Do You Have to be a Freak To Learn To Golf ?

Hi Everyone,

There are three things that really get me p.o.’d when it comes to the current state of golf:

□ The first is just how slow and ponderous a simple round of golf has become;

□ The second is how golf continues to be inaccessible to middle and lower income kids, and

□ The final thing that sets my pots on fire is the state of golf instruction in the golf universe.

To your delight and relief, I am not going to get on my hobby horse today about the first two irritations. What I want to address is the third one, the golf instruction industry.

Have you ever tried to figure out what golf lessons cost? If a teacher is being really honest with you, they will share with you a comprehensive curriculum or blueprint of what you need to learn. Check out the PGA Teaching Manual if you want to get some idea what the teaching syllabus looks like. Makes a medical textbook look like a “Medicine for Dummies” paperback.

Tired of being a lousy golfer, check this out.

If you cover all the steps, it would take you months. That assumes you are somewhat quick at picking things up and putting them into practice. Simply knowing them is not enough. Even an intensive 3 or 5 day golf school barely scratches the surface.

Rates range from $2800 -$3000 for a well known 3 day short game school to about $1800 for 3 days at a well established school like the Golf Digest schools (rates do not include in most cases travel and accommodations). Some of the elite schools are now three part offerings of 2 days at a time and go for $2200 plus a monthly continuity fee for level one and escalates for each of the subsequent sessions.

If you are a really gifted athlete, you may likely benefit from this intensive instruction. However, there is no guarantee. Charles Barkley would be people’s exhibit one. Many other athletes similarly struggle. Go watch a celebrity tournament if you don’t believe me. The exception to the rule seems to be pro hockey players who seem relatively adept at picking up the rudiments of the game (may have something to do with having the summer off).

What if you only possess modest physical gifts and have to work for a living? The learning curve seems numbingly protracted. Almost like trying to chase the end of the rainbow. Surely there must be a way to compress the time needed to achieve a measure of competence. I can’t help but think that either the method or the manner in which it is taught needs to be revisited.

I’m definitely aware that there are other swing systems out there. Some are plain dreadful. Others look promising. Golf swing instruction is ready for the same paradigm shift that occurred in high jumping in 1968. Some of you will recall the advent of the Fosbury Flop, so named because its leading proponent, Dick Fosbury, set about and revolutionized the sport of high jump in the 60's. Previous to Fosbury, jumpers used the Straddle or Western Roll to go over the bar.

The “Flop” entailed running at the bar at a looping angle and going over backwards landing on your back and shoulders. Dick Fosbury won the Olympic gold medal in Mexico City in 1968 using this method. The sport was never the same again. You should know that, prior to Fosbury, jumpers landed in sand pits. You definitely did not want to land on your back on sand and risk injury. The padded, elevated landing pit was the technological boost that helped to promote both high and soft landings and inspire the creativity of Dick Fosbury.

If I were to be asked to recommend a swing system for new golfers, I know which one I would choose. Actually this same system when adopted by “seasoned” players has led to marked improvement in ball striking ability. These same players have also achieved what all amateurs are seeking: they are hitting the ball considerably further than with their orthodox swings. And they are straighter as well. They now possess the power of a home run hitter.

The real bonus has been that they can and do learn this swing in a few days at most. There are so few moving parts to master. If you are really disappointed at your progress to date, give this a try.

Oh, and did I mention that you will actually have money left over to go and play some golf?