Teaching Golf in The Real World (2005) + NEW BLOG entry!

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Brian Manzella

Administrator
quote:Originally posted by MizunoJoe

Brian,

What do you do with "non-serious" students - those who are unwilling or unable to do what it takes? Do you just give them tips/bandaids to make them happy and take their money?
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GREAT question.

I NEVER give Band-Aids. I just fix 'em as well as possible without BASTARDizing.

I am really, really good at these kinds of lessons. And you give 10-30% of your lessons to people like this.

Some REALLY GOOD teachers would fall on their face on these, however ;)!
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
quote:Originally posted by smithers

The only way to get ALL the students is to just give them enough information so that they keep coming back.

Ding, ding, ding????
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Nope.

You know me, smithers, I get bored with that.

Sometimes---and you have seen it live---I'll fix 'em in 5 minutes and send them on their way.;)
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
quote:Originally posted by drewitgolf

What make one happy may not make another happy. But......as long as they (the student) leave happy you have done your job.

The professional should ask, "what are we working on today?". Then the professional will know the direction he should head to make the student happy (product meets market).
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Good post....BUT!

(No offense) I NEVER EVER ask the student any of this.

NO pre-interviews.

No questionairs.

No 'learning style' tests.

Just this: "Hi ya doing, Brian Manzella, nice to meet you. Hit a couple for me at that flag."
 
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drewitgolf

New
quote:Originally posted by brianman

quote:Originally posted by drewitgolf

What make one happy may not make another happy. But......as long as they (the student) leave happy you have done your job.

The professional should ask, "what are we working on today?". Then the professional will know the direction he should head to make the student happy (product meets market).
Click to expand...

Good post....BUT!

(No offense) I NEVER EVER ask the student any of this.

NO pre-interviews.

No questionairs.

No 'learning style' tests.

Just this: "Hi ya doing, Brian Manzella, nice to meet you. Hit a couple for me at that flag."
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But, I wanted to work on my putting and course management skills.
 
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Ryan Smither

Super Moderator
After re-read #5:
I think I've got it.

Brian Manzella is the college basketball coach who truly is a GREAT BASKETBALL COACH. His surroundings do not allow him to have a constant flow of five-star athletes. However, when given the players that his surroundings limit, he can get THE MOST out of his players.

David Leadbetter and other "destination instructors" are the DECENT coaches at BIG NAME colleges. Their surroundings enable them to bring in the best recruits--or all the rich people that can afford to learn from that "BIG NAME" coach. As long as the coach doesn't give too much bad information to the players, then the players will win on talent and past experience alone.

(only in Kentucky do people use basketball analogies when talking about golf)

Did I get it coach?
 
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drewitgolf

New
quote:Originally posted by smithers

After re-read #5:
I think I've got it.

Brian Manzella is the college basketball coach who truly is a GREAT BASKETBALL COACH. His surroundings do not allow him to have a constant flow of five-star athletes. However, when given the players that his surroundings limit, he can get THE MOST out of his players.

David Leadbetter and other "destination instructors" are the DECENT coaches at BIG NAME colleges. Their surroundings enable them to bring in the best recruits--or all the rich people that can afford to learn from that "BIG NAME" coach.

(only in Kentucky do people use basketball analogies when talking about golf)
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Sounds like former Princeton University basketball coach Pete Carril.
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
quote:Originally posted by drewitgolf
But, I have already hit have of this bag (bucket) of balls.
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Did you buy 'em?

Oh no, they are supposed to tell you inside, that for $100 an hour, the balls are free.

;)

Here's your $7 bucks.
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
quote:Originally posted by smithers

After re-read #5:
I think I've got it.

Brian Manzella is the college basketball coach who truly is a GREAT BASKETBALL COACH. His surroundings do not allow him to have a constant flow of five-star athletes. However, when given the players that his surroundings limit, he can get THE MOST out of his players.

David Leadbetter and other "destination instructors" are the DECENT coaches at BIG NAME colleges. Their surroundings enable them to bring in the best recruits--or all the rich people that can afford to learn from that "BIG NAME" coach. As long as the coach doesn't give too much bad information to the players, then the players will win on talent and past experience alone.

