•  My objective in teaching is for people to play better golf while still having fun. I help them enjoy the game by relaxing them and by keeping a calm environment around them.

  •  I treat each person as separate individual, helping them at their level and needs. Key points and drills are suggested throughout the session to help them while they are in their own environment.

  •  I keep to the basics and conveying that we don’t change into “the perfect golfer” overnight. We learn through a specific learning curve of progression. Golf is a progressive and repetitive sport, it is not a constant.

Read more about Becky's key elements of golfing fun and success ...

      1. Communication and Relaxation ...

      2. Separate Individuals ...

      3. Analogies, Key Phrases and Drills ...

      4. Keep to the Basics ...

      5. Summary ...

   Communication is a key element throughout the session.
  •  First, find out why the person is taking the lessons.
  •  Second, find out what they want out of the lessons.
  •  Third, figure out a goal and a way to help the person accomplish it.

I also feel communication is a two-way street. I see so many ‘friends or relatives’ lecturing another to ‘do this’ or ‘do that’ on the driving range or golf course. Communication is talking back and forth between two parties. Both parties must want to ‘hear’ what the other is ‘saying’ (unwanted advice is not advice).

I also put them at ease by asking about what the student does for a living, how often they play golf, what they do besides work and golf (other recreation or hobbies) and so on. This information helps me as an instructor as a ‘bridge’ for communication in key phrases or analogies later on in the lesson.

Relaxation is a must. Most golfers come from a busy day at work, so I have to break the ice and transfer them from the chaos (of work or daily routines) into the recreational mode. I show them some ways to unwind, stretch, and warm up. This also is a great way to get them ‘from work mode to golf mode’. If the golfer is stressed the entire body and swing is affected.
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Each golfer is different - different bodies, ages, sexes, occupations, ability/coordination, flexibility and different learning styles. Each person is unique - I can’t have a ‘set lesson’ for each person, but I adapt the lesson to each person and his or her individual needs.

I must differentiate where the person is at (both physically, emotionally, goals, etc) and not push them beyond their physical limits. If necessary, I will refer the golfer to a doctor, physically therapist or trainer.
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The best teachers have said to use hands-on examples and analogies as a way to communicate their key points. I believe that we all learn through all of the five senses.

  •  Demonstrations are ways to show what you are saying.
  •  Analogies are ways to try to convey my point across in a different angle.
  •  Key phrases are used because we rarely remember a technical explanation.

By using key phrases throughout the lesson, this will jog our memory to the main points. Throughout the lesson I explain some drills that can be used in their own time. I feel this is necessary because you can have the person working on the learned skill or motion on his or her own environment and time.
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The majority of golfers (myself included) need to refer to the basics. “Grip, stance, alignment, take away and finish” can be dissected into a very complicated motion. My philosophy is to practice muscle memory, so that the swing comes very naturally.

I feel that the beginner golfer just wants to know: ‘what a stance is?’ ... ‘what club to use?’ ... and ‘how do I get it to work?’ I teach each lesson in that person’s language and ability. I don’t get too technical with juniors or too complex with women golfers.

I also feel that you can pile up too many ideas during one lesson, which makes the person feel overwhelmed and negative toward their golf game. Taking one step and one swing situation at a time helps the person feel like they have accomplished their goal.

In the more advanced golfers, I would stress course management, self talk, and swing analysis by use of mirrors and video equipment. In this situation, I can get more technical by teaching practice and competition techniques. Pre-shot routing, course management, lowering the variables of error, and consistency are areas which I expand my teaching for advanced players.
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Golf is a game to be enjoyed. Most people are busy at work and use golf as a way to escape the chaos of life.

  •  First, communication and relaxation are key elements to help the person get the most out of golfing. Communicating what they want and how are we going to obtain the goals is crucial. I make use of warm ups and stretching to get them relaxed.

  •  Second, each lesson is separate from the next. Each person is so different that there is no ‘set lesson’ for each person. I customize what the golfer wants by listening to their needs and goals. I help create the skills, abilities to help them achieve their personal goals.

  •  Third, key phrases, analogies and drills are ways that I convey my main points across to the golfer. This way they can keep on learning in their own environment (work or home).

  •  Fourth, keeping to the basics for the beginners and get more technical with the advanced golfers is a must.

By using these four elements, I have found that the person will increase their skills and they will have more fun in their personal journey in golf.
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      Happy Golfing,