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Marketing for Golf Courses

19th Hole Media is a project by Welborn Media. We combined our love of helping local businesses grow with our love of golf and began 19th Hole Media. Our mission is to spread passion for golf and help grow the game.

Social media marketing and golf are a perfect fit. We aim to implement, inform, and promote the use of social media marketing at local golf courses to gain more golfers and get them to golf more often.

Social Media Check-Up for Golf Courses: Are You Doing It Right?

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Most golf course owners and operators know they need to be using the internet to attract new golfers. Most golf course owners and operators know they need to be using social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to increase rounds.  And yet, most golf course owners and operators are uncertain about how to navigate the online marketplace to reach more golfers, convince them to play more often and spend more money at their golf course.

To help golf course owners and operators, 19th Hole Media has created a Social Media Check-Up for Golf Courses. This check-up should help you understand your online presence and whether or not it can be improved. Although, this Check-Up is only half the equation. We will be giving our Social Media Checklist to subscribers on our email list for free. 19th Hole Media’s Social Media Checklist for Golf Courses– coming soon.

Check out this post to see where your golf course stands. You’ll be well prepared when we send you our Social Media Checklist, a well-organized resource that will help you move forward and develop a plan to step up your social media efforts to the next level. It will be available only to those on our email list. If you know someone that might benefit from our Check list, make sure they join our email list!

Sign up for our email newsletter. You will receive more helpful information like this, and our Social Media Checklist, a well-organized resource that will help you move forward and develop a plan to step up your social media efforts. If you need assistance contact Zeb at (909) 973 – 9089 or Zeb@WelbornMedia.com.

Social Media Check-Up for Golf Courses

Golf Course Website

A golf course’s website should be the online marketing home.  You’d be surprised how many golf courses are still without a website, one of my colleagues informed me that he has a list of over 3,000 golf courses that are still without a website . . . so, if your golf course has a website, you’re actually ahead of the curve.

Poor:  No website or a website that has limited information, no functionality or is one page with no external links.

Average:  Many golf courses are also controlled by management companies. In some cases their online presence is controlled by these larger management companies which is not ideal for a local golf course.  The way the internet and online marketing is shifting, it is giving more and more attention to local organizations rather than a large corporate presence.  In addition, every golf course is unique and that should be reflected on the website.

Exceptional:  The best websites are those that demonstrate the unique character of a golf course, are updated regularly with events/outings/promotions and other course news.  These websites also highlight in detail the different activities/events that go on at your course, giving golfers an opportunity to book tee times, contact tournament/banquet coordinators and offer an array of images that depict the ideal experience a patron will have at your golf course.  It should also be easy to navigate and look modern.

Some websites to use as an example are: Maderas Golf Club, Stevinson Ranch Golf Club and Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.  They demonstrate the unique character of the golf course, are easy to navigate and are updated regularly.

golf-websites

Golf Course Email List

Every golf course should have an email marketing campaign in place. In my experience, the email list has been the most effective way to encourage golfers to make purchasing decisions. When done right an email campaign can have a significant impact on the bottom line. When done wrong, it can turn golfers away.

Poor:  Not having an email list is setting up a golf course for failure.  If you’re not collecting emails and using those emails to sell your products and services, your competitors will syphon off your golfers through their special offers and discounts. Once you lose a customer, it will become much more difficult to attract more golfers to your course . . . especially without an email list.

Golf courses should think of their email list like an insurance policy that you can call on when times are slow to get new golfers to experience your golf course. Offer exceptional service while they are there and that will increase the number of rounds golfers play at your course.

Average:  Most golf courses I’ve encountered are missing two major components to creating an effective email marketing campaign.  The first is that they do not have a proactive strategy to get new golfers to sign up for their email list. The second thing most golf courses are missing in their email marketing campaigns is creativity.  As individuals, our email inboxes are bombarded with sales messages from all different types of businesses. In order for golfers to open your email they have to have compelling headlines and compelling copy.  Emails with generic headlines like, “It’s a Beautiful Day, Come on Out!,” “Special Discount on Golf this Week Only,” or “Check Out this Sunday Golf Special” will get lost in the shuffle because they are not creative, not specific and are obviously sales driven. Most of us delete them immediately.

