Teaching vs. Unteaching

Teaching vs. Unteaching

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I have never been one to criticize the teaching of other instructors. I believe that there are swing instructors that teach sound principles of swing mechanics – but there are very few.

When teaching, I have noticed lately that I spend quite a bit of time changing things that students have adopted from other lessons in their swings. Most of these things have become bad habits which then create compensations resulting in bad swings and sometimes injury.  This is what I call “unteaching” because the art of teaching is to educate. By definition, educate is derived from the Latin word “educere” meaning to draw from within or to bring forth. I find myself erasing rather than educating.

Too often when I teach a student Moe Norman’s movement I run into what I call resistance. Resistance is when I make a suggestion and the student immediately responds with “that’s not what my other teacher said”. This type of resistance is a barrier to progress. It shows that the student is having a hard time knowing or “trusting” the teaching. Similar to putting up a road block, questioning does not allow the student to draw from within.

Anything that feels “new” will also feel awkward. These feelings must be overcome to make learning progress. Without this type of experience, learning is stifled.

Ideally, I would show the student the desired swing position and he, on his own, would develop a feel and then through repetition would “remember” his movements. A student always teaches themselves. A teacher just leads. I wish it was this easy.

So what would I say is the best learning and teaching scenario? The answer is easy. Empty your cup. This means that when you enter into instruction you must empty yourself from the “old” instruction and be completely open to any and all suggestions. I call this the “OK” zone. When the teacher asks you to do something, just say OK.

 

Behind the Scenes of the GGA Coaching Program with Clay

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Article by GGA Master Instructor and GGA Online Coach Clay Farnsworth, PGA

I’m sure that we have all heard that “Practice Makes Perfect”. By definition, practice is rehearsing a behavior over and over or engaging in an activity again and again for the sole purpose of improving or mastering it. I suggest to you all that what if we are practicing the wrong things/movements? How will you know? We say this in all of our schools. Doing drills incorrectly can actually make you worse all the while you are trying to improve. This is where the GGA Video Coaching Program fits in.

Eric B. attended our online school back in June 2013. He immediately signed up for the online coaching program. He emailed me what he was trying to do and we went to work. The first thing Eric did was send in a video of the Pivot Point Drill (aka PVC). A rough start for sure since there is many a student that we teach in person that have difficulty setting up the drill correctly, should I mention here that doing a drill incorrectly can actually do more harm than good?

Eric set the drill up in his basement. Placed all of his reference points correctly and was using the ABT as a guide as well. About every other week Eric would send in a video. He was slowly making progress and basically wouldn’t move on to a different position until he had mastered one. One thing I know for sure, the drill was set up perfectly each time. There are a couple of things I feel as though I need to say. I’m sure that Eric looked at his own videos several times before he sent one for review. There was a period of time that he waited for changes to start to take place before he sent in more videos to review.

We worked on this drill for about six months. That was when I really couldn’t see any flaws in how he was moving the PVC. He graduated to moving the club. This is always different since even though the drill has reference and checkpoints, they don’t always register as feelings while moving the club. Suffice it say, we are still working on perfecting club movement. Eric practices in front of a video camera to get feedback. He learned what he needs to look at and can check himself as often as he likes. He can always send in videos for review to get feedback from his GGA Coach.

What Makes A Good Teacher

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Have you tried to teach yourself?

Have you tried to teach someone else golf – like your child, your wife, your husband?

Have you ever taken a lesson from a professional?

Have you ever attended a golf clinic/school/camp?

Golf Teacher’s Motto:

“If you’re going to teach golf, accept the responsibility of having an impact on people’s lives and work every day to be help your student obtain their goals.”

Last Year, I (Tim) was honored to be awarded the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) South Central Section’s Teacher of the Year.

Part of the selection process (which lead to the award) includes answering questions about my teaching philosophy, discussing what I have done in the past year and finally, what I consider a good teacher. This, Tigers’ “firing his teacher”, and reading a few recent blogs got me thinking….

What Makes a Good Teacher?

Whether teaching yourself, working with others, or being the student, what should you look for in a good teacher?

What does the Graves Golf Academy strive to attain with every one of our students?

