Why is there so much BAD golf instruction out there? Do we need to standardize teaching?
Are there any peer reviewed golf journals, seems like there is alot of contradictory information in the major golf magazines.
Are there any peer reviewed golf journals, seems like there is alot of contradictory information in the major golf magazines.
Golf will become a great sport as soon as they allow heckling and it becomes full contact!
there is so much bad golf instruction becuase people scrape together a few dollars and make a rip off instructional video
I went to teaching conference before I gave my first lesson. I didn’t have to, just felt I should have some training before I start. Two of the main speakers have articles out almost every month. They both said what they write and what ends up in print are not the same. One lost his job when he made the statement in public.
I was so confused after the second day, felt out of place sitting in a room with coat tie and half everyone age. This was 20 years ago. I went to a driving range just outside of Austin Texas to check it out. I started watching this guy give lessons that I could relate to. Two guys sat behind me and made comments but I didn’t turn around. This guy kept everything simple. When the guy behind starting taking he lesson, I realized it was Tom Kite. I asked his dad what the instructors name was and he said Harvey Penick. I said Harvey who?
The PGA is coming up with some volunteer certification programs, I don’t think that will solve the problem.
One problem no one has prove anything and no checks. I came unglued one night when I came across a infocomerical with my cart boy in it. He said he played on the Pepsi Tour and was Teacher of the Year……. I set him to take his PAT the next week and never saw him again. The PGA section called me and said he shot 115 on the first round, so they sent him packing.
I think the key to being a good golf teacher is to understand what the amateur golfer is doing wrong and what he can do to make a day on the course more enjoyable. If a player wants to become better it involves practicing and see what works best for their game. Not every teacher is a full expert, except David Ledbetter and Butch Harmon.
It is not necesarilly bad instruction, just bad instructors. In my experience (about 25 years now) Ive seen two kinds of instructors. The ones that want you to swing their way and the ones that work with what you already have and find a way ro make it work. Go to someone that will try to work with what you have already (as far as your swing goes). Some people are beyond help and need to start from zero.
As far as written instruction goes, if you see something you’d like to try make sure you consult with an instructor first. You don’t have to take a lesson, but it helps if you do.
The one thing any golfer has to remember is that “golf is like sex, you don’t have to be good at it to enjoy it”.