ORLANDO -- Rick Smith, a long-time swing instructor on the PGA Tour and former teacher to Phil Mickelson and other notable players, including Rocco Mediate and Lee Janzen, spoke out on Wednesday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational about Hank Haney's forthcoming book, "The Big Miss," about the teacher's six years as Tiger Woods' swing coach.

"I would rather be broke and not have a penny to my name before I violate the code of player-teacher confidentiality," Smith said. "In 27 years out here, I've never done that. I'm personally upset with Hank because he's broken and violated our code of ethics. If you have the opportunity and you're privileged to conversations, you will not and should not share anything from them with anyone. I don't care who it is.

"For all the guys who have committed their lives to teaching, this should be very upsetting and I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. What Hank did is against the rules."

Smith, who stopped coaching Mickelson after the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, still retains a close personal and business relationship with the four-time major champion. For years, Smith says, he and Mickelson would not discuss with anyone what they were working on. Smith would get permission from Mickelson and other players to answer media questions.

"Your relationship with these players is for a lifetime. All the guys that I have worked with are still my dearest friends," Smith said. "Obviously, Hank was convinced that it was great that everybody knew about his work with Tiger and that it was substantial financially for him to write this book. But you can't put a dollar value on something that is an ethical violation."

Smith said Haney should "s--k up" any ill feelings that he might have toward Woods after their working relationship ended in 2010, and be "grateful" and "appreciative" for the chance to work with one of the greatest players of all time.

"The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods" will be released March 27.

I am posting the above article which I found on Twitter. I am in full agreement with Rick Smith.

Thank you so much for this article! I would be surprised if the golf channel wrote an article about smith's comment.

Rick Smith for MAN OF THE YEAR !

Thank-you 27.......sad part of this entire thing with Haney is his outright denial of knowing anything about what Tiger was doing, it's on video, along with Williams.  Videos don't lie......so my assessment of this is, just another buck he can make off of Tiger, that he lies - so what would anyone believe in his book?  What's the truth and what's reading someone's mind.  Heck, the way Haney talks about being TERRIFIED to ask for a popsicle......dang, the guy has his own show where he coached Rush Limbaugh......you're TERRIFIED.....give me a break.  What is sooo......obvious, is that if we are getting excerpts now, why is he waiting intil March 27th to release it?  SOUR GRAPES....that's all it is and nobody will touch him as a couch anymore.  If Tiger was such an ogre, why does he leave his front door unlocked when Haney is coming in from Texas, provide him with his own room when he gets there?  This is pure baloney after making millions off of Tiger.  That entire thing with Micelli, Tiger answered him and then was hounded by him, it was not Tiger that created that uncomfortable pressor, it was the badgering by Micelli that caused the interchange.  When Phil is asked a question and says he is not commenting on it, it's done!  TGC has lowered their standards......but, they will soon be kissing TW's feet when he gets that last piece of the puzzle dialed in!  History in the making is coming and we get to see it........something that won't come up again in many of our lifetimes if ever!!!

You are all welcomed. I have been reading a lot of adverse reactions to this book. There have been some terrible comments made on Haney. I am hoping this will not be a distraction to Tiger as he looks good and has been playing well.

Thanks for posting this. Mr. Smith is obviously a man of integrity. It is especially gratifying to hear another teaching professional expressing contempt for the total unethical conduct of Mr. Haney.

Yea, I agree, just like Sarah Palin's book  became a bestseller, it was because almost immediately they moved her book to Walmart at $4.99.....I still didn't buy one but at that price many will; I've already heard that about Haney's book.....on sale at Walmart! 

Personally, I think Tiger has that ability now, after being chastised for over 2 years, to "wipe it off his shoulder" and turn it up a notch at the Masters....for some reason when it comes to Augusta, he always seems to.

Thank you for your insight BTW!

Kudos to Rick Smith. I've always had the impression of him that he was a good guy. With that said, his comments , while laudable, reflect his opinion. Despite what any or all of us may think of Hank Haney, it would not be fair or reasonable to think that Haney would be obliged to comply with Smith's standards.
Look for Haney's book to be a big seller. All of the publicity that's being generated can only help sales when it's released. As for Tiger, don't worry about him. He's not going to let the brouhaha over Haney's book interfere with his preparation for Augusta and beyond.

sounds like someone who needs some pub.

do you think butch will say anything? absolutely, NOT!!!

TIGER YOU'VE GOOD FRIENDS LIKE RICK SMITH ON YOUR SIDE

THANKS FOR THE POST