Many times, we hear different things from those giving us golf instruction. I often hear beginners teaching beginners or those with very little understanding of the game trying to teach someone new to it, when I am at the range. It almost makes me cringe some of the things I hear and the worst comes from a dad or mom teaching a younger golfer the wrong way.
All the verbal teaching annoys me and I find that many simply don't communicate very well. One story about a trip to the range started at the beginning of this year (2012). It was my first time swinging in a few months because I recently moved and just didn't have time to get out. Not to mention the weather was not all that conducive to golfing.
Anyway, I was hitting balls and hitting many of them quite well and next to me was a high school girl's golf team. This was either a Junior Varsity team or a school with a very new program because these girls were nearly all beginners to the game. The coach started the practice by telling them he could not demonstrate because he recently gave blood. That made me worry right from the beginning.
He pulled out 4 clubs from one of the girl's bags and told them these were the only ones they needed today. The clubs were a driver, hybrid, short iron, and wedge. Usually I would not question this, but these girls were lucky to make solid contact with the ball one out of ten times. He needed to teach with a short iron and start with chipping or pitching.
This specific coach also did one of the things I consider a huge pet peeve of mine. He already made an excuse for demonstrating shots, and if you ask me he was just being lazy, but he made matter worse. Continually trying to communicate his message verbally as these girls became more and more confused. The one closest to me even look at me and asked if I knew what he was talking about.
The worst came when he said a word I don't tolerate during instruction, especially when teaching a female. I call it the Johnny Miller special because he uses it at least once a round on TV. This word could be expressed easily by saying WRIST HINGE, but instead he used WRIST C**K. I absolutely hate that phrase and it doesn't belong in golf instruction.
The lesson with golf instruction here deals with communication. Very few students of any skill level will get much from you verbally teaching them. Especially if you do it the way this man did and you tell them what they do wrong with every single swing. Beginners and golfer that don't hit the ball well need confidence building and demonstration. They also need instructors to put them in the right position and even help them feel the swing.
Of course, if you're a man teaching a lady, you need to ask them before you touch them and move them into the right position. Then, tell them exactly what you will be doing and why. This will help them feel the right positions and help their muscles remember. Between this and demonstrating the move or swing technique, more students will understand your golf instruction.
If you want to play golf for the first time or you want to take lessons to get better at the game, find an instructor trained to teach the game that will do more than just shout at you. Drills, movements, demonstration, and even video will help more than just verbal abuse with words you don't understand.
I felt sorry for these girls and almost asked if I could take over and give them a clinic. The only issue, the practice facility didn't have a short game area and I would start every single one of them with a putter, and then move to chipping before we ever bought or hit a single range ball.
Keys for Non-Beginning Golfers
The keys for those with a golf swing already developed or those with a little experience is to ignore golf instruction not meant for you. Often times you will hear a pro give a tip to another golfer on the range, and it's for them, not you. If you try to use the tip, it may completely change your swing in a way you don't want to change it.
Top golf instructors will tailor their lessons to each individual golfer. Not everybody swings the same, has the same body style, or plays the game the same. You don't want to take advice not meant for you. If you think you need a little golf instruction, find a professional teacher and get advice meant for you.
Discover how to Play Better Golf with tips from a Top Golf Professional Here: www.BensGolfTips.com
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