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TEACHING METHOD THOMAS T WARTELLE
TEACHNG ATHLETIC MOTION
continued from page 25
swing goal. Granted, there can be some
limitations, but mostly these innate abilities need
to be activated or woken up. There are many
thoughts and drills that one can use to achieve
better swing sequencing. As an instructor, I try
to use more active drills and feelings to achieve
swing goals.
For example and thinking out of the box,
there is my son, who is an up-and-coming
junior golfer. He was not quite getting his swing
sequencing where he wanted to be. I simply
brought out a baseball and glove. As we began
to throw, I encouraged him to throw harder and
harder. The next time he hit balls, he instantly felt
all of the swing sequencing described earlier.
This positive result happened without rattling
off metrics and going into a long biophysical
explanation to the student. After all, golf is a
results-oriented endeavor, and most students
are looking for results.
As an instructor, I encourage the use of
technology. But more importantly, learn how to
apply the technology to help you convey the
message through active teaching. Technology
is great, but not always really needed. A truly
trained eye and analysis of the ball strike
can discern most impact flaws. Technology
only quantifies exact numbers. Students are
generally not interested in the numbers and
biomechanics. They are interested in hitting solid
shots and playing better.
Learn active drills and exercises that
the move away until impact. Think about it: As can help each student of yours reach their
a kid, did you analyze where your torso and maximum potential. Keep informed and
pelvis centers were located when you tried to keep learning new techniques. However, pay
hit a baseball? Did you think about your weight homage to the past, as nothing is really new in
distribution when you threw a ball? Did you think athletic motion. We just learn different ways to
about your center of gravity when you started convey the message. I recently learned a new
to jump? thing too: I need a better catcher’s mitt and
Some people have more athletic awareness protection from my son’s left-handed fastball! w
than others; however, most people have an
innate ability to achieve some level of a golf
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SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro ®
