Category: Uncategorized

Coaching Children

12/09/2011Comments Off on Coaching ChildrenBlog, Latest News, Online Newsletter, Uncategorized

Thanks to the EGTF for reinforcing my coaching career.  A few months ago after the Diploma Course, I came on board as the Golf Professional (Coach/Teacher) at Polkemmet Golf Club, West Lothian, Scotland, on top of my attachments to Binny Golf Club as Junior Development Coach; and Harburn Academy, working with children in tandem with the Harburn Golf Club Pro.

I love coaching both adults and children.  I have coached children for 7 years and believe that there is a need for more effort in this area as Golf Clubs/Coaches seem to be less interested in children who are under 9 years of age.  Young talent should always be encouraged.  One exasperated dad approached me for lessons for his son who had been refused by Golf Clubs/Coaches because of his youth.  I took on and coached Owen who was only 5 years old at that time and now at age 6 he is a member at Binny Golf Club and one of my Junior Development Programme participants.  He plays in the Blue medal competitions regularly and won the trophy this year – Blue Junior Champion 2011!  This is a prime example of a very young child with the potential of a future champion.

NEVER TURN DOWN RAW TALENT…..CHILDREN ARE GOLF’S FUTURE; AND WITH GOOD COACHING AND ENCOURAGEMENT, THAT FUTURE CAN BE GREAT.

Macrina Crawford (EGTF Golf Professional at Polkemmet Golf Club, Scotland/Binny Golf Club, Junior Development Coach, Scotland)

Golfing Girl Guides

25/08/2011Comments Off on Golfing Girl GuidesBlog, Online Newsletter, Uncategorized

EGTF Professional, Deborah Smith

Deborah Joh-Lyn Smith

It has been over a year since I was learning to become an EGTF Professional and what a year it has been.  I am happy to say I am earning money teaching at schools/Golf Club at Sudbury and recently (after 9 months knocking on doors) I was invited to join 1400 Girl Guides for their Sporting Activity gathering in Black Land Farm, East Grinstead, over the May bank holiday.

Over the 3 days, at 30 minute sessions each, I introduced 578 Girl Guides to games and activities, to introduce them to the game of golf.  What a wonderful experience for the girls from the ages of 7 – 12 years, some with learning difficulties and from all walks of life.  I was able to bring to them a sport which they would never have imagined they would ever try.  It was a great success and I have been asked to teach certain regions in the South East and in smaller numbers, more techniques and also to set up a mini 3 par course so that they get the feel of a real golf course.

I cannot thank Bill and Pauline enough for all their help and support.

EGTF Diploma Course, New Zealand

08/08/2011Comments Off on EGTF Diploma Course, New ZealandBlog, Latest News, Online Newsletter, Student Galleries, Uncategorized

24 – 30 July 2011

Just back from a good week in Wellington, New Zealand  where I was conducting a diploma course for two enthusiastic guys, Nigel Walsh and Antony Ragg.
The trip coincided with the coldest day in Wellington’s history, so teaching on the range on that Monday, was testing to say the least !!!

Nigel and AJ both showed excellent standards during the week, culminating in superb teaching lessons for their examinations.

Antony Ragg Teaching

AJ already has his own golf business in Wellington and I’m sure his new teaching skills will help to boost sales.  Nigel was offered a job as the teaching professional at Silverstream driving range the day after the course finished as they were very impressed with his standards, which is excellent testimony to the EGTF course and Nigel.

Nigel Walsh Teaching

Always a pleasure to catch up with other EGTF members over there, and my thanks go to Murray McDonald at Manor Park Golf Club, and Bruce Farmer at Silverstream Driving Range for their help during the week.  Also, a pleasure to see local legend Renee Fowler, strutting her stuff and being very busy at Miramar Golf Club.

Another great week teaching, and I will look forward to coming back over in the not too distant future.

