Professional Golf Instructor Training
 

Got this PM yesterday and asked for permission to post it, along with my reply. For those interested in becoming a true authority on the Golf Stroke, this is where it begins. Certainly it is not the only way, but it is a sure way.

***********************************************

Hello Javier!

Thank you for your kind words about our site. Regarding your GSEB training in The Golfing Machine, here is a 10-point guideline:

1. Memorize the Table of Contents, including all chapter numbers, titles and sub-titles.

2. Memorize the 24 Components and their numbers in Chapter 7-0.

3. Memorize the Component Variations and designations in both Stroke Patterns (Hitting / 12-1-0 and Swinging / 12-2-0).

4. Memorize the 21 items in The Machine concept (1-L).

5. Memorize the 22 items in Stage One of the Basic Motion Curriculum (12-5-1) and discuss to some extent the items Stages Two and Three (12-5-2 and 12-5-3).

6. Memorize the Power Package Components in Chapter 6 and discuss to some extent their application during the Stroke -- Hitting and Swinging.

7. Memorize the Twelve Sections of the Stroke (Chapter 8 ), and discuss to some extent the Section alignments -- Hitting and Swinging -- in the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes (12-3).

8. Memorize the paragraph names and numbers in Chapter 2 (A through S) and give (to some extent) the subject matter of each.

9. Define, locate and discuss to some extent, the items in the Glossary and in the Index.

10. Read -- and watch -- LynnBlakeGolf.com every day!

:shock:

That should keep you busy until Sunday, Javier. :confused1

:)

Obviously, we're into a little 'work overload' here, but you get the idea. But if you could do these things, you would not only be prepared for your GSEB class, you could lead it. And you would be well on your way to becoming a true authority on the Golf Stroke.

Best of all, when you have completed this little punch list, you will have achieved a technical framework that will enable you to reach your potential as a Professional Golf Instructor. A worthy goal indeed.

Go for it! :salut:

Lynn,

These are the exact same things you told me 12 months ago.

Impossible I thought they were.

Reality they have become.

Thank you!

I know this advice was in the context of GSEB training...how much does memorizing chapter names etc apply to real world teaching though?

I am not implying you don't teach well, just wondering how useful that sort of information is, I mean I know what extensor action is, but no idea what chapter number is, that doesn't stop me using it though?

Memories...
 

Hey mate,

The point is not memorizing the chapters, verses etc.

However, they are absolutely essential in helping you categorize what belongs where - the first thing I teach my university students in memorizing mathematical formulas.

You most certainly can teach 'extensor action' etc without knowing where it comes from (6-B-1-D by the way). However when it comes to more 'involved' stuff like 12-3-0, having a frame that you categorize stuff into will go a long way.

Its far easier to memorize:

1. Finish Swivel
2. Left Wrist Alignment
3. Hand Location
4. Clubshaft Position
5. Balance (Body Position),

if you knew that they belonged to 12-3-0, under Section 12, the Finish.

Lynn personally told me when all these are internalized, teaching becomes an art form.

Experientially, when I look at my student swinging for the first time, his/her swing is being referenced against 1-L, 12-3-0, 3 Imperatives, Essentials etc etc.

This may sound like a whole lot going on in my head, but trust me, its something like 2 seconds because all this have been internalized, much like the mathematical operations we have been taught as kids.

We just do it...

A STUDENT doesn't need to know but a TEACHER needs to organize his mind to understand the material to the fullest. Once organized the teacher sees the book as a small file that is instantly easy to open. Students,at first, see it as a batch of notes tossed randomly in a shoebox. Organize.

Good luck on class
 

I plan to attend one next year (move to NY in the summer) and was wondering if it would be of benefit to come visit Lynn beforehand.

What do you think? Anyone?

Kevin

Any experience with an AI will help prior to a school and a visit to Lynn maybe the best of the best as far as getting a leg up on the school.
I always approached it in a way that any additional insight into the book was going to help me, even if I did not interpret the insight from someone else the same as they did.

Get all the experience you can.

Todd

Blue Collar Mechanic
 

I am a 'blue-collar' mechanic. I fix Golfing Machines. Indeed, I build Golfing Machines.

I know how they work.

I can make them more efficient.

