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