GEORGE BRYAN GOLF COLUMN - Learning golf at a slow pace

Posted 8/7/19

Seeing people improve in golf is fascinating and I love sharing ideas on sound ways to get this done. 

Last week, I was in a conversation with former Newberry College wrestling coach Jason …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get 50% of all subscriptions for a limited time. Subscribe today.

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

GEORGE BRYAN GOLF COLUMN - Learning golf at a slow pace

Posted

Seeing people improve in golf is fascinating and I love sharing ideas on sound ways to get this done. 
Last week, I was in a conversation with former Newberry College wrestling coach Jason Valek and we were talking about techniques he once employed to train his students.
"Starting at the end and learning backwards, slowly," he said. "Show them the end result and train them on the steps, backwards."
My first fundamentals teacher, Dick Averitte, had me hold my follow through and told me to only swing slow or half speed to practice this balanced ending.
I can’t remember one golf lesson when I had gotten off track where he did not ask me to hit a 7 iron half speed with a half swing. 
Larry Bosewell was my first playing coach, taught me from the hole back to the tee. He said 'learn first to get the ball in the hole from close, develop putting skill then chipping, pitching, and full swing, in that order'.  
It just so happened I ran into a couple of good students who are black belt in karate and teachers. Robert Lemmon, who has black belts in seven different disciplines said this about learning Karate.
"I learned each new skill slow and taught new skill slowly first," he said. 
Connor Cox, who is a black belt and a martial arts instructor for Vitaly Family Karate, said he starts slowly with every different skill level when learning new movements.
Neither Cox, Lemmon, or Valek ever taught a new skill at game speed. One of the biggest mistakes I see golfers make when attempting to learn is swinging at full speed trying to incorporate a brand new move.
Speaking of new, Grow Golf Now, a brand new entity, is offering brand new programming in Chapin. 
One is a family golf learning program beginning Aug. 19. The other is a Junior Academy and will begin Sept. 7 at Timberlake Country Club. 
Go to www.growgolfnow.com for more information. Speaking of Timberlake, PGA member Mike Author is the new head professional at the only golf course on Lake Murray. We will learn more about Mike next week. 
The PGA Junior League had its sectional qualifier at Columbia Country Club on Aug. 5.  Teams from all around South Carolina came to Columbia to compete in a 1-day qualifier with 1 team advancing to the Section Championship at Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C. Congratulations to the Midland PGA Junior League Team that shot a team total of 12-under-par to win by one shot. The team consisted of Caroline Hawkins, Landry Williams, Brady Senn, Nolan Palmer, Duece Nimmo, Teddy Dunn, Caleb Crowley,  Alston Brooks, Grant Paolucci and Oliver Kelly. 
 

golf, Bryan, George

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here