And I can repair them with a minimum of disruption to the other working parts.

Those interested in doing the same...can. But first they must pay the price. And that price is learning how The Machine works, the Parts Catalog that is available, and how some parts fit some models and other parts fit other models.

Suppose for a moment that you are a Golfing Machine Mechanic, and you are teaching, say, the Start-Up. As a professional, you know there are only four mission-critical alignments (excepting the Pivot alignments), and you know those four items. So, there are only four items to check. As my friend Comdpa has said, your awareness of these items, once internalized, becomes extremely sensitive, and you are able to spot immediately any mis-alignments.

Your students and those around will say, "You've got a great eye."

No.

You've got an organized eye.

Leona Helmsley, who owns one of the great hotel chains of the world, has a famous saying...

"Everything has a place and everything is in its place."

And so it is with The Golfing Machine.

Teachers
 

Kevin,

Come see me.

Especially if you aspire to becoming a 'credentialed' TGM Instructor...

Come see me.

There is TGM 'between the covers,' and there is more. Much more.

Today I turned 60.

I expect to be around a good while longer.

But if I am not...

And if you forego my training, yet continue to pursue a future in TGM...

Then, in time, you will regret that decision for the rest of your life.

Braggadocio?

No.

It is a decision I made for myself in December 1981 when Homer Kelley called from across the country and said "Come see me."

I couldn't afford it. And I had no real business doing it. I was a 'middle income' earner with a non-working wife and three kids. I was not even a golf pro for cryin' out loud. But do it I did, and it changed my life.

Thirteen months later...

Homer Kelley was dead.

And now, he lives on. Through my personal work with students, public presentations and this website, the lives of hundreds, even thousands, of others have also changed.

No complaints.

No regrets.

Come see me.

:)

I certainly agree with what Denny is saying, but a few comments on memory . . .

I'm a firm believer we can memorize anything, it's simply a matter of consistent review. As Justin was saying if you start basic and lay a foundation you will be able to use it to link more specific information to. Like anything that feels overwhelming, it's important to start with baby steps.

There are many memory experts that say if you review on this schedule in less than 2 years you will own the information for life.

1. 1st review
2. 2nd review: within 24 hours
3. 3rd review: within 1 week
4. 4th review: within 1 month
5. 5th review: within 6 months
6. 6th review: within 1 year

Also, there are guys like Harry Lorayne that lay out various memory techniques in books. I've used some of this in memorizing German words. An example, I could not for the life of me remember what löschen meant (to extinguish/cancel). So it took me another 5 seconds to picture a "loser" getting nailed with a fire extinguisher. I'll probably remember what that word means for life now because it's just a vivid and odd visual. Interestingly, topics that are "not to be spoken about here by gentlemen" are the one's in which the visuals are most effective. As one memory expert puts it, feel free to use whatever images will work because know one is going to get into your mind, it's your own domain (or something like that).

I used to think using notecards was a waste of time, I am now a believer. When I would have to learn 150-200 German words in a couple of days (far from my expertise), notecards helped a helluva lot.

Matt

Using Moments To Memorize
 

Most of the people who say they "can't memorize" have never really tried. They are stalled at the port of 'think they can't'. Stuff the 'learning disability': I don't believe it for a second.

Here is the way I go about it . . . inch by rock-breaking inch. No lazy. Just lift club and break rock. I break things down into small pieces and memorize bit by bit.

For example, in memorizing the 21 points in 1-L, I wrote them down on four 3 X 5 index cards, five points to a card except six on the last. I labeled these cards '1-5,' '6-10,' '11-15,' and '16-21' and kept them in my TGM book. I would briefly review them (like flash cards) from time to time, usually concentrating more on one card than the others.

I also photocopied (in 50 percent reduce mode) these cards laid out in a vertical column. I then cut it out and folded it up 'accordian-style' and carried it in my wallet. Then, whenever I had a spare minute or two -- waiting in a post office or fast food line, for example -- I would pull out my little fold-out and review a card or two. Or maybe just mentally recite one or two.

