My Teaching Method

My method of teaching is based on legendary instructor Ernest Jones. Ernest Jones was a famous golf instructor who was recently named one of four greatest teachers of all time by Golf Magazine. He was the author of over 100 golf articles, and the best selling book Swing the Clubhead.

Ernest was famous because he helped thousands of people play great golf by learning the principle of correct swinging. He didn’t teach mechanics or body positions. He taught his students to develop a true swinging motion through a sense of feel. He made playing golf easy, while other instructors made it seem complicated and difficult to learn.Click here to read the story of Ernest Jones.

Like Ernest Jones, I teach my students to swing the clubhead -- to develop a true swinging motion through a sense of feel. To play golf well, you have to make the golf club swing! A golf club can be moved with many incorrect motions -- you can push it, pull it, jerk it, cast it, or you can swing it. Most golf instruction today focuses on body positions and mechanics, and leave out the feeling of creating a swing!

I teach students of all abilities, from the beginner to scratch golfer. I work with men, women, and juniors. Beginners and high handicappers are welcome! When a student strikes a ball for the first time with a true swinging motion and properly fitted equipment, they all react the same way -- wow, I can’t believe how easy that felt! Or I might hear, I’ve never hit a golf ball that far, and with so little effort! That to me is the joy of golf and why I teach the game. Good golf should be easy, if you learn the right way. And easy golf is fun golf.

I teach both in my studio, and outdoors, at Huron Meadows Golf Course, a beautiful golf course that is part of a Metro Park, located in Brighton. I believe the combination of both indoor and outdoor lessons works the best. I also encourage every student to take at least one playing lesson, to learn how to swing in a golf course environment and how to score.

Even though I teach the same principle to all students, I might teach one student differently than another. Below is a brief description of how I approach teaching students of different age, gender, and level of ability:

Beginners:

For beginners, I usually start teaching in the privacy of my studio, to create a comfortable atmosphere and put the student at ease. I stress the proper hold, which makes it much easier to learn to swing correctly. I help them develop a relaxed posture and eliminate tension. With the first few lessons, I help them learn to feel what it means to truly swing a golf club. I usually begin with small swings -- putting, chipping and small shots, and increase the range of motion as the student picks up on the rhythm and feel of swinging. I make sure that they have golf clubs that fit them correctly and will reward them for making a correct swing. Most beginners need fairly flexible shafts, more loft, good clubhead feel, and typically do not need a full set of clubs. As their game progresses, they can add to their set, and change the variables as they strengthen their swing.

Juniors:

For juniors, I stress the proper hold, which if they learn at an early age, will give them a huge advantage at playing good golf for the rest of their lives. I teach them to swing a club by feel, and relate it to the feeling of swinging at a park. Almost every junior I have ever taught can relate to a swing at a park, and can pick up the rhythm and feel of a swing very easily. I start with small swings, and build the range of motion up with kids fairly quickly. We also work on putting, chipping, and small shots around the green. If kids are given a chance to learn golf by feel, by developing a swinging motion, they’ll fly. As long as know one confuses them with mechanics, and let’s their ability to swing improve by feel with time and practice, they will become good players.

For juniors, I use and recommend U.S. Kids golf clubs. They’re inexpensive, and fitted properly by height and strength, and will allow them to swing correctly and develop good form.

Women:

Women love to learn to play golf using this method, and many learn easier than men when they’re taught to swing a golf club with rhythm and a swinging motion. Most men are inclined to use brute force instead of swinging. Women are less inclined to use brute force, and can develop a graceful swing more easily. Ernest Jones had tremendous success teaching women, many of whom became national champions. I’ve taught high school girls who have won their flights, women who have become club champions, and have helped many every day women golfers learn to swing and enjoy golf.

High Handicap Players:

High handicap players are fun for me to teach. Most love the game, but have gotten mislead by faulty golf instruction. They come to me with 10-20 swing thoughts, and are usually confused and focused on what they think they’re doing wrong - usually some body part or position. I spend some time with this type of student re-educating them about what a golf swing really is and what’s important. I get them to understand that it’s the motion of the club that matters, not what they look like or how they move a body part. After some re-programming, I give them the feel of a true swing by swinging a club with them. The sensation is something they’ve never felt, and it’s very exciting when they feel the graceful rhythm of a swing and the tremendous force it develops.

The first few lessons are focused on small swings -- putting, chipping, and ½ swings, until they can feel that they are truly swinging the clubhead. Then we begin to increase the range of motion. I like to get outside as quickly as possible, and get the student learning at a course, using the practice and chipping green, range and the course.

Mid Handicap Players:

With Mid handicap players, I focus on any re-programming necessary, and do a game assessment with them, so I can find out what areas of the game are their strongest and weakest. I teach them the feel of swinging the clubhead, and give them a practice routine focused on rapid improvement with their weaknesses. I get them on the course, so I can teach them to swing in a golf course environment, teach them different shots and how to score. I’ve seen rapid improvement with many mid-handicap students, some who became single digit handicaps or better within a single season.

Custom Fitted Golf Equipment:

Along with teaching you fundamentals and the swinging motion, I’ll evaluate your golf clubs to make sure they fit you correctly. Golf equipment affects your motion. If you don’t have properly fitted equipment, you’ll be forced to make manipulations to hit the ball squarely. I want to eliminate any unnecessary manipulations, allowing you to make a natural swinging motion and rewarding you for a good swing. This is how you can develop consistency and a repeatable motion. For more information, please go to custom fitting philosophy

If you’re a weekend golfer who simply wants to enjoy golf more, or if you want to play great golf and are willing to put in the time to develop your game, I’ll work with you and develop a plan to reach your goals.

If you’d like to discuss your swing, lessons, or custom club fitting, please feel free to call me directly at 810 225-GOLF (4653). You can book an indoor or outdoor lesson online. Please see our Lesson Rates, and click to schedule a lesson. I look forward to meeting you, and teaching you the incredible feeling of a true swing!