Golf instruction must be tailored to the individual. A great coach understands each player’s unique skills and abilities and then applies a variety of teaching methods and practice routines to help the player get the most out of their game. Golfers today hear many debates about coaching styles – highly technical instruction, instinctive or “feel” coaching, old school, new age – the lists goes on. I believe a blend of instructional approaches is required.

A coach must know the technical fundamentals of golf – call it the physics or the bio-mechanics or the “positions” – all of the posture, movement and swing positions that result in good golf shots from the tee, fairway, fringe or green. Some players need to understand the technical aspects of golf, but many do not. In either case, a coach needs a great foundation of technical knowledge to be able to help a golfer reach his or her highest potential. A coach also needs to understand how his player learns and how that player thinks on the course.

Golf is an intricate combination of physical and mental skills using thoughts and muscle memory training. Neuro-motor patterns and learning styles vary between players. A good coach communicates information and introduces practice techniques that enable the player to take their best game to the course and excel under the stress of competition. Great coaching helps each player strike the best balance between the physical, mental, analytical and instinctive.