In the car, I would practice reciting them -- out loud -- in their own little 'blocks,' say '11-15' or '6-10' and always including their number. And I used the little memory tricks, too. For example, 1-L-#8 -- "No portion of the lever assembly swings forward independently." -- I see the bottom 'o' of the '8' swinging forward independently of the top 'o.' I even used the list as a sleep aid -- :shock: -- at night or on airplanes, starting from #21 and going backwards. I rarely made it past #17 or so. :laughing9

After a while, I had memorized 1-L -- and 12-1-0 and 12-2-0 (the Drive and Drag Stroke Patterns) and 12-3-0 (the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes) and 12-5-1/2/3 (the Basic Motion Curriculum) and so on. That foundation helps me every day in my teaching, speaking and writing.

No magic.

No genius.

Just plain ol' grind it out one-day-at-a-time effort.

:)

Another trick is using a technique called a mnemonic device. In beginning astronomy classes, students will use the following to remember star classification types.

OBAFGKMRNS

The phrase used to remember the above letters is "Oh Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me Right Now Smack!"

In college one of my friend's brothers was a Naval Aviator and and to remember what type of jet he flew, she associated "F" with February and 14 with the day of my birthday. So, by associating the jet type with my birthday was how she memorized the jet type he flew "F14".

The same principle Matt refers to and using mnemonics can be applied to memorizing the TGM book.

Memorization
 

Good stuff guys...it just doesn't have to be about golf/g.o.l.f...so many good things will come as a result of studying TGM.

BTW....Happy Birthday, Lynn...Cheers.

DG

Now that is creative, I love it!

I agree 100% wholeheartedly.

And for those of you who think anyone can memorize that entire list really do not know how the human brain works in regards to memory, memory damage, or learning disabilities.

Everyone's different. As long as you know what you're doing with the information you have (the book) and can APPLY IT you have a chance at being a great teacher.

Toward Becoming A True Authority
 

I never said my 10-point checklist was a pre-requisite to becoming a great teacher. I was asked what could be done to help one prepare for Authorized Instructor training, and I offered the list, somewhat tongue-in-cheek due to its obvious overload. Certainly, there have been many effective teachers who never heard of The Golfing Machine, much less committed to memory much of its contents.

However...

Homer Kelley himself did require that those who came to him for GSEM training memorize items #1, #2, #3, and #8 in my Checklist. In addition, we were to familiarize ourselves with the Twelve Session Normal Course Curriculum, and we were to answer in writing his 50-page test bank of 529 questions covering each chapter of The Golfing Machine. All this was a pre-requisite to his training.

My own checklist included a few additional items, such as the 12 Sections of the Stroke -- certainly not difficult -- and the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes and the Basic Motion Curriculum as long-term goals to strive for.

People think it is easy to become a Professional Golf Instructor, and they are right. There are few barriers to entry and the quality of instruction over the decades reflects that reality.

Homer saw it a different way.

It takes many years of dedicated study to become qualified to even begin to practice professsions such as medicine, dentistry, the law, and accounting. Why should becoming a qualified and competent Professional Golf Instructor be any different? Why should proficiency in what is truly a complex discipline come without the requisite pricetag of time and study?

I have met very few teachers -- great or not -- who when pressed, will not freely admit, "If I could give all my early students their money back, I would." It takes a long time to learn to teach effectively, even when you have the correct information. And rote memorization by itself is not the answer...I am not saying that it is. However, it can and will greatly compress the years required to truly be the Master of your Discipline.

Those who say that such memorization is unnecessary have not done it. Therefore, as effective as they may be as teachers, there is no way they can judge how much more effective they could be if they had truly internalized the Stroke Components, their Variations, the Basic Motion Curriculum, and the mission-critical alignments of the Hands in each of the Twelve Sections of the Stroke.

I have done it.

Was it easy? Hell no, it wasn't easy. I worked my butt off.

"How did you do it," I asked Homer. "How could you write such a book?"

Said he, "There is the sweat of blood on every page."

I know I am a better teacher for having followed Homer Kelley's advice to memorize those elements of The Golfing Machine that serve as its foundation.

My message in prior posts was that you don't have to do it all at once. Simply begin...

Take it one step at a time.

And before you know it...

You will have accomplished much more than you ever dreamed possible.

Let me qualify this by first saying this . . . I'm probably one of the top 5 biggest book nerds on this and other sites. I have or have copies of every edition. I have typed the 6th into a word file. I have for the most part read each edition but I'm half way throught the first and haven't read the 2nd. I have read the 6th from cover to cover 3 times. And read the 7th.

