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Talega Golf Club’s Derek Hardy has been teaching golf for 51 years. He turned professional in England when he was 15 after going to work in a golf shop. What’s the most common problem you see in students and how do you fix it? A lack of understanding of the golf swing and in learning how to play. I explain to my students the learning process so they can better understand, which leads to progress. What’s the most challenging thing about being a golf teacher? Making people understand the learning process. I have never found anyone who could not learn to play. I have had students quit because they didn’t understand the learning process. Most students want to take three or four lessons and go play the tour. It doesn’t work that way. What’s your favorite golf instruction book and why? “The Search for the Perfect Swing” by Alistair Cochran. It’s the first book written by a scientist who explained how the body works in a golf swing. What’s your best round ever and where? It was at Tunbridge Wells Golf Club in Kent, England, where I bogeyed the 18th hole and still shot a 60. The remarkable part of the round is that on the third tee I was struck on the head with a ball by a player on an adjoining fairway. After I recovered, I had five birdies in a row. I’ve always said that‘I played out of my head. Who is your mentor or role model and why? Harvey Penick. He was a genius teacher because of his simplicity. I got to know him quite well and spent many hours discussing the golf swing and the art of teaching. What’s the most satisfying thing about being a golf teacher? To be able to improve students’ golf games. To be influential in getting them to understand the beauty of the game of golf. To develop juniors from an early age to become the best they can be. The best I can do for them is to make them champion golfers, which will open many doors for them in life. To have this much influence on a young person is extremely satisfying. The look of joy on a student’s face when they hit the ball correctly or feel the poetry of a good swing is priceless. Who’s swing on the PGA Tour do you most admire and why? Beth Daniel on the LPGA Tour. This is because I developed her swing at an early age. Pundits say it is the most efficient and technically correct swing on any tour. I must agree, but I’m biased. On the men’s tour, I like Tiger Woods’ swing. I think it’s very simple and very sound. What was the first thing that attracted you to the game? I was always crazy about sports. I played cricket and soccer and enjoyed running, swimming and bicycling. When I had the opportunity to work in a golf shop (for approximately $1 a week), I jumped at the chance to be involved in a sport. As I got into the game, I realized the lessons taught were so wonderful. Golf is a gentleman’s sport. Honesty, integrity and character are part of the game. The player is the sole judge for rules. You don’t cheat, you play by the rules. Your favorite part of the game? The short game is exciting because you must be creative to be good. Each shot is different, and you must be a thinker to have a good short game. What golfer would you most like to be reincarnated as and why? My choice is Tony Lema. He was a wonderful player and had tremendous success. He never forgot where he came from. He was called ‘Champagne Tony’ because he gave champagne to the press after he won his first PGA Tour event. As a Tour player, he always played in the Northern California PGA Sectional Championship. He won it every year but never took the prize money. He gave it to the runner up — a club professional. He only wanted his name on the trophy. That’s class. What’s your greatest achievement? I had two students in a playoff at the U.S. Women’s Open and was recognized as one of the top 50 teachers in the United States. But my greatest achievement will come in February 2008 when I celebrate 50 years as a member of the U.S. PGA. What’s your motto on the course? Enjoy the moment, concentrate on the shot at hand and accept the result. Your most treasured golf possession? I have a ball washer made of brass. It’s a small, round object with a lid. Inside the lid is a wet sponge that players used to clean their golf balls. It’s an antique that reminds me of the golf pioneers. What is your favorite new golf product? A 2x4. Keep the toe of the putter on the side of the 2x4 and swing back and through. This will give you the feel of a good putting stroke. Putting is 43 percent of the game. SG |
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