A Husband He Is, A Golf Instructor He Is Not!
Hope everyone is having a great winter and you have all made some New Year’s resolutions. I’m hoping that married women everywhere have resolved to stop listening to their husband’s golf instruction. “What?” you say? “That sounds mean.” If you had seen what I saw while teaching golf in a retirement community in Yuma this winter, you would be screaming the same thing. I know the gentlemen have good intentions, but they are truly doing their wives a disservice by trying to teach them how to play golf. Just as sad as the frustration and confusion I witnessed was that a lot of the women just wanted to give up.
This is the scenario that I saw over and over again this winter. The men, enjoying that well earned retirement, want to have their wives join them on the golf course. That part is great. However, most of them have been playing for years and have well-groomed swings while the wives are just getting started. With an abundance of politeness leading the way, too many women are reluctant to say “Stop! This isn’t working!” They think that because their husbands have played for years, they must know what they are doing.
They tell them the standard but ineffective tips like “keep your head down,” or “bend your knees.” Here’s my favorite: “Keep your left arm straight.” These women are doomed from the get-go. Just think how much more fun you would have with your spouse if he or she left you alone and you could just enjoy each others company, foregoing a battle over technique.
Here is advice from a pro: set up in a comfortable position with just a light flex in the knees, club in the middle of the stance with their arms hanging down. All clubs, including the driver and wedge, need to be placed in the center of your stance because that is where you are most balanced. How much easier is that? Your arms need to feel flexible so they can swing freely and faster. Swing the club in a circle over your shoulder and to the target. Allow your body to respond to the motion of the club. I am going to keep saying these things because it is what happens in the swing and it is the easiest way to learn.
I would just like the women I teach to enjoy the game and avoid the frustrations that accompany instruction and criticism from their husbands.
So what should they do? Seek out a qualified teacher. And by that I mean someone who is going to teach them what to do with the golf club and not how to move their body. You may have to look around a bit, but is so critical to have the right information. To the husbands out there, don’t you want to spend time with your wives having fun being together on the course? Ok, send them to a qualified instructor and just give them encouragement. I know we can do this together.
Have fun and keep swinging!Erin Szekely is an LPGA teaching professional. For more information, please visit www.golfingwitherin.com or call 425-398-0443.
