Why Lessons?

Golf is a funny game. The harder you try, the worse it can get. I've seen many natural athletes get frustrated with their lack of progress while learning the game "on their own." A lot of people claim to be self-taught, but none of us learn in a vacuum. I didn't have a formal golf lesson until 10 years after starting, but believe me, I had plenty of "informal" lessons along the way. (This was long before the golf channel, DVDs and all those books!) What your friends and relatives won't be able to tell you how to properly set-up for hitting a golf ball. Grip, stance and alignment all need to be learned and mastered through formal lessons. Following your instincts will often lead you in the wrong direction. If your set-up is incorrect in the beginning, you have to compensate much more to hit the ball at the target. It's this pesky compensation — too much, too little, just right, etc. — that makes your game inconsistent — a hero one day, a hack the next.

Lessons not only teach you the proper fundamentals but how to practice them. Understanding the learning process and how to make the best use of your time can cut down on both expense and frustration.

Teaching Philosophy

When I first started teaching, I only had one way to teach the golf swing. If the student could relate to and perform that concept I was a genius. If not, well, let's just say we wouldn't get the desired results. Over time I realized that it's the pros responsibility to adapt to the student, not the other way around. Of course, that doesn't mean that I am solely responsible for your golf swing. I can give the information, but it's up to you to bring the elbow grease.

Teaching well is not only about knowing how, it's about providing the right information in the right amount at the right time. In order to do this effectively, I need to figure out your learning style (visual, kinesthetic, auditory), whether you're primarily right-brained or left-brained, (creative or logical), impulsive or methodical, result oriented or process oriented, etc. Why do you play golf? Are your expectations reasonable and realistic? The more I get to know you, the better I will do teaching you. A 1-lesson series isn't going to get us there.

I emphasize teaching the student the proper set-up — grip, stance and alignment. By mastering these fundamentals, the students natural stroke is allowed to evolve through practice. Everyone is unique. People have different body styles, different athletic experiences and abilities, varying levels of fitness, and their own way of creating speed. My job is to help my students set realistic goals and show them the quickest way to achieve them.