Masters that he thinks Woods will play well and might even have a chance of winning. If that happens, he said, it would be a great reincarnation for Woods and golf itself. Harmon was the instructor for Woods when he turned pro and this week counts Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler among his clients.
Butch Harmon: I thought Tiger would never play again
David J. Phillip Chairman suggests No. 13 at Augusta National could be longer Tiger Woods walks on the sixth green during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J.
Butch Harmon: I thought Tiger would never play again
Harmon told "AP Sports Special Events" podcast co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg on location at the Masters that he thinks Woods will play well and might even have a chance of winning. If that happens, he said, it would be a great reincarnation for Woods and golf itself. Harmon was the instructor for Woods when he turned pro and this week counts Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler among his clients.
Butch Harmon: I thought Tiger would never play again
Harmon told "AP Sports Special Events" podcast co-hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg on location at the Masters that he thinks Woods will play well and might even have a chance of winning. If that happens, he said, it would be a great reincarnation for Woods and golf itself. Harmon was the instructor for Woods when he turned pro and this week counts Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler among his clients.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Butch
Contact Butch, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack