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Huang Wins Central Region Title

A “southern invasion” intruded upon the recent USGTF Central Region Championship at Pheasant Run Golf Course in Canton, Michigan. Hunter Huang of Atlanta, Georgia, held off Mark Harman of Ridgeland, South Carolina, by two strokes to claim the title. Defending champion Matt Smith of Columbus, Ohio, finished third.

Huang opened the first round with a 72, good for a one-shot lead over Smith and Ron Cox from Nashville, Tennessee. Smith was at 73, and Harman was another stroke back at 74, along with new USGTF member Mike Chism of Farmington Hills, Michigan. Huang continued his fine play with an opening nine of 35 to start the final round, with Smith hanging in there at 36. Cox was still a factor after a 37, and Harman carded a 34 to close the gap to one. Harman birdied #10 to forge a tie, which lasted through the 15th hole. Huang then went birdie-par to Harman’s par-bogey, sealing the deal.

Region director Brent Davies hosted the event, and all competitors agreed it was a great tournament.

(Pictured: Hunter Huang and Brent Davies)
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USGTF Member Benefits

USGTF membership comes with many benefits beyond the ability to identify oneself as a USGTF member in good standing. Among them are:

– Discounted golf equipment from major manufacturers

– Group liability insurance at greatly reduced rates

– Continuing education opportunities

– Regional, national and international competitions

– Subscription to Golf Teaching Pro magazine

– USGTF logoed merchandise, books and videos

– Industry recognition

To remain a USGTF member in good standing for the coming calendar year, dues must be paid on an annual basis. USGTF dues allow your organization to continue to operate at a high level and provide the member benefits listed above. Compared to other professional organizations, USGTF dues cost less and more than pay for themselves when purchasing discounted golf equipment and liability insurance. Those of us at the USGTF National Office would like to thank you for being a member, and as always, if there is anything we can do for you, please call us at (888) 346-3290 or email Membership Services at info@usgtf.com.

Understanding The Motive

By David Vaught, USGTF Master Professional

Occasionally we are all confronted with a deep-meaning question from someone that requires quite a bit of reflection. It could be a colleague, peer, student, or family member. As I have progressed through the years in my golf career, I get asked the following question more and more often: “How did you get where you are today in the golf business?”

A few years ago, when confronted with this question by a young aspiring golf professional, I was caught completely off guard, but the answer popped into my head unexpectedly. Before I reveal that epiphany, I must say after that day I began to notice a similar motive for almost every successful golf instructor I have come across the last half of my career.

Thinking back to the very early years of my golf career, I could come up with some very easy answers. For example, I was starving when I got my first golf job. Therefore, eating was a good motivator. I needed a car that didn’t break down every week. I wanted to impress a potential girlfriend, and being homeless doesn’t lend itself to good first impressions. Besides what young guy doesn’t have someone of interest they want to impress?

Don’t be misled. Not all instructors are motivated the same. I have met several instructors that have had different motivations. Some thought it was an easy alternative to selling insurance or working in sales, etc., etc. Others were motivated by the money; $80 an hour sounds like a good gig. Others were looking for the next young superstar they could groom into a tour player and then parlay that into big-ticket success.

Does the enjoyment of doing what you love trump the enjoyment you can receive out of the money you make? I am not wise enough to answer that one, but many will say doing what you love day in and day out is very important to truly being happy in life. Now let’s bring this back to golf and my answer. I responded to the question like this: “All I can remember trying to do was help someone receive greater joy and have more fun playing this game. If I could to add joy to their life, I was happy, and the rest took care of itself”.

Honestly, that was always my motivation. I somehow figured out that by having that one simple objective, everything else fell into place. I do not claim to be consciously aware of that all the time, but looking back, that is exactly what was in my mind somewhere. It guided me.

I made some money. I won awards. I received accolades from my peers. I received admiration from those that cared about me. All from that single motivation: bringing people joy by helping them play better golf. For me, that was through lessons and equipment. I look back now on what I have accomplished, modest by some standards and significant by others, and I have a very hard time believing I did all of that! I do realize it somehow just came from that single heartfelt desire. I do also remember often feeling desperate as to how I was going to help them play better. It could have been lying in bed dreaming up a new drill to fix their swing or not giving up until I found the right shaft they needed to improve their ball flight. Whatever it took.

Again, I would say that the clear majority of successful golf professionals share that motivation. I know it works. That could mean going the extra mile, giving more effort, spending more time, or being more patient.

It is not exactly earth shattering or even that profound. It is simple. I guess much like the mantra Harvey Penick lived and taught by. That piece of advice is the best advice I can offer someone that is entertaining a career in golf, especially teaching or equipment. Love to see them get better, love to see them improve, love to see them have a great day enjoying this game. If you are trying to help them do that, it will all come to you. You may not make millions, but your heart will be full, people will notice and you will have the gratification that money does not always buy.

BE A PIG, DON’T BE HOG

By Pat Montana, Ph.D Golf managers should educate their staff on the need to be more sensitive to the needs and expectations of potential members and customers. I was invited recently to play golf at the course where I live but am not a member.  My new neighbor, who was anxious to familiarize himself with the course, asked me to join him and a friend who were invited by a member to complete a foursome.  The member advised us that he would be joining us later in the round, and we were totally put off when the head golf professional charged us double the guest fee because the member was not present at our starting time.  The head golf professional was nonresponsive to our frustration in questioning the charge.  He simply refused to listen and charged us an unaccompanied guest fee. Being more sensitive to customer expectations may well have resulted in my neighbor, his friend, and myself joining the club at a later time.  By being limited by management policy in this case, the head golf professional lost us forever.  The guest fee during high season is pricey, but understandable.  Having to pay double this fee brought to mind the old expression, “Be a pig, don’t be a hog.”  You might get more members.
Emphasizing The Extreme Importance of a Proper Setup!

Emphasizing The Extreme Importance of a Proper Setup!

By: Steve Williams, WGCA contributing writer You might think that the setup is so fundamentally simple that it comes natural to a touring professional. With some of them, that’s true, but with the vast majority, it has to be stressed constantly. Although there can be problems with grip and stance width, these are not usually the trouble areas. My experiences have shown me that the first thing to falter is usually posture, followed closely by alignment and ball position. Posture usually falters because the golfer gets lazy physically and lazy with his discipline. Alignment usually falters because the golfer gets lazy mentally. Ball position will usually gravitate to the most advantageous spot, depending upon the errors and compensations in the golfer’s swing at present. Regarding posture, I find it most advantageous to put this thought in the golfer’s mind: Viewing the static posture from down the line, there should be two hinges. Those hinges are the knees and the hips. They should also get in the habit, before starting their swing, of elongating their spine as much as possible. Honestly, I cringe and almost want to throw up when I hear a teacher tell their student to tilt from the waist. Regarding alignment: Until a student demonstrates that they never fall into alignment problems, stress the importance of using an alignment rod every single time they hit a bucket of balls, with at least one third of the balls in that bucket. Regarding ball position: Stress the importance of them being methodical enough with their pre-shot routine and that they have perfect ball position for every shot, whether practicing or playing. Why do even touring professionals struggle with these areas? Because they are tedious! Remember, though, they are tedious until they become habit. Once they become habit, the golfer experiences the rewards of strengthening these areas so much so, that they couldn’t care less whether they’re tedious or not. They just know that they’re excited about playing better since strengthening these areas. Finally, think about this: If touring professionals struggle with these areas, imagine how much college and high school golfers have to deal with these issues.  
Mental Game: Finding the zone

Mental Game: Finding the zone

By: Gregg Steinberg, WGCA contributing writer Unbelievable. Incredible. Amazing. Words pale in description of Tiger Woods’ second-round performance at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. Anyone who was lucky enough to see that round in person or on television witnessed some of the best golf ever played in competition. Woods was hitting prodigious drives, lazer-like irons and making putts from everywhere. Through 14 holes, Woods was 9 under with 59 as a possibility. Unfortunately, he could not muster another birdie coming down the home stretch and finished with a brilliant 61 on a very difficult course at Firestone Country Club. During Friday’s round, Woods was in the zone. The zone, also known as flow, is that magical time on the course when we have complete confidence in our game, the hole gets in the way of every putt, and we can do no wrong. It is a time when this very difficult game seems so easy. More importantly, the zone state is unique. More specifically, your feelings when in the zone state are unique. Sam Snead described the zone as a feeling of being “cool mad.” When I am playing my best golf, I would describe it as a peaceful feeling. I have heard other golfers describe the zone as being “totally pumped up.” Given that the zone state is unique for each golfer, you will need to create your own road map to find your zone more often. Here is my mental game recommendation for playing your very best golf more often: 1. Develop a zone log. Recall a time, or if lucky enough, a few times, in which you were in the zone on the course. Write down the day, the name of the course and what you shot. Most importantly, describe your feelings during the zone. Were you “cool mad” like Snead or peaceful? Were you pumped up? Were you nervous? 2. Discover emotional patterns. Were there any distinct patterns of emotions when you have played your best golf? 3. When you discover patterns, push your emotions in that direction when you play golf. If you play your best golf when calm, then figure out ways to stay relaxed. In contrast, if you play your best golf when pumped up, then find ways to build your intensity levels on the course. Aristotle once stated, “We are what we repeatedly do.” Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” Repeat your best emotions time and time again to find your best golf, time and time again.    
The Olympic Mindset of Golf

The Olympic Mindset of Golf

Everyone gets nervous: You, me, and even Olympic athletes, including the great Michael Phelps. We all get butterflies when the situation is important to us. That is human nature. The difference is how we view this nervousness.

There is a wise saying in sports psychology: “It is okay to have butterflies; just make sure they fly in the right formation.” Successful Olympians in London this past year needed to have command over their butterflies. All it takes is reframing the situation. When you help your students to develop this skill, they, too, can take home the “gold.”

Case in point: Aly Raisman, part of the USA’s “Fab 5” on this year’s gold medal women’s gymnastic team. On the night of the finals, the pressure was immense. The women’s team was in a close battle with Russia for the gold. All they needed was one last great performance by Aly on the floor exercise to lock up the gold for the US team.

Talk about pressure – the world’s eyes were upon Aly – and she came through with an amazing performance, nailing one jump after another.

What is Aly’s secret to handling the pressure? Aly Raisman turns pressure into pleasure!

Aly has stated that she sees pressure-packed situations as exciting. With this type of viewpoint, she channels her nervous energy into a positive form of motivation. Instead of being overwhelmed by the situation at hand, she relished the moment. Her reframing of the situation led to her greatness on the most important night of her life.

Unfortunately, many of your students do the opposite and turn a pleasurable golf experience into an excruciating pressure-filled moment. If they miss a green, they worry about not getting up and down and ruining their score. They should be enjoying their day on the course, but instead are worried about what others are thinking of them. They turned pleasure into pressure, and subsequently, their play is negatively affected.

Have your students think like an Olympic champion

Teach your students to do what Aly Reisman does: Reframe the situation and see it as exciting and a challenge. When they miss the green, help them think of getting up and down as a fun challenge. If the hole is tight with water on both sides, help them to focus on the challenge of hitting the fairway, instead of worrying about hitting it into the hazard.

Teach your students to switch their thoughts from worrying about scores and outcomes, and instead see golf as an amazing challenge. When they make this mental switch, their mood will be boosted and they will remain calm in the heat of battle.

The philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson knew that a twist of viewpoint can turn moments of despair into moments of triumph when he wrote, “To different minds, the same world is a hell or a heaven.” Any pressure situation can be a wonderful experience or a dreadful one. Golf can be seen as immensely hard or a fun, exciting challenge. When your students focus on the excitement in the game, they will be a champion under any circumstances.

Dr. Gregg Steinberg is ranked by Golf Digest as one of the great golf masterminds. He has been the sports psychologist for the USGTF for more than 20 years. He coaches many top elite college and PGA Tour players on the mental game. You can reach him at mentalrules24@msn.com and see more about him at www.DrGreggSteinberg.com.
New Golf Managers

New Golf Managers

Whether you’re a brand–new golf manager, or you’ve just been promoted to a level of higher responsibility, please consider the following:  Early mistakes can create an avalanche of resentment that will bury your potential and good intentions.  Try not to commit the following unforced errors: 
  • Change for the sake of change. “Things are going to be different now that I’m in charge.” Certainly some things are going to be different, but some things got the way they are for good reason. Immediately sweeping away all the old rules and procedures is a mistake. 
  • Careless Promises.  Never promise anything you aren’t absolutely certain you can deliver.  Remember that you cannot buy loyalty — rewards should be handed out only for what people have done in the past and what they are going to continue to do in the future.
  • Playing favorites.  Yes, some employees are more dependable than others.  But your job is to manage all of them (or do something about those with significant performance issues). Good managers treat their people consistently and fairly.
  • Hoarding the work.  Often out of nervousness, new managers try to do everything themselves.  But training and delegating are among your most important responsibilities.  Learn to delegate or you invite disaster.
  • Special privileges.  Remember that everyone is watching you.  Coming in late, going home early, taking long lunches or playing 18 holes of golf each day send the wrong message. You can’t expect employees to give 110 percent if you’re not doing the same.