Here is my “Top Ten” points I think everyone should look for in a good teacher.

1. There is a program for improvement, not just a single lesson. A single lesson is like putting a “bandage” on the swing/golf issue. It doesn’t “cure” the problem, only covers it up until it “falls off”. When working with a student, the teacher MUST teach the student how to “self-teach” or become their own best teacher. 99% of a golfers practice occurs by him/herself – to improve, the student must be able to “self-teach”.

2. Goals for improvement should be discussed along with a “realistic” time frame. Nothing in golf is an “overnight” fix – NOTHING!  Every golfer can improve – the pace of improvement depends on his/her practice time and quality of practice. Practice DOES NOT have to be “range time” – in fact, the most effective practice can be done inside, without hitting golf balls, etc…

3. There should be an equal emphasis on short game and long game. Never forget – 60% + of the scoring occurs in the short game.

4. The entire game of golf should be taught – NOT just the golf swing. Meaning, a good instructor will teach short game, long game, course management, mental game, rules of golf, club fitting, flexibility/fitness, etc…

5. Concepts should be explained, demonstrated and shown in an UNDERSTANDABLE manner in “bite-size” pieces. Too many look at the golf swing as an “elephant” ….  What is the saying…  “When eating an elephant take one bit at a time.” If the student understands WHY a change is needed, there is a much better chance the change will occur. In other words, a good teacher will explain WHY changes are being taught.

6. Information “overload” must be avoided.

7. The student should be given drills and or training aids that will turn new concepts into habits. It is impossible to break old habits, the key is to create new habits. Making the new habits “stronger” than the old habits. Drills and training aids will greatly enhanced learning these new habits.

8. The instructor should use VIDEO ANALYSIS as a feedback tool. Video is the BEST way to bridge the gap between perception and reality and fact and feel. If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, a video is worth a million????

9. The instructor must understand everyone “learns” a little different, and he/she should be able to teach the student in a way the student “learns” the best. Some learn by feel, some learn by what they see, some learn by what they hear, many learn by combinations of the three. A great instructor will quickly figure out how their student learns and will teach in that manner.

10. The instructor should have a “passion” for the game of golf and for the student’s improvement.

My recommendation for you, whether teaching yourself, working with others, or taking a lesson, is to follow these 10 points.

Use them as a guide, and you won’t go wrong.

This is my philosophy and those of my instructors at the Graves Golf Academy which is set up to aid you in playing your BEST GOLF EVER!!!!

Single Plane Golfer Summer Issue

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I love our magazine. I know this sounds like I’m doting about my child but in a way, I am the proud parent of the Single Plane Golfer. What makes our magazine so great?  Let me count the ways:

 

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Single Plane Golfer Summer Issue

1) You can carry it with you (anywhere) for support, advice and instruction

2) It is the only magazine specifically for your Single Plane Game

3) It give you real stories about real Single Plane Golfers – just like you

4) You can read instruction from the best Single Plane Instructors in the world

5) Top notch writing and editing from the most well known Moe Norman storyteller – Tim O’Connor

6) It covers all Seven Principles of the Single Plane Game – including Long Game, Short Game, Putting, Club Fitting, Course Management, Practice and the Mental Game.

There is so much to love about the Single Plane Golfer – it must be the greatest magazine in the world, I’m sure of it.

Advantage Me

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I wrote this practice tip a few years ago and thought it would be good to publish again:

During the past couple of weeks, I have to admit I was putting in some “extra hours” to push my game to a level that hopefully could have competed with the big boys. One of my practice sessions was right after one of our school days. Typically, after a day of teaching I’m too tired to put in a good practice session, but due to the circumstances – possibly getting a call to get in the PGA Championship anytime – I put in the “after hours” practice.

During one of my post-school sessions, one of our students asked me if he could sit and watch my session. I never have a problem with anyone wanting to learn more, and gladly entertained the company.

During the middle of the practice session, it became very apparent I needed to write more about how I practice, as the student kept telling me, you need to teach this, show this. So guess what this e-tip is about? But I have put a little different take on it.

As I was talking to my student – I began to describe my “advantages” over the average golfer in my practice sessions. In other words, how I have set up my practice sessions to give me the “no excuse”, or “least amount of variables” type of practice. How do I set up my practice sessions with the least amount of doubt during the session?

