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"I'm not sure that the most talented player I saw wasn't myself." |
-Johnny Miller |
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 How well your son or daughter performs in competitive golf depends largely on the instructor. Like many youth sports, golf represents a substantial investment in equipment, fees and instruction. Doesn’t it make sense to weigh your options? INTERVIEW SEVERAL INSTRUCTORS Ask about the players they’ve coached to get a handle on their skill level and expertise. “The student doesn’t have to be anyone famous, but you want to get an idea of what the instructor specializes in,” said George Pinnell, founder of the George Pinnell Golf Academy at Rowland Heights Golf Center. CHECK FOR CERTIFICATION A PGA or LPGA teaching credential is a must, said Pinnell, who in addition to his PGA certification holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in business administration. “Most parents just starting out don’t know where to look, so they should just go to the PGA website and type in their ZIP code to find the nearest certified instructor,” he said.
BE GOAL-ORIENTED Get a good read on your child to determine whether he or she has the ability to absorb quality instruction. “I leave it up to the parents to know the intelligence level of their child and whether he or she has the attention span to benefit from instruction,” said Jason Denaro, a sports psychologist, PGA teaching pro and founder of Mind Power Golf. “Some don’t.” FIND A COMFORT ZONE We all remember a favorite teacher from school. A good golf instructor should invoke similar memories. “The most important thing is to find an instructor that your child can be comfortable taking lessons and learning the game from,” said Chris Smeal, a PGA teaching pro at San Diego’s Stadium Golf Center. “If your child is too nervous when taking the lesson and doesn’t say much, then he or she will not let their mind or body learn what is being taught.” CHECK THE TAPE A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure the instructor has access to videotaping technology. “It’s easier for kids to learn by seeing their swing on tape,” said Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club instructor Bob Lasken. “They can transfer the image of a good swing into their head more easily than reading a bunch of words.” SG |
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