As the phrase goes "nothing is created equal." The same applies to golf schools.
With
the many golf schools and academies available, it is more important
than ever to do your homework in making the right choice.
First,
select a desirable destination. Whether it is a high-profile location
like Las Vegas or Orlando, or a place near home, it is important to be
comfortable with the location.
Next, make sure there are playing
lessons involved. It is important to get out on the course with your
instructor to fine tune your progress.
Be sure to check out the
teaching philosophy of the school you are considering. Do they teach the
latest quick-fix or do they concentrate on proven fundamentals?
Many
schools offer unproven strategies that may not last after you leave. Be
sure you will get the type of instruction you want. Learn as much as
you can about their instructors, such as age, years teaching and how
long they have been with that particular school.
Finally, make sure the maximum student/teacher ratio 4 to 1.
Remember this is going to be your school, do your homework.
What to Expect at Your Golf School
You
arrive with excitement. You’re anxious to get started. You may be a
little nervous. This is natural. Your instructor should immediately put
you at ease and fully explain the schedule of activities.
It’s also important that you, as the student, take the time to explain where you are and where you’d like to go with your game.
It’s
critical that you ask questions. You have an expert golfer at your
disposal. Use him and remember that all questions are welcome no matter
how basic.
As you begin your school, remember to pace yourself.
Quality is always better than quantity. If there is more than one
student in your school, be prepared to work some on your own as the
instructor works with other students. Use this time to work specifically
on what you have learned.
Try to ignore what the instructor is
doing with other players during one-to-one time. They may be working on
something that doesn’t apply to you and it might distract from your
learning experience.
Be ready to manage your expectations. You
will improve immediately in some areas and other areas will take some
post-school practice to perfect. Winston Churchill said, “To improve is
to change; to be perfect is to change often.”
The practice range
portion or your school is where you learn the fundamentals. The playing
lesson portion is where you apply what you’ve learned in real time. This
is where you use your good shots to build your confidence, and learn
from your mistakes in a non-competitive, non-judgmental environment.
Above
all else, golf school should be fun and enjoyable. Taken in the right
spirit, golf school can be a great learning experience where you spend
quality time with family or old friends, or you meet new friends.
Teaching Philosophy
In
choosing a golf school you might be tempted by the offer of gimmicks or
quick-fix promises. If so, ask yourself mentally if these techniques
are so effective, why don’t the pros use them? The answer is they don’t.
Professional tour players practice the fundamentals day in and day out.
Rarely will you hear of a tour player that adopts an untested playing
method just to be stylish.
Remember that the tried-and-true
fundamentals of golf have not changed for 70 years. Legendary golf
greats like Byron Nelson and Sam Snead used equipment that is
technologically inferinr to today’s large drivers, composite shafts and
hybrids. But they still won again and again. Why? Because they stuck to
basics and ignored the fads.
Many recreational golfers never took
the time to learn the fundamentals when they started out. As a result,
they are stuck with bad habits that affect their entire game. A good
golf instructor won’t attempt to radically change your game. He will
look for one or two areas to improve that will affect five or six other
areas. This is the power of leverage and it’s the key to getting the
most from any golf school.
A truly good golf school will empower
you to take what you’ve learned and apply it long after you leave.
Remember, gimmicks and quick-fixes come and go, but fundamental
improvement lasts a lifetime.
