What to do with an absolute beginner?

[brownman]

Good post Kev,I have a couple of golf mates and it is VERY hard to get them to STAY within the bounds of the learning process.I mean ,that they begin okay...feel comp etc.......then they throw it out the window by trying to do full swing and hit it strong and long.

How can I contain them in the LEARNING PROCESS.....Im no coach for sure,but I know I can advance them to a point whereby they can hit the ball with more consistancy,after that,they can get a lesson and be armed with basics......Cheers BM

[JerryG]

brownman,
This summer one of my pals decided at the age of 65 (at least) was going to get back into golf. Huge flipper, etc. and very frustrated. He appointed me his helper and wasn't about to waste any money on lessons. We played a couple times and I tried to stay out of his way as much as possible. Then he started with the demanding. We let a group go through as he was introduced to Basic Motion on the tee of the 9th hole. After feeling a little compression for a change, he hit a driver. We got to the ball and I threw another one down for him for basic motion. After that he hit his first good iron shot of the day. He knew it could be done. We completed the 18 and he may have had a couple more decent shots in the final 9.
After a conversation about the importance of constructive lessons he agreed to meet with KevCarter. He did and really got enthused. Now he'll get it going again with Kev in Feb.
I'm a firm believer if Basic Motion could be bottled it would be labeled "Magic Elixir."

[brownman]

Thanks JerryG,it can be a frustrating time for both for sure,I actually had a guy today who REALLY is beginning,his clubs are Noahs leftovers from the arc....I mean OLDE,he came up to me and told all about his game 9s...10s ...etc,while he was telling me,I deliberatly kept chipping basic with 7ir about 40yds..chipping..chipping chipping,until he FINALLY asked,how are you doing that?.......I had to stop him after 2hrs,only after that session,I told him a "tip off the TGM iceberg"...so as not to get too deep too soon,I called it a day.....gave him a simple routine he could practice even inside his lounge with a c/shaft...and said ..see you in a week..........keep you informed

[JerryG]

Nice teaching B. Model the behavior you are seeking. That feeling of compression is my new addiction.

[KevCarter]

Good post Kev,I have a couple of golf mates and it is VERY hard to get them to STAY within the bounds of the learning process.I mean ,that they begin okay...feel comp etc.......then they throw it out the window by trying to do full swing and hit it strong and long.

How can I contain them in the LEARNING PROCESS.....Im no coach for sure,but I know I can advance them to a point whereby they can hit the ball with more consistancy,after that,they can get a lesson and be armed with basics......Cheers BM

I think thats a really good question. It has to boil down to trust. It's not flashy, and it's not what the students were expecting.

As a teacher at a club, I am lucky that the word is being spread by word of mouth. I had a littl success as a player, and I had a few people that trusted me just from that. Generally not a good idea...

I was able to get some of my first students at the club to buy into it, they started improving quickly, handicaps going down and started making money in the club events.. these guys started spreading the word. I am also unlucky enough that we don't have a range at my club. Unlucky for me, lucky for my students. I give full swing lessons off site at another range, but do a lot of basic motion instruction around my putting green. Folks see my students at the club that are improving working on nothing but basic motion, so while as a teacher it would be nice to have a range on-site, it's been a blessing for getting the basic motion idea across.

Not a lot of help for you with your friends BrownMan, but I know you believe in the system, you just need to find a way for one buddy to trust it, and your other friends will want what he's got! Jerry has stuck with it through thick and thin with his teams, even with other coaches fighting him on it, and the results have been incredible!

Sorry for the rambling.

Kevin

[brownman]

Kev,you NEVER ramble,always read your posts.Thanks...BM

[KevCarter]

Thanks Jordyn, always good to see you ole buddy!

Kevin

[innercityteacher]

Thanks Jordyn, always good to see you ole buddy!

Kevin

Kevin, I can be very dense but understanding the drills that Lynn showed me on the first day, McDonald right, and understanding that the body is machine that MUST work in a certain logical way, whether pushed or pulled, will greatly de-mystify G.O.L.F.

Respects!

ICT