(only in Kentucky do people use basketball analogies when talking about golf)

Did I get it coach?
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You didn't get it, but you made a brilliant CORRECT point.:D
 
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6bee1dee

New
It's like what Bill Murray said in Meatballs: It just doesn't matter because all the really good-looking girls will still go out with the guys that have all the money!

If you got a name you get all the good looking students even if you suc.
 
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ulim

New
I think Brian is mulling over his recent idea of a US Open for instructors. He realized that Hank Haney teaching Tiger Woods would not be suitable for this event, because Tiger is a destination student and knows full well what he wants to do. Chances are, if Haney doesn't do anything too stupid, then Tiger will hit the hell out of the ball and it'll look good to anyone watching.

Real-world teaching is where you are not a destination teacher and your students are not coming especially to you, they just want a service performed by whoever is available. And sometimes you have a hard time finding out what kind of service they have in mind. This is 99% of all Golf teaching in the world. If you're coming from there and develop repeat customers and eventually destination students, then you must be a great teacher. US Open caliber or such.

There's a guy here, works without video or anything the other Pros have, but he is booked full. Leadbetter-full. 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, not a minute unbooked for the next 4-5 weeks, that's as far as his calendar goes. Must be a great teacher and I watched him, he's not telling jokes or endearing himself to his student in any other way, it's pure instruction.

That being said, the best lessons I ever had were from a destination teacher ;)

Ulrich
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
Hi Guys....back in business in Reserve, LA for internet....

I think the teach-off US Open is a great idea, but the only way to judge is to have smart judges.

;)
 
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Jack

New
Maybe Brian's point is more basic. Who are the egg heads rating these teachers and what is the criteria for the rating.

Do you get a better education from HARVARD or Piscopalas Community College (PCC)? Most would answer Harvard. Why? Both Colleges teach out of the same texts. If it is still Harvard - then it must be the quality of the teachers. Let me tell you if your taking classes at Harvard you are most likely being taught by some grad student hoping to get a Ph.D who probably hasn't taught a class in his/her life before. The big name Harvard profs are so disconnected from teaching they wouldn't know a student if one bit them. Too busy testifying before Congress.

On the other hand the prof grinding it out at PCC - probably has good credentials (Ph.D, etc.) and if he/she is still teaching they are probably good - or he/she would have been drummed out quick.

I'd assert that The PCC prof could step in and teach the Ivy League crowd with ease. Whereas the Harvard Grad student or Big Name prof would probably get eaten alive by PCC students. There is always the exception but...

So what makes Harvard education better that PCC - it is not the quality of the instructors. Sounds a lot like the golf world huh...
 
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bray

New
Teaching in the Real World is sitting here at 6:30 or 7 every morning in the golf shop. Looking at your and Lynn's websites, reading TGM and Hebron. Tearing apart this months Golf Digest, reading and studying pictures. Looking for "it" "the reason that one range balls jumps off the face better than all the others" to quote Non.

Then getting off at three to go teach Mrs. Havacamp something other than her push basic stroke. Four o'clock Juniors, some want to be there some don't. This continues until I leave about 7.

What I'm teaching is rarely shape or plane, it's application of force and making the components match.

What I'm learning isn't to create my own system or theory on the swing, but instead to be able to teach each individual student as effectively as possible for there individual charecteristics, swinger or hitter.

I'm learning to do one thing so I can play, and then I'll learn another so I can teach both.

Teaching in the Real World isn't about being a Destination or Top Whatever instructor, your right Brian. Teaching in the real world for me is about being an effective instructor, giving the student what fit's there pattern the best, as quickly and easily understandable as possible and then getting them to do it over and over again.

I used to be a Top 100 teacher, but now I just want to be my own instructor.

Is that teaching in the real world Brian??
 
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bray

New
Last line "I used to be a Top 100 teacher" change that to "I used to want to be a Top 100 teacher"

Sorry didn't proof read it.
 
Leepaul

Leepaul

New
I think what makes a great teacher is a little knowledge of each area of golf development.
Tecnique, Mental, Physical and someone who knows a little about equipment. I have a junior summer camp starting Wednesday this week. If just one of those kids thinks that after spending time with me and having some fun and some good tuition and thinks to themselves golf is for them, then i've done something right.
 
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