Exceptional:  Golf courses that do their email marketing right are the golf courses who have a proactive strategy to get new golfers to sign up for their email newsletter.  I recommend collecting emails:

  • at the point of sale
  • through your website
  • through special contests created for the golfers at the course

Every email you collect can lead to increases in sales. Getting creative in the ways you get golfers to sign up for your email newsletter is a must.  Creating compelling headlines and compelling copy will increase the chances your emails are actually read.   One golf course that does email marketing really well is the Champions at the Retreat who have emails with headlines like, “The easiest Father’s Day gift is a few clicks away,” “FREE greens fees at Champions Club (not a joke!),” and “THREE entries for the price of one!”  The percentage of people who will open these emails is much higher than those mentioned in the average section.  If more golfers are compelled to open your emails, then the more golfers will be compelled to take advantage of the call to actions you have in your emails. 

Facebook

Golf Course Social Media FacebookPoor:  Golf courses with a poor Facebook presence are those that do not have one at all, and those who set one up but haven’t updated it in months.

Average:  Currently, an average Facebook presence for golf courses is a golf course that updates their Facebook page regularly but has no plans for outreach. Their posts are strictly sales driven, too similar to one another, lack engagement and often are not relevant to the golf course itself.

Exceptional:  The best golf courses on Facebook are those that promote the unique character of the golf course, build an engaged community and vary the type of posts they use.  These golf courses post pictures, have a creative outreach program to attract new followers, utilize the highly targeted Facebook advertising feature, use copy designed to engage their golfers, follow up with discussions, vary the type of posts, and thank their followers regularly.  For examples of golf courses that have an excellent Facebook page, please visit the Arroyo Trabuco, Maderas Golf Club and/or Stevinson Ranch Golf Club Facebook pages.

Blog

A blog is a great way to post relevant content on your website to share with golfers at your golf course.

Poor:  A non-existent blog page that delivers no new content to your golfers or followers.

Average:  An average golf course blog is one that posts infrequently and doesn’t offer anything of value to your followers.

Exceptional:  An exceptional blog highlights all major activities that take place at your golf course.  The blog focuses on your core golfers, golf-related groups, and highlights other areas where your golf course can see an increase in revenues, like banquets, weddings, the golf shop or restaurant.

TwitterSocial Media Check-Up for Golf Courses - Twitter

Poor:  Most golf courses do not use Twitter.

Average: Many of the golf courses that do use a Twitter account only tweet out sales messages. They do not monitor mentions of their course and they make no effort to connect with their golfers on Twitter.

Exceptional:  Golf courses that understand how to use Twitter and make the most of it are courses that engage Twitter users who mention their golf course in meaningful discussions.  They reach out to golfers who indicate they play golf in the geographic region of the golf course.  And they promote the game of golf through their followers.  To see an example of a golf course that does a good job on their Twitter presence, check out the Arroyo Trabuco Twitter Account.

YouTube

YouTube is a fantastic visual resource that golf courses should use to remind every golfer how nice it is to be outdoors at the golf course.

Poor:  Most golf courses do not use YouTube.

Average:  Many golf courses that have set up a YouTube account have a page that contains a scattering of videos with very poor quality that don’t seem to be set up with any clear purpose or goal.

Exeptional:  The golf courses that use YouTube well post videos with high-quality audio and video.  Each video has a clear call to action or a specific purpose for the video.  Excellent videos to include are golf tips to help your golfers, demonstrations of appropriate golf etiquette, testimonials from golfers and commercials promoting your golf course.

Instagram#Golf on Instagram

Instagram is a great platform for reaching out to younger golfers because it’s easily accessed and utilized from any mobile smart phone.

Poor:  Non-existent.

Average:  Golf courses that use Instagram inconsistently and share boring or poor quality images.

Exceptional:  An Instagram account should be posted to daily with unique pictures. If any golfers appear in the photo their Instagram accounts should be tagged. And the copy of every post should include appropriate hashtags and be designed to get users to engage.

Greenskeeper.org, Review Websites, or Other Similar Golfing Communities in Your Geographical Region

Review sites are extremely important for any business. Nowadays there is a lot that a business can do to affect the status of their golf course on the web. Despite this, most golf courses owners and operators visit review sites infrequently and many do not monitor mentions of their golf course at all.

Poor:  Never find out what is being said about your golf course online.

Average:  The other mistake often made is golf course owners or operators will respond too emotionally or without empathy to negative reviews. This can easily escalate the situation or demonstrate that you’re not interested in the plight of your customers.

Exceptional:  An owner or operator that manages their online reputation well is someone who monitors what is said about the golf course and responds to comments, questions or concerns regularly and in a professional manner.  They empathize with the customer and respond to situations uniquely.

