News
To Sing Your Own Praises, Write a Better Bio
By David Gould, Content Editor Someone interested in playing better golf hears about a teaching professional and goes to that pro’s website. A question forms in the golfer’s mind: Should I seek you out for help with my game? Before that can be answered, another...
Photo Gallery: State-of-the-Art Teaching Building at Colleton River
Above is a view of Colleton River's expertly designed teaching building. Additional photos below show the structure under construction, along with some interior shots that take you inside to the hitting bays and customized office space for the director of...
Can We Coach Our Way to Retention of the “Covid Newbies”? [Part 2]
By David Gould, Content Editor The image of a rising tide that lifts all boats has been rippling through golf since March. Waves of new and returning players have sparked optimism, but also plenty of concern that the industry’s luck won’t hold. People who sell green...
Can We Coach Our Way to Retention of the “Covid Newbies”? [Part 1]
By David Gould, Content Editor How to retain the wave of new golfers appearing this summer is a question on everyone’s mind. The National Golf Foundation’s CEO, Joe Beditz, wrote an open letter stating that the industry has a long history of failing to keep newcomers...
Watching a Top Teacher Teach – There’s More to it Than You Think
By David Gould, Content Editor When asked to describe the craft of coaching, golf instructors speak of “tools in the toolbox” or “arrows in the quiver.” Veteran coaches want as many ways as they can get to make good decisions and communicate effectively to students....
Open at Winged Foot: Good Time to Sell Putting Lessons
By David Gould, Content Editor Playing the U.S. Open in September feels strange, so we’re glad the West Course at Winged Foot Golf Club is so reassuringly traditional. The 1923 Tillinghast masterpiece is known for its endlessly fascinating green complexes. This week,...
Proponent Look-Back: Tiger Woods, Age 4, Meets Instructor Rudy Duran
Forty years ago this summer, Tiger Woods came for his first lesson with Rudy Duran, whose recollection of that day in 1980 is burned in memory. Here’s how Rudy tells it: “Tiger was 4 when his mom brought him to me. He had a cut-down 2.5-wood, a 7-iron and a putter. I...
Prepare for the Tough Conversation Ahead
On the surface it looks like golf has dodged a virus-driven economic disaster. Unlike many recreation-related industries, ours has been on a tear since early summer. But let’s qualify that statement: It refers to rounds of golf played and lessons taken. Other...
How Covid-19 Impacts Golfer Attitudes and Plans, Including Plans to Improve
A New York-based marketing company, Sports & Leisure Research Group, conducts a lot of research in partnership with the PGA of America. Lately their information about how Covid-19 is influencing consumer decisions has been eye-catching. There is one relevant slide...
Giving One-Off Lessons and Swing Tips: Still Part of the Job?
Chris George works with a student at Kingsmill Resort By David Gould, Content Editor As technology and new research continue modernizing golf instruction, the one-off lesson and the quick tip have been getting a bad rap. Experts in motor learning contend that...