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Getting in the Swing

Playing rounds on the course is as important as range time when it comes to learning the game.

By Greg FloresPublished: February, 2005

Dang Nguyen, 29, is a novice golfer in search of a better game. He’s receiving regular instruction from Jason Taylor, the Southern California PGA’s Golf Professional of the Year. We’re monitoring his progress.

Dang Nguyen’s first month consisted of one lesson, a lot of time on the range and a few rounds on the course.

“It’s good for new players and struggling players alike to get on the golf course,” said Jason Taylor, Nguyen’s instructor. “Golf is a game, and I believe you have to jump out and play it. You can get into a comfort zone of just hitting balls on the range and you never learn how to play the game. The game is on the course.”

During one of those rounds, Nguyen experienced something that every golfer has to endure at some point — a complete meltdown of the ability to advance the ball.

“I was totally topping the ball on almost every swing and I couldn’t figure it out,” he said. “In your mind, you think you know what you are doing wrong, but the harder I tried the worse it got.”

Luckily, Taylor was there to diagnose the problem.

“It’s a classic mistake, even for competitive players,” Taylor said. “He was falling back on his right side to the point where his front foot was coming off the ground. We went over to the range and, in just a couple swings, we got him finishing with his weight transferring properly to his left side in the finish position.”

Frustration is one of the toughest obstacles to overcome in golf. Aside from cost and time commitment, it’s one of the primary reasons players give up the game. But the game is still new for Nguyen and he’s enjoying the luxury of having a professional available when he needs help.

“It was pretty exciting to have Jason be able to fix my problem so fast,” Nguyen said. “My confidence is definitely back. I couldn’t wait to hit more balls and get back on the golf course.”

Month 1 assessment: “He is still new at this game,” Taylor said. “He has a lot of enthusiasm and as long as he stays committed to practicing and playing, I think he will be where he wants to be at the end of the year. He is making the progress I expected at this point.”

Nguyen’s goals for Month 2: “I want to start focusing on woods,” he said. “I’ve only used irons to this point. I was slicing the woods real bad, but I’m getting more comfortable with my grip and swing and I think I can try them again.”  n

Jason Taylor can be reached at Jurupa Hills Country Club at (951) 685-7214.

www.taly.com/themindset.html
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