MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
Faldo natural?? Geez a break, he had a more mechanical swing than a Honda Civic!
Faldo is an interesting case. He is both a natural and a manufactured talent. Those who think he is just a mechanical player probably didn't see him when he first burst on the scene in the 1970's
Faldo took up the game as a 14 year old in 1971. Was English Amateur Champion in 1975. Pretty much self taught. Youngest Ryder Cup Player in 1977 when he won all 3 of his matches.
So from first golf swing to Ryder Cup in 7 years.
Won about 10 times on the pro tour including 3 PGA Championships with a natural willowy reverse C swing. I remember watching him on TV in those days and he did look like a "natural" golfer. However he got the nick name El Foldo for his talent to throw away a tournamant.
BUT he was also hugely ambitious and driven. He didn't think his natural swing could stand up under pressure and take him to the next level so he virtually disappeared for about 2-4 years in the mid 80's to build that mechanical swing with Ledbetter.
The rest as they say is history.