March, 2009 Archive

Tiger Woods Rates A+ with Banana Putting

by Paul Hobart

I was thrilled to spend yesterday afternoon and evening with my family, celebrating my Mom’s birthday. As a result, I just found out last night that Tiger had reeled in Sean O’Hair and claimed another victory at Arnie’s Bay Hill event. Apparently Tiger’s going to be OK after his knee procedure!

I did get to listen to Tiger’s interview this morning, and saw the footage of his winning putt, and a couple things jumped out at me as I watched and listened.

Tiger said a couple things during his interview that really struck a chord with me. As you know, I’ve spent the winter compiling my putting system into a book called Banana Putting, so I’m kind of tuned into what the Tour guys and girls say and so regarding putting. Tiger’s comment about his winning putt was that he “hit it right where he was looking.” Excellent concept, and a great thing to do. Where do you suppose he was looking?

Many would reply at the hole, or at the “apex” of the putt. I have a difference of opinion. Tiger was looking down his start line, not at either of the targets mentioned previously. Watching the footage confirms this. Tiger’s eyes were looking down the start line of his putt, and that was his only focus. Under my Banana Putting system, this would receive an impressive A+ for adhering to the rules.

Tiger made another comment about his putt that is interesting. I’ll paraphrase, but he said something like “…I knew if I played it far enough left…” Great stuff. He knows that thinking in terms of playing more break versus less break will give him a great chance for success. One of the things I discuss in my book is how golfers have a hard time aiming the ball very far away from the cup. Tiger used one of my key points in finding a reason to play more break. Again, I give Mr. Woods an A+.

I’m happy to tell you that I just got my book back from my graphic designer, and the ebook is just about ready to go. Jump over to the sign up box on this site to stay updated on the release date.

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What to Look For in a Golf Instructor – #4 Open for Business

by Paul Hobart

A great golf instructor understands that the quality of his or her workspace has a major impact on the student’s experience, and on their lesson business in general. For most of us, the workspace is either an indoor golf academy setting, or an area on the practice range, or both.

Much like an office worker arranges their tools in and on their desk, a good instructor should have available all the tools that they need to conduct a lesson, school, or clinic. These tools may include:

  • Good supply of clean, good condition practice balls. I like to setup stations for pre and post lesson areas, as well as my primary teaching area.
  • Rope, boards, or other alignment aids
  • Training aids for every possible scenario. I get a lot of comments on my “Rodney Dangerfield” bags that I have on the tee. They look like a who’s who of late night Golf Channel infomercials. I like to point out that each training aid has a specific use…we won’t be going through all of them.
  • Bandaids for the occasional blister
  • Video equipment -  a tripod, camera, laptop, etc.
  • Food and drinks
  • Chairs and a table
  • Yardage sign or distance measurement device
  • Notepad or clipboard for making notes
  • Clubfitting supplies and/ or carts

I make a point to separate my teaching area from the member’s hitting area. If the facility has a tee at each end, it’s great to use the opposite end. A bit of privacy goes a long way in making the experience better for student and instructor. There’s nothing worse than a lesson in the middle of a crowded tee. Half the folks will be trying to listen in for a freebie, and the student may feel the weight of lots of eyeballs checking out their session.

It should be obvious that the lesson will take place in an area that has been set aside for instruction. I like to get things setup 1 hour before my first student, and have a setting that is very conducive to learning.

Ask to see the instructional area, whether it’s a structure, or a section of the tee. A good instructor will have taken the time to create a great environment for you.

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What to Look For in a Golf Instructor – #6 Understands Swing Models

by Paul Hobart

If you spend much time in the golf world, you’ve probably seen a lot of the different swing systems in the golf magazines and on the Golf Channel. Jim Hardy is well known for his One Plane and Two Plane swings. Some people have worked with Model Golf. PGA Tour player DJ Trahan’s father Don has just released his Peak Performance Golf Swing program, which is a really unique concept. Some of you may be Natural Golfer’s, some of you may have watched the “AJ Reveals the Truth about Golf” videos. How about Stack and Tilt?

Some instructors favor a “big muscle” version of the swing. Some like Jim Flick favor a swing that utilizes the hands and the swinging of the club. There’s a lot of different ways to present and learn the game.

A good instructor will have at least an understanding of all of these swing models. I receive a lot of questions about aspects of all these different swing models, and want to be able to discuss them intelligently. Does the instructor need to teach all these methods…no way. Most good instructors have sifted through a lot of information, and learned from a lot of great teachers. They keep what they like, and discard the rest. They do however, keep studying and staying abreast of new ways of swinging and playing.

Ask your potential instructor if they teach by one of these models. Ask if they are familiar with your method if you are using a specific one. Most good instructors will be able to help you, regardless of your individual swing model choice, or they will be able to refer you to a local colleague that has more in-depth knowledge.

Share the techniques you are using. If it’s something you grabbed from TV or a magazine, discuss it with your instructor. If they’re good, they can answer your questions and make sure that you are headed in the right direction.

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What to Look For in a Golf Instructor – #5 Understands Learning Styles

by Paul Hobart

One of the most important aspects of taking a lesson is successful communication and understanding of ideas and information between teacher and student. It does no good if the instructor is very knowledgeable, yet unable to successfully communicate with the student. Imagine being given a lesson in a foreign language…wouldn’t be the best way to learn, although you might pick up a few things here and there.

