Golf Lessons Primer
When a new or existing student comes to me for lessons, I know I have
done something correct in my teaching approach somewhere along the line. Being a golf instructor and teacher,
someone skilled in ball striking and teaching, I have a good feeling as to how to approach each lesson. From the
initial contact to about 5 minutes into the lesson, I know how to go about relating the important golf information
to each student on an individual basis. Feel, intuition, and experience all figure into the equation.
If you are thinking of taking golf lesson, realize first as I am sure
you do, that this can be a major investment. Even one lesson at a $60 to $80 price range can cut into your golfing
and living budget. In my experience, I realize how hard it is to get by these days on what we have, so if you take
a lesson from me, and I can only speak for myself, I can guarantee that you will get the most for your
money.
I recently attended a seminar presented by Michael Breed of The Golf
Channel. At one point in tthe presentation, Breed asked for 2 key words from the audience. He had a list of words
that he had collected from all his previous seminars, and wanted to add 2 words from this audience, made up
primarily of PGA professionals. Breed read us his list and got 2 more words from this group. No place on his list
were the words I have previously mention, feel and intuition. Most in attendance agreed that it took about
one-third to one-quarter of each lesson to figure out how to approach the student. I thought to myself that they
are wasting a great deal of time on a part of teaching that they should have figured out in the lesson booking
and in the first five minutes of the lesson: how to approach the relaying and relating of
information.
My artistic background has given me a great foundation
on which to base my teaching method. In the first place, I have learned over the last 40 years how to
reduce information to its lowest common denominator, and how to get to the root of most problems quickly. In the
second place, I have learned how to relay this information in a timely, simple to understand, common sense,
coherent way. I have learned to operate on many levels at once, to get to the heart of the matter and get that
information to the student precisely and quickly. No one wants to waste time and money; your golf lesson
is no different that anything else.
I could tell you many reasons to take a lesson, from learning
fundamentals to the ultimate goal of lowering your scores by hitting consistently better golf shots. This
leads to increased satisfaction in your golf game simply from being a better player.
It is my goal as a teacher to first and foremost connect with you
as a student, on some level. Then we can go about our business of making you a more consistent and competent
golfers.
If you are looking for lessons, find a teacher who will meet your needs.
Use email and the telephone to interview your prospective teachers and find someone who first of all
cares about what he or she is doing, and second of all who can relate to you honestly as an individual golfer. Stay
away from system or method teachers. What works for one golfer may not work for another. It is more important to
relate swing fundamentals, both pre-swing and in-swing, to you particular situation, to getting you on the road to
being a better player. Remember the words feel and intuition, and use them to your advantage on your search for
a golf teacher or instructor.
Remember once you get on the road, it takes a little work on your part
to maintain your knowledge, put it into practice, and keep on moving to new horizons.
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