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1 Aug 2024 admin

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER HORACE MITCHELL

By Horace Mitchell

My name is Horace Mitchell I have been a resident of Detroit since 1969 and played golf since 1974, at the now-closed Palmer Park Golf Course. Over the years, I’ve been able to produce not only a better-than-average golf game, but in doing so, I was blessed to put it to the test against the best players I have come in contact with no matter what their skill level.

The system that was developed by me over the years has allowed me to compete and win against tour players in my prime and win consistently, against names such as Charles Sifford, Bobby Stroble and Nate Starks. These were a few that had been to the tour. That was fine, but with how I was playing, at times I would assist any of my peers who were making an error or who were having trouble, and it worked to help them. Fast forward…I had always wanted to see if what I had developed was transferable and not just a quick fix or gimmick cure. One day I sat down and put a six-lesson program together, and all I needed now was an opportunity to test it. In 2008, my assistant and I got that chance and went to assist Miss Johnson with her Hollywood Golf junior program. She allowed me to introduce my developed curriculum, along with what they were already doing:

– Attitude
– Aptitude
– Execution

To date, it has worked so well that seven of the young students have gone to the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, enrolled in their PGM program and obtained their PGA cards. These are the same young men and women who began with us as children. I have now written a book, The Mental Guide for the Average Golfer. I wrote the book to help other struggling golfers who have never looked at golf from the “mental” approach and concept. This book will surely assist any level of golfer to nudge their game in the proper direction.

I hope this is something people see, as I do and know, as a “need.” For too long, the mental side of the game has been omitted in the instruction process. It is my quest to fill that void. I was instructed by my father that wherever there is a void, there is a business. Cover that void and you have not only covered a void but also cured the problem. Mentally, the game of golf supersedes any other sport for needing the ability to learn to control “self!” This is the only approach focused on in this publication.

EDITORIAL – THE RULES OF GOLF MOSTLY TALK ABOUT HOW AND WHEN TO TOUCH THE GOLF BALL

The entire essence of the game of golf is to hit the golf ball. Therefore, it only makes sense that most of the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf focus on why and how to touch the golf ball, either with the clubhead or with your hand.

The very first rule deals with the principle that you play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. It goes on to say that each hole starts by making a stroke at the ball. Of course, the ball must be handled and placed either on a tee or the ground to start the hole, and the Rules detail this. The Rules also define what constitutes a stroke, the definition of which has remained the same for several decades. And once the ball is on the putting green, the Rules describe how to mark the ball before lifting it and what may be done with the ball.

A frequent, and unfortunate, happening while playing is dealing with a ball that has been hit out of bounds or into a penalty area. There is also ground under repair that must be dealt with. All of this brings up the question of exactly why the Rules speak largely into the how and why of touching the ball. The answer goes back to the first rule, where you play the ball as it lies. Because if you can’t play the ball as it lies, then care must be taken to preserve the integrity of the game by playing the next stroke from the most equitable location and situation.

If you haven’t perused the Rules of Golf recently, they can be found on the USGA’s website at https://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-clarifications/rules-and-clarifications.html#!ruletype=fr§ion=rule&rulenum=1.

NEWS FROM GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND

By Peter Hudson

It has been a very wet winter and spring in the U.K. and Ireland, with many courses and driving ranges closed for days and weeks at a time. This, however, has led to greater demand for those of our members who have indoor golf schools and studios. This market segment is a real opportunity for the independent golf coach, especially with more and more game improvement being conducted online.

There are very few differences in the skills required to be a successful golf teacher/coach in these environments. True, there may be a need for a higher level of technical equipment and knowledge, but clients still learn best instinctively and intrinsically. If you have not read The Inner Game of Golf or Fred Shoemaker’s Extraordinary Golf, they are a great starting point for this genre. Interestingly, Homer Kelly, who is an expert in engineering, geometry and science, only learnt from feel in a blacked-out room!

Newswise, we conducted a training course with seven golfers in April, and the next is planned for Oxford in August. Those attending and planning to attend are many and varied in their previous work endeavours. Sports coaches, business coaches, accountants, I.T. experts, business managers and taxi driver are just some of their backgrounds.

We were invited by WGTF Netherlands to take a team of six players for a small European competition, organized by WGTF Netherlands, over two days in June. It is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and grow the WGTF family values. We will also continue to work closely with V1 Technologies, and they help us offer superior customer service, learning and communication.

We also work with Fore-business in the U.K. and Ireland, and now have at least six coaches who have enjoyed business from this outlet. The are currently growing in the USA and other parts of the world, and if you are a qualified coach, I highly recommend you contact their agents and arrange to join, or you may also contact me at info@wgtf.org.uk and I will arrange for them to call you.

I will be attending the PGA marketing exhibition in Orlando 2025. If anyone would like to meet, share ideas and maybe have a round of golf, let me know. Meanwhile, play well, teach well!

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