Golf Lessons with John White CPGA

What’s Best for our Kids – Golfing Young

Posted on April 19th, 2009 by John White

I got a message the other day from a parent requesting financial aid to help send his young son to play in the European Junior Golf Championships as it is very expensive to travel over there. I think it is a wonderful opportunity for this young player and will certainly try and help but are we doing the best for our kids. See the problem as I see it is the junior is only 13 years old and spending money to fly him all over the world at this age may not reap the rewards we are eventually seeking down the road.

All research has shown that early success does not guaranty later success. Most Olympians don’t specialize until later on in their teens. We have to be careful that we do not burn our children out, drive them too hard so that they eventually dislike the very sport that they so love early. If we do then we have wasted all this money and time in vain. I do not have all the answers but we need to reflect on the motive behind what we do, the benefits of success at this particular time and the long term goals and effects.

As I said earlier. I do believe this is wonderful opportunity that will create great memories but I hope there are more long term benefits and a real return on the investment in time and money. Early champions aren’t guaranteed later success. As much as Tiger has done for the game, his story of a child prodigy has provoke many parents into training and pushing their children too hare too young in search of the stardom and riches. Tiger was a phenom with exceptional circumstances. Give you children opportunities but let them be kids too.

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Making a Green Side Sand Shot Easy

Posted on April 15th, 2009 by John White

Most people fear their ball going into a sand trap but if you watch the pros, they would almost prefer to have their ball in the bunker as opposed to being in the heavy rough around the greens.
the sand shot is fairly simple and the following basic tips will certainly help.

The sand shot is one of just a few shots where you are not trying to make contact with the ball. You are trying to make contact with the sand just in back of the ball and let the sand propel the ball out of the trap. The easiest way to do this is to take your normal stance( maybe anchoring a bit in the sand so you do not slip) and then move your feet away from the target so the ball goes more towards your foot that is closest to the target. The ball might be even with your front foot. From that position you should open your club face which means that it will by lying more with the face pointing towards the sky. This will help the club glide through the sand. Once you have this set up make your normal swing. The club should contact the sand just before the ball and send the ball on to the green. The distance will still be controlled by how hard you swing.

This is the easiest and simplest way to get out of a trap. A good practice would be to get into a bunker and make some swings with no ball and see if you are making contact with the sand. The club should glide through and the spot you hit should be consistent. Not having a consistent bottom of the swing is a problem with all you shots so practicing this would also help you in all your game.

Make the sand trap your friend!

John White CPGA

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Junior Golf – Part 2- Is your kid ready for Golf

Posted on April 14th, 2009 by admin

Important Considerations for the Junior Golfer Part 2 (MP3)

Free Golf Podcast

Part 2 of 2
John White C.P.G.A. discusses children and youth involvement in the game of golf, tips and techniques to be considered and how your child should approach learning how to play golf so they enjoy it for a lifetime.

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Is Your Kid Ready to Play Golf?

Posted on April 14th, 2009 by admin

FREE GOLF PODCAST

Important Consideration for the Junior Golfer (MP3)

Download mp3 for free

John White C.P.G.A. discusses children and youth involvement in the game of golf, tips and techniques to be considered and how your child should approach learning how to play golf so they enjoy it for a lifetime.

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Young Golf Prodigy’s

Posted on April 2nd, 2009 by John White

The Junior Series- The Younger Years
I get asked frequently to give lessons to very young children even as young as 3 years old. I am very hesitant to take these lessons as I believe that the first thing that we must instill in our youth is to have fun at the game. let them go and explore the game basically on their own terms as long as it is safe. We don’t want to give them the impression that they must do it this way or that was as this might turn them off from the game completely.

In the early years we need to build speed so let them swing as hard as they can. Let them pick the ball up and throw it, chase after it, roll it on the greens. Traditional golf lessons or practice can be boring for a young child.

There are stories out there of young prodigies and many parents are trying to push their children into becoming pro athletes and they think that by starting them young with lessons that this will do that. Being a champion early in life does not mean they are going to be champions later on. Actually research has proven almost the opposite. Let them try multiple sports and wait until later on in their teens to specialize in one. I am not saying that they can’t have guidance and each child is unique in their ability to handle instruction but we need to do what is best for the young player.

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