so much of golf is confidence.
when you're 25 yrds past all your main competition on your drive, and hitting a 9 iron for your second shot while the other guy is hitting a 7, that's great for your confidence.
when that scenario is suddenly reversed, it's a shock to the system.
that said, no idea what he was thinking with all the bulking up. (Rory needs to be careful).
name one great, or even good, muscle bound golfer ever.
while TW may still be very flexible for someone that buff, he's still not near as flexible as he was.
some of that may be age, but imo it's more about bulking up.
and flexibility is even more important than confidence.
one thing that's very under reported about top level golfers, is that these guys are flexibility freaks.
the main reason Joe Blow can't recreate that "tour" swing, isn't coordination, or timing, or know how.
it's because his body just won't bend into those positions. (and won't even come close).
a few yrs ago i was watching golf on the DVR. i freeze framed Rory at the end of his follow through. his shoulders were square to a point almost 180 degrees opposite where his belly was pointing, with his stance wider than his shoulders .
most people can't begin to pretzel themselves into that position. (wonder if Rory still can).
Fred Couples was another who could hit body positions even other top golfers couldn't. (heard once he was double jointed).
the longer, more fluid, and rhythmic looking the swing, the more flexibility it takes.