However . . . I haven't memorized much of the book . . .

What exactly is the intent of the memorization? I'm not saying that I wouldn't do it. I probably will . . . but to what ends does it serve? Is this a "to be teachers" task? Or just a task that any serious student should take?

Playpen Exit Strategy
 

Bucket was writing his post as I was posting mine. He deleted his because he felt his question had already been answered. I have taken the liberty of resurrecting it -- it's fun to be an Administrator! :) -- because his post asks a very up front and to-the-point question I want to answer.

What is the intent of memorization?

To my mind, it is quite simple:

How can you teach the five alignments at the Finish unless you know them? And how can you know them unless you can recite them?

How can you teach the seven alignments at The Top?

How can you teach the four alignments in the Start Up?

How can you teach the six alignments at Impact Fix?

How can you guide your student step-by-step through the Basic Motion Curriculum unless you stone-cold know it?

After all...

You are the Teacher!

It is your job to know.

In his June 1981 G.O.L.F. Bulletin for Authorized Instructors, Homer Kelley wrote:

Self 1 and Self 2, right and left brain, ball-and-striker sports and the play-pen seem to have one thing in common. That is that Geometry and Physics have, early and late, had no advocate therein. The one obviously out-of-place member of that group that might some way be redeemed, appear to be the ball-and-striker sports inasmuch as The Golfing Machine is dedicated to removing at least one of these sports from the playpen syndrome.

Nothing has changed. To a large extent, Golf Instruction remains in "the Playpen." What has been missing all along is precision. And only The Golfing Machine can supply that precision.

So, our job as Instructors is to become true Authorities and, in time, to liberate Conventional Instruction from its Playpen status.

And if we don't -- because we are either unwilling or unable to pay the price to truly know our subject -- then...

Who will?

Bucket's Mid-Term Exam
 

Now I would like to make a point. And that point is that you already have memorized much more than you think! And you have done it "by accident." My position is that if you did it "on purpose," you would enjoy even greater benefits.

The Proof:

Bucket, you are hereby asked to take the following test. You may NOT consult your book. You are 'on your honor' -- do not go there! -- and you are to post your answers exactly as you are able.

Pencils ready...

Open your test booklets...

Begin.

1. List the 12 Sections of the Stroke...in order.

2. What is the subject of 2-F?

3. What is the subject of 2-G?

4. What chapter explains the 24 Components?

5. What chapter explains their Variations?

6. What two chapters refer to the Wrist Positions and the Hands?

7. What chapter explains the Power Package Concept?

8. List the Four Power Accumulators.

9. List the Four Pressure Points.

10. What chapter lists 21 points that explains the operation of The Golfing Machine?

11. List the Three Imperatives...in order.

12. List the Three Stations.

13. List the Three Functions of the Club.

14. What is the Star System Triad?

15. List the Three Zones.

I could go on, but you get my drift. :)

And now, Bucket, I am waiting to grade your test. My guess is that your score will support my thesis.

You doo doo head. Pulling a pop quiz.

Mike O we got us another target it looks like!!! You got any gas for the weed eater?


1. List the 12 Sections of the Stroke...in order.
Prelim add./fix/add./start-up/backstroke/top/startdown/downstroke/release/impact/follow-thru/finish

2. What is the subject of 2-F? uh I know 2-k is flail . . . 2-j visual eqiuv. . . hmm. . . .clubhead line of flight?

3. What is the subject of 2-G? force vectors? is that even one of 'em? naw I think one of them g or f is hinge action.

4. What chapter explains the 24 Components? 9

5. What chapter explains their Variations? 10

6. What two chapters refer to the Wrist Positions and the Hands? 4 & 5

7. What chapter explains the Power Package Concept? 6

8. List the Four Power Accumulators.

1 right elbow 2 left wrist cock 3 left wrist angle 4 left arm and shoulder angle

9. List the Four Pressure Points. 1 heel pad of right hand on shaft or left thumb 2 last 3 fangers of left hand 3 first knuckle right index fanger 4 left arm meets left tit :)

10. What chapter lists 21 points that explains the operation of The Golfing Machine? 12

11. List the Three Imperatives...in order. flat left wrist straight plane line club head lag pressure point

12. List the Three Stations. address/top/finish

13. List the Three Functions of the Club. inclined plane = shaft lag pressure point = clubhead flat left wrist = clubface

14. What is the Star System Triad? three imperatives three functions three stations

15. List the Three Zones. zone 1 body control pivot zone 2 power arms zone 3 alignments hands

Grading Bucket's Pop Quiz
 

Okay, here we go, grading Bucket's test with no curve!

