I’ve been in the middle of few exchanges this week while on twitter about topics related to teaching methodologies and I have to say that it seems like teaching philosophy is becoming quite fragmented. As with any subject, there are certain camps that feel that they have better information than others. This may or may not be true but my point is that I don’t see golf’s governing bodies doing anything to bring all these ideas together.
Doesn’t it seem strange that the professional associations in charge of overseeing the game haven’t been able to categorize the golf swing or golf swing instruction? Maybe I am a little off base here and maybe such a task is not likely or possible. There have been some wonderful advancements in data collection over the past couple years that should have been added to some ongoing encyclopedia of the swing. I know The Golf Machine declares itself as this resource but after 40 years this resource needs a bit of an upgrade as well.
We throw in the fact that the club doesn’t move itself and we need to add the biomechanical leg into this mix as well. I haven’t even begun to get into the requirements associated with the psychology necessary to perform the actions either. So many things are involved in this game that some try to simplify into just an athletic event.
So, what will “The Future of Teaching” look like?
Care to leave your thoughts on the subject?
A great many coaches from many, many fields follow my tweets (and I theirs) that, I’m sure, have an opinion on this very question. It will be interesting to see what your thoughts are.
My goal is to try and make my blog a little more interactive this winter instead of me just spouting out information. I’ve been told many times that I am no fun to talk to because I spend the whole time asking questions. Sorry, but that is my nature and I use it as a way to glean new pieces of information to add to my own and, at the same time, challenge the information I hold to be accurate in an open forum to see if it holds up.
Thank you for leaving your comments.
Related posts:
Looking ahead, I am continuing to work in making my academy more “wholistic.” Understanding the student is always priority number 1. Knowing what goals / time restraints / physical limitations / personality styles / athletic background / etc… are going to guide me forward in helping build my student’s “golf confidence.”
The more years I teach, the more I try to teach less. It becomes more coaching (small phrases, to-the-point basics, more focus on HOW TO PRACTICE). My future of coaching will be more supervised practice sessions with regular members (not just my juniors).
The future of junior golf is definitely outlined in the TPI program (Create an athlete first, golfer second).
- Steven
A topic which serves as a timely reminder John because I too see golf instruction starting to fragment into ‘camps’ ‘methodology’ ‘groups’ ‘cliques’ whatever term you wish to throw out there.
There seems to be little embracing of difference and all too often ‘experts’ in one field dismissing another’s view without even understanding their own arguement.
I work locally with a golf academy and the club players now can book playing lessons with both their swing coach and mental coach working in unison. We spend time BEFORE we go out exchanging thoughts and drawing on each other’s strengths, not camping out and trying to score points of the other’s approach.
Just as you can’t separate a player into parts, neither can you separate swing dynamics from the mental processess- they are forever entwined. Add in fitness, nutrition, education, philosophy, and you’re getting closer to where total game coaching needs to be.
All exponents of a player’s development have to come together in a spirit where they can all learn from each other and comfortable in their own sense of self that they don’t always have to be right. Your apprach John is embracing that idea which is why I’m thrilled to be part of your site. ‘Unreasonable men shape the world’.
Dare to be different and the rewards are there; as I was told, belief in yourself and hold your nerve.
The way forward in modern golf instruction is no longer the domain of the swing coach alone. Time to build a team of experts around a player, everyone is rewarded when you all pull together. Stay well
Steven,
Thanks for the comment. Do you think teaching in the future should be cataloged by a governing body? Should there be a place to go for a beginner teacher to learn what there is the learn?
John
John,
Agree with the a lot of the points made by Steven and Andy. A few of my own thoughts are as follows:
I think in the future there will be a move to recognise key differences when working with junior, recreational, developing talent and elite level golfers. They would all appear to have different drivers, different requirements and don’t all necessarily require a team approach at all times.
The future experts in this field will include those with a much greater knowledge of specific groups of participants. e.g. I wish I was a junior getting into golf now with some of the stuff that we know now, but were not aware of 10 years ago (or 35 years ago, when i was a junior!).