So, as you haven’t seen my on my “soap box” for a while; if you are new to our e-tips, you have never seen my “soap box”, I thought it was about time, and I am writing this as an “advantage me” type situation. You’ll understand more as I get into detail, read on. This is my NO EXCUSE Attitude.

I have always made it a very specific point to give myself every advantage when I practice. I heard this for the first time in 1996 when I was playing in the U.S. Amateur against Tiger Woods. I remember an interview he was giving to ESPN on the range and he stated (paraphrasing) “When I (Tiger) practice, I set up a situation when no one has an advantage over me” – meaning, when Tiger practices he makes sure all the details are covered, there are as few variables as possible, etc… I’ll explain by describing my practice session I was holding with our student watching.

As I go through my practice session, think, and better yet write down how many of the points you do EVERY TIME, not some of the time, or most of the time, but EVERY TIME. Be honest with yourself – the more honest, the better.

First, before I start every practice session – I stretch. To be honest, probably not enough, but I put in at least 5 minutes of stretching. Making sure not to forget about my wrists and shoulder blades. I stretch with my training 6 iron in hand so when I hold the club to stretch I have the training grip in hand.

Note: If you begin your practice session tight – you will be hurting your swing – guaranteed – good luck getting into correct positions when you are tight.

I also “kill two birds with one stone” as stretching always involves a few “air swings” or golf swings without a golf ball. I want to make sure my grip is perfect, and with my training club, I don’t have to think about it – no brainer.

So – if you don’t stretch before your practice session – ADVANTAGE ME. (Double Advantage me as I use a training grip club to help me stretch…)

Second – How many golf balls do you hit during practice. In other words, do you have a “limited” number of golf balls.  I am going to eventually write an article for the PGA titled how “Country Club members have an advantage over the typical golfer”, not because of the course, but because of the unlimited range balls.

I’ll explain. After I stretch, I begin to hit my wedges. In fact, I hit a lot of wedges. Lob, sand, pitching, etc…  I start with very short shots, maybe 30 to 40 years, and then work up to a full pitching wedge – I typically hit at least 20 to 30 balls minimum with my wedges to warm up my swing, start getting the club on plane with short easy swings is much easier than getting to the mid to long clubs too fast.

Here is the issue – with a limited number of golf balls, like a small range bucket, I promise you, you will be hitting drivers in just a few golf balls. You will not spend enough time on the wedges – which is where the warm up should and must begin. Hit a lot of wedges.

If it is a cost issue for you, figure out a way to hit balls and shag them, find a pitching green to begin your practice, figure out something, give your wedges more time.

So – if you aren’t spending a good amount of time warming up your practice session with your wedges – ADVANTAGE ME.

Third – My clubs – this is an easy 0ne – but one missed by so many golfers.

When I practice I have NO DOUBT my clubs fit me PERFECT!

Why is this important – because it gives me a no excuse with the club’s attitude. In other words, if I hit a ball left, it wasn’t due to the club (improper fit), if I hit it right (not due to the club), too high (not the club), etc… etc. I think you get the point.

Too many golfers have club issues – clubs that don’t fit their swing. They may swing at it perfectly, but as the club doesn’t fit their swing, the lie angle pulls the ball left or pushes the ball right (vice versa for lefties) and their mind tells them there is a swing issue – when it is really a club issue. So many aren’t able to release the club because their grip size is too big and don’t know it.

This causes SO MANY problems having grips that are too big. Thirdly, I have NO DOUBT about my clubs – the fit me for lie, length, grip size, shaft flex, and the most important playability (for my ability) and a good feel for my game. So – if you clubs might not fit you or you’re are uncertain about your club fit – ADVANTAGE ME.

Fourth – This may be the most important. I use an Alignment Aid EVERY TIME I practice – yes, even when I am warming up for a tournament, I put an alignment training aid on the ground. To be honest, this is probably the issue the disturbed me the most when I watch average golfers practice.

Why? Because it is so simple, and has such BIG effects – and so few use it.  Too lazy? Don’t know importance? Who knows? But a HUGE problem!

