Instruction for Amateurs

[bphillips]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

I don't know how smart I am when it comes to golf BP, but thank you for the kind words. There have been times when I thought I would have been smarter to take up knitting, or watching paint dry.

A basic topic I might suggest you should have, should you start this, is to talk about causes, and effects of poor shots. Example: A "slice' is the first, and foremost problem a golfer will encounter from the day they start playing, till the day they quit playing. If a thorough understanding of what causes this poor shot, was understood by the golfer, he/she would slice less often. When they did slice a shot, they at the very least, would know what to look for in their swing to help with an on course fix.

GolfjunkieSr
Again you are correct. Each and every one of us is different but we sometimes share the same problem, the dreaded slice. I have not been cursed with this problem, mine is totaly opposite. So as a teacher, which I am, becomes very hard for me to relate to a slicer. I don't have the same feelings that the slicer has so it is very hard for me to help someone to correct it. Now with that said, as a teacher I would start helping the student to swing in another fashion from what they have been use too. Now it really gets hairy because the ball goes every which way you can imagine. What I am trying to say here is take the slicer and don't change alot in their swing that does away with the slice, you will create other problems down the line for the student, beause they probably can't repeat what you showed them that cured their slice in the first place. What I would do is take the slicer and turn them into a fader of the golf ball. Their natural swing dictates they swing in a fashion that moves the ball from left to right. There is nothing wrong with a fade if you know how to play it. There is something wrong with a slice or a snap hook, you can't play them and be successful. Yes you are correct, evaluate the student but know their natural tendencies. Don't try to turn a sows ear into a purse. I think we expect more from ourselves than realizing our limits to perform the ( Perfect ) golf swing. There is no such thing as a perfect swing, an there is no definition for a perfect golf swing either. Case in point, Jim Furyk. Advise to all, find what works for you and enjoy the game. Don't be mislead into thinking that there is only one way to swing a golf club, or even two or three ways. It is an individual game that will never be mastered but will be enjoyed by millions. bp

[kbp]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

Most golf instructors and DIY golfers are already doing what you are suggesting....putting band aids on their problems. It’s perfectly understandable human nature. It is also the basic reason golf scores have not improved, IMO.

I also don’t know why Furyk gets such a bad rap. He may not be anybody's "model" but he has everything I consider fundamental to a good swing.

[BrianW]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

I agree, band aid instruction does not make you a good golfer. If you are someone who plays the odd recreational game with a few mates on a Sunday and is happy to remain a high handicapper then it may be OK, if you want to play golf to a good standard then you will need to master the fundamentals of good ball impact.. Furyk may loop his backswing but he brings the clubface square into impact and creates good ball compression just like all other good golfers.

Like any sport, if you want to be good it will be tough and require dedication, hard work, lots of practice and a clear understanding of the fundamental skills required for improvement. Forget the shortcuts and gizmos, they dont work.

[Shamed04]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

Id like to say i do not know why you all are saying amateur scores are not improving. Duh, Even if everyone on this site started playing scratch, which i would argue with the equipment and knowledge there is today, there are prob more scratch amateur golfers now than ever, there would still be millions that have a 15 or 22 handi. For some people this is just thier limit b/c they do not have the athetic ability to get better. That is why we are amateurs. How come Tiger is the most dominant player in golf, is it b/c the pros cant get any better. I dont think so, you either have it or you dont. You shouldnt expect to be a 2 handi if youve always been a 22, its impossible

[Slavera]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

Id like to say i do not know why you all are saying amateur scores are not improving. Duh, Even if everyone on this site started playing scratch, which i would argue with the equipment and knowledge there is today, there are prob more scratch amateur golfers now than ever, there would still be millions that have a 15 or 22 handi. For some people this is just thier limit b/c they do not have the athetic ability to get better. That is why we are amateurs. How come Tiger is the most dominant player in golf, is it b/c the pros cant get any better. I dont think so, you either have it or you dont. You shouldnt expect to be a 2 handi if youve always been a 22, its impossible

Oh right then - I'd better sell up and take up Darts............

[Shamed04]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

No you shouldnt. I think golf is a game anyone can and should enjoy, but you wont enjoy it if you dont know your limits. Dont set outrageous goals, go out and have fun. If you break 90 for the first time you should be just as proud as a scratch golfer shooting a 65 for the first time.

[BrianW]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

Id like to say i do not know why you all are saying amateur scores are not improving. Duh, Even if everyone on this site started playing scratch, which i would argue with the equipment and knowledge there is today, there are prob more scratch amateur golfers now than ever, there would still be millions that have a 15 or 22 handi. For some people this is just thier limit b/c they do not have the athetic ability to get better. That is why we are amateurs. How come Tiger is the most dominant player in golf, is it b/c the pros cant get any better. I dont think so, you either have it or you dont. You shouldnt expect to be a 2 handi if youve always been a 22, its impossible

I think the point people are making is that the AVERAGE handicap has not improved over the last 30 years or so and is still in the 20's, even with the modern equipment available. This argument is used to indicate that modern golf instruction is not making people better golfers than in the past.

[Shamed04]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

Does the USGA put out an average handicap each year?

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

I don't think there are as many "amateur scratch players" as you might think. A true scratch player in my book is a player who can play scratch golf just about anytime, or more importantly, anywhere they tee off. Then you have to factor in the toughness of the course. At my home course I can break 80 just about every time I go out. I have a single digit handicap there. At 6400 yards it is a short course. Bad weather, or perhaps a poor putting game will put me in the 80s every so often. Now put me on Bandon Dunes or even Pebble Beach, and breaking 80 is not likely for me now days. In fact my adjusted handicap goes to double digits on those two. When I was playing my best golf, I played ST Andrews (some 30 years ago), and walked off scratching my head with an 89. Professionals are the true scratch players of this game, because they play the toughest, longest set ups, a different course each week, and for the most part still play at par, or better. GJS

[rotator]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

Well said, GJS.

I would say a true scratch golfer will have the ability to frequently score in the 60's on a variety of challenging courses, although his handicap may be plus minus 0.

There are a lot of golfers who score well at their home course and their "travelling" scores will not be close. We had qualifyings for the Ontario Amateurs at my old course a few years ago. Being short, it must have had some players licking their chops. There were many that came in with scores in the 90's.

Ted

[Shamed04]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

I agree also, I will adjust what I was saying to single digit amateurs then. Its still the same point.

[BrianW]

Re: Instruction for Amateurs

Id like to say i do not know why you all are saying amateur scores are not improving. Duh, Even if everyone on this site started playing scratch, which i would argue with the equipment and knowledge there is today, there are prob more scratch amateur golfers now than ever, there would still be millions that have a 15 or 22 handi. For some people this is just thier limit b/c they do not have the athetic ability to get better. That is why we are amateurs. How come Tiger is the most dominant player in golf, is it b/c the pros cant get any better. I dont think so, you either have it or you dont. You shouldnt expect to be a 2 handi if youve always been a 22, its impossible

Just remembered something that happened recently. At my club there is a Wednesday informal competition that I often play, it is a stableford 7/8ths handicap, you pay an entry fee there is a draw for partners and the first three best scores get a cash prize.

In one game recently I was drawn with two others, one who was 75 and played off a handicap of 5, he was slightly built, rode on his own small electric scooter as he was not able to walk the course (no carts at my club). His golf was a pleasure to watch, his drives were very long and he hit a few par 5 greens in two. He came in 3 over and took the first prize on the day. Later in the bar I asked him what he played off when he was younger and he replied that he only started playing well when he was 70.

Did he have it or not?