Category: Online Newsletter

The official news publication of the European Golf Teachers Federation

Frank Scott

29/05/2011Comments Off on Frank ScottEGTF Teacher Profile, Online Newsletter

[box]This edition we are profiling EGTF Professional Frank Scott, who has instructed on many of our CPD Seminars, and is considered one of the top coaches in the UK.[/box]

Frank was born in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders in 1955 and now lives in Clovenfords.
Frank is a full time teaching professional and professional club maker.  He learned to play golf at the age of 11 at Hawick Golf Club whose membership fee was 10 shillings!  By 16 years of age he was a scratch golfer using only seven golf clubs; a 2 wood, 4 wood, 2 iron, 5 iron, 7 iron, 9 iron and a putter.  He first played for the Borders County Team at the age of 16 and went on to play for them for the next 30 years.  He is now coach to the County Teams at all levels, both male and female.

When did you qualify for the EGTF?
It was in 2000 at Oliva Nova, Spain.

Why did you become a teaching professional?
I was a successful amateur coach.  Even at this stage I had the ability to take players to international level.  The opinion of many was that I should turn professional and do this as a career.

Where do you work?
I work at Synton Mains Driving Range near Hawick, where I have my own teaching facility, using video analysis and a vector launch monitoring programme.

Where do you play golf?
I am a member of Roxburghe Golf Course near Kelso, Silloth on Solway and an Honorary Member at Hawick Golf Course.

What is the best thing about being a teaching professional?
Having the chance to work with people of all ages and abilities from disabled children to adult tour players.  I am currently coaching the British under 12’s champion and the British over 80’s champion.

Frank giving a lesson

What is the worst thing about being a teaching professional?
Teaching in the cold, Winter weather that we have in Scotland.

How many lessons do you do in the Summer?  How many in Winter?
40-48 per week in the Summer and 30-35 per week in the Winter.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?
To convince them that the short game is more important than the long game, especially when they come for a lesson saying that they have a problem driving the ball.  60% of golf is played from 100 yards to the green or less.

What is your favourite drill and why?
I use so many drills that I don’t have a favourite, but like to think that I use the most appropriate drill at the right time.

Who is your favourite player and why?
Ernie Els.  He has a great looking swing which is easy to relate to.  The best ball striker I ever played with was Sandy Lyle (by a mile).

Who would be your ideal fourball and why?
Ernie Els, Tiger Woods, Michelle Wie and Dr Paul Hurrion.  Ernie for his rhythm, Tiger for his power, Michelle for her youth and Paul Hurrion so he can explain how well or how bad they move and to analyse their putting strokes.

Which is the best course you have ever played and why?
Loch Lomond for its beauty and standard.

What is your best and worst experience you have had in golf?
Best – seeing one of my first pupils become an international golfer.  Worst – unable to work with some players due to PGA bureaucracy.


Find a good coach, take individual lessons and work hard on your short game.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

What’s in the bag?
Woods – don’t own any! but use trial snake eyes, driver, 3 wood, 5 wood, utility wood (provided no one else is using them!)  Irons – seven year old Golfsmith Professional grind blades.  Lamkin crossline grips (still using the original grips, so shows how much I play!)  Putter – Yes, Callie 31 inches, two thumb putter grip.

Devlyn Fraser

29/05/2011Comments Off on Devlyn FraserEGTF Teacher Profile, Online Newsletter

[box]This edition we are profiling EGTF Professional  Devlyn Fraser[/box]

EGTF Teaching Professional, Devlyn Fraser started playing golf at the age of 11, in 1967.  Devlyn says, ‘My father was a keen golfer and we lived near a new golf course (Glendower CC), near Johannesburg.  When I moved to Durban in 1976, I started playing golf seriously and from 1977 until 2002 played Scratch League in Natal.  I represented Circle Golf Club, Umkomaas Golf Club and Southern Natal teams.’

‘In 1988 I built a lovely house adjoining the Umkomaas Golf Club (3rd green) where I still live happily and now have a golf lodge called Stroke-One-Inn (http://www.stroke-one-inn.com/) and I teach out of Umkomaas Golf Club.’

