Career
In 1991, Erickson was a Sony World ranked professional player. The event was unique in that it required players to use equipment no later than 1979. Number metal woods, long putters, or wedges over 56 degrees were allowed.
The event followed the rules and guidelines of the Traditional Rules of Golf (TRGA).
Erickson was an early protégé of the controversial teaching method "" that was based upon the book of the same name written by Homer Kelley. drew from physics and geometry, breaking the golf swing down into 24 components, 4 power accumulators, 16 variations, and 4 imperatives. The objective nature of the teaching methodology differs from the past in that the teacher must remain objective and not inject a subjective or mysterious nature into instruction.
"Complexity is far more simple and workable than mystery" quoted from "" (preface). Bobby Clampett, and Mac O"Grady were also having success using the Golfing Machine model around this time period.
In 1994 Erickson retired from competition to pursue other non golf interests.
As a golf purist, he believed woods should be made of wood or persimmon, strongly opposed perimeter weighted irons, and believed golf courses were sacred sites to celebrate and play the ancient game, not a vehicle to sell real estate home lots. Erickson believed golf should be a game of physical and mental skill, much like Chess where the rules for play are honored and respected. He believed the United States Golf Association sold out to equipment makers, prostituting the game for profit, forcing a new technology upon golf, which in the past had been a game of integrity and tradition.
Erickson believed the world"s classic old courses were not meant to be lengthened and in doing so, disgraced the design, shape, and intent of the holes these visionary architects so masterfully crafted.
Erickson is outspoken about his support for famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie"s ideals, who believed golf should be walked, and the game should be more about skill than the pursuit of technological advances in equipment. Erickson lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and still plays golf with persimmon and blade style irons, and rarely plays a round with anyone using metal woods or perimeter weighted irons.