Blog

16 Dec 2016 Corina Pelloni

High School Golf: The Beginning

This past fall I received a call from a local high school coach about helping their freshman team. While some high school programs have experienced players, most don’t, especially when it comes to girls’ golf. Some of the players have never played or even been on a golf course.

This particular golf coach wanted me to teach the players about golf course etiquette, rules and course strategy. The first day we all met in the clubhouse to go over Golf 101. Lots of diagrams and basic information. The girls did a great job asking questions.

For the next few practices we walked a couple of holes on the course. We discussed basic concepts: where to stand when someone is hitting, who plays their golf shot first, rules infractions, where to put their golf bags when on the green, and how to play ready golf. Remembering that many of the players have never been on the golf course, we kept it simple and fun.

The players really took to what we were showing them and you could see their excitement for the game growing; that is what is most important. By volunteering my time, the girls learned some basic skills that helped them become more comfortable on the course and during the tournaments. I had four players sign up for private lessons, also.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to the high school coaches to offer your expertise. You will help their program, the players, and also grow this wonderful game of golf. As golf teaching professionals, continuing to develop the future of the game is a very important responsibility.

30 Nov 2016 Corina Pelloni

TECHNOLOGY, MODERN TEACHING

When I started teaching golf twenty years ago, there wasn’t very much technology available to the average player.  If you were lucky, you might have had a video camera to film someone’s golf swing.  You would video your student, take the tape out of the camera, and then go inside to find a television to watch and break down their golf swing.  Times have changed! Today, technology is in every part of golf, from fitting clubs and teaching the golf swing to looking at the putting stroke.  While watching the game on TV, you see the ProTracer technology in use.  Launch monitors have changed the way golf is taught, because they provide instantaneous feedback.  No longer do you have to wait to see your golf swing; each shot can be analyzed on the range. Technology can be expensive.  Some of the launch monitors are over $20,000.  After adding additional high-tech video equipment, it can become overwhelming.  Some of you might use technology already, and that’s great.  If you are not, then you need to take a different approach and consider how students of today learn best. I’m not saying you need to invest in thousands of dollars in equipment.  However, you’d be amazed how much you can do with an iPad and downloading a teaching app.  Most apps can be purchased for under $20 and will allow you to break down your student’s swing on the driving range.  After reviewing at the tee, you have the ability to email them the file for future reference. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself and your business!  The dividends you and your student will receive are worth it.