I lay the alignment aid pointed toward the target and put a yardstick under the training aid.

Now, every time I set up over a shot – the following are given:

1.  Perfect alignment (square to target)
2.  Perfect ball position
3.  Perfect stance (width)
4.  Perfectly square face to target (comparing leading edge of club to edge of yardstick)
5.  Perfect distance from the ball

So simple – look at all the variables I have solved using this SIMPLE tool EVERY TIME.

I promise you, I will never hit a practice ball without an alignment tool.

So – if you aren’t using an alignment aid every time you practice – ADVANTAGE ME.

In fact – let’s say HUGE ADVANTAGE ME. In fact, soap box time, if you aren’t using an alignment aid every time you practice, don’t read further…. no need – you have so many variables right now without using one… no need to continue to read… you won’t get past fixing all those listed above… Alignment, ball position, stance, square club face, distance to the ball…. enough said.

You will go back and forth, back and forth, back and forth fighting these issues FOREVER – I will NEVER have these issues – why, because I take the extra couple of seconds to lay an alignment tool down every time I practice.

Fifth – I never practice for more than 15 minutes at a time. In other words, I hit 15 minutes’ worth of golf balls and then take a break. Might sit down for a minute or two to drink some water, might make a phone call, might walk over to the putting green and hit a few putts… you get my point.

Why? Because I give my body and more importantly, my brain, a break. None of us can focus longer than 12-16 minutes, it’s a proven fact. And as you are working on your swing (hopefully specific issues in your swing), you need to focus.

What happens when you lose your focus – your bad habits come back – FAST. If I were to hit one hours’ worth of golf balls – I would take at least 4 breaks (many times going to hit a few putts, chips, water break, etc…)

So – if you are practicing for more than 15 minutes in a row (without taking a break) – ADVANTAGE ME.

Many of you might think I video and check my swing every day. Couldn’t be further from the truth. To be honest, at most, I video my swing maybe once a week – more often, once every two weeks… I get enough from a single video session to work on for at least a couple of weeks.

What can you do? Check out our GGA Internet Golf Academy – you can do EXACTLY what I do. Send in a video every couple of weeks – we’ll give you plenty to work on.

So – if you aren’t getting some type of “outside” feedback to work on during your practice sessions – ADVANTAGE ME

In summary – be honest with yourself.

How do you rate your practice sessions compared to what I wrote above?

How many advantages do I have over you?

Remember – there is a DIRECT correlation between the time it takes to get better to the number of “advantages” you have.

Don’t leave ANYTHING to chance…. every second I practice I am assured I am getting better – I eliminate as many variables as possible.

To end – Folks, it’s not hard… in fact, it is very very simple and easy. Go through the list above again and make sure I have NO Advantage over you when we practice.

Remember – Always Practice with a Purpose!

Setting SMART goals for your game by Clay Farnsworth, PGA

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I recently started working with a student Rob B. This student has been away from the game for over twenty years. Say life got in the way. Now that he has some more free time to devote to golf he has returned to the game. He was a 6 handicap when he quit. Keeping the Driver in play for 18 holes was a primary nemesis at the time. His goal is to get back to a six by the Spring of 2015 and then improve from there to his potential.

This is both good and bad. According to Wikipedia goal setting should be “SMART”. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time sensitive completes the acronym. As you can see from his short statement he has met all of the criteria so to speak. Therein lays a problem I believe. While the criterion seems to be met, there is much more to look at here. I’m looking at full swings with a six iron and driver. What about the rest of the game? Such as the other areas to track those stats are:

  • Scrambling %: When you miss a green, how often do you up and down?
  • Driving Accuracy %: How often do you hit the fairway?
  • Greens in Regulation %: How many greens do you hit? Remember, fringes do NOT count.
  • Putts per Green in Regulation: When you hit a green, how often do you make birdie?
  • Total Putts: How good are you at controlling the speed of your putts? How consistent are you on the greens?
  • Sand Save %: How often to you get up and down out of a bunker?

My point here is that we all need to set goals for our game and what we want to accomplish. These goals should meet the criteria and should be SMART. We have to include all parts of the game and have specific goals and objectives for each.

LEARN

THE

SWING

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