How good a player should a pro be?

Status
Not open for further replies.
billmckinneygolf

billmckinneygolf

New
I know there are some of you out there who really know The Golfing Machine. I respect that a lot. But does that really qualify someone to give lessons? The PGA logo shouldn't really qualify someone either, but they do have a Player's Ability Test.
Doesn't it make sense that to be a good instructor, one should have been to the top of the mountain? Mac O'Grady thought that instructors should have to wear their scores on their sleeves and their left-handed scores on the other. Not bad.
What do you think?
 
billmckinneygolf

billmckinneygolf

New
Is that really enough, though? Think about the incredible process it took you to get to your level. I think I've spent more time in front of a video camera than anyone experimenting with all the variations. How's David Toms doing, by the way, Brian?
 
J

Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
quote:Originally posted by billmckinneygolf
I know there are some of you out there who really know The Golfing Machine. I respect that a lot. But does that really qualify someone to give lessons?
Click to expand...

Nope, and i know i'm going to get hell for this, but you can see how many posters really know the book but probably could never make it as a teacher. That's all i'm saying and i won't comment more about it, however there are plenty that will read this and know what i mean.


quote:The PGA logo shouldn't really qualify someone either, but they do have a Player's Ability Test.
Click to expand...

2 scenarios for you:

Scenario 1: My friend, small guy, shoots around par and sometimes under most of the time and could have no problem passing the PATs on the first try. Hits the ball a long way, always played good golf. When i first started learning to play, he taught me. Well, actually he didn't teach me much. He just "knew" how to do it; the golf swing that is. Fast foward 2 years, i'm as good (if not better) than him and he has me teach him.

Scenario 2: I have had ideas about going to law school. Took some practice LSAT tests, did really well. So i decided to take a class...you know where they have an "expert" tester teach you? My so called "teacher" scored a 178 on his LSAT (out of 180) and couldn't teach us anything. He had his "own way" to answer the questions and couldn't quite get us to get it. I got my money back ;)

quote:Doesn't it make sense that to be a good instructor, one should have been to the top of the mountain?
Click to expand...

No; besides...who's top of the mountain? The golf digest top 100 list? Please, give me a break. They all vote for each other, what kind of test is that?

quote:Mac O'Grady thought that instructors should have to wear their scores on their sleeves and their left-handed scores on the other. Not bad.
What do you think?
Click to expand...

Striking a golf ball, demonstrating what you're trying to "teach," and "scoring" have VERY LITTLE IN COMMON. To be able to "score" you need to have a phenonimal short game and putting. And if you are ANY KIND OF TEACHER, you have ZERO TIME to practice each enough to really keep your game.

I'm now off my soap box.
 
C

craig

New
Hi Bill this is Craig Bobby Schaeffer and Steve protege in Melbourne. I have seen you on all of his DVD's and I cant wait to see you Bobby and Gregg in Janurary down here for the seminars (I will be at both of them as I have been saving my pennies and working on my pivot sequence). I was considering going to the other internet guys two day school next month but I see yours as way better value after waying it all up - form three lever fulcrum force weight.
Cant wait to meet you.
 
billmckinneygolf

billmckinneygolf

New
Hey Craig. Bobby and Ben Doyle told me about you and said they Hoganized you pretty well.
Yeah, ours is a better value and you get to work with Bobby and Gregg (not to mention myself and Steve who is awesome). Glad you got S.M.A.R.T. and are coming to both schools.
See you then!
 
billmckinneygolf

billmckinneygolf

New
Striking a golf ball, demonstrating what you're trying to "teach," and "scoring" have VERY LITTLE IN COMMON. To be able to "score" you need to have a phenonimal short game and putting. And if you are ANY KIND OF TEACHER, you have ZERO TIME to practice each enough to really keep your game.

Jim, what if you are a former great teacher that is injured or too old? You can't really demonstrate, but maybe you can still guide someone's learning. We all know there are a heap of guys who are the opposite. K.I.S.S.(keep it stupid stupid and just describe).
Butch Harmon must be able to do that. Has anyone out there ever heard him give any real insight?
 
C

craig

New
Thanks Bill I cant wait. What should I be doing to prepare myself for Gregg, is there anything special that I should do? What will you guys be doing/covering over the two seminars that is different?
 
billmckinneygolf

billmckinneygolf

New
and by top of the mountain, I mean to have achieved a very high level of golf (60's in tournament golf, won something significant, played well under a lot of pressure...)
 
V

Vaako

New
Should a pro be able to teach everything? Like big swing, short game, putting, course management, mental management...

Or, should a pro be a specialist?


Vaako
 
J

Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
quote:Jim, what if you are a former great teacher that is injured or too old? You can't really demonstrate, but maybe you can still guide someone's learning.
Click to expand...

You will still be able to demonstart to "some" level but obviously not as well as you used to be able too.

quote:
and by top of the mountain, I mean to have achieved a very high level of golf (60's in tournament golf, won something significant, played well under a lot of pressure...)
Click to expand...

I think the above is irrelevant. I know great golfers who shoot in the 60s all the time, CAN TEACH, but don't hold up under pressure. Doesn't make them bad teachers.
 
billmckinneygolf

billmckinneygolf

New
First, I'll answer Craig: we teach how to make a really strong pivot and do lots of drills to help educate the hands. You can start doing a little stretching of your hip flexors as we'll teach you how to tune into them. Otherwise, just be ready to have fun and learn.
Second, Homer was a very unique person. I should have included him in my original question.
I notice there are a lot of stars answering this topic. nice.
 
T

TYORKE1

New
In order to play competative golf , you need time, how many golf teachers have that much time, also , watch 36 handicaps all day and try and score good luck! I would rather go to someone that studies the game rather than practices the game, also , I want someone to have good eyes. I also hear too often that the teacher does not want to change someones natural swing, that is okay if someone wants to shoot in the 80'sor 90's. If you want to be a player you have to make changes at times, I want a teacher that is not afraid to say this is wrong, I can make up my own mind. No offence to the 3 day schools you have to travel to, they can be a good thing but combine what you learned at them and you have to continue that at home. People would forget in two weeks what they learned.One thing that I like is that the teacher works with other good players . My point here is that playing well is good, you don't want a hack but it is not everything.TIM
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top