Teaching Philosophy
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When it comes to golf instruction, there are a variety of ways to go about helping a student to improve their game. The term “method” can be broad and is a misunderstood word in the world of golf, however all great teachers have some kind of a system that they believe in and implement during golf lessons. In trying to keep things as simple as possible, my primary goal with students is to formulate a plan for success based on their particular aspirations. Some golfers strive to become a single digit handicap, while others are content to shoot in the 90’s or simply hit the ball a little further. Based on this feedback, I work with my students to create a plan that enables them to achieve realistic goals. To make this process work, it is important to work with students in areas in which they excel naturally.
There are many areas involved in playing good golf. The long game, the short game (chipping & pitching), putting, golf course management, and mental outlook are all important facors that affect the outcome of a round. If a golfer is deficient in more than one of these areas it is difficult to end the round with a good score. With this in mind, I stress the importance of working on improving all areas that are involved in the game, especially the fundamentals of a students' grip, stance, posture, and alignment, which are often overlooked. Educating students about their general golf game and pointing out their strengths and weaknesses are important parts of the process. A golfer should be aware of their faults and tendencies and constantly strive to improve in these areas. Each lesson that I teach focuses on finding the one main area that is having the biggest negative influence on my students' swing and minimize this area as much as possible. Often times, improving just one aspect of the swing allows three or four other components to fall nicely into place without giving them much attention. In my opinion, if a golfer is working on the correct areas, they should see an instant improvement, especially on the practice range. In-depth video analysis plays an important role in most of the golf instruction that I offer. Being able to relate an image to an actual feeling and to proceed through this process while making changes to a swing offers the instant feedback necessary to making continued progress. Tracking this progress through video can make the biggest difference in staying on the correct track and adhering to a plan. The phrase “the video never lies” is true, and if used effectively can be a reliable tool for golfers of all abilities.
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