Stan Utley

photo credit: USACE Europe District   Stan Utley is one of the most sought after golf instructors in the World.  Playing out of the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ., Utley ranks No. 6 in GOLF DIGEST’S, “America’s 50 Greatest Teachers.”  He is a former PGA Tour winner who decided to devote himself to helping golfers at all levels of play.

Stan Utley has helped such PGA superstars as Sergio Garcia, Jay Haas, Craig Stadler, Peter Jacobson, Darren Clarke and Rocco Mediate, (just to name a few).  He is known for his simplified and innovative instructional techniques specializing in the short game. 

He has written several excellent instructional books including “The Art of Putting,” and “The Art of the Short Game,” which should be standard reading for every serious golfer.  Stan Utley can be reached at http://StanUtley.com.

Swing Overhaul?

photo credit: tnarik   Beware of the golf instructor that wants to give you a swing overhaul – change your entire swing.  Ask yourself the following question?  Do they want to really help me or are they thinking about more golf lessons $$? 

The fact is that there are no two golf swings that are completely alike.  Yes, it would be nice if we all had a golf swing like Sam Snead but the truth is, we don’t. 

A good instructor will work with what you have and try to develop your game within the characteristics of your natural swing.  Yes, he’ll make adjustments here and there but he should not try to give you a whole new look.  Maybe you will never play par golf but you can, and should,  play up to your full potential !

The First Lesson

photo credit: mahalie    A beginners first lesson is always a tense experience.  Knowing that very educated eyes are watching is enough to rattle even an experienced professional.  Most ordinary teachers don’t even consider how nervous a beginner may be during their first lesson. 

Before the lesson begins, a truly good instructor will spend at least fifteen to twenty minutes, with the new student, talking quietly somewhere other than on the practice range.  There are two reasons:  1)  The instructor needs to know what direction the student wants to take.  2)  It gives the instructor the opportunity to get the student to relax.

The wise instructor knows that unless their student is relaxed, nothing may be accomplished during the lesson period.  He also knows what he has to do to meet the goals the student has set.

Unteaching the Student

photo credit: David Paul Ohmer   All to often, fledgelings golfers will begin to play the game without any type of formal training. They receive tips and pointers from friends or learn from instruction books and the development of bad habits begins.

For instructor and student alike, it’s always more difficult to break a bad habit than it is to begin the learning process in the correct manner. Swinging the club is a repetitive motion so once a habit develops,  it tends get “locked” in.  Unteaching a student can be very tedious and time consuming for both the teacher and the student, sometimes ending unsuccessfully.

If you are just beginning the game, do yourself a favor and take lessons from a qualified instructor. Your ability to play and enjoy the game, will be greatly enhanced.

Don’t Blame the Instructor

photo credit: rioncm   If you aren’t achieving your lesson goals, don’t blame the instructor.  In most cases, laziness is the culprit.  You may have the desire to learn but you may not want to spend the required time on the practice range.

No matter how good the instructor may be, they cannot force you to practice.  Once you are made to understand your swing problem/s, you need to work them out on the practice range.  Your instructor can’t do it for you, you have to do it.  If you are not willing to spend hours on the practice range, taking golf lessons is a waste of time and money, furthermore,  most instructors are not enthusiastic about teaching unproductive students. 

In most cases, a good practice session can be as much fun as a round of golf.

Golf Lessons for Beginners

photo credit: donjd2   Taking lessons from a certified PGA Professional is always a good idea, however some people just simply cannot afford the charge, then what?  If you are a beginner it isn’t a bad idea just to ask a golfer friend to get you started with the basics.  When you are a beginner, sometimes just getting the ball airborne is a big deal.  All you really need to know are the basics which are as follows:

(A)  Grip.  (B)  Aim.  (C)  Stance.  (D)  Posture.  Everything else can simply come later.  Advancing the ball should be your first priority and those four points (G.A.S.P.) will help you do just that.  Once you develop consistency, taking lessons from a PGA Professional makes more sense.  It’s easier on the wallet also !

When to Fire Your Golf Instructor

photo credit: Zunami   Signs you need to look for a new Instructor:  (1)  When asked who his influences were, he says “Why, what did you hear.”  (2)  After your lesson he asks if he can bum a ride home.  (3)  Every time he watches you swing, he stands behind your back.  (4)  When you ask him how to cure your slice, he says “slice of what?”  (5)  He asks if you would rather have your swing taped on VHS or Betamax.  (6)  He’s startled every time he hears a siren.  (7)  He wears two golf gloves when demonstrating shots.  (8)  Minutes before the lesson he calls to say he’s still waxing his car and will be late.  (8)  He claims he’s Hank Haney’s 1st cousin.  (9)  He’s wearing a leisure suit.  (10)  He asks you for your ID before the first lesson.

Dave Pelz Schools

photo credit: linein   Dave Pelz, a Golf Channel instructor, is known for his short game wizardry.  You can get caught up on his methods at his teaching schools at the following locations:  3-Day Schools – Chateau Elan Resort in Atlanta, Ga.  The Club at Cordillera in Edwards, Colo.  Homestead Resort & Spa in Traverse City, MI.  Turing Point Resort & Spa, Syracuse, N.Y.  The Grand Del Mar, San Diego, Calif.  Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Fla.  PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach, Fla.

1-Day Clinics – Calabasas C.C, Los Angeles.  Centennial G.C., New York City.  Chateau Elan Resort, Atlanta, Ga.  French Lick Resort, Indianapolis, Id.  Highlands Ranch G.C., Denver, Co.  Oak Marsh G.C., Minneapolis.  TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, Seattle.  To learn more about the Pelz schools go to:  www.pelzgolf.com.

Scotty Robertson

photo credit: Speed-pics   Scotty Robertson, the creator of “The Robertson Grip,” makes his residence in Scottsdale, AZ.  A former golf instructor, with a clientele of over 10,000 students, Robertson discovered his new grip when in his 30’s. 

During a recent round with this writer, Robertson bombed a drive over 400 yards as well as averaging 350 yards on the other par fours.  Scotty Robertson, the man who made the most radical change the game has ever seen, is currently working on his game with a clear focus on the Champions Tour later this year

“Preparing for the Champions tour will require about 3 months,” said Robertson in a recent interview.  “At present I am looking for investors and sponsors to make it happen,” he stated.  To learn more visit: www.ScottyRobertson.com or email him at ScottyRobertson@cox.net.

Snap Your Writsts

photo credit: Philip Larson   Some say the most critical phase of the golf swing is when the ball is struck, I agree!  “Releasing” the wrists at impact is what Professionals do best.  Pros realizes that in order to generate maximum clubhead speed, the wrists have to released (snapped) properly at impact.

Amateurs tend to swing with their arms and fail to release their wrists at impact, this results in loss of distance and blocked shots (ball goes right).

(Right Handers) A split second before impact your right hand should “turn over” the left.  Done correctly and at the right moment, a proper release occurs resulting in much greater clubhead speed.  Think of throwing a baseball, at the moment the ball leaves your hand the wrist releases or snaps.  The idea is the same when striking the golf ball.

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