So the clock said 5:55am this morning and the alarm RANG.....
I was gonna hit the gym early this morning, but for some reason I couldn't get myself out of bed. I sat there thinking about all the reasons for WHY I should just stay in my warm bed (1) It is -10 outside (2) I trained last night, so I deserve a morning off, right? (3) You are doing so well, what's the difference if I miss ONE practice session, and on and on....
However, I put forward 2 thoughts that helped me change my mind instantly (1) YOU WILL BE PROUD OF HOW YOU STARTED YOUR DAY (2) FOCUS ON THE FEELING OF BECOMING STRONG...These 2 thoughts outweighed all the other reasons why I should have skipped today's training in the gym.
Do you have those days when you just can't get yourself going? If so, I want to offer this. We make our decisions based on 2 things (a) Moving toward Pleasure (b) Moving away from pain. For me the pain would have been all the reasons why I should not have gone to the gym today, however, the feeling of pleasure (feeling strong, being proud of how I started my day) lead me toward making my decision to work out.
In golf, I want you to focus on your goals (1) maybe winning the Club Championship or (2) lowering your handicap by 3 shots. When you are having a tired morning and don't feel like practicing, ask yourself, "Will I achieve my goal of ( ) by making this decision to skip practice." Don't talk yourself into (1) you deserve a break (2) you have been practicing so hard, or "what's ONE TIME if you skip practicing." A well thought-out development program will include days off and breaks. Don't add more time away from training. Elaborative Practice and Training is the key to development.
I will leave you with this: A famous violin player said, "If I skip practice for one day, I will notice. If I skip for two days, my wife will notice. If I skip for three days, the hold world will notice."
- Steven
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Practice more effectively
Practice!
Often times when taking lessons, students mistake the lesson time for actual practice. It's the case of "I learned new information, now I am good to go." The idea of the lesson is evaluate what/how you have been practicing, and move forward into new challenges and new opportunities for learning. Practice is the application of the information from the lesson.
If you practice for hours at a time without seeing improvement, the problem could be HOW you practice. Are you engaged in the process, or does your practice session see you banging lots of balls on the range? I am off the mindset, that one should be mentally exhausted after a practice session.
2011 is a year that I would challenge you to practice more effeciently. Here is a great little practice idea that I learned from Neil Plimmer, one of the UK's top instructors: Enjoy!
Steven
Often times when taking lessons, students mistake the lesson time for actual practice. It's the case of "I learned new information, now I am good to go." The idea of the lesson is evaluate what/how you have been practicing, and move forward into new challenges and new opportunities for learning. Practice is the application of the information from the lesson.
If you practice for hours at a time without seeing improvement, the problem could be HOW you practice. Are you engaged in the process, or does your practice session see you banging lots of balls on the range? I am off the mindset, that one should be mentally exhausted after a practice session.
2011 is a year that I would challenge you to practice more effeciently. Here is a great little practice idea that I learned from Neil Plimmer, one of the UK's top instructors: Enjoy!
Steven
Friday, January 14, 2011
People Business
So we ARE in the people business.
I recently got back from a skiing trip. My family and I went to a resort called Branäs, which has in recent years been voted BEST FOR FAMILIES 2007, 08, 09, 10. One of the reasons I believe Branäs is so good has to do with their approach to "People Business." Everywhere we went the staff was generally interested in how we were doing, progressing and if we were having fun. We even got stuck on a part of the mountain that would have been difficult to get down. Ski Patrol came and said "No Problem...we can fix your problem." They could have easily shrugged us off and said that the snow mobile is available only for emergencies only. But no! This resort has figured out that it is all about the People Business!
As golf professionals, we are head first in the "People Business." People come to us all the time with problems. If we are truly service-minded, we should be able to adapt to their problem, fix it with ease and send them on their way as happy as can be.
After these experiences at Branäs, I am motivated to help others. I want to adapt my teaching to each individual problem and really take "instruction / people service" to another level. Disney World has a motto "Make Someone's Day," which really takes service to the highest possible level. When you are looking to solve someone's problem, make someone happy or even take some pressure off your co-worker's shoulders, you are making their day and entering into the PEOPLE BUSINESS.
Take a look at yourself. Does the customer/people have to fit your style or can YOU adapt to any situation?
- Steven
I recently got back from a skiing trip. My family and I went to a resort called Branäs, which has in recent years been voted BEST FOR FAMILIES 2007, 08, 09, 10. One of the reasons I believe Branäs is so good has to do with their approach to "People Business." Everywhere we went the staff was generally interested in how we were doing, progressing and if we were having fun. We even got stuck on a part of the mountain that would have been difficult to get down. Ski Patrol came and said "No Problem...we can fix your problem." They could have easily shrugged us off and said that the snow mobile is available only for emergencies only. But no! This resort has figured out that it is all about the People Business!
As golf professionals, we are head first in the "People Business." People come to us all the time with problems. If we are truly service-minded, we should be able to adapt to their problem, fix it with ease and send them on their way as happy as can be.
After these experiences at Branäs, I am motivated to help others. I want to adapt my teaching to each individual problem and really take "instruction / people service" to another level. Disney World has a motto "Make Someone's Day," which really takes service to the highest possible level. When you are looking to solve someone's problem, make someone happy or even take some pressure off your co-worker's shoulders, you are making their day and entering into the PEOPLE BUSINESS.
Take a look at yourself. Does the customer/people have to fit your style or can YOU adapt to any situation?
- Steven
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Short Game Test
One important aspect of attaining your goals is measuring your progress. With my players, we do two types of short game testing. I want my players to test as often as possible to note improvement and catch any flaws early before they affect the confidence of my player.
