Gary Wiren

Last updated
Gary Wiren
Gary Wiren Photograph.jpg
Born1935 (age 88–89)
Education Huron University
University of Michigan
University of Oregon (PhD)
Occupation(s)Golf instructor
Golf writer
Golfer
Business executive
Known forDirector of Education, Learning, and Research for the PGA of America (1972–1985)
Notable workThe PGA Teaching Manual;
The PGA Manual of Golf: The Professional Way to Play Better Golf
TitleSenior Director of Instruction for Trump Golf Properties
AwardsHonorary doctorate from Ferris State University
World Golf Teachers' Hall of Fame
PGA Hall of Fame
Website www.garywiren.com

Gary Wiren (born 1935) is a PGA Master Professional instructor. Wiren was the Director of Education, Learning, and Research for the PGA of America between 1972 and 1985, during which time he produced the "Laws, Principles, and Preferences" of golf swing instruction. He is the founder of three golf schools, and is now the senior director of instruction for Trump Golf Properties. Wiren is a member of both the PGA Hall of Fame and the World Golf Teachers' Hall of Fame. As an author, he has written fourteen books, and Wiren is also the founder of Golf Around the World.

Contents

Education and early life

Born in 1935, [1] [2] Wiren became an all-state golfer in high school while playing in Omaha, Nebraska. He then attended Huron University in South Dakota, where he played quarterback for the football team and was named an All-American. He also played golf for the college, winning the conference championship. He then received his master's degree in Sport Science from the University of Michigan, and his PhD from the University of Oregon. In 1962, during the completion of his doctorate, he began teaching golf at a local community course. [3] [4] He later received an honorary doctorate from Ferris State University in Michigan. [5]

Golf playing career

Wiren competed in the 1994 U.S. Senior Open, [6] and in two additional events on the Senior PGA Tour. He has also competed in professional long-ball driving tournaments from the 1970s [3] into the 2010s, [2] and regional PGA championships. [7] His titles have included the South Florida PGA Seniors title and the South Florida long-driving championship. [5]

Golf instruction career

Wiren was the chairman of the Pacific Northwest PGA in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1972, [3] he relocated to Florida, becoming the Director of Education, Learning, and Research for the PGA of America, [7] a position he held for fourteen years, leaving in 1985. [3] He also founded The Five Star Golf School at the Boca Raton Hotel and Club, The PGA Jr. National Academy, and Golf Discovery Schools for the PGA of America. [8] In 1976, Wiren introduced the "Laws, Principles, and Preferences" of teaching a full golf swing, as a member of a group of instructors working with the National Golf Foundation. The "laws" in the model refer to how physics affect the connection of the club face and the ball. The five factors included are clubhead path, clubface position, clubhead speed, angle of approach, and centeredness of contact. [9]

The "principles and preferences" refer to how the individual golfer swings the club in order to strike the ball—including choices in the swing regarding physical and emotional states, as well as where the ball is intended to go. His "principles" are separated into "pre-swing principles" (the grip, aim and alignment, and setup) and "in-swing principles" (swing plane, width of arc, length of arc, position of target arm and wrist, lever system, timing, release, dynamic balance, swing center, connection, and impact). "Preferences" are developed based upon the individual golfer during instruction. Wiren added to the ball flight laws by contributing the concept of centeredness of contact. [9]

Following his time with the PGA, Wiren continued instructing for private companies as a PGA Master Professional instructor. [10] He also spent several years hosting a golf instruction television show in Japan, [3] and spent seventeen years as head of the Mizuno Golf Schools in that country. [11] He has also appeared in segments on ESPN and The Golf Channel. [5] In the 1990s, he became the senior director of instruction for all Trump Golf Properties, operating out of Trump International in West Palm Beach, Florida. [3]

It is estimated that he has taught more than a quarter-million students over his career, in 32 countries. [12]

Businesses

Wiren is the founder of Golf Around the World, which is a business that tests and sells golf teaching and training aids, and issues reviews and recommendations on each. He is also the developer of the "Impact Bag" golf training aid, which measures the feel of the moment of impact. [13]

Writing

Wiren is also the author of The PGA Teaching Manual and The PGA Manual of Golf: The Professional Way to Play Better GOLF. [14] [15] In all, he has written 14 published books. [12] As a writer, he also wrote more than 250 articles for magazines and other periodicals. [16]

