Welcome to day 2 of the Instructor Summit blog.
We met up this morning at Dario's restaurant of which on behalf of all attendees we would like to thank them for their hospitality, excellent service and food throughout the day.
Jim Hardy kicked off the day with the outline of what would be in store for the Level 2 certification and then went on to tell us about what feedback and common faults we are getting through student, website and coaches. Specifically, what characteristics to look for and how to correct them. One of the many things that I found out about Jim was that he was a mortar man in the Army. As a mortar man, he had to make continuous adjustments until he found just the right spot and then he could load them as quickly as he could and they would always hit the target. He used the analogy to describe the similarities with teaching and learning the golf swing. Is doesn't matter how strange or goofy a change may feel, as long as the student/player exaggerates what the instructor is telling them to do the ball flight and impact will tell us when we near or are hitting the target swing changes.
Another BIG thing I want to tell you about is the reason that all golfers should take lessons. Golf is like steering a ship in a choppy, rolling sea. You are always making adjustments. There maybe times where you are docked in a port where you are playing well and then just the next day are off again. It is a process of constantly having to “adjust and readjust”. Let your instructor guide you to your next port. Trust in them and if they are a Plane Truth Instructor your boat won't sink!
Jim Fannin was next. WOW! Jim is a world renowned sports coach, tutoring 3 major tennis champions, several NASCAR drivers, baseball’s Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez, and golf’s Luke Donald. It was one of the most enjoyable learning experiences I have had in a long time. Jim talked about how we as instructors can improve ourselves in all areas of our lives. He gave us some incredible insights in to the world's great champions. Whether that was in sports, business or life, everything he said was practical, simple and applicable. Jim gave us an insight into how he gets people in to the ZONE and how they can get in to it at will. I strongly recommend you look at jimfannin.com and see what he has to say.
In the afternoon we took instruction of the full swing and short game. If you preferred you could shadow a Level 3 instructor and watch them teach. I took a lesson and was hitting the ball better in 2 shots!
We had the most entertaining evening back at Dario’s where Jim Hardy and Peter Jacobsen answered all of our questions. Mr. Jacobsen, who I had heard a lot about but never met, is one of the funniest and sincere gentlemen I have had the pleasure to meet. I, along with the rest of us, didn't want the evening to end. Jim and Peter have been great friends for 26 years! They agreed on most things and some of the main points were about just how great a game golf is and how it teaches you integrity, proper morals and values in life. Peter spoke about his concerns about golf course design, how some of the great courses are now obsolete due to modern technology and how some courses are inappropriately designed and maintained for their usage.
Someone from the audience asked Jim and Peter who their dream foursome would be. Peter’s dream four ball would be 18 in the morning at Pebble Beach followed by lunch and 18 around Cypress with his Dad, his brother who died in 1988, and Ben Hogan. Jim's would be just 18 holes around Prairie Dunes, where he grew up, with Peter, Ben Hogan and Pete Dye. Jim went on to tell the story where, as a 14-year old, he caddied for Pete Dye in a national Amateur. Pete lost a 36-hole match 1-up in the quarterfinals to an 18-year old from Columbus, Ohio. Yep, it was Jack Nicklaus.
The final question was about junior golf. Peter and Jim both believe we have to make it fun for the kids. As parents and instructors we need to let them be kids and just enjoy this wonderful game. John Jacobs called me before I left to come to the summit and he said that golf instruction should be fun. Jim Hardy makes golf instruction fun. Peter Jacobsen when he plays golf looks like he is having fun. Jim Fannin told us that one of the most important things we can do in our lives was to smile and enjoy each day every day.
Until next time, play well and have fun!
Duncan.