Being proactive in managing your online reputation will help avoid major issues, can convince golfers to return and encourage more golfers to visit your golf course.  These reviews can also indicate trouble areas or areas of strength for your business which can help you build a better business.

Honorable Mention: Pinterest/Vine/Google+/LinkedIn

The previously mentioned platforms are essential for any golf course competing in today’s market to attract new golfers to their golf course.  However; an exceptional social media presence requires devoting some of your resources to social media sites which can be of importance for golf courses currently and in the years to come.

Pinterest is excellent to share compelling photos of the golf course, banquet facilities and golfers.  An exceptional Pinterest account uses high-quality photos that link to your website and have a lengthy, keyword-rich description for each photo.

Vine is a platform that records brief 6-second videos.  You can use these to attract a younger generation of golfers.  Encourage your young golfers to create unique and compelling videos at your golf course and you can have a hit marketing tactic on your hands.

Google+ – Unlike Facebook and Twitter, all Google+ updates are indexed by the Google Search Engine.  When people are searching for golf-related activities, the more content you have on Google+ and the more connections you have, the more likely your posts will show up in a Google Search.  For example, if a golfer who is connected to you on Google+ searches for “California Golf” on Google, something you’ve posted in the past with the words California and Golf may show up at the top of that person’s Google search.

LinkedIn – LinkedIn is for professional contacts. As an Owner, General Manager, Marketing Director or Tournament Director, it’s important to connect with tournament organizers, banquet organizers or influential golfers from your personal account to establish a deeper connection designed to gain more golfers, retain tournaments and share insider information about your golf course to your LinkedIn connections.

Are You Doing It Right?

Creating a strong social media presence can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re starting from scratch, but slowly improving your internet marketing and social media habits can have a drastic impact on your bottom line.  If you found our Social Media Check-Up for Golf Courses helpful, please subscribe to the 19th Hole Media Newsletter to get more advice and help on developing your social media presence.

To help you, we’ve created a Golf Course Internet Marketing and Social Media Checklist to help you enhance your golf course marketing efforts and take your golf course to the next level.  Contact Zeb at (909) 973 – 9089 or Zeb@WelbornMedia.com if you’d like to get your free social media checklist to see if your online presence is poor, average or exceptional!

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Zeb Welborn on Danielle Tucker’s The Golf Club Radio Show

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Danielle Tucker’s The Golf Club Radio Show ® broadcasts state-wide talking to Hawaii’s Golf Pros and golfers across America.  Danielle interviews sports shrinks, authors, mental coaches and PGA broadcasters.

Zeb Welborn on Danielle Tucker's Golf Club Radio Show

Danielle Tucker

During the interview, Danielle and Zeb chat about The Social Golf Course and its implications for the golf course industry.  We discussed Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and how a golf course can become a social golf course.  If you’re interested in listening to the episode you can find it here – Zeb Welborn’s interview with Danielle Tucker . . . Zeb’s interview comes on around the 48 minute mark.

For more about The Social Golf Course, please visit The Social Golf Course website where you can engage in the discussion on what it would take for a golf course to become a social golf course.

In this episode, Danielle interviews Tony Dear, a golf writer from England living in the United States; Michael Patrick Shiels from Michigan’s The Big Show host, aka The Golf Club Travel Guru Extraordinaire; John Hopkins, a golf writer for Global Golf Post for 35 years at The Times and the author of Fore!; Ken Barley, the owner of PhotoBallMarker.com; Bill Fiedler, an account executive from Buffalo Communications; and of course, Zeb Welborn, owner of Welborn Media, host of the Defining Success Podcast, Author of The Social Golf Course, Entrepreneur, Golfer and Educator.

 

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Zeb Welborn, Amy Spittle, Nichole Tudor Nelson and John Hakim at the KemperSports Regional Golf Meeting at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Springs, California.

Zeb Welborn & John Hakim Present at KemperSports Regional Meeting

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Amy Spittle, Regional Sales and Marketing Director at KemperSports Golf Course & Hospitality Management invited John Hakim from Greenskeeper.org and Zeb Welborn from 19th Hole Media were invited to present at the KemperSports Regional Meeting held at Desert Willow Golf Resort.

Zeb Welborn, Amy Spittle, Nichole Tudor Nelson and John Hakim at the KemperSports Regional Golf Meeting at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Springs, California.