Recognition

In 1989 Wiren was named PGA Teacher of the Year. [17] Wiren has since been inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame and the World Golf Teachers' Hall of Fame. [12] Other Hall of Fames he has been inducted into include the halls of the Nebraska, South Dakota and Florida, and Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA. [6] He has been voted as one of the top fifty golf instructors in the U.S. by Golf Digest . [18] Awards he has received include the National Golf Foundation's Joe Graffis Award and Herb Graffis Award, the LPGA's Rolex Ellen Griffin Award, and distinguished service awards in Sweden, Japan, Italy, New Zealand, and the US. [5]

Wiren is also known for his collection of golf memorabilia, which includes more than thirty-five hundred clubs and two thousand balls from the 1700s to the contemporary game. His collection has been exhibited publicly at the Cornell Museum in Delray Beach [3] and the Lighthouse ArtCenter. [19] His archive is a three-time national winner of the Golf Collectors' Society wooden-shafted tournament. [5]

Related Research Articles

Golf instruction is the art of equipping and training golfers to play better golf through improved awareness of swing cause and effects as a result of the actions by their body, the club, and their effect on the golf ball. Most great golfers have a few common elements that make them great including: proper intentionality, swing repeatability to produce an action that fits the golfers intentionality, and a strong level of automaticity for long lasting enjoyment of the game golf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julius Boros</span> American professional golfer (1920–1994)

Julius Nicolas Boros was an American professional golfer noted for his effortless-looking swing and strong record on difficult golf courses, particularly at the U.S. Open.

Murray Irwin "Moe" Norman was a Canadian professional golfer whose accuracy and ability to hit shot after shot perfectly straight gave him the nickname "Pipeline Moe". During his career Norman won 54 tournaments in Canada and set 33 course records. He has total 55 professional wins in his golf career.

Eugene Claude Harmon Sr. was an American professional golfer and golf instructor.

Thomas Dean Aaron is an American former professional golfer who was a member of the PGA Tour during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Aaron is best known for winning the 1973 Masters Tournament. He is also known for an error in the 1968 Masters Tournament, when he entered a 4 instead of a 3 on Roberto De Vicenzo's scorecard, which kept De Vicenzo out of a playoff for the tournament.

Paul Scott Runyan was an American professional golfer. Among the world's best players in the mid-1930s, he won two PGA Championships, and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Runyan was also a golf instructor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Austin (golfer)</span>

Michael Hoke Austin was an American golf professional and kinesiology expert, specializing in long drives.

Robert John Toski, born Algustoski, is an American professional golfer and golf instructor. He was inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Leadbetter (golf instructor)</span> American golf instructor

David Leadbetter is a leading golf instructor, originally from Worthing in Sussex, England.

Herbert Butler Graffis was an American golf writer and administrator. In recognition of his efforts to promote the sport, he was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1977.

Ping, Inc. is an American sports equipment manufacturing company based in Phoenix, Arizona. It focuses on golf equipment, producing golf clubs and golf bags. The company was founded by Karsten Solheim, following a career as an engineer at the General Electric company. In 1959, he started making putters in his garage in Redwood City, California. In 1967, he resigned from his job at General Electric to develop the PING company.

Michael S. Breed is a professional golf instructor and television host. In 2003, he was selected as a Top 100 Instructor in America by Golf Magazine, and in 2011, he was voted one of the Top 50 Instructors in America by Golf Digest. In 2012, Breed was chosen as the PGA's National Teacher of the Year. Prior to his time as a television host, Breed was the Head Golf Professional at Sunningdale Country Club for 12 years from 2001–2012, and the Head Golf Professional at Birchwood Country Club, as well as the Assistant Professional at Deepdale Golf Club and Augusta National Golf Club. He has served on different boards for the Metropolitan PGA for over 10 years and has represented the PGA of America at the National Golf Day in Washington D.C. since 2012. He is involved in charities such as The First Tee, Folds of Honor, Hope for the Warriors, Wounded Warriors Foundation and Salute Military Golf Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Haney</span> American professional golf instructor (born 1955)

Hank Haney is an American professional golf instructor best known for coaching Tiger Woods and two-time major championship winner Mark O'Meara. Graduate of the University of Tulsa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manuel de la Torre (golfer)</span> American professional golfer

Manuel de la Torre was an American professional golfer and golf instructor. He is recognized as being one of golf's top teachers. His career includes playing competitively on tour, head golf professional at Milwaukee Country Club one of America's most esteemed golf clubs, and a career of teaching both tour professional and amateur golfers. Among the tour professionals he has taught are Masters champion Tommy Aaron, U.S. Women's Open champion Carol Mann, du Maurier Classic champion Martha Nause and Women's British Open champion Sherri Steinhauer. He was the first member of the PGA to be awarded their Teacher of the Year Award in 1986. He is one of only several golf instructors to be inducted into both the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame as well as the PGA Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernest Jones (golfer)</span> English professional golfer

Ernest Jones was an English professional golfer. He is renowned for his accomplishments in teaching many famous professional golfers as well as amateurs. He tutored Virginia Van Wie for many years, including during her stretch of three consecutive U.S. Women's Amateurs from 1932 to 1934. He also worked with Glenna Collett Vare, Lawson Little, Betty Hicks, Phil Farley, George Schniter, Horton Smith and other top players of the era.