************************************************** *********

1. List the 12 Sections of the Stroke...in order.

Prelim add./fix/add./start-up/backstroke/top/startdown/downstroke/release/impact/follow-thru/finish

Kee-Rect!

2. What is the subject of 2-F?

uh I know 2-k is flail . . . 2-j visual eqiuv. . . hmm. . . .clubhead line of flight?

Buzzer Sound!! :shock: And the answer is...The Inclined Plane!

3. What is the subject of 2-G?

force vectors? is that even one of 'em? naw I think one of them g or f is hinge action.

Consulting with the judges...Hinge Action is Kee-Rect!

4. What chapter explains the 24 Components?

9

Buzzer Sound!!:shock: And the answer is...Chapter 7!

5. What chapter explains their Variations? 10

Kee-Rect!

6. What two chapters refer to the Wrist Positions and the Hands?

4 & 5

Kee-Rect! You're on a roll, Bucket!

7. What chapter explains the Power Package Concept?

6

Kee-Rect! Yahoo!

8. List the Four Power Accumulators.

1 right elbow 2 left wrist cock 3 left wrist angle 4 left arm and shoulder angle

Kee-Rect...We're golfin' now!

9. List the Four Pressure Points.

1 heel pad of right hand on shaft or left thumb 2 last 3 fangers of left hand 3 first knuckle right index fanger 4 left arm meets left tit :)

Umm doggies! You done dun it again! After consultation with Bagger, we'll let your answer stand, but with a 2-point deduction for naughtiness!

10. What chapter lists 21 points that explains the operation of The Golfing Machine?

12

Buzzer Sound! :shock: Agggghhh, Bucket. It's 1-L! That was a lay-up. I just posted on this for cryin' out loud! My post was all about HOW TO REMEMBER 1-L! I gave you 1-L in flash cards, memory tricks and even sleep aids. Cain't you read? [Do NOT answer that!] I was going to make this a double-points off deduction, but bambam has interceded in your behalf citing some sort of "There but for the grace of God go I" nonsense. I owe him, so you're off the hook...for now.

11. List the Three Imperatives...in order.

flat left wrist straight plane line club head lag pressure point

Ahh...almost! It's FLW, CLPP and SPL. Consulting with the judges now...2-point deduction for out of order Imperatives.

12. List the Three Stations.

address/top/finish

Kee-Rect! You're golden, Bucket. Golden.

13. List the Three Functions of the Club.

inclined plane = shaft lag pressure point = clubhead flat left wrist = clubface

A little wordy here...the judges will accept Face, Head and Shaft...Kee-Rect! :)

14. What is the Star System Triad?

three imperatives three functions three stations

Kee-Rect! Light the fire! Bucket's done nailed The Triad!

15. List the Three Zones.

zone 1 body control pivot zone 2 power arms zone 3 alignments hands

Kee-Rect! With 2 extra-credit bonus points for the 'second word' description. These will be used to offset the 'naughtiness' deduction in Question #9. It's a bogey-birdie thing.

Okay, now let's 'tote up' the score. Hmmm...

With 15 questions, each wrong answer deducts 6.66 points from the score. Hmmm...666...Bucket, do NOT go there either!

Now, let's see...

Only three wrong at 6.66 each = 19.99 off a perfect score, less a 2-point deduction for out-of-order Imperatives ...

Bucket!

You scored 78!

Cool!

See...

I told you that you had memorized a lot more than you thought!

Now...

Go to the blackboard and write 100 times...

1-L is the 21 points.

2-F is the Plane.

The 24 Components are in Chapter 7.

The order of the Three Imperatives is FLW, CLPP and SPL.

That should do it!

Congratulations, Bucket. You passed!

I luv ya, man!

