Page 24 - Summer2020GTP
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GENERAL SECTION HEADER
CONTINUING EVOLUTION
y teaching career began in early 1989 with mantra drives me more than he knows – until he
MThe Florida Golf School, before there was a reads this. I’ve earned further certifications with Dr.
USGTF. In order to get my feet wet, I was assigned Ralph Mann and his ModelGolf – now SwingModel
to teach beginners. I was told to teach them the – methodology, and with Dr. David Wright and
basics, and I knew enough about them to get his Wright Balance system, which I write about
by. Although I was about a 2-handicapper at this elsewhere in this magazine. I’ve read more about
time, I soon learned there is a world of difference motor learning than I ever thought I would.
between having knowledge of the basics and It’s also important to keep an open mind and
how to impart them. try new things and not get stuck in the same old
Fortunately, I had a number of very good teaching style and using the same old corrections
mentors who helped me along the way. In over and over. That’s because the corrections that
particular (and these names might be familiar might work on 7 out of 10 students may not work
to some of you old-timers), Mitch Crum, Chris on the other three. It’s also because a certain
Kelly, Jack Feola, Doug Freeman and Judy teaching style might not appeal to a significant
Garvey helped guide me, patiently answering number of students.
my seemingly endless questions. They showed As I’ve gotten more and more into giving
me drills to fix certain problems and certain swing individual lessons once again, I have made four
concepts. significant changes to my way of teaching.
Also instrumental was Dr. Gregg Steinberg, The first is I willingly admit to the student when
who was attending Florida State University at the something I recommend is not working. In the past,
time earning his Masters degree. Gregg and I met I might have told them to just keep working on it
at Seminole Golf Course in Tallahassee, where I and eventually they will get it. While there could
lived at the time. He really helped me understand be some truth or even a complete truth to that for
the concept that the lower body starting the some students, my ego is such that I will say, “Well,
downswing was instrumental in how a golfer that didn’t work. Let’s try to figure out something
returns the clubhead into the ball, particularly the that will.”
clubhead path. The second is my willingness to experiment
All of these things I learned I still use today. more, which kind of goes along with the first
However, it would be inaccurate for me to say I still change I mentioned. I let them know that we
teach the same way. I’ve always appreciated the need to find out what works for them, what they
John Dana quote, “He who dares to teach must are capable or not capable of doing. Back in the
never cease to learn.” And USGTF Hall of Fame day, my insecurity might have prevented me from
teacher David Vaught’s words always inspired doing this, lest the student think I don’t know what
me: “I never want to give a bad lesson.” David’s I’m doing. But I now know, at least for me, that
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Golf Teaching Pro SUMMER 2020
