Much like the gentle ebb and flow of a tide, the relationship between a golf coach and their student is a delicate dance. An ebb, where the player relies on the coach for guidance and improvement, and a flow, where the player must stand on their own feet, make their own decisions, and own their game. It’s a tricky balance to strike, but an essential one in golf.
Imagine a parent raising a child. The goal is not to make every decision for them, but to equip them with the necessary skills, wisdom, and judgment to navigate life independently. A similar parallel exists in golf coaching.
When we delve into the world of golf, too many players find themselves heavily leaning on their coach - a crutch that, while helpful initially, can prove limiting in the long run. As players, we are quick to heap praises on our coaches when our scores are good, and even quicker to lay blame at their feet when we don't perform as expected. However, it's important to remember that at the end of the day, it's the player who tees up the ball, not the coach.
"Teaching isn't about giving all the answers, it's about lighting the path for discovery and decision-making"
A golf coach's role isn't to play the game for you, but to guide you on your journey, supplying you with the necessary tools to face varying circumstances on the course. It's not about creating an overly dependent player but fostering a player-coach relationship that encourages self-reliance, accountability, and independence.
The G60 program encapsulates this philosophy perfectly through its phased approach.
Building Phase
During the Building Phase, there is a higher level of coach dependence, which is quite natural and expected. Players are working on improving their skills and techniques. It's much like a child learning to walk, with the coach acting as the supportive parent, ready to catch the player when they stumble and guide them towards balance and stability.
Maintenance Phase
As we transition into the Maintenance Phase, the coach's role begins to shift subtly. The player is now focusing on transferring the improved skills to the golf course. Like a teenager beginning to make their own decisions, the player is introduced to pressurized practice in group sessions and performance drills, but still leans on the coach for technique maintenance. The aim here is to empower the player while ensuring they are not straying off the path.
Performance Phase
In the final Performance Phase, the player should take full ownership of their game. They've honed their skills, they know how to play good golf, and now, it's about putting it into practice. The coach is there, yes, but more as a sentinel, ensuring technical aspects remain at a high level and primarily encouraging game-like practice. The coach encourages pressurized practice, performance drills on the range, performance games on the course, and lots of competition. It's at this stage that the player must step up, embrace the lessons learned, and fly solo.
In the grand scheme of golf, remember this: a coach is there to guide you, support you, and provide you with the tools to succeed. But the onus of using those tools, making decisions on the course, and owning your game is entirely up to you, the player. The journey of golf isn't about constant reliance on a coach but about growing, evolving, and ultimately, becoming a self-reliant player ready to face the challenges the course throws your way.
If you want to make real, long lasting improvements to your golf game, and you're not currently a member of our growing community, tap the link below and apply for G60 Membership today.