The Social Golf Course

In our presentation we discussed our book, The Social Golf Course and its implications for the golf course industry.  We shared ideas on how employees can take part in the social media strategy at a golf course, how to use Facebook and Twitter, how to evaluate the ROI of social media, how to increase followers and a brief Q&A session.

KemperSports has an award-winning portfolio that includes nationally-ranked courses and tournament venues. They work to develop and manage a broad range of private clubs, golf resorts, public golf courses and municipal golf courses.  They have expanded their management expertise to include conference centers, lodging operations and recreational facilities.

KemperSports continues to be a family-owned business with over 5,500 employees. They’re based in Northbrook, Illinois and operate regional offices in Northern California, Southern California, Dallas, South Florida and Maryland.

The KemperSports Regional Meeting presentation went extremely well and we’re so grateful that Amy gave John and Zeb the opportunity to speak to golf course owners, golf course operators, golf course general managers and golf course marketing directors on the importance of social media.  If you’d like John or Zeb to speak at your event, please email Zeb Welborn at Zeb@WelbornMedia.com

Thanks again Amy!

 

 

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The Customer Experience and Improving Sales at the Golf Course

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Many golf professionals that I have known that are in charge of golf shop staffs are put off by any serious discussion of salesmanship as possibly being perceived by members or guests as ‘hard sell’ and put off accordingly.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Improving the customer experience and improving sales at the golf course

Here are some good tips for helping the golf staff better service the members/customers that will enhance their experience and improving sales at the golf course.

  •  Good salesmanship begins before the customer arrives.  Salesmanship is 10% presentation, 90% preparation.  You need to have a compelling presentation of product in order to inspire the customer, but you should rehearse helping customers. The first step should be learning about the products and practicing communication.  Your sales rep will usually help with product knowledge.  Whenever possible, the staff should use personal use discounts to wear or use what they sell.
  •  Great salespeople are easy to spot – they engage the customer and then listen when they speak.  You should resist the temptation to tell the customer all you know until you have heard their needs and concerns.
  •  You should ask open-ended questions and listen carefully to the customer’s answer. A customer who is talking isn’t listening.  You should empathetically listen and then address his or her needs as best you can with your suggestions.  People buy from those they grow to like and create a relationship with – listening conveys empathy and is an important relationship builder.
  •  You don’t always need to be selling our product to be helpful; customers that feel genuinely serviced become loyal customers. You want to bring the expertise and trust you have established onto the floor of the shop.  The most effective way to sell is to focus on the customer’s needs. Find out who the product is for, how it will be used and what criteria the customer/member has in mind for it. That information allows you to suggest products you honestly believe will meet their needs. When they see you are genuinely interested in helping him they will open up, work with you and want to buy from you.
  •  Nothing sells like a personal relationship.  When possible, customers – certainly members – should be welcomed to the shop by name and in the same manner they would be welcomed to your home.

There is nothing new about any of these concepts.  They are true for anyone in retail – not just golf shops.  Sometimes golf staffs lose sight of the fact that they are in the retail business of selling.  Improve the customer experience and work on improving sales at the golf course and you’ll be on the right track.

You can read my other blogs or contact me at www.essentiallygolf.com.

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Golfers Accomplish a 64 million to 1 Feat At Panther Valley Golf & Country Club

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Four Golfers, Jerome Rossman, Bob Russell, John Abromitis and Paul Bederson were playing in the annual Hackettstown Hospital Charity Golf Event held at Panther Valley Golf & Country Club in Allamuchy NJ.  When they got to the 13th hole, there was a hole-in-one contest for a car on the 180 yard par three.  Jokingly, one of them suggested that before hitting their shots, if they got a hole-in-one, they would split the prize.  After some discussion they agreed.  The first golfer Mr. Rossman stood up at the tee and proceeded to put his shot in the hole.  The next two hit theirs on the green.  The fourth golfer Paul Bederson got up and hit his into the hole as well.  According to golf statisticians the odds of two people getting a hole-in-one in the same foursome in the same round are 64 million to one! Unfortunately the second hole-in-one didn’t win a second car but they did wind up splitting the proceeds when they sold the car they won.

Interestingly a foursome on another green who couldn’t see the golfers on 13 but could hear them surmised that they got a hole-in-one when they heard the uproar.  However when they heard it a second time they figured that that it was just some guys who drank too much and were making noise.  Little did they suspect it was a second hole-in-one.

