“The Haney Project”

photo credit: believekevin   Hank Haney is one of the foremost golf instructors in the U.S., just ask Tiger Woods.  Just how good is Hank?  The Golf Channel has decided to put him to the test by arranging to do a series called “The Haney Project.”  Haney’s job will be to fix Charles Barkley’s swing, one of the worst in the history of the game.

According to Haney, Barkley’s swing is a “worst case scenario.”  “It’s like he’s driving down a road and comes to a stop sign,” Haney said, halfway through his downswing he has a hitch, he stops, stoops and then finishes.”  “He drops his head nearly one foot from where he started,” he said. 

“Barkley hits an average of 1000 balls per practice session and works as hard as I’ve ever seen, so we’ll see,” Haney said.

Lesson Frequency

photo credit: diskychick   How often to take golf lessons is a debatable issue.  Some instructors require a once a week schedule and others may require lessons every two weeks or even once per month.  There are two determining factors.  First, the playing level of the student and second, their ability to execute what they’ve just been taught.

If you are a low handicap player you may require a lesson only once a month or two.  If you are just beginning, you may require a weekly lesson for the first few months.  Generally, for most players, after the first series of lessons as a beginner, only what I call maintenance lessons, should be required.  These lessons are to examine your swing and make sure no bad habits have begun.

Phil Rodgers-Short Game Guru

photo credit: Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale   Phil Rodgers has long been know for one of golf’s finest exponents of the short game-pitching, chipping and putting.  He is noted for helping his lifelong friend Jack Nicklaus revive his (Nicklaus’) short game.

A lifelong resident of San Diego, CA., Rodgers still teaches ($275.per hr.) his students the importance of a balanced swing tempo.  He maintains that “with a balanced tempo there comes a sense of lightness in the swing.”  He also encourages a right to left ball flight and has a reputation for being the best anti-slice teacher in the game.

Rodgers book PLAY LOWER HANDICAP GOLF is one of the most informative instructional manuals available.  The book covers all aspects of the swing and putting techniques.  The book is well written and very easy to understand for players at all levels.

Deadly Chip

photo credit: eMaringolo   One of my pet shots is a short chip shot which I learned from that famous instructor Phil Rodgers.  This is a deadly accurate chipping method when your ball is on the fringe of the green or close to it. 

Use the baseball 10-finger grip with a palms up position, finger nails showing and the back of your hands should be facing your thighs.  Feet are placed about 6 inches apart in an open position (toes towards the target).  The ball is played very close to and on the outside of the right foot (right handers)  The heel of the club is elevated so only the toe is touching the ground.  On the forward swing the toe of the club is jammed into the turf just after impact.  Try this shot, you’ll love it.

The Pupil’s Responsibility

What is the responsibility of a pupil?  Many people in the process of taking golf lessons, just don’t know the answer.  The primary responsibility you have as a student is that you must want to learn.  If you think of your lesson as just a band-aid, you will do very poorly.  The more you learn about the game, the better you will play.

Once you find the right golf instructor you have to trust and apply what he or she is telling you.  You have to be a willing listener and you must realize that much work (practice) is necessary.  Instructors may be handsomely paid, however, they also take great pride in the success of their program.  Good students make teachers look even better.

Student Expectations

photo credit: mahalie   Taking golf lessons can be quite expensive, are you getting enough “bang for your buck?” A competent golf instructor should be able to satisfy your needs in a very simple and easy to understand manner.

Having been an instructor for 37 years I know that the most important aspect of teaching is the ability to communicate well.  A good teacher should be able to instruct the student at the student’s own level of ability.  A teacher who is very patient is extremely important.  Also, there should be an honest willingness to help the student not just “collect the money and run.”  If the lesson goes past the hour time limit than so be it.

If your golf instructor does not show all of these characteristics, don’t hesitate to find a new teacher.

Take Playing Lessons

Playing lessons should be a part of every teaching program.  A playing lesson teaches one how to score, which is almost always left out of golf instructions.  There may be a limit to a person’s ball striking ability but there is no limit to their scoring ability. 

Since most golfers are fascinated with simply hitting the ball they are under the misconception that what they learn on the practice range automatically transfers to the golf course, it doesn’t.

The ultimate fascination with golf is that no two shots are ever alike.  playing in  various conditions is what the game is all about.  Golf is adaptation.  The practice range does not offer all of the conditions of a golf course which is why playing lessons are so important.  Check out www.golfchannel.com for “Playing Lessons From The Pro’s.”

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