Where do you work?

I still run my small engineering group (Devden), founded in 1982, from Durban.  I teach part-time at Umkomaas Golf Club (weekends) and also at the Amazimtoti Driving Range (evenings, under floodlights).

When did you qualify for the EGTF?

March 2001, South Africa

Why did you become a Teaching Professional?

I wanted to put something back into golf, for all the pleasure I have had out of it and to prepare for the last chapter of my working life – finally to make money out of my passion.

Where do you play golf?

I am a member of Umkomaas Golf Club and Durban Country Club, but play around the country and around the world, when on my regular business travels.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?

The satisfaction of seeing my pupils improve their game, and hearing them tell friends what a good coach I am.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Coaching pupils who ‘know everything’ and sometimes posting scores worse than some of my pupils.

How many lessons do you do in summer and how many in winter?

As we have such a moderate climate, about the same all year, about 6 – 8 lessons per week.

What do you consider the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

Enjoy your golf, by accepting it’s not a game of ‘perfect’.

What is the best and worst experience you have had in golf?

My first (of 5) holes in one, at the Wild Coast CC and slipping my disc in my lower back in a tournament, and having to be transported back to the club in the Greenkeeper’s utility buggy.

Who is your favourite player and why?

Tim Clark, because I watched him grow up since he was a small boy (member of Umkomaas).  I have had the pleasure of playing with him many times and still do, when he’s home and seeing how all his hard work has paid off.

Who would be your ideal fourball and why?

Natalie Fraser (my daughter, 11 hcp), Duncan Fraser (my son, 3 hcp) and Dennis Fraser (my dad, 9 hcp – now deceased), because I love them so much.

Which is the best course you have ever played and why?

Chateaux Elan, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.  Great design, beautifully manicured and perfectly managed.

What is the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

Think clearly about how you envisage playing the shot and then follow your first impression – don’t change your mind.

What’s in the bag?

Ping G 10 9 deg Driver and 3-wood
Jack Nicklaus Rescue 18 deg
3-SW Ping G 10 irons
Carbite 62 deg lobwedge and Bettinardi
(Ben Hogen) Big Ben broomhandle putter

 
 
 
 
 

Jan Sorensen

29/05/2011Comments Off on Jan SorensenEGTF Teacher Profile, Online Newsletter

[box]This edition we are profiling EGTF Professional Jan Sorensen who was born in Norway in 1953.  Jan started his sports career with karate in 1973 and became a well known teacher in martial arts.  Two of his students became European Champions and number 5 in the World Open Championship in Japan in 1981.[/box]

He made his living from the IT business from 1981 as a system engineer and project manager.  Jan became interested in golf at the age of 42.  He found the  movement of the lower body was very similar to the stroke in karate and it was easy to find the swing naturally.

The season in Norway is very short and it is hard to make a living from golf between May and September.  So in 2006 he moved to Spain and started work at Villamartin in the Costa Blanca.
When did you qualify for the EGTF?
I qualified in Portugal in 2007.

Where do you work?
I mainly work at Villamartin, but also have possibilities to work at other Courses.  It was very difficult to get a proper contract with a golf course, but in February 2008 I managed it.  The agreement is to only work with Scandinavian people.

Where do you play golf?
I play all the courses in my neighbourhood of Alicante.  Within one hour there are more than 20 golf courses to choose from.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?
The best thing is to be working outdoors and see the happiness in the student’s eye when they manage to improve.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?
To try to make Spanish leaders understand marketing, business plans and how to make better possibilities for the students on the golf course.

How many lessons do you give in the Summer and the Winter?
The season here in the Costa Blanca is mostly sunny all year.  My goal for 2009 is to give more than 200 lessons.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?
The most important lesson must be ‘the fundamentals’.  When they understand that GAASP is important, the swing/stroke can be possible.  I gather a lot of evidence to prove that one mistake in one of the fundamentals, can easily disturb and corrupt your playing standard.