David T. Pelz is an American golf coach, known for his expertise and published writing on the art of the short game, particularly putting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Trahan</span> American golf instructor

Donald Roland Trahan is an American PGA Master Professional golf instructor. Known as "The Swing Surgeon," Trahan is the father of PGA Tour professional golfer D. J. Trahan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Ogg</span> Scottish-American golfer

William Robertson Ogg, Jr. was a Scottish-American professional golfer, club maker, and golf course architect. He won the 1921 Shawnee Open, 1923 Maine Open, 1924 New England PGA Championship, and the 1924 Massachusetts Open. He finished tied for 9th place in the 1923 PGA Championship, a career-best result in major championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trump International Golf Club (West Palm Beach)</span> Private golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida

Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach is a private 27-hole golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was designed by Jim Fazio, who was given a budget of over US$40 million and was opened in 1999. This venue was Trump's first golf course property.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim McLean (golfer)</span>

James C. McLean is a leading American golf instructor. He is known for coining the phrase “X-Factor”, observing that the greater the differential between the hips and shoulders at the top of the swing, the more power the golfer can create. McLean is CEO of the Jim McLean Golf School, which operates from eight locations.

References

  1. ↑ Cote, Matt. "12th annual event opens to huge crowd at polo club". The Village Daily Sun.
  2. 1 2 Strege, John. "Losing distance to age? Not this 75-year-old". Golf Digest.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "A swing through history: Gary Wiren's golf collection tells game's story". Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  4. ↑ Pospisil, Stu. "Elmwood Park, oldest 18-hole city course at 100, flourishes after changes through years". Omaha World-Herald.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dr. Gary Wiren Named 2008 Florida State Senior Honoree By The Senior Committee of the South Florida Section PGA". Florida Golf Magazine.
  6. 1 2 "The man behind training aides: Dr. Gary Wiren". Golf Week. May 29, 2004.
  7. 1 2 Gummer, Scott (May 14, 2009). Homer Kelley's Golfing Machine: The Curious Quest That Solved Golf. Penguin. p. 99. ISBN   9781101052594.
  8. ↑ Wiren, Gary; Wagner, Patrick (March 16, 2009). "Masters Golf Tournament – Interview with Dr. Gary Wiren". Smithsonian Journeys.
  9. 1 2 Drane, Dan; Block, Martin E.; Ladies Professional Golf Association (2006). Accessible Golf: Making it a Game Fore All. Human Kinetics. pp. 34–39. ISBN   9780880119795.
  10. ↑ "Golf's Ironman Gary Wiren: At 80 he's still got game and drives a golfball 300 yards". Florida Golf Magazine. Winter 2016.
  11. ↑ Bradley, Mark (February 9, 2017). "Donald Trump set for golf outing in Jupiter with Japan's prime minister". Palm Beach Post.
  12. 1 2 3 Sens, Josh (October 21, 2015). "11 of the Most Expensive Teachers in Golf". Golf.com.
  13. ↑ McSorley, Jacqui; Gonzales, Johnny (2007). Golf Guide for Parents and Players: Secrets of Success for Junior and College Golf, Professional Tour and Beyond. Mansion. ISBN   9781932421149 . Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  14. ↑ Hurst, David K. (2002). Learning from the Links: Mastering Management Using Lessons from Golf. Simon and Schuster. p. 93. ISBN   9780684865010 . Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Ozzie Carlson, golf instruction: delivering clubhead speed". NorthJersey.com.
  16. ↑ Stock, Curtis. "Golf's top instructors offer tips to improve your game". Edmonton Journal.
  17. ↑ "Vardon Trophy Winner Matt Kuchar and Celebrated Saxophonist Branford Marsalis are Special Celebrity Guests Set to Open the 58th PGA Merchandise Show". PGA of America. 18 January 2011.
  18. ↑ "50 Best Teachers In America: 2015-2016". Golf Digest.
  19. ↑ Villarreal, Ignacio. "Fore! Gary Wiren Golf Memorabilia Collection to Come to Lighthouse ArtCenter". Art Daily.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.