:)

Luv on this!
 

Passed! Me and Mikey are still coming to visit . . . better get your arrangements alignments or whatever in order.

Mikey . . . get the dang magic marker out of your nose!!! You know how that makes you behave. Go find the hack saw.

If memorization was so much more valuable why is the AI Certification test OPEN BOOK?

There were lots of times in business school when in my Finance classes my professors would ask the student what say the Time Value of Money was. There would always be the person in the class that new the definition right out of the book. Then the professor would ask, "in your own words, what exactly does that mean? Explain it in a situation." They would look at him blank because they couldn't understand the CONCEPT.

Memorization has its place in learning but it doesn't necessarily make you any smarter or know how to do anything better, it just means you can remember it.

Now please don't take this the wrong way that i'm saying all people who can recite the book can't apply it because that is not what i'm saying. Some people are really pationate and they have learned to do it and can still apply the book and maybe even teach it.

Familiarity Versus Mastery
 

Jim,

There are at least three reasons why the test is 'open book:'

1. It is the only way that 95 percent of the soon-to-be-Authorized Instructors could pass the test. They simply don't yet KNOW enough to pass it any other way. And it is unrealistic to expect -- much less require -- that a student commit to memory the vast amount of material he is exposed to during the formal training process.

2. In truth, the test is more of a learning experience in and of itself than an actual 'exam.' Digging for answers and writing them down has value to the student.

3. Answering the questions is demonstrated proof that the student can use the book in its research function, and that he has at least a cursory familiarity with its contents.

To my mind, the Authorized Instructor designation is a beginning, not an end. It is formal recognition that the journey of a lifetime has begun. The student now has been exposed to the tools that over a period of years will enable him to become a true Authority. One, I might add, who could pass an 'open book' test...without the book.

Whether or not that noble goal is achieved rests squarely on the shoulders of each student. True mastery of any discipline requires an effort that differentiates the few from the many.

And so it is for those who would master The Golfing Machine.

Well..........
 

HEAR, HEAR

as they would say in he british parlament(sorry if I´m wrong lads!)

Had a few minutes over between finishing my openbook exam for level 2 and starting to memorize a couple of things for the visual identification and demonstration exams for tomorrow.

Remembered point # 10 on Yodas list to me - and here I am.

I have spent 64 hours on the schoolbench(right spelling?) with TGM the last 8 days. This is only my 7 month (Yoda was at our Sweden PGA teaching summit in March) with TGM, so I am fairly new with the expression compared with others here. Since then, I`ve been reading the book and visiting the forums every single day. I've learned a lot and still do.

But going through Bachelors class IS a whole other ballgame.

I TRULY UNDERSTAND the differnt concepts
I CAN DEMONSTRATE it to my students to make them understand:salut:

and I can appreciate EVEN MORE Yodas recommendations to me.:read:

BTW, Yoda, do you remember the guy that you talked/teached during the morning hours at Halmstad? Your introduction to TGM made him attend this class I´m going!

So, without ............. oh shit, times flyes when having fun. Must go back to memorizing!:eyes:

Hej på Er!

Jedi Knight In Training
 

Congratulations, Javier, on your success with the TGM Authorized Instructor training. I am happy for you!

I am also happy for your classmate who I trained with you in my half-day, main platform presentation to the Swedish PGA Coaching and Teaching Summit last March. And also, in the 'after hours' session you witnessed (and cheered on!) the last day! :occasion:

Keep working, Javier. Unlike those who would drift with the tide, you are making your future happen. I am proud of you!

I can't win so i'll leave. I still stand by my statements, memorization really has 0 to do with being a good teacher in ANYTHING.

It has to do with knowing the definition of whatever you are teaching, being able to apply what you are teaching, and finally be able to commute what you are teaching in a way the students can understand.

This isn't just golf either, it's ANYTHING. When any of you go out and teach people with Learning Disabilties than you can come back to me and re-exam your response.

----------

Also i think some of my college professors would be rather offended that

"2. In truth, the test is more of a learning experience in and of itself than an actual 'exam.' Digging for answers and writing them down has value to the student.

I have had some pretty damn hard finance theory exams that were open book and it sure was more than just an "learning experience."

I'm out.