Two Golfers Get Hole in One on Same Hole

Hole 13 at Panther Valley Golf & Country Club

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Social Media in Scottish Golf Travel on the Scottish Golf Podcast

Social Media in Scottish Golf Travel on The Scottish Golf Podcast

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Ruairidh Macdonald, the host of The Scottish Golf Podcast interviewed me about my book, The Social Golf Course.  Listen to the episode titled, Social Media in Scottish Golf Travel, by clicking on the link.

During the interview we talk about my Scottish heritage and how I’ve been able to help golf courses reach more customers and get golfers to play more often using social media.

Social Media in Scottish Golf Travel on the Scottish Golf Podcast

Scottish Golf Podcast

The Scottish Golf Podcast launched to enhance the travelling golfers understanding of the Scottish golf scene. For too long, the traveling golfer been puzzled by what awaits them on this golf course infested isle. The podcast hopes to unearth the gems of Scotland while showcasing the great variation of golf courses, hotels and activities this great country has to offer. Make the trip to Scotland the most fulfilling you can at any budget and experience all that Scotland has to offer.

The Scottish Golf Podcast aims to:

  • Showcase Scotland as truly the best golf destination by covering a wide spectrum of activities that the country has to offer golfers
  • We want to distribute revenue generated through golf tourism throughout Scotland and away from the statistic ’75% of revenue, created by 25% of courses’
  • Create a better experience for you the inbound travelling golfer and create a platform where golfers can share great Scottish Golf experiences

I had a fantastic time chatting with Ruairidh and hope one day to get the chance to play at the home of golf.  If I do, I’ll definitely be hitting up my good friend, Ruairidh.

Listen to my interview with Ruiaridh Macdonald on the Scottish Golf Podcast.

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Friday Foursome with Zeb Welborn from The Social Golf Course

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Immediately following the launch of our book, The Social Golf Course, John Hakim and I headed to Phoenix to meet with Troon Golf, a golf management company located in Phoenix, Arizona.  I had been communicating with Ricky Potts through his Google+ Golf Community and randomly, John Hakim scheduled an appointment with Troon Golf and Ricky Potts was in attendance.

We hit it off immediately, sharing ideas about social media, golf and it was a great experience along with a great lunch.

We connected further in conversations on Google+, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter until a last-minute dropout on his schedule put me on his show, Friday Foursome which he co-hosts with Jason Boslow and Les Bailey.

It was so much fun talking with Ricky, Jason and Les about my book, The Social Golf Course and we had such a great time chatting that Ricky plans on having both John Hakim and I back at a later date for another Friday Foursome.

During the interview I chat about our book, the future of social media and even answered some random, rapid-fire questions about myself, golf and other random bits of information.  Loved the light-hearted tone of the interview and like I said, I had a blast.

A big thanks to Ricky Potts, Troon Golf, Jason Boslow, and Les Bailey for the opportunity to share my book and introduce myself to the Google+ Golf Community.

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California Golf Course Owner’s Association Presentation on The Social Golf Course

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John Hakim from Greenskeeper.org and I presented a webinar to the California Golf Course Owner’s Association (CGCOA) on April 10, 2014.

The webinar focused on our book, The Social Golf Course and highlighted social media and how to use it effectively at the local golf course level.  The webinar was the largest webinar the CGCOA has put on and we had a fantastic time sharing our knowledge of social media and golf with the CGCOA members.

California Golf Course Owner's Association CGCOA

California Golf Course Owner’s Association

The Social Golf Course: Increasing Rounds with Social Media is an introduction to golf course marketing with social media.  Social media is not just a marketing and sales tool. It creates word-of-mouth excitement, helps attracts more golfers and gets golfers to play golf more often. help build business.

The CGCOA aims to enhance the lives of golf course owners by making their businesses more profitable, more efficient, and better managed. They provide exceptional products and services to every type of owner – from the family-owned 9-hole course to the multi-course corporation.

A special thank you to Marc Connerly for giving us the opportunity to speak with the California Golf Course Owner’s Association.  Looking forward to being involved with the CGCOA for many years to come.

If you have questions about social media marketing for golf courses, contact me, Zeb Welborn at 909 973 9089 or by email Zeb@WelbornMedia.com

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Zeb Welborn Discusses The Social Golf Course on Golf Talk Live

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Had a blast being interviewed by Ted J. Odorico on Golf Talk Live about my book, The Social Golf Course on March 13, 2014.