“Successfully communicate” means that the student fully understands what is being taught, and is able to process and utilize the information to help their game.  One of the most important thing an instructor can do is to communicate with you in your preferred learning style. Most people agree that their are three key learning styles that most people utilize.

Auditory learners need to be told the information. They do best when given a verbal explanation

Kinesthetic learners need to feel what the movement is. These folks do really well with training aids and hands-on instruction that involves movement and positioning.

Visual learners need to see the proper action or movement. They like to be shown what a swing or technique looks like. “Let me see you swing” is a common request during a visual learners lesson.

Many people do best in one of these categories, yet utilize all three. If you find yourself in the middle of a lesson, and don’t seem to be grasping the information, ask for the instructor to try another angle. A good instructor can relate the same concepts to you in a number of ways. Top notch instructors will develop a pretty good idea of your learning style very quickly, just from listening to you talk about your game.

Find someone that communicates in your preferred style, and you’ll improve much quicker.

Until next time…

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What to Look For in a Golf Instructor – #3 Successful Students

by Paul Hobart

A good golf instructor will have a lot of successful students. This doesn’t mean that every great teacher works with tour players. It simply means that he or she has a number of students who have made significant progress and acheived some of their personal golf goals.

It’s a good idea to ask an instructor who his or her best student is, from a playing standpoint. have they worked with a PGA or LPGA player. Perhaps they work with better amateurs or college players. Do they work with or coach players at the local high school level?

I would want to work with an instructor that had coached someone well beyond my current skill level. Why is this important? Your teacher should help you progress towards your goals. In many cases, a good instructor will recognize your potential to go well beyond what you think is possible, and help you get there.

An instructor that works with good players will see you and work with you on a different level, and be more inclined to see your game from the big picture standpoint. Much as it’s helpful to play with better players, I feel it’s helpful to learn from someone that has worked with really good players. In addition to the teacher’s insights, you’ll also benefit from the insights the teacher has learned from these star pupils.

Asking about the instructor’s most accomplished students can also help you with a believable road map for the achievement of your goals. It’s always easier to embark on a journey that someone else has completed. Ask if the instructor has a student that has achieved a goal similar to yours. See if you can meet that student, and grab some insights on the process. At the very least try to get some information on how the good player got to that level. Every process has it’s steps, and these can be copied.

See if your instructor has a track record of success, and make sure that they have taught some folks that have already arrived at the place you’re looking to go.

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What to Look for in a Golf Instructor – #2 Full Time Teacher

by Paul Hobart

When you start your search for a golf instructor, I would recommend that you find a professional that teaches full time. Within the ranks of golf professionals, there are a wide variety of jobs and positions, and each of these can have an impact on the instructor.

In my experience, many of the best instructors have positioned themselves in a job that allows them to teach most or all of the time they are working. I have been at several different facilities, and my percentage of time teaching has varied at each one. My current position allows me to teach 100% of the time. The key to this, for me, is that I can spend my entire day thinking only about teaching, my students, and conducting my teaching business. I don’t need to worry about setting up the next day’s tournament, handicaps, shoe inventory, or the slow group that just made the turn.

What I’ve found, is that full time teachers are more focused on each individual lesson. They have time to set up their instruction area. They have an opportunity to review the day’s students, and to develop a game plan. Their mind belongs to the student during their time together.

I know many great professionals that wear all the hats of the PGA Professional, and still manage to be great teachers. This post is not meant to slight any of these fine women and men. I do think when you look at most lists of great instructors, you’ll find that most of them spend most if not all of their time teaching, and working in the business of golf instruction.

Love to hear your comments…

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What to Look For in a Golf Instructor – #1 Good Listener

by Paul Hobart

Based on discussions with my online friends, I thought I would compile my list of things that I would look for in a golf instructor. As a disclaimer, I am a PGA Golf Professional in Columbus, Ohio, and some of these thoughts may be biased towards the way I do things. When you write the blog…you get to do that! These “things to look for” are in no particular order, and you may rank them inorder of importance for your own situation.

I will make the assumption that the search for a golf instructor is based on the golfers desire to improve their scores, their shotmaking, their understanding, and their enjoyment of the game. Many may have an event in mind such as a tournament, family outing, golf team, golf tour, vacation, or business outing. Some need to get better for work, or to join a spouse on the course. For a lot of folks, a lesson may be a last resort. Perhaps the game has become so aggravating that they are on the verge of giving up.

Everyone has their own reasons, and one of the instructor’s first jobs is to determine the students main motivation for taking the lesson or lessons. A good instructor will spend a good deal of time asking questions and listening to the student or prospective student. I feel that each new student should go through a short sit down meeting before heading out to the range. I want to ask lots of questions, and listen intently to what the person says, and for what they really mean.

A wise man told me a long time ago that you have 2 ears and 1 mouth, and that they should be used in the same proportion. Golf instructors need to abide by this. A good instructor will spend more time listening than talking. This holds true during the initial interview, and during subsequent lessons.

During initial learning sessions, the instructor may have a lot to tell you to get you up to speed on terminology, and also explaining some of the cause and effect of the game. This is normal, although you will find that a good instructor breaks up the discussion by asking you lots of questions. This feedback is critical to a good instructor/ student relationship.

As players become more advanced, you’ll find the best instructors talking less and less. Watch a tour player work with their teacher…its often just a gesture or a nod that communicates the idea.  

If you find yourself involved in a lesson situation where the only one talking is the instructor, look somewhere else, you can do better.

Feel free to leave me a comment, I love to hear from you!

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