The best golf instruction involves a willing student and a patient, knowledgeable instructor. It involves hard work on the part of the student going through swing moves that are very repetitive and seem extremely awkward at times.
Let’s begin with the instructor and explain what their real purpose is. To provide the best golf instruction you have to have a keen perception as to what improvements should be made in your student’s swing pattern. It all starts with the word GASP and every instructor should be familiar with its meaning.
G stands for Grip. The only part of your body which is attached to the club itself are your hands. That makes it pretty important that you establish a really good grip first and foremost. Are you gripping the club too tightly?
A stands for Aim. Everyone must live up to the fact that if you’re aim is not correct you can hit the greatest shot you ever hit and not be on target. Aim is critical. Are you aiming directly at the target?
S stands for Stance. Your feet must be completely square to your swing path, shoulder width apart and your weight should be on the insides of both feet. This is one of the simplest to learn. Where is the ball in your stance?
P stands for posture. Is your back straight, are your knees bent slightly, weight on the inside of your feet and are your arms hanging straight down in a comfortable fashion? Are your knees bent too much? If so, you will it a “fat” shot!
Now let us talk about the student. Students are known to be impatient and this should be foremost on the instructor’s agenda. By not going too fast and getting into too much detail during the lesson an instructor shouldn’t have to worry about a student’s impatience. The reason being that most people, if given something that is too difficult, become impatient with themselves. So once again we should say “keep it simple”.
Students love to be challenged so they can prove to their instructor that they can accomplish what is suggested to them. They love to be able to prove to themselves and their instructors that they “really can do it” ! The problem with most teachers is their own ego- meaning that instead of being concerned with their students abilities and/or shortcomings they are concerned that they themselves are “wasting their time with this student”. A good instructional program is not only beneficial and rewarding for the student but also for the instructor and in the long run it benefits the game itself. This is truly the best golf instruction.