What is your favourite drill and why?
I use many drills for different purposes, but when I tell my students about the ‘secret’ pizza trick in the bunker, the fear for the hazard goes away.

Who is your favourite player and why?
The smooth swing of Ernie Els is something I enjoy watching.  It seems that he doesn’t use his energy although the ball is always hitting his target.

Why did you become a Teaching Professional?
I have been a teacher for as long as I can remember, either in music, sport or IT.  My happiest moments in my life (apart from watching my children being born) is to see my students become happy and manage an achievement.  When their faces shine and I get a big hug as the teacher.

Do you still strive to improve standards?
I always try to develop myself to higher standards.  I analyse my drills, my thoughts about new techniques and my playing ability.

What’s the best tip you could give a junior golfer?
Don’t think, do what you feel is correct.

What’s in the bag?
Killer Bee driver 10 degree
3 Wood Callaway ERC Fusion
23 degree Hybrid XPC
Snake eyes iron 600 XC Forged 3-PW
52, 56 and 60 degree Wedges “Tom Watson”
Putter – Profound “Dark Ice”

 

William McKenzie

29/05/2011Comments Off on William McKenzieEGTF Teacher Profile, Online Newsletter

[box]This edition we are profiling EGTF Master Professional William McKenzie (aka Willie) and below you will find an update on what Willie has achieved so far in his golf teaching career.[/box]

Willie was born in Aberdeenshire, N E Scotland and moved back to Dornoch when he was 5 and learned to play golf.  Willie says, “It was here I became obsessed with golf and now 44 years later am still the same.  According to my wife, I eat, sleep and breathe golf.  I am married with three sons and I now live in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

I am the Head Pro/Manager at Berryhill Driving Range and have been here for 8 years.  Most of my lessons are done here and I also do lessons at three of the local courses.  Lessons include men, women, children and corporate.  On course or whatever is required, I am happy to provide tuition.”

When did you qualify for the EGTF?
I took my Diploma Course in April 2005 and my Masters Course in October 2006.

Why did you become a teaching professional?
I became a teaching pro because of my love of the game.  I was never good enough to be a pro player and teaching means I am involved in golf on a daily basis, earning a living doing something I love.  Teaching people how to play golf and being able to pass on the knowledge I have learned from the EGTF, is a fantastic feeling of job satisfaction.

Where do you play golf?
I play golf at Fraserburgh Golf Course, a superb old fashioned links course, the 7th oldest course in the world, founded in 1777.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?
The daily involvement watching players progress doing the things I have taught them, really makes me feel that my job is worthwhile and hearing back from them about how the lessons are helping or how the little tip has made a difference and seeing the enjoyment they are getting from golf.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?
If I ever find a bad side I will let you know.  What’s not to like?  I am being paid for something I love doing.

How many lessons do you give in the Summer and the Winter?
In the summer I do up to 40-60 individual lessons plus I have kids group lessons at the range.  I do group lessons for the kids at three local courses on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.  In the winter I roughly do about 20 lessons but I am now getting more people booking block lessons to work on their game during the winter months.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?
Get the basic fundamentals correct.  Grip, balance, stance, alignment, posture.  I believe good set up is vital.  Good golf shots are much easier if time is taken to ensure set up is correct.  The ball does not move, so really there should be no excuse for poor set up.

What is your favourite drill and why?
Show me your studs.  It is a simple but amazingly effective drill.  I use it every day and the difference it can make to golfers without having to go into any technical details is awesome.

Who is your favourite player and why?
My favourite player has to be Tiger Woods.  He has made all the top pro’s raise their game just to be able to compete with him.  What higher praise can any one golfer ever get than that.

Who would be your ideal fourball and why?
Tiger naturally!  Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones and me playing at Dornoch.  My idea of heaven.

Which is the best course you have ever played and why?
Royal Dornoch without a doubt.  Growing up and playing it every day.  What better start can a young lad get in golf.

