Comments on: Coaching.

By: James

James — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:20:32 +0000

Pat Black (5th comment) you are so right. say no more!

By: Richard Chen

Richard Chen — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:01:21 +0000

Chris appears to me to be very knowledgeable about the golf swing, based on his prior video analysts posted on this website a few months ago. He does allow you to swing the way you want to, and need to, which is somewhat unorthodox, as compared to the swings of modern pro tour golfers. He also allows, if not actually encourages, a lot of lateral head movement, besides a lot of hip turning during the backswing (like Bobby Jones), and a lot of arm rotation during the backswing (like Ben Hogan). Probably, he is allowing these, as forcing you to conform to the modern type of compact swing may be very unnatural at your age, so that injuries may very well result. Because of this consideration, it may be important to keep the present swing, and not attempting to make any major swing changes to avoid injuries from any unnaturalness. Keeping the present swing, the timing and precision of the swing can still be refined without making major swing changes. A better understanding of swing mechanics can program the mind to improve timing and precision of the present swing.

In the last inning of the baseball World Series, the television camera was in the back of the pitcher, and clearly showed how the pitcher’s shoulders turned from the proper amount of closed position to the proper amount of open position for precision in making strikes. Baseball pitching is surprisingly similar to the golf’s downswing in many ways on how the shoulders work, although both baseball batters and pitchers move their bodies and heads a lot. A pitcher is allowed to pitch three balls before walking the batter, and a batter is allowed two strikes before striking out, so that baseball needs less precision as compared to golf.

By: Val B

Val B — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:35:15 +0000

Hey Dan. How cool to have so much controversy over a coaching change! Tiger Woods is the only other guy who can stir things up like this when he switches coaches. Most who pursue golf as a career or even serious hobby will have more than one swing coach. No big deal, just part of the process. You handled it just fine. Continued success.

By: Todd

Todd — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 16:53:51 +0000

Is Adrien a lefty too? Thought I saw him hitting balls one day from a distance, but didn’t know if it was him.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 21:02:40 +0000

Dan, I thought you did the right thing for you by finding someone who can see you more often and by writing about your decision in a measured, thoughtful way. I’m sorry some other readers chose to take potshots at someone they don’t know, and I hope you’ll consider deleting their comments. You’ve chosen to take a minimalist approach to editing or deleting comments, but I for one would applaud your decision to make an exception here. Let them post their opinions elsewhere.

I still remember Chris’s saying that you spoiled teaching for him by following his advice so closely and working so hard to adopt his suggestions. If Chris ever expressed doubt at your ability to succeed — to you or to a third party — I can only say that I don’t think a coach’s responsibility is to be a cheerleader so much as a motivator. Different coaches motivate differently, and a good coach motivates each pupil differently.

Good luck with the new arrangement, and with making this winter the most productive one yet.

By: Marcus Valdes

Marcus Valdes — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 10:54:41 +0000

Good luck with the switch. You are the customer and if you feel you need a change so be it. 7 times in a year is not good. You need constant observation and feedback and that does not cut it. Sounds like a change was/is in order.

By: williamevanl

williamevanl — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 01:42:06 +0000

*maybe this?