Golf Instructor and Coach

I thought it appropriate for the first post to explain my style and approach to golf lessons. I strive to blend the roles of golf instructor and golf coach. Now, what does that mean, and is there a difference? Aren’t they the same thing?

Golf Instructor

Golf Instructor Andy is focused on the technical aspects of your swing and game. We may work on basics like the hold, setup, stance, posture, and ball position. We may leverage data, video, and a library of drills and concepts to go deeper into the results we are seeking. Maybe it’s a more efficient club path, better wrist angles at the top, shallowing the club, a more consistent low point, more width in the backswing, increased speed, curing early extension, tucking a flying elbow, a square face at P2, transition to the lead foot, better tempo, staying connected, optimal hip and shoulder turn, or club face control. Short game techniques for leading-edge chips or pitches using the bounce and a cupped lead wrist. We may get into the weeds with your driver using data to test and optimize your attack angle, spin rate, launch angle, tee height, and driver settings. Golf instructor Andy has a dozen alignment sticks, drawers filled with trinkets and training aids, iPads, launch monitors, and a few homemade widgets. Whatever the swing flaw or opportunity Golf Instructor Andy has something for that.

Golf Coach

But Golf Coach Andy knows if you go to the course overloaded with technical swing thoughts and “to-dos” on every swing you may not reach your potential. You’ll be mechanical and tense. Fun may suffer. Coach Andy knows that golf is a game of confidence and often the biggest breakthroughs that lower scores and handicaps happen through changes in the mental approach to golf. Thus, we might work on your pre-shot routine, shot strategy, proper practice, skills training, knowing your iron and wedge distances, setting expectations, green reading, equipment strategy, and the overall mental game and approach. After all, the point of golf lessons is not to embark on an endless journey of swing changes and tweaks seeking the ideal perfect swing. Like a quest to find Bigfoot. That might send you down a path that is a circular reference. I believe a functional golf swing is not some mysterious magic trick. But over-complicated golf instruction can make it seem that way. The point is to work with each specific player on what they need to play better and have more fun next month, not next season.

The Mix is Different

I meet players where they’re at. This determines the mix of instructor and/or coach you’ll get each golf lesson. Some players need to work on their swing and mechanics today because those changes will help those players immediately. Other players on the same day receive no instruction on technique, because their next big gain will come from “golfing their ball” around the course better.