What’s the best and worst experience you have had in golf?
Best was qualifying as an EGTF Pro and getting my first hole in one at the ripe old age of 47.  I had seen 10 up to then, mine made it 11.  Worst – not had anything bad worth writing about.

What’s the best tip you could give a junior golfer?
Junior golfers should always get properly fitted equipment.  Too many turn up for lessons with dad’s clubs cut down.  They are too heavy and the shafts are too stiff.  Get some lessons and learn to set up properly and most importantly, enjoy yourself.  You have a lifetime of this great game ahead of you.

What’s in the bag?
Cobra 14v 9 deg driver
W/staff 3 wood 15 deg
W/staff hybrids 18 21 deg
W/staff forged blade irons 5-pw
W/staff tw9 wedges 52 56 60
Putter gel topaz
Ball Callaway tour i

David Matthews MBE

29/05/2011Comments Off on David Matthews MBEEGTF Teacher Profile, Online Newsletter

[box]This edition we are profiling EGTF Professional David Matthews MBE and below you will find an update on what David has achieved so far in his golfing career.[/box]

I was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire in 1959 and following a checked education and failed football apprenticeship, joined the Army in 1976. As an all round sportsman, I played all the usual sports before taking up golf at the age of 28, knowing I could not run around forever. I could never really see the attraction of hitting a little ball into a small hole, until I tried it. Then like most golfers became absolutely hooked. After getting to 9 very quickly, I struggled to get much lower due to my military commitments but eventually got to my current playing handicap of 6 in 2003.

At the beginning of 2006, I left the Army to purchase a golfing complex called Stonehenge Golf Centre, which is just north of Salisbury about 1½ miles from Stonehenge. The centre has: a 16 bay floodlit and heated range, a quality 9 hole Par 3 golf course and great practice facilities. We have since built a Mini (crazy) golf course designed to attract families, especially children with the view of getting more people into golf.  More details can be found on our website www.stonehengegolfcentre.co.uk

When did you qualify for the EGTF?

I attended the EGTF Diploma Course at Forthview Golf Academy, Scotland in September 2007.

Where do you work?

I work at Stonehenge Golf Centre (SGC), where my lessons are done at the centre using the 16 bay range, practice facilities and occasionally on the Par 3 golf course.

Where do you play golf?

Following my qualification I stopped playing on a regular basis for about 2 years, but soon realised this was a mistake and joined High Post Golf Club early this year.  Although fairly short, this high quality golf course is very tricky, has fantastic greens and is one of Peter Alliss’ favourites.

What is the best thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Everything – from working hard, helping someone who will never be any good, but appreciates you making them better however small, having a laugh with my ladies group as we do chipping for the 8th time, to the satisfaction of a student who brings in a score card having shot under 100 for the first time.  I love the challenge of teaching the full spectrum of golfers from age 5 to 83 whatever their ability.

What is the worst thing about being a Teaching Professional?

Having to repeat the same drills because the student fails to practise sufficiently between lessons.

How many lessons do you give in the Summer and the Winter?

During the heart of winter (November to February) I do between 25-35 lessons per month.  In spring and summer around 50-60 and in the autumn something in between.  In addition I teach a special needs school for one hour every week during term time, year 11 students for an hour during their final term and conduct childrens’ sessions in the school holidays.

What do you consider is the most important lesson you could give someone and why?

If I could make it compulsory I would insist that every golfer took a chipping and putting lesson. The aim of the game is to get the ball into the hole and in 45-60 minutes the basic drills and techniques can be taught that will have a dramatic effect on someone’s score.

What is your favourite drill and why?

For beginners, my favourite drill is “Show me your Studs”, it is by far the most effective because the majority of new golfers think the ball is hit with the upper part of the body.  I find a lot of improving golfers need to widen their swing and so use the “2 ball drill” quite often.

Who is your favourite player and why?

Sir Nick Faldo has always been my favourite golfer.  He was at the top of his game just as I was getting into golf and he has tremendous determination to train hard and the will to win.  Sadly, he was a poor selection as the Ryder Cup captain because he was never a team player!