Bill Abbott – Director of Education

Putting Stats PGA Tour 2010

04/08/2011Comments Off on Putting Stats PGA Tour 2010Blog, Latest News, Online Newsletter, Uncategorized
DISTANCE OF PUTT PERCENTAGE HOLED
1 FEET 100 %
2 FEET 99 %
3 FEET 95 %
4 FEET 86 %
5 FEET 75 %
6 FEET 65 %
7 FEET 56 %
8 FEET 49 %
9 FEET 43 %
10 FEET 38 %
11 FEET 34 %
12 FEET 30 %
13 FEET 27 %
14 FEET 25 %
15 FEET 22 %
16 FEET 20 %
17 FEET 19 %
18 FEET 17 %
19 FEET 16 %
20 FEET 14 %
21 FEET 13 %
22 FEET 12 %
23 FEET 11 %
24 FEET 11 %
25 FEET 10 %

These are the putting statistics from the PGA Tour last year, and they make interesting reading.  Although it seems from watching the TV coverage that the Pro’s make just about everything, the images you see are misleading.

The stats show that even the best players in the world only make 22% from 15 feet from the hole and only 38% from 10 feet from the hole.

So, that should tell us that we need to spend more time teaching the short game, to get it closer to hole in the first place, and putting to convert the chances we give ourselves.

I know I sound like  a stuck record sometimes, but these areas really are that important.  So if you haven’t got the knowledge in these areas, or want to refresh the skills you already have, then look to upgrade your teaching skills as soon as you can.  The stats don’t lie!!

PGA Tour - Putting

EGTF Pro Am – Darenth Valley GC, Kent

13/07/2011Comments Off on EGTF Pro Am – Darenth Valley GC, KentBlog, Latest News, Online Newsletter, Uncategorized

Sunday 10 July 2011

Congratulations to EGTF Professional Leon Clark for winning the EGTF Pro Am at Darenth Valley Golf Club in Shoreham, Kent.

Leon played solid golf in shooting a level par round of 72, defeating the Darenth Valley Professionals of Pete Stopford and Bill Abbott into second and third place respectively.

EGTF Professional Winner - Leon Clark

A good turn out and a lovely sunny day enabled some excellent scoring, with Trevor Atkins taking the Amateur Competition with 38 points.

Amateur Winner - Trevor Atkins

EGTF Professional Joe Smith, Trevor Atkins and Gary Gilbert captured the Team Competition with 79 points.

Team Winners

Thank you to everyone who turned up and made the day so successful, with a special mention to our Sponsors, ProStance, Mizuno, Gel Putters and Orka Golf Clubs who provided such a wonderful array of prizes.

Table of Prizes

Masters June 2011

EGTF Masters Course 13 – 18 June 2011 Germany

23/06/2011Comments Off on EGTF Masters Course 13 – 18 June 2011 GermanyBlog, Latest News, Uncategorized

Op de Niep Golf Club, Dusseldorf, Germany

I have just finished our latest Masters course in Dussledorf, Germany and it was great to see members coming back and wanting to learn some new skills and develop their teaching programmes.

These courses are always excellent and I can get to see how people have progressed since taking their original EGTF course.

We had five students keen to learn, and the weather was just about in our favour during the week, which is obviously a bonus.

The seminars, range work and playing tests were all conducted well, with only one member not passing the playing ability test, due to some injuries sustained before the course began.

We covered some important topics, that I feel are necessary as you start to move to the next level as a coach, including:

  • Customer service and marketing
  • Advanced coaching lessons
  • Body balance in the golf swing using Sam balance lab
  • Cause and effect video analysis using Quintic video analysis and Casio high speed cameras
  • Putting biomechanics – using high speed video cameras
  • Advanced short game techniques – using the short game handicap test and Pelz finesse swing system
  • Performance coaching – looking into the psychology of playing to your potential
  • The magic machine – studying body types and what they are capable of (endomorphs, mesomorphs and ectomorphs !!!)
  • Masters playing and skills tests

Thanks to everyone who attended the Masters course, and also to Bob Lamb EGTF teaching professional who works at Op De Niep Golf Club, for all his help during my stay.

Have a look at the website to see if you can fit in some CPD work this year, it can only make you a better teacher.

Bill Abbott

Body Balance using the Sam Balance Lab

 

Masters June 2011

Sam Balance Lab photo 1

Masters June 2011

Sam Balance Lab photo 2

 

Short Game Handicap Test

Masters June 2011

Short Game Handicap Test

 

Masters Putting Lesson

 
 

Masters June 2011
Masters Putting Lesson photo 1

 

 
 

Masters June 2011

Masters Putting Lesson photo 2

 

 

 

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