How different is a golf lesson now to 10, 20, or even 30 years ago? Has technology changed the way we consume information? Has it altered the way professionals teach the game?
It’s not uncommon to be bombarded with launch monitor data and video footage when you go for a golf lesson today.
Golfers have also got access to vast amounts of coaching content online, whether it’s tailored to their game or not.
Nick Williams has been at St Enodoc for over 30 years, is the long-serving Head Professional, and has seen how the coaching landscape has changed throughout his career. “The whole of coaching has changed with technology dramatically in the last 20 years,” he told The NCG Golf Podcast.
How has golf coaching changed over the years?
“Back in the 80s, it was one-on-one, and you just explained about the swing, and you [would] try to show them physically what to do. Now you have to be very careful how you show anybody anything in this day and age, in terms of showing them where the club should be [and so on].Most of it’s now done with video camera or technology of some sort.”
He added: “The whole coaching system has got better, obviously. It’s much more intricate in that sense. But some of it’s got too technical. I think you can get over technical with coaching.
“You get people completely bamboozled by angles of attack at the top of their backswing and where they should be. They’re not playing golf just for trying to work out their swing. It doesn’t always succeed.
“There’s still a place for the old-fashioned one-on-one (coaching technique). Just making it sound simple if you can, because people tend to pick that up a lot quicker.”
How the internet has changed the way golfers consume coaching tips
How much golf instruction can you find online these days? Whether it’s a podcast, YouTube video, social media clip, or a blog, golfers have access to advice from coaches and professional players without having to book a lesson.
But is this the right way to go about improving as a golfer?
“There’s so much knowledge now available on the internet,” Williams added. “I get people coming to me and say, ‘I’ve been looking at somebody else’s podcast. And I was listening to this, and (they were) saying do this and do this’.”
He added: “It’s all very well listening to what people are saying, but is that what you’re doing wrong?
“Of course people grab at bits out there and they go, ‘I’ll try that or try this or try that’, and then end up in a complete kerfuffle and they can’t hit anything.”
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Are you a fan of the way golf coaching and, particularly, modern coaching is conducted? Do you like the use of technology in a golf lesson? Or do you prefer the more traditional one-to-one coaching method? Let us know by leaving a comment or by getting in touch with us on X!