One short game test is a modified version of one that I got from Claude Harmon III. It goes like this:
The test has 9 short game stations (This is a basic version...you can add more shots with bunker and longer pitch shots). The idea is to get <5 total putts and add the distances of the pitch shots / chip shots together to get the shortest total result. NOTE: Add 10% from meters to get yards (For example: 10 meters is 11 yards).
Play 3 balls at every station:
Putt =Par is 2 with every ball
Hole 1 = 1,5 meters (3 balls)
Hole 2 = 4 meters (3 balls)
Hole 3 = 10 meters (3 balls)
Chip = Measure the total length from the hole (a Hole Out means you take away 50cm from the total length)
Hole 4 = 6 – 10 meters (3 balls)
Hole 5 = 10 – 15 meters (3 balls)
Hole 6 = 15 – 20 meters (3 balls)
Pitch = Measure the total length from the hole (a Hole Out means you take away 50cm from the total length)
Hole 7 = 5 meters from the edge and 10 meters from the hole (3 balls)
Hole 8 = 7 meters from the edge and 15 meters from the hole (3 balls)
Hole 9 = 15 meters from the edge and 8 meters from the hole (3 balls)
Results
Putting Goal:
Hole 1 = Max 3 putts
Hole 2 = Max 4 putts
Hole 3 = Max 5 putts
Chipping and Pitching Goal:
0-300cm = 100% Par / Birdie (Par 5)
301cm-600cm = 50% Par / 50% Bogey
601cm-950cm = 20% Par / 80% Bogey
950cm = BOGEY!!!!!
Give this short game test a whirl and let me know what you think.
Regards,
Steven
One short game test is a modified version of one that I got from Claude Harmon III. It goes like this:
The test has 9 short game stations (This is a basic version...you can add more shots with bunker and longer pitch shots). The idea is to get <5 total putts and add the distances of the pitch shots / chip shots together to get the shortest total result. NOTE: Add 10% from meters to get yards (For example: 10 meters is 11 yards).
Play 3 balls at every station:
Putt =Par is 2 with every ball
Hole 1 = 1,5 meters (3 balls)
Hole 2 = 4 meters (3 balls)
Hole 3 = 10 meters (3 balls)
Chip = Measure the total length from the hole (a Hole Out means you take away 50cm from the total length)
Hole 4 = 6 – 10 meters (3 balls)
Hole 5 = 10 – 15 meters (3 balls)
Hole 6 = 15 – 20 meters (3 balls)
Pitch = Measure the total length from the hole (a Hole Out means you take away 50cm from the total length)
Hole 7 = 5 meters from the edge and 10 meters from the hole (3 balls)
Hole 8 = 7 meters from the edge and 15 meters from the hole (3 balls)
Hole 9 = 15 meters from the edge and 8 meters from the hole (3 balls)
Results
Putting Goal:
Hole 1 = Max 3 putts
Hole 2 = Max 4 putts
Hole 3 = Max 5 putts
Chipping and Pitching Goal:
0-300cm = 100% Par / Birdie (Par 5)
301cm-600cm = 50% Par / 50% Bogey
601cm-950cm = 20% Par / 80% Bogey
950cm = BOGEY!!!!!
Give this short game test a whirl and let me know what you think.
Regards,
Steven
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Make a goal to practice more in 2011
You have probably heard that practice makes perfect. Well, I am not sure about the perfect, but I do believe that "proper practice makes better". Since most people don't have the time to spend practicing hours on end, it is vital that a golfer focuses more of his/her time on "proper practice."
What is proper practice?
Well, it is NOT (1) whacking balls on the range for a couple of minutes before your tee time (2) unfocused rolling of balls on the putting green (3) standing around talking to your buddies...I am not judging, I have done this, too. I know there is really no value to this except that it probably beats sitting on the couch watching re-runs of SCRUBS.
I see proper practice as the following:
(a) goal oriented
(b) gives feedback for a particular move
(c) challenging
(d) measurable
(e) slow
(f) more like you play
(g) not always fun
(h) pretty much the only way to get better....
If you lack proper practice in your golfing life, we can help. For 2011, we are going to be offering Supervised Practice Sessions. Just like our Coaching Sessions (Elite teams or Junior Coaching), I will be there to set up practice stations that cover all areas of the game. I will also be there to oversee that you are doing your drills correctly and giving some feedback as to how you challenge yourself everyweek.
Take advantage of these supervised practice sessions. I have scheduled them later in the evening so there are no excuses for not practicing properly during 2011. Make this year YOURS for improvement!
Regards,
Steven
What is proper practice?
Well, it is NOT (1) whacking balls on the range for a couple of minutes before your tee time (2) unfocused rolling of balls on the putting green (3) standing around talking to your buddies...I am not judging, I have done this, too. I know there is really no value to this except that it probably beats sitting on the couch watching re-runs of SCRUBS.
I see proper practice as the following:
(a) goal oriented
(b) gives feedback for a particular move
(c) challenging
(d) measurable
(e) slow
(f) more like you play
(g) not always fun
(h) pretty much the only way to get better....
If you lack proper practice in your golfing life, we can help. For 2011, we are going to be offering Supervised Practice Sessions. Just like our Coaching Sessions (Elite teams or Junior Coaching), I will be there to set up practice stations that cover all areas of the game. I will also be there to oversee that you are doing your drills correctly and giving some feedback as to how you challenge yourself everyweek.
Take advantage of these supervised practice sessions. I have scheduled them later in the evening so there are no excuses for not practicing properly during 2011. Make this year YOURS for improvement!
Regards,
Steven
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2011
Happy New Year from our golf academy! As part of the new year come new goals. What are you willing to improve during 2011?
Steven
Steven
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