Last week I wrote about being invited to be an instructor at a golf school of 35 women and 7 instructors. The school was a great success … how do I know? Because I saw LOTS of smiles, experienced lots of positive energy, saw lots of camaraderie, and the students were going out to play on the golf course after the school was over! That’s a sure sign! I know that they left with a very positive experience. And that’s what it’s all about … a positive experience. They also learned some valuable things … not just about their swing but about themselves as golfers and about their total golf game.

Now, what are they going to do with the knowledge they came away with when they get home? Is the excitement still there? Are they going to apply what they learned? I think this group WILL! I don’t think I have ever experienced a group that was as positive about learning as this group of students. The instructional staff was outstanding as well. So with that combination, the experience was a winner!

I hope the participants will now practice their new skills and follow up with a local instructor who will help make sure the improvements “stick.” It will be important that the students discuss with their local pro what they learned at the school and to ask for assistance in continuing along the same lines of thought. If the instructor has them “start all over,” it will be detrimental to the student.

I say this because instructors have different styles, different approaches to learning a skill, and varying thoughts about technique. I just read where Phil Michelson has now employed Butch Harmon as his swing coach … leaving long time coach, Rick Smith. Both instructors are tops in their field. Leaving Rick Smith does NOT mean that Phil thinks Rick has “messed him up.” Sometimes, as human beings, we need a change in our brain, a “different look at the same picture.” Once you hear the same voice over and over, we sometimes seem to tune out what is being said … you know, like listening to our parents for many years! You can relate to that, right?

Golf instruction is complex and but doesn’t need to be feared. It can be fun, challenging, and easy at the same time. If you’re struggling with your game, seek a golf school, workshop, private lessons, or put together your own group … and create your own positive experience!

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