Professionals, Not Combatants
 

The difference between this website and at least one other is...

We don't try to 'win.'

There is no 'all or nothing' mentality.

This site is about friends helping friends...

Not about 'me beating you' or 'you beating me.'

We continue to welcome you here, as we always have, despite your other allegiance and affiliation.

But unless you jettison your 'win or lose' baggage...

You will not be comfortable in high-minded discussions with those who, in the long run, could prove to be your greatest allies.

You have a long life in golf ahead of you, Jim.

Think about it.

Question...
 

Have you had any TGM Authorized Instructor training?

Building Blocks
 

In the family rooms and school rooms of the USA, learning the alphabet and basics of the written word usually starts here:

[Sing the song...you know it!]

A B C D E F G...

H I J K elomenopee.

Q R S.

T U V.

DoubleU X, Y and Z...

Now I know my ABCs.

What do you think of me?

:)

That is the beginning.

For a select few of us...

It ends with writing War and Peace.

The rest of us function effectively somewhere in-between.

Y? Or has this gone over my head lol

Jim, long before I heard of Yoda, two other GSED told me I needed to memorize a list similar to what Yoda has published.

My first reaction was what the heck for? It is an open book test, I have it available if I need to reference it, etc.

Well I took a pre-test, not open book and to my surprise I struggled. It really wasn't that hard, it was only 66 or 67 questions and it only asked for a handful of references. So it was back to the book. When I took the open book test, I discovered that knowing where to go made a big difference and if you do take the test, if the rules are the same, don't paraphrase. Since you have the book, write it out as it is written.

Back to memorize or not? In life there are subjects that are taught that require you to memorize if you are going to be able to do your job. In school, grade school, you memorize the times tables, you memorize a lot of information. If you had taken Latin, you would discover that you need to memorize a number of verbs and their tenses, they don't track like normal verbs, so you memorize.

Does it make you a better teacher? Only if you do something with that information and that you understand it. At least that is my opinion. Being able to quote the book chapter, paragraph and verse and not being able to explain it or apply it will not make you a better instructor.

I think that memorizing it will help you along the way in becoming a better instructor, but not memorizing it doesn't by default make you a poor instructor, at least that is my opinion. Where the rubber hits the road is having the knowledge and understanding and then be able to communicate it and Experience helps...

'Y' Challenged
 

Right you are, JT1. I've fixed it! :laughing9

Good stuff mate. Me being me wasn't totally sure if i missed a point :confused1

Cheers mate

Every open book exam I ever had in college were extremely difficult but it wasn't because of the material in the book but what wasn't in the book that need to be applied. Every see a lawyer work without a open book, he knows every passage it contains, yet it yields no answers by itself.

The AI exam is NOT this type of exam. At least the way it was once given.

And ever since web sites like Yoda's, Evan's old site and the original TGM home office forum - many could pass the Level One A & B test and never hurt the spine of the book in the process. Yoda is now the "learning experience."

The GOLFING MACHINE would be NOTHING without AIs able to speak the same language even if they only speak it with other AIs.



6b

When I taught at the college level, and when I teach/mentor programmers here at work, I find that memorization is critical both for me and the students. There is no comparison between those who do and those who don't memorize the key concepts, terms, etc...

On that note, I will be diving deeper into TGM this coming year. I believe your 10 steps is the structured plan I need to start laying a foundation for this effort. Are there any other materials and/or steps you'd recommend I study as I get into this?

Could someone break down Happy Gilmore's action? Anything nonstandard?

He sways a little and his lower body action needs some work ;-)

I've never purposely started arguements and i've always been civil. And this isn't about winning, it's about what i know about teaching. I respect your opinion but i feel extremely comfortable calling it wong.

All i am saying is that memorization has 0 to do with being a great teacher. Not being a great student or trying to learn something but TEACHING. Now as a RESULT of teaching something everyday you will come to memorize at least some of it.

Hell my g/f who has extremely difficult learning disabilties could probably tell you word for word what some of the agreements are on a mortage loan from working in the industry for 5+ years but that doesn't mean she could teach someone to be a loan officer or be one herself.

That's great because the above is LEARNING not TEACHING. You think the teacher teaching the kids the ABCs is a wonderful teacher because he/she can recite the ABCs?