Page 25 - Summer2020GTP
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GENERAL SECTION HEADER
OF A GOLF TEACHER
By Mark Harman
this is important for me to do if I’m to have any clubhead would be. I have them make a whoosh
success. sound, and a lot of students make the whoosh
The third is getting the student to swing on before impact. I tell them I want to hear it at or
plane, or at least closer to it. It’s ironic, because past impact, and to make it as loud as possible. I
Dr. Mann doesn’t believe in swing planes, but will then video them while they are doing this, and
I’ve found that the closer a student can keep the visually it’s astounding how many people make a
shaft parallel to the initial shaft plane at address swing that looks like a low-handicapper’s. I heard
somewhere in the downswing, the better the ball this was one of Peter Kostis’ favorite drills, so I’m
striking that student will have. To help achieve in good company there. The fourth drill involves
this, I use a U.S. Kids Golf measuring stick (just over having students actually throw the club down the
five feet [152 cm] long). I hope I can explain this target line just after where impact would be. Fred
correctly. If the student is right-handed, I will stand Shoemaker, a top teacher, is famous for this, and
to their right so I am along the extension of the it really drives home the point that the club should
target line. I hold the stick parallel with their stance be swung freely through impact.
and make them swing back and forward under In keeping with what drives David Vaught,
the stick, which prevents them from coming in too the question is, do I ever give a bad lesson?
steep into the ball. On rare occasions, I’ve had Unfortunately, I have to believe that I do. When
students who swing too flat or too much around I can’t get a student to make the necessary
their bodies, so they have to swing over the stick. changes, right or wrong, I feel that’s on me. Other
This simple training aid has worked wonders for teachers have said they have the same problem,
many of my students. and I read where even David Leadbetter said
The fourth change involves my using four new there are students with whom he can’t help. But
drills. One involves the U.S. Kids Golf measuring stick still, it gnaws at me that I could have – should have
as described earlier. The second involves hitting – found a way to help them. I’ve also had students
shots one-handed with the lead hand (left hand who have made the suggested changes but saw
for a right-hander). It’s interesting how weak most no improvement, or worse yet, regression, in their
people’s lead sides are, and you see it manifested games.
with the trail right hand and arm dominating the So please, keep evolving as a teacher. This
downswing, producing casting and over-the-top. I is not to say you have to change your core
sometimes combine this with a drill where they let convictions about how or what to teach, but strive
go of the club with the dominant hand at impact, to learn something new about teaching every
a drill I’ve long used. now and then. At the end of your career, you’ll be
The third new drill is having students hold the amazed at how far you’ve come.
club from the wrong end so the grip is where the
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SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro
