Blog

16 Jun 2016 Corina Pelloni

MATCH PLAY

Last week I was watching the NCAA Men’s Championship on TV.  The tournament format is match play:  first team to three wins is the champion.  This style of play is always entertaining because of the ups and downs of the match.  One player is leading by a few holes, and then the other player makes a comeback.  It’s real-life golf drama. I noticed that I was becoming more and more engaged in the matches, cheering on the great shots and the players’ recovery shots.  There were a number of times a player seemed to be out of the hole; one player had an advantage by hitting a good shot to set up a birdie effort, and the other player, who seemed to be out of position, would either make a long putt or even chip-in from off the green.  This now forces the player in good position to make his putt to just tie the hole. Most golfers don’t play a lot of match play.  We often grind trying to shoot the lowest score possible.  When teaching our students, especially the younger ones, it is important we talk about these “must-make” opportunities.  Lead them in drills or games that get them in the right frame of mind to be aggressive on making the shot.  You can see that some players thrive in these environments while others don’t. Playing match play will teach your students the importance of never giving up, as well as providing the opportunity to experience a “flair” for the dramatic.  Your students will be more successful, and you will be, too.

14 Jun 2016 Corina Pelloni

VISIONS OF A GREAT TEACHER

Golf is not a game alone, but a means of developing people, pleasant people with good attitude and strong character.  Coaches and partners are committed to shifting the culture of golf from tips, formulas and answers, to one of exploration, discovery and freedom. As a teacher and coach, it is important in recognizing what is his/her ability, and re-defining what is possible for him/her in learning this game.  We must also teach how to learn and how to integrate on the course.  Learn how to access concentration and how to practice productivity, and also discover how to self-coach in areas of specific interest. As teachers of the game, our commitment is to empower our student to step into the heart and soul of the game, and to use it to access new possibilities such as the real joy and adventure of learning, inspiring high-performance golfers.  Golfers should have a coaching influence and a support team that is focused on facilitating skills development and personal growth.