Jordan Spieth was once the best golfer in the world, but former No. 1 Gary Player has suggested that poor coaching has seen the American’s form plummet in recent years
Gary Player has declared Jordan Spieth would reign above Rory McIlroy as the world’s finest golfer if he had superior coaching. And he suggested inadequate instruction has contributed to the golf star not maintaining his trajectory from earlier in his career.
Spieth, 32, held the world No. 1 ranking for 26 weeks in 2015 following victories at both the US Open and the Masters, which McIlroy finally won this year. However, his form tailed off over time, and he hasn’t won another major since clinching The Open back in 2017.
He has battled for form in recent seasons, with Scottie Scheffler now occupying the summit of world golf, though Spieth maintains he was a superior player during his peak years. The three-time major winner hasn’t secured a PGA Tour triumph since 2022, yet McIlroy has spoken of the respect he holds for both Spieth and Scheffler.
Nevertheless, Player has argued Spieth can no longer strike a ball properly due to inadequate coaching and has branded the circumstances tragic. The 89-year-old boasts nine major championships and ranks among golf’s all-time greats.
While many believe the sport’s overall standard has risen throughout the years, Player remains convinced today’s professionals are receiving poor guidance concerning their technique. According to him, Spieth represents one of the most significant casualties, asserting he would still surpass Scheffler had he received proper tuition.
“There is a tremendous lack of knowledge with golf,” he said on The Golf Supply YouTube channel (via The Mirror US). “I would say in America today, the golf pros that are teaching know less about golf.
“They have all the equipment and the technology, but they are teaching golfers to do this at the top [bowed wrist action]. But you can’t; once you do that, you are gone.
“Jack Nicklaus won majors for 25 years, I won majors for 20 years, Palmer won for six years because he was shut. Look at Dustin Johnson. You haven’t heard of him. When was the last time you heard of Dustin Johnson?”
Player then turned his attention to Spieth, who was disqualified from last year’s Genesis Invitational over a scorecard error, suggesting legendary figure Ben Hogan could have rescued his career trajectory: “What they are doing, they did it with Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler.
“Now those two guys. Jordan Spieth, I think, is the best golfer in the world, but in my opinion, he was taught the wrong thing. And he just went downhill. He went downhill.
“If you had a man like Ben Hogan teaching Jordan Spieth, he would be the best in the world. He’s such a competitor, such a wonderful man. A wonderful guy for golf, the best short game, best course management, but he just can’t hit the ball. That is a tragedy.”
Despite Player’s harsh assessment, Spieth remains confident about recapturing his best form in the near future after he recently said at the Wyndham Championship: “Next year’s going to be a really good year for me, I can feel it.
“One good offseason should get me nailed down to where I could be as good as I’ve been. That’s my goal.”
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