Who would be your ideal fourball and why?

My ideal fourball would be Peter Alliss, who else could keep you verbally entertained, the late Payne Stewart, a flamboyant and well dressed golfer, and Seve, the greatest natural golfer ever.

Which is the best course you have ever played and why?

The best course I have ever played was Royal County Down in Northern Ireland purely because every hole was different, the greens tricky but views fantastic.

What’s the best and worst experience you have had in golf?

My best experience in golf was managing a team that played in the Army Matchplay event at Royal Lytham and St Anne Golf Club.  My worst experience – nerves! that can effect my game at anytime and have ruined too many rounds.

Why did you become a teaching professional?

In the first 18 months of owning SGC, we employed a number of PGA Professionals through a Head Pro.  Unfortunately, none of them could be at the centre sufficiently to fulfil the requirements of our customers.  I enjoyed helping people who were struggling on the range by giving them bits of advice on how to hit the ball (I now know this was not always the best way of achieving results) and decided to learn how to teach correctly.  In hindsight, I should have done this much earlier because I thoroughly enjoy the satisfaction of assisting golfers to improve their game.

Do you still strive to improve standards?

Absolutely, since qualifying I have attended a number of CPD courses and probably intend to do the Masters course next year.  I read and use as references books “The 7 Laws of the Golf Swing” and “Dave Pelt’s Short Game Bible”.

What’s the best tip you could give a junior golfer?

Enjoy the game, avoid getting frustrated and practise as much as you play.

What’s in the bag?

When playing I carry:

Taylor Made R7 driver 11.5 deg with a REAX Stiff shaft
Taylor Made R7 3 wood 15 deg same shaft
W/S FYbrid 19.5 deg
Mizuno MP60 irons 4-PW, with S300 Rifle shafts
W/S FW 6 Wedges 52, 56 and 60 degs
Yes Carolyne (centre shafted) putter
W/S Performance carry bag
Leeds United ball marker

While teaching I use some of my own clubs and also:

Cleveland GC10 52 deg wedge
Mizuno T zoid 7 iron
Left handed W/S deep red 7 iron

Latest News

26/05/2011Comments Off on Latest NewsBlog, Latest News, Online Newsletter

The start of the official golf season is just about upon us, so hopefully the weather in your area will be kind and you can get out and start teaching.

Now is the time to look at what you will be offering in your teaching program for 2011 to see if it needs updating or prices changing.  Obviously with today’s economic climate, some good offers would be appreciated by the golfing fraternity.

I visited the PGA Golf Show, Orlando in January, where the golf professionals came out in force and it was certainly busier than last year’s show.  I would have to say that there wasn’t a lot of new ground-breaking stuff on show, mainly due to the fact that golf club technology has reached it’s peak and all the manufacturers had to offer were cosmetic changes to their clubs.

Also on my travels I have been to the Golfsmith Headquarters in the UK, where the first EGTF/Golfsmith training course took place.  Neil Cooke, one of the top clubmakers in the world was on hand to deliver the training and all the EGTF students seemed to learn a lot from the Master craftsman.  This will be the first of a series of clubmaking courses we will offer alongside Golfsmith, and I would highly recommend anyone who hasn’t got these skills, to try to get on one, as it is an excellent addition to your teaching armoury.

It’s not often you get to chat to the leading Putting expert in the World, but I did drop by the Quintic Laboratory and spend a few hours with Dr Paul Hurrion, Coach to the number 1 player in the World.  Paul was loading up my computer with his latest Ball Roll software which will be taking the putting market by storm this year (you can read the report in this magazine).

The EGTF website is being brought into the 21st Century over the next few months, by EGTF member Steve Ellis of Intouch Web Solutions www.intouchwebsol.co.uk We look forward to having a more up-to-date and easily accessible site to showcase the EGTF talents, and be more interactive with our members via Twitter, Youtube etc.  Also, any feedback on the EGTF Newsletter that we send out regularly by email, would be much appreciated.

Bill Abbott – Director of Education

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