Yesterday I had the privilege of playing Tetherow Golf Club for the first time.  What a fantastic day.  This new David McLay  Kidd course has been molded and fit into the natural landscape.  Like many of  the courses I have played in Scotland and Ireland, Tetherow is a great links experience.

True to links golf, some tee shots are intimidating at first glance, but once you are playing the hole, you find generous and accommodating fairways.  The greens are challenging but receptive to many different styles of approach shots. 

One of the best compliments I can give this course is that all of the holes are unique; which is to me, an important part of good golf course design.

In terms of aesthetics, you will find yourself admiring the sheer beauty of the surroundings and enjoying each hole as an individual challenge.  This course is worth a special trip to central Oregon, so be sure to make plans for a trip to Bend and take up the challenge of Tetherow Golf Club.

MW

A hearty congratulations to 2 of Mike's PGA Tour students, J.P. Hayes and Jeff Gove.  Both players finished tied for 9th in last week's John Deere Classic.

Best wishes to both players who will be competing in this week's tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Play Well!

 

In order for your golf lessons to have positive lasting effects, you need to approach the process of improvement with the right attitude.  It is vital that you have a specific goal for the lesson, so that you and the instructor stay on the same page.  If you simply show up to the lesson and say, "fix me pro", you are likely to have a negative experience. 

Instead, take a few minutes to talk to your teacher and tell them what you want to accomplish during that session.  Go in with an attitude of patience and determination rather than a quick-fix mentality. If you tell your instructor that you want to make real progress, and that you are willing to put in some time and practice, you will be on the road to success.

When I first work with a student, I ask them what their goal is for the lesson.  If they don't know specifically, I keep asking them questions about their game that lead them to the current problem areas, and the priority in fixing them.  Once we have established exactly what we are focusing on for that session, we begin the lesson.

The reason this process of prioritizing is so important is that often times golfers do not see their own games from an objective point of view.  For example, a player might think his full swing is his main problem, but statistically he may putt much worse than he hits the ball.  By improving his putting he may improve 5 or 6 shots a round, while ball striking improvement may lower the score by only 1 or 2.  It is the instructor's job to find the most immediate problem and convince the player to work toward finding a lasting solution. 

How to Take a Lesson (Part 2)

Once you have prioritized your lesson plan, start to work on the 1st key and do not be anxious about the outcome of the changes.  Any change is going to feel different.  Different is fine and immediate ball flight concerns should be pushed out of your mind. 

By clearing your mind of results and expectations, you will be free mentally to focus on your task at hand.  I am amazed at how many times, however, I have seen a student short-circuit the lesson simply by letting the ball flight determine their attitude toward the changes.  If they don't see better flight in just a few balls, they become negative and want to move in a new direction.

Instead of falling into that trap, let the lesson and the changes run their course.  Give your brain and body time to let the new feelings take hold.  Focus on the feeling of the new key and put your ego on the shelf for a few minutes.  If you do, you will be on the path of true and lasting improvement.

Of course, better ball flight is the end goal, but progress takes time and effort.  True consistency, the kind that shows up day after day, is only achievable with the right plan and the right mental approach to the process.

One last suggestion on the lesson process.  Either the night before your practice or the morning of the session, take 5 minutes to write out exactly what you are going to do that day.  For example, if you are working on a grip change, hit 10 balls each with a PW, 7iron, 5iron and Driver.  The only focus the the new grip.  That is a total of 40 balls.  Next hit 5 balls with each club while executing your pre-shot routine.  This will give you a sense of what your new grip will feel like on the course.  Now you are up to 60 shots, all with the new grip.  

By writing down a script of your session before hand, you are less likely to deviate from your goal and much less likely to let any frustration impede your progress.  Also, if you have been ignoring the ball flight, the grip is probably becoming more comfortable.  If not, you probably hate your new grip and are already thinking about reverting back to the old one. ( even though you don't like that one either! )

Last week in Oceanside, California, I was able to observe one of my top students receive wedge play tips from a master wedge maker, Bob Vokey.  Mr. Vokey was able to show the student the correct lie setting of the wedges, which makes all the difference in the performance around the greens.  He was also a great help in the sand, teaching proper technique for ball position and club handle position at address.  For me, it was a priviledge to witness this session and learn from one of the best in the business.