Golf Club Management

Learning and Applying Management Skills in the Golf Business By Patrick J. Montana, PhD USGTF Master Teaching Professional, Scarborough, NY Recently I received a telephone call from a friend who asked if I would be interested in teaching golf at a major year-round golf facility in my geographical area. Since the golf facility where I have been teaching for the past three seasons closes at the end of October, I decided to explore the opportunity. I met with the General Manager who said she was looking for a Head Golf Professional to give all golf lessons, clinics, golf camps, and to assist her at times in managing the facility because the current teaching pro did nothing but stay in the office and rarely spent time interacting with customers and staff. As a longtime university professor of management and former President of two different divisions of the American Management Associations, before I became interested in teaching golf, it was obvious what was needed. Apparently, there was little communication, if any, between the existing Head Professional and the General Manager as to what was expected on the job because at the heart of managing for results is managing expectations. An “expectancy gap” existed in this situation. My definition of management is simply getting results effectively through others. A more formal definition of management is working with and through other people in order to accomplish the objectives of the organization and its members. Today there are approximately 17,000 golf clubs in the United States and an equivalent number worldwide. With many golf facilities and courses being constructed annually, and the industry continuing to grow, there is a need for more qualified, effective managers in the golf industry. The United States Golf Managers Association is fulfilling this need by training and certifying club managers from around the world regardless of the position they may be currently occupying in the golf industry. The program is very unique in that it combines an intensive five-day course with ongoing education through email learning. Participants are taught a variety of skills from actual golf managers that apply directly to golf facility management including: Customer Relations Management Expectations The Common Sense Factor Introduction to Agronomy An Introduction to Golf Course Construction Employment at Public versus Private Facilities Managing a Golf Course on a Strict Budget An Introduction to Food and Beverage Understanding and Working with Various Types of Grasses During Season Changes as well as Varying Geographic Area Evolution of the Modern Golf Swing An Introduction to Pro Shop Merchandising Day to Day Golf Course Operations – Inside / Outside An Introduction to Payroll, Budgeting and Accounting Marketing Yourself within the Industry Effectively Organizing Golf Tournaments The Basics of Today’s Modern Golf Equipment The Passion for Excellence  Participants see and hear from guest speakers who have a wealth of information in these various topics, and are able to network with other golf industry professionals who become a valuable resource and source of support. Five-day certification programs are scheduled year-round. The value of the United States Golf Managers Association to the industry is one of the most essential elements to the successful growth of the game. Any current or aspiring golf club employee or those with previous business backgrounds looking for a fulfilling career in golf club management are welcome to attend.  (Dr. Montana is author of Conquering The Course, Nine Steps to Managing Your Business and Golf Expectations)

Sports Hypnosis: The Key to a Winning Game

Dorado Beach #13 Photo by StonehouseGolfBy Dr. Errol Gluck My name is Dr. Errol Gluck, and for 33 years I have been helping people to transform their lives through the integration of Medical Hypnosis and Executive Life Coaching. Hypnosis was once a tool mainly used to cure addictions, phobias, and various emotional conditions, but over time, scientific discoveries have shown that hypnosis can be a powerful tool used for achieving success in sports. I am one of the most experienced and well-known Medical Hypnotists in the sports industry, with more clinical hours than most professionals reach in a lifetime. My work with PGA Tour players, as well as the countless individuals who have sought my services, are a testament to my practice and my knowledge of hypnosis. Golf is a highly strategic game that is based 90 percent on mental preparedness. For years, dedicated golfers have been searching for answers to their recurring golfing dilemmas. Golf hypnosis improves a player’s ability to concentrate, maintain focus, and control emotions during their game. Any golfer knows that a day on the course can often be emotionally draining, and often discouraging. Perhaps you made a bad shot, and couldn’t quite regain the stamina to recover from it. Our brains work in such a way that an emotionally unsettling event can continue to distract and burden us, despite our efforts to leave it in the past. This is where hypnosis comes in. Hypnosis, more than anything else, helps an athlete to stay in a productive mental zone, even after a mishap occurs in the game. During hypnosis, the mind is able to reach an intense state of relaxation, where the brain can be reprogrammed to deal with stress, distractions, and other powerful factors in a more dynamic way. Hypnosis actually increases the speed at which the brain works, and improves a player’s breathing, as well as their muscle and reflex function. Professional golfers all over the world have entrusted their time and talents to the method of hypnosis. With the help of hypnosis, you can actually develop and implement a pre-shot routine that works every time. In just a few sessions, your mind can actually be trained in such a way that it can completely recover after a bad shot, and actually make better shots more often. The ways in which hypnosis can help an athlete are truly endless. Once our minds have adopted the discipline that hypnosis creates, the possibilities for success are infinite. Our minds are extremely powerful, and the more we accept that, the more we can excel in sports and in life.