Noted PGA Of BC Teaching Professional Speaks Out On Recent Instruction Debate
February 15, 2015
by Rob Houlding, Rob Houlding Golf
Well respected instructor Rob Houlding recently posted a commentary on his Facebook Golf Sports Science forum about the current controversy on the value of technology and science in golf teaching. An abridged version appears here...
I have been observing (with amusement) an increase over the usual level of debate comparing ‘old school’ versus ‘new school’ teaching in golf, particularly from certain staff of the Golf Channel.
Public opinion about teachers using technology in lessons has suddenly come under the microscope by the golf media and old school players.
In reality, this latest controversy has its origin stemming from the public's recent witnessing of its fallen idol Tiger Woods.
Fuelled largely from this player's recent results and his decision to move to a more technically educated coach, “Old school" would-be experts have brought into question the role of science and technology application in instruction.
While pointing to Tiger and his new Coach,what the media folks have universally failed to acknowledge are the 100-plus other players on tour who constantly rely on a variety of technologies, sports scientists and well-educated coaches to maintain their existence.
For example, how do the following facts not support that better players absolutely know they benefit from the use of golf technology?
1) The last three Major winners personally purchased their own Trackman radar ball flight unit to monitor their own performance and relay back to their coaches any concerns in a more measurable manner than video.
2) Two of the three use balance plates to examine how their Ground Force Reactions, showing levels of pressure shift, influence distance and direction while synched up with video and their launch monitors.
3) At least 80 other PGA TOUR players don’t leave home without their own launch monitor, and when at home they use high speed cameras and putting technology.
4) All of these players send videos of their swings to their coaches remotely on the phone or tablet apps.
Further, at least 95% of the tour coaches employ the best available ball flight technology and many also use sophisticated multi-dimensional movement capture hardware and software. Not all the time, but at the time it is felt needed, rather than guessing.
Let's move on..... To my friends at the Golf Channel, please be informed there is no such thing as, "Golf Science"....There is, however, "Sport Science."
Sports Science includes many well defined categories and sub-categories and the study of these disciplines by coaches has an impact on human performance. Many of these categories dealing with the physical and mental sides relate directly to the sport of golf.
These are the fields of science we are pulling from to improve modern teaching. Of equal significance are the advancements in our understanding of how the human mind organizes itself to learn motor skill patterns. Teaching is becoming an even greater art form because of science.
With respect to this currently hot debate, it is difficult to weigh the validity of any opinions from media and old school teachers without first knowing that they have personally and extensively, invested money and time to experience teaching both with and without technology
Further, if a person of influence has not made the effort to keep up on current research, be they a TV commentator, teacher or player, at the least they will be prone to making more errors in their player assessments.
How does this all relate to you, the mainstream golfer, and how you should choose an instructor?
If your goals to enjoy golf are more modest, you do not neccesarily need a coach that relies on a lot of technology. However, teachers that can afford high end hardware and software are likely to be very experienced in teaching. Their skills have been improved by observing swings using technology for considerable hours.
The leading instructor with the "growth" mind set will likely be able to provide superior analytical skills that have been developed through their extensive use of technology that illustrates to themselves and to clients that which they cannot see or measure with their eyes.
This does not mean, however, they should ever totally rely on this.
Those of us who are most experienced with technology have found we often conduct our lessons without the use of our technology. This is largely because we also value the art and benefits of keeping the message simple.
The art of our message will always be what is most remembered and appreciated by the player. The coaching skills of an educated, progressive teacher who uses measurement technology will generally be more beneficial than one who lacks the motivation or resources to invest in technology.
For the past twenty years Rob Houlding has followed his passion for helping others enjoy the game of golf. As one of Canada’s pre-eminent golf coaches and teachers, Houlding was named the 2013 PGA of Canada George Knudson Teacher of the Year. Rob also coaches recent PGA TOUR Winner Nick Taylor and many of Canada's top amateur players. Houlding runs the Rob Houlding Golf Academy, a state-of-the-art indoor facility in Surrey and Richmond B.C. as well as outdoors at Kings Links by the Sea in Delta.
For more visit www.robhouldinggolf.ca