Sir Nick Faldo was one of the most consistent performers in men’s professional golf through the 1980s and 1990s. He began his career on the European Tour and enjoyed early success, winning 11 times between 1977 and 1984. He had chances in a couple of Open Championships but felt he needed to find more consistency to be a true Major contender. Under the tutelage of David Leadbetter, Faldo completely rebuilt his swing in the mid 1980s. It was a lengthy and challenging process, but it was one that would pay dividends. Faldo’s new action stood up under pressure and earned him six Major titles in the space of nine years between 1987 and 1996.
Although he was renowned in his prime for being a technically excellent golfer, he wasn’t known for being a long hitter. Faldo purposefully played with precision rather than power. In his early days, his swing was looser and longer but the stats would suggest it didn’t necessarily produce greater distance. In the early 1980s, pre swing change, the driving distance stats show that Faldo averaged between 256 and 263 yards from the tee with an overall average of 258.6.
