Barkley Hits New Low: To Appear In Golf Channel Reality Show

Reid Cherner & Tom Weir report the sad state of affairs for the TNT analyst, who will be joined by Hank Haney and Golf Channel executives pray twice daily for an appearance by Tiger Woods. Shoot, they'll take a phone call. Anything Tiger.

The Hall of Fame basketball player and TNT analyst tells USA TODAY’s Jon Saraceno that he met with Hank Haney, who is Tiger Woods’ swing coach, to discuss a show to be televised by the Golf Channel. Filming, he says, begins in a couple of weeks in Dallas. (Photo by Ethan Miller, Getty Images)

The goal: “Fix Charles Barkley’s swing,’’ says Sir Charles, who took Woods’ suggestion and called Haney. “It’s some ugly (stuff), isn’t it? It’s not only terrible, it’s embarrassing.’’

“I was telling Hank (Tuesday) that when I’m standing over the ball, I’m (expletive deleted) terrified. I have no idea what’s going to happen. He told me he used to have the yips, but not as bad as me. That’s what makes me think he can fix what’s wrong.’’

Comments

[jason]

Sad state of affairs? You're suggesting he's only doing this because he needs money?

[jneu]

There are many worse television ideas than "Put a camera and microphone on Charles Barkley and let 'em run."

[CBell]

I'm with jneu. My kids love watching the Animal Planet's "It's Me or The Dog," in which a dysfunctional dog is rehabilitated by a professional trainer. Sir Charles will be a riot, and we KNOW that despite the short-term improvement in the long run he'll revert to his frightening Hitch-Cock lunge.

It'll be as funny - and as predictable - as Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown.

[86general]

I have an old fart/elitest/snooty attitude about reality TV, but I think this will be great. Given Charles' swing, it's more un-real than real anyway.

[frank D]

RE golf can be taught, it just can't be learned

sir charles, with all his money and athletic ability and access to the best resourced people in golf and sincere determination, shows us all just how mentally confounding and physically frustrating this game of golf can be.


frankD

[Steve Wozeniak]

Anyone that understands the golf swing and how athletes move in any sport with stick and a ball can get Charles swinging correctly in an hour, then it's a lot of practice from there. Let's see if Hank can do it!!

It should be funny,

www.stevewozeniak.com

[86general]

"Anyone that understands the golf swing and how athletes move in any sport with stick and a ball can get Charles swinging correctly in an hour, then it's a lot of practice from there. Let's see if Hank can do it!!"

Wow that's a strong statement. Tiger Woods has worked with him, probably for at least an hour, and I think he understands the golf swing.

My understanding was that Barkley had full swing yips. He can make a normal practice swing, but can't pull the trigger when the ball is there and does the pregnant pause/lunge thing. I thought this kind of thing was almost impossible to fix.

[Tuna]

Who would bother to watch this crap?

[Rick]

Any idea where in Dallas they're filming the show?

[Double Secret Probation]

Haney teaches out of Vacquero club, I believe, so that might be the location.