Golf schools - What can we learn?

Last year I met a new golfer at a dinner party. We chatted briefly about golf and I mentioned to her that I was a teaching professional. Her response was "Oh I went to a golf school with my husband and after that experience I am never going to take a golf lesson again." I was shocked to hear this, so of course I asked some questions to figure out what had happened. Turns out she attended a very well respected golf school. She was excited to learn golf and get better. However, as the lesson progressed the teacher spent more time with her husband than her. She was frustrated and angry that this was happening. Instead of demanding the teachers' attention she quietly continued on and tried to gain something from the school. Upon arriving home she decided that she wouldn't ever attend another golf school.

This story can speak to both; a student taking lessons and a teacher teaching lessons.

STUDENT taking the lesson/golf school:
Ask yourself some questions when you start looking for golf instruction.
1.  Private or group lesson - which are you the most comfortable with
2.  Area of the country you want to learn in (northeast in the winter is not ideal)
3.  Do you want to learn in a week?  Or over a golf season?
4.  Goals you have for your game - short game, long game, playing, etc.  This can help narrow down the type of school or instructor to seek out.
5.  Reviews - check online and see what kind of reviews the golf school/teacher is getting
6.  Use word of mouth - mention what you are seeking out at your next gathering, many people have attended golf schools or taken lessons, they can share with you their experiences
7.  What credentials does the teacher have?  PGA/LPGA, years teaching, experience/knowledge, what certifications do they have?
8.  Go with a goal or two in mind, what do you want to improve or learn
9.  If the teacher isn't listening to you or giving you time, raise your hand and ask a question
10.  Try to go with a friend when booking a golf school or clinic - makes it easier to retain the info and have fun!

TEACHERS teaching:
Wow!  How many of us would like to have our students tell a story like the one above?  This was a powerful message to me, sometimes perception and reality can be one in the same.  Imagine leading a golf school and not realizing that you are spending time with one student in particular?  Many of us starting to teach aren't always aware of our actions and would move to the student demanding our attention, the student loudly asking questions over the group, and overlook the shy, quiet student at the clinic/golf school.
Here are some things I think are important when conducting clinics or golf schools:
1. Pay attention - being aware of your actions during your golf clinic or schools is a very needed trait.  We don't want to lose students because of something we could have prevented just by paying attention.
2.  Being able to move around and instruct during a clinic is key to being a successful teacher.  
3.  Make sure you don't overbook your school, the number of students that a teacher can handle is up for the teacher to decide.
4.  Get good at eye contact and memorizing names.
5.  Learn how to read your students, how do they learn, look for visual clues to find understanding or frustration
6.  Be aware of your surroundings and how they can affect your students learning environment.
7.  Positive reinforcement goes a long way!
8.   Have Fun teaching or fake it!  Students can see if you are excited about what you are sharing with them.

Hope this helps each of you looking to learn!

"getting better at getting better"

Winter workouts for golfers

How many of you have heard or said these phrases while playing golf?
"You are sliding"
"You are swaying"
"You are swinging over the top"
"I need more power"
"I want to hit it further"

Well, I've paired up with my dear friend and fitness expert Lance Gill to give you some exercises you can do at home or in the gym this winter season to help with upper and lower body separation in your golf swing. Upper and lower body separation is very important to be aware of and be able to actively do in your swing. Ever wonder why Rory McIlroy can hit the ball so far - #3 in Driving distance 310.4 average on tour? He has tremendous shoulder turn to hip turn, this difference can lead to more power in the swing, hips turn first and shoulders second on the downswing, creating "lag" and thus more power and more distance. By working on these exercises you can eliminate the sliding, swaying, or over the top move in your swing. Plus, getting stronger can also help with your centerness of contact in your swing, eliminating off center hits on your driver and irons.

Here are 2 exercises for your Upper Body
www.mytpi.com/exercises/#open_book_rib_cage
www.mytpi.com/exercises/#torso_turns_one_leg
Here are 2 exercised for your Lower Body
www.mytpi.com/exercises/#stork_turns_supported
www.mytpi.com/exercises/#side step ups

Please take some time to visit Lance's website for more information on golf fitness. He's an incredibly passionate and talented mind in his field.
www.lgperformance.com

"getting better at getting better"