My apologies for the late post…I spent the majority of last week doing the migraine thing. Which wouldn’t be so bad but I was having trouble seeing. Not exactly ideal when trying type messages or blog posts!
Following on from my last post I thought I’d offer some reasons why if you have 12 golf pros in a room you’d get 15 opinions.
Golf is one of those things that runs deep with people like education or politics. The age old issue of “how to do golf,” has been argued over for well over a century. I suspect it will be argued over long after we’ve all gone.
I think part of the reason that golfers become confused or fail to improve is the vast range of opinion. How to complete a backswing or how to set up can be argued over for days. There is no standardised approach to learning the technical side of the game.
Having said that, I think we are getting closer. Data points and understanding of anatomy etcetera are becoming par for the course.
Part of the issue is that anytime a system is devised (Stack N Tilt, MORAD, Rotary Golf Swing, Right Sided Swing) it is roundly criticised by people who should know better. As I pointed out in my last post, there is a most well-known pro in the US who offers to fight people that disagree with his profundities. Golf pros like Mal Tongue, Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett, Mac O’Grady, Peter Croker, Gary Edwin, Jim Hardy and many others should be applauded for what they do. Guys like Butch Harmon who don’t have a method per se, should also be applauded for their approach to coaching individuals as just that. I bet you anything you like he does have a system when he sees a golfer, however.
The lack of cohesion in golf coaching – in particular the technique side – has dictated that there are many methods and systems. And, that there are many different opinions. All this leads to confusion and dismay for regular golfers. But, are we to be surprised? Not really. Each golfer is uniquely different and has their own needs. Each golfer has a mind of their own and belief systems that attract them to one system/style/method or another.
What are we to do?
Well, you as a golfer should align yourself with a coach that fits you. A coach who is similar to you in beliefs and the like. Align yourself with a coach who has a similar sense of humour. I know my beliefs/preferences and sense of humour isn’t for everyone but I wouldn’t presume to think that I could coach everyone. One piece of advice I would give the golfing public is, DON’T TAKE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION FROM YOUTUBE. It is almost always generic and probably won’t suit you, specifically. I know I have been guilty of posting stuff on there and I have given myself a thorough telling off.
Anyway – find what you like and what will make your game better. Each coach has a system – find the one that works for you. As far as coaching golfers goes, I am in the business of making you better. YOU. My preferences for a golf swing may not suit you and I am the one who needs to adapt. If I cannot then I should be able to recommend you to a coach who can help.
Leave a Reply