then tell tell me: does video instruction really help?

I know its even risky to mention this, but I have to ask:

Is video instruction really valuable for the average player? The guy struggling to break 100? The guy looking to lose the slice, gain 20 yards, and do so with moderate effort in minimal time?

We all know the upsides of video. Aside from a great "upsell" for the professional, video instruction offers the following:

• A dream come true for the visual learner.... if he can get over the shock value: ("Does my swing really look THAT bad?")
• The opportunity to compare yourself "frame by frame" to somebody who plays for a really, really good living.
• The chance to see the motion of your club as it moves through impact. After all, there is nothing more important than that.

Although I don't use video instruction, I'm not opposed to it in theory. I think it can be tremendously valuable if used properly. I don't use it simply because I don't have it, and from a "business" standpoint it doesn't make sense for me to really seek it out. If you use video as a STUDENT, let me give you the following suggestions:

• Don't be discouraged. Your swing probably won't look as good as you expect it to, but that's OK. There is a lot more to being a good player than being a good swinger.
• Don't play "traffic cop" and let your instructor set priorities with you. If you want, you can find something "wrong" with a position in just about everybody's swing. If the top players aren't an exception, then neither are you. Remember, there is a lot more to being a good player than being a good swinger.
• Don't become a pretty-boy swinger with pretty fundamentals at the expense of a solid short game and course management savvy. As I like to say, there is a lot more to being a good player than being a good swinger.
• Remember that the top instructors get into heated debates about what grips, positions, and swing philosophies are correct. You will, to some degree, be subject to your instructors biases. Thankfully, there is a lot more to being a good player than being a good swinger.

I look at it this way. Most of the greatest players in history never used video as they learned the game. They learned to understand their contact and ball flight tendencies, and they based their learning around those results. I understand that times are changing and the top players use video as a resource now, but I doubt that any of them would tell you that video can replace the feel and understanding of ball flight principles.

As an instructor, I've always done my very best to teach a student to be able to see a ball in flight and answer this two-part question:

"According to the ball flight, the club path was__________ and the clubface was____________."

If a student couldn't answer that question accurately, quickly, and with confidence, then we weren't ready to move on to talk about body parts, positions, and theory. I'm convinced many students out there have never answered that question accurately, quickly and with confidence - therefore, they aren't ready for video anyway.

Please leave a comment or email me at kbless@pga.com

All the best!

KBPGA

try figuring out John Daly

I don't want to give this suspension situation more press than it already has. I will spare you links to other sites where you can read about this more than you already have.

I just want to wish Mr. Daly all the best. Although I have never been a huge Daly fan, I still love to watch him play well. His power, touch, and talent are all so impressive. I will resist the temptation to pour on the unsolicited advice, and wish him well. I have no idea what's going on with him. I don't pretend to.

In the meantime, I suppose the European Tour will gladly accept him, and I hope Mr. Daly can gain some stability and momentum that can help him regain his status as a top player in the game. (As you know his current world ranking has slipped down in to the "700 hundreds club.")

All the best to you Mr. Daly.

you're right. But GDI might be easy.

Recently, I came across this opportunity and I've yet to figure out why somebody, especially a PGA member or apprentice, wouldn't at least try the program.

The opportunity is with Global Domains International, one of the newer internet domain companies in the world. I'd encourage you to take a look at the Global Domains International site or a promotional piece that some people use to drum up some interest. I'll try to summarize it quickly, though. These are only some highlights:

• Global Domains International will sell you a ".ws" domain name, full web hosting, forwarding, 10 email addresses (and some other stuff that's new to me) for $10 a month.
• Once you own the domain name, you automatically "own" a clone of the webpage under which you registered.
• With that webpage, you can then inform others about the program and earn 10% commissions on your "downline's" monthly fees - as long as they own their site. This goes "five levels deep." Frankly, the income potential is surprisingly good once you establish a team under you. Check out the income calculator and you'll see what I mean. These figures don't even reflect different sales bonuses that GDI offers.

Here's why GDI is good for some, but ideal for golf professionals:

• You don't have much time for a "second job" but this program is fairly automated once it's set up. You can do this!
• Especially as the good industry jobs get harder and harder to find, this is a great way to earn income AND credibility at the same time. Not only can you earn bonuses and residual income on monthly fees of those you register, you can also build a website to call your own.
• You could use your site to feature your strengths as you see fit; Feature instruction , your tournament programs, your merchandising skills - anything you want! (You could fill it with google ads and make your $10 back if you get enough hits!)
• How great would it be to apply for a position with a solid resume but an outstanding website? That's what it may take to separate you from the other 99 applicants!
• If you are an assistant professional, this is something you can afford to try. If you are successful, not only does this show some business acumen, but you'll make real money to supplement your modest salary. If it doesn't work, you've lost only $10 for each month you tried. I think that's worth a shot.
• The website gives you credibility beyond your facility. This is so critical! When I lost my position because TPC Virginia Beach was sold, I lost most of my credibility in the industry. That was my mistake that I didn't earn credibility elsewhere. If you're with GDI and you change jobs, your site comes with you. After all, it belongs to you! You can't lose it, and your facility can't demand that you leave it behind! (Like you're lesson base, spreadsheets, etc.)

Please leave a comment or email me at kbless@pga.com if you have any question. Also, be sure to check out the GDI website for more information, watch "the movie" and consider it. It's really easy to sign up.

Thanks for reading. I've got to go. I've got a website to work on!

try understanding the handicap system!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to verify a handicap for a former player from the State College HS golf team.

As his former coach I was happy to do so, but it did remind me how much the handicap system confuses people. I hope the following can clear up some general questions regarding the handicap system. To get answers straight from the source, visit http://usga.org/ . My goal here is just to clear up some common questions and misunderstandings:

• Your handicap does not reflect your ability on an "average" basis. Once you've posted 20 scores, the calculation actually disregards the 10 worst scores. Beyond that, the equation seems to pull it down a bit more. Statistically speaking, we only play to our handicap a handful of times each season. In this regard, the handicap system seems to overstate our ability, but also rewards the more consistent player. The next point will explain what I mean:
• Let's say Bob and Jim each play 20 rounds on the same day on the same course from the same tees. Let's say Bob shoots 80 every time. Let's say Jim shoots 80 ten times and 90 ten times. Both players will have the same handicap, although Bob is clearly a better player Jim. Over the course of time, Bob will win more matches, and will likely be more competitive in a "net" event.
• If you play with a 4 handicap and he shoots 80, 81, or 82, don't pin him for overstating his ability. Statistically speaking, that sounds about right. When it comes to handicaps, most of our rounds a little "off" the number.
  
  
• Equitable Stroke Control is unfamiliar to many. Put succinctly, it exists to keep one very high score on one hole from inflating our handicap.
• http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html shows a chart that limits the score different handicap ranges should POST - not what they can SCORE. For example, if you are a 22 handicap and you make a 10 on a hole of your Club Championship, you made 10. Sorry. When you post your score, however, you should post a score as if you had made an 8.
  
  
• Post Everything! It takes some extraordinary circumstances for the USGA to say, "don't post your score." I'll keep this point short. Post everything you shoot; Even if it isn't a complete round, there's a procedure to follow. Just post, post, post.
  
  
• If you are interested in more information, post a comment and I'll see what I can do to get you and answer.
• Also, don't be hesitant to print information from the USGA website and give it to your golf professional. He or she would probably be happy to put it by the handicap computer - if it isn't already there. I know how busy they are, and the handicap system can sometimes be easy to overlook. The USGA themselves say the golf professional should NOT be in charge of handicaps on their own. They say it should be a team (committee) effort. Give 'em a hand!