Listen to the interview here – http://www.blogtalkradio.com/golftalklive/2014/03/13/mar-13th-2014–coaches-corner-plus-guest-michele-trimarche-zeb-welborn

Golf Talk Live with Ted Odorico

Golf Talk Live with Ted Odorico

Golf Talk Live happens every Thursday starting at 6pm PST and Ted interviews “some of the best teachers, club makers, and golf industry types around the world.

Ted’s show starts off with an interactive segment between golfer and teacher. It’s an opportunity to talk with some of the best instructors in golf like:

  • Clint Wright – PGA Teaching Professional at R3 Golf Academy.
  • Stan Moore – PGA Teaching Professional  at BocaRatonGolfLesson.com.
  • Brian Dobbie – PGA Golf Professional at Montclair Golf Club, New Jersey.

He then transitions to a call in session from 6PM – 7PM CST where golfers can get some great tips from the “Coaches Corner” panel.

Later in the show, Ted interviewed PGA/LPGA Class A Professional – Michele Trimarche . . . And last, but certainly not least, me, Zeb Welborn to discuss the launch of “The Social Golf Course”.

During the interview we discussed The Social Golf Course, a book co-authored by Zeb Welborn of 19th Hole Media and John Hakim of Greenskeeper.org.  During the interview I was able to share my thoughts on social media, golf and the golf course industry.  Ted had some questions about his social media presence too and I was able to help him out with that a little bit as well.

All in all, I had a blast being on Ted’s Golf Talk Live and would encourage you to take a listen!

Mar. 13th, 2014 – Coaches Corner plus Guest- Michele Trimarche & Zeb Welborn

Ted Odorico interviews Zeb Welborn on Golf Talk Live

Ted Odorico

 

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Golf Instruction Used To Be Simple

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In the battle of simplicity vs. complexity, simplicity wins, every time. We gravitate toward products and services that eliminate complexity from our lives, and we rail against the things that complicate matters and make us feel stupid.

Back in the days of the three-martini lunch, golf instruction was simple and appealing. As a country club member you had a pro at your disposal. He’d work with you on the driving range, play with you, coach you to get better, and monitor your progress.

It was a personalized, one-on-one experience.

No two lessons were the same. He worked with the swing you had, and helped you build the skills you needed to score well on the golf course.

Accountability was built in… You’d practice because you knew the pro was keeping an eye on your progress.

But those days are gone.

Sam Adams Golf Instruction Used to Be Simple

Sam Adams Golf Instruction Used to Be Simple

Today, less than 5% of all golfers have a relationship with a golf pro. According to the NGF, less than half of all golfers have ever taken a lesson, and when they do they are often disappointed. There are 27 million golfers, but less than 4 million lessons in any given year. Maybe we should think about why that is…

Because most lessons are totally intimidating, especially for women. Because most instructors make them way too complex!  And most of all, because they frequently don’t work.

It is a rare instructor who sends the student off with fewer than five or six “things to work on.”  According to Phil Mickelson, even the tour gurus are often guilty of over-instruction. “Can’t you just give me one thing to work on?”

Often it’s a checklist of a dozen mechanical issues that the average guy can’t possibly grasp, much less incorporate into his game. The more technical the lesson is, the worse it gets.

Group lessons and most golf schools are especially ineffective. Common complaints include: “I came back worse than when I started.” “It was just way too technical.” “He didn’t give me anything positive, it was all about what I was doing wrong.”

Video analysis only helps the most analytical, visual learners; Maybe one half of one percent of the golfing population. And yet, instructors routinely use stop motion video to analyze every position and point out every flaw.

More often than not, it’s just confusing and demoralizing for the student.

In an issue of Golf Digest, Jim Flick, one of the top five teachers of all time, wrote an article that sums up the problem with modern golf instruction:

“A lot of today’s teachers are enamored with what works for the tour pros, and they give the same information to their higher-handicap students… In general, trying to swing like most of today’s tour pros will make the average golfer – say a 5 handicap or higher, – only worse.”

Rather than working with the student’s natural swing, today’s teachers tell everyone to emulate Tiger or some other tour player.

They bottom line is that if the golf industry is going to turn things around, the methods of instruction HAVE to change.  We’ve got to make it simple, enjoyable and fun.

If you like what I write about I would love more likes on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/racingdonkey.   Also leave comments about what you would like to see.

Also check out my websites www.Essentiallygolf.com and www.Racingdonkey.com.  There are plenty tips and info on the blog and video pages.  Check out our store on either site for all your golf needs.

 

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