Whilst agreeing with Andy that we cannot seperate the technical and the mental, or the physical, tactical, emotional, lifestyle, social, etc, I do think that we can make a better job of cataloging the golf swing and other parts of the game.
In particular I have been thinking that a reworking of Gary Wiren’s Laws, Principles and Preferences is long overdue. The premise could be the same, the experts of the future will need to understand the Laws of ball flight mechanics (as we now know them) and link them to Principles of Biomechanics. The Preferences of how the golf swing is taught could then be categorised by their adherence to the Principles of Biomechanics, which influence directly the Laws which influence ball flight.
Finally in the future I hope more people are as free with their information as the guys and girls on Twitter, so that the whole game can continue to evolve and stimulate those who care about it.
David
I think perhaps the PGA of America should have instructional manuals on many different swing styles. Think about having a Stack N Tilt manual, One or Two Plane. Give the professional an arsenal of knowledge so that the coach can adapt the style individually to the student.
The mentor program should be updated. If you are lucky enough to work for Leadbetter or Harmon, it might be a bit easier to create your own style. But te majority of us aren’t so lucky. More focus must be placed on “seeking” knowledge from many different sources.
So much current instruction is telling the student WHAT to do and WHY to do it. But very little instruction is given as to HOW do perform a quality, repeatable golf swing. I know all the positions I need to be in to make solid contact and hit a great shot. But no one has ever shown me HOW to get in those positions. After 42 years, I’m still a 30+ handicap. Sad!
I think you have a very valid point about the governing bodies not making much of it right know,or at least struggling with all the information.
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One of the problems I see there is that although on the outside these bodies will look very professional and give the impression of being impartial and concerned with the future of the game, inside these bodies are ruled by nepotism, lobbyism and financial interests. So the future of teaching basically comes down to politics and economics.
However through the role of the internet and discussions like these it would and should be slightly easier to get points across and interests served for a group that might not directly part of the inner crowd. Yes, that would be lobbying too
It will take some time before a PGA or group of PGA’s will be able to make ‘all knowledge’ available to all of its members but the internet is a good place to start.
Jeff,
I think I can speak for all the teachers out there that actually want to help player’s enjoy this game. This post is very sad and very telling about how the future should be directed.
John
Meindert Jan,
I agree that it will take some time for the governing bodies to adopt much of the newer information that is just showing up. I know for sure that some PGA’s are working harder at staying current than others.
John
You know, John, I would love to see 3D instruction in the PGA education programs. From a scientfic point a view, it seems to be the most unbiased.
Steven,
I think that is an excellent point. That would be a great way to eliminate much of the confusion. I guess I’ll start saving my money.
John
John,
Great discussion going here. Thanks for bringing this up. I have as you know have been unable to find work here in Spain and it really has given me time to asses my future. In terms of goals and direction. I have to admit the coaching here in Valencia is maybe 10 years behind the Uk and the US. Here the use of cameras and video software is rare, Trackman has never been heard of, 3-D analysis is from another planet. Data collection by pupils for analysis by teachers to see weak and strong areas is non existant.
But with all these limitations they still produce some very good golfers. I have to admit the talent comes from a very small and wealthy pool, but they can still perform. Is it advantages to the golfers that they do not get their heads turned by counter productive arguements into swing styles and methods?. The avergae coaches here do a good job teasing the best they can out of talent, not teaching a method.
The future of golf instuction for me should be about specialisation.In the world of medicine, doctors are trained in general studies , then move on to specialise in areas, surgery, orthopedics etc. I think this route could be good for golf. the days of a golf pro having many strings to their bows has past for me. Which is the point David Colly is suggesting. I hope and believe the teachers who really desire to become experts in their chosen field will succeed.
To add another point, the negativity to each others thoughts and ideas that sometimes adorn the twitter and facebook worlds does not shine a light on us as golf professionals. I can appreciate opinion but to having a pissing contest on an open public format is not for me.
I think the governing bodies are becoming much more open to styles and methods that maybe current or obscure. The British PGA’s CPD programme is varied and up to date with current trends. I hope it will continue in this way
Andy
Andy,
Do you have an idea about which area you would like to specialize in? I’ve been thinking along the same lines myself with a specialization in putting and green reading.
John