How many times during the course of your golfing experiences have
you been tempted to throw a club? I'm sure there are not too many of
you that answered, "Never". I'm not a doctor of psychology, but I do feel after
25 years teaching golf together with 40 years of playing this great game, I understand
human nature.
As a junior player, I was determined to become the best player I could as quickly
as possible. This immature approach always carries with it a host of potential emotional
problems as you might imagine. As well balanced instructors, we must not forget for a
minute how much of a role emotions at any level can become prevalent in a
student's success or failure.
There is an old cliche that goes: "The faster you go, the further behind you get!" I'm
convinced the person who came up with this little phrase must have been a golfer.
Teach your students the value of pacing themselves on the range as well as on the
golf course. This will go a long way toward reinforcing the understanding of the emotional
and mechanical balance necessary when playing a good game of golf.
As instructors, we should always be thinking of the emotional aspect of our game.
How would you feel if when taking a playing lesson your golf instructor kept
losing his temper? Your students, especially juniors, will watch you and attempt to
emulate the image you project on the course.
With this in mind, always strive to keep your personal profile on a strictly
professional, organized, and above all, an emotionally controlled manner. You will perform
more effectively and so will your students. 