Professional Golf Instructor Training

[Yoda]

I'm a firm believer we can memorize anything, it's simply a matter of consistent review.

Most of the people who say they "can't memorize" have never really tried. They are stalled at the port of 'think they can't'. Stuff the 'learning disability': I don't believe it for a second.

Here is the way I go about it . . . inch by rock-breaking inch. No lazy. Just lift club and break rock. I break things down into small pieces and memorize bit by bit.

For example, in memorizing the 21 points in 1-L, I wrote them down on four 3 X 5 index cards, five points to a card except six on the last. I labeled these cards '1-5,' '6-10,' '11-15,' and '16-21' and kept them in my TGM book. I would briefly review them (like flash cards) from time to time, usually concentrating more on one card than the others.

I also photocopied (in 50 percent reduce mode) these cards laid out in a vertical column. I then cut it out and folded it up 'accordian-style' and carried it in my wallet. Then, whenever I had a spare minute or two -- waiting in a post office or fast food line, for example -- I would pull out my little fold-out and review a card or two. Or maybe just mentally recite one or two.

In the car, I would practice reciting them -- out loud -- in their own little 'blocks,' say '11-15' or '6-10' and always including their number. And I used the little memory tricks, too. For example, 1-L-#8 -- "No portion of the lever assembly swings forward independently." -- I see the bottom 'o' of the '8' swinging forward independently of the top 'o.' I even used the list as a sleep aid -- -- at night or on airplanes, starting from #21 and going backwards. I rarely made it past #17 or so.

After a while, I had memorized 1-L -- and 12-1-0 and 12-2-0 (the Drive and Drag Stroke Patterns) and 12-3-0 (the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes) and 12-5-1/2/3 (the Basic Motion Curriculum) and so on. That foundation helps me every day in my teaching, speaking and writing.

No magic.

No genius.

Just plain ol' grind it out one-day-at-a-time effort.

[mrodock]

For example, 1-L-#8 -- "No portion of the lever assembly swings forward independently." -- I see the bottom 'o' of the '8' swinging forward independently of the top 'o.'

Now that is creative, I love it!

[EdStraker]

I certainly agree with what Denny is saying, but a few comments on memory . . .

I'm a firm believer we can memorize anything, it's simply a matter of consistent review. As Justin was saying if you start basic and lay a foundation you will be able to use it to link more specific information to. Like anything that feels overwhelming, it's important to start with baby steps.

There are many memory experts that say if you review on this schedule in less than 2 years you will own the information for life.

1. 1st review
2. 2nd review: within 24 hours
3. 3rd review: within 1 week
4. 4th review: within 1 month
5. 5th review: within 6 months
6. 6th review: within 1 year

Also, there are guys like Harry Lorayne that lay out various memory techniques in books. I've used some of this in memorizing German words. An example, I could not for the life of me remember what löschen meant (to extinguish/cancel). So it took me another 5 seconds to picture a "loser" getting nailed with a fire extinguisher. I'll probably remember what that word means for life now because it's just a vivid and odd visual. Interestingly, topics that are "not to be spoken about here by gentlemen" are the one's in which the visuals are most effective. As one memory expert puts it, feel free to use whatever images will work because know one is going to get into your mind, it's your own domain (or something like that).

I used to think using notecards was a waste of time, I am now a believer. When I would have to learn 150-200 German words in a couple of days (far from my expertise), notecards helped a helluva lot.

Matt

Another trick is using a technique called a mnemonic device. In beginning astronomy classes, students will use the following to remember star classification types.

OBAFGKMRNS

The phrase used to remember the above letters is "Oh Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me Right Now Smack!"

In college one of my friend's brothers was a Naval Aviator and and to remember what type of jet he flew, she associated "F" with February and 14 with the day of my birthday. So, by associating the jet type with my birthday was how she memorized the jet type he flew "F14".

The same principle Matt refers to and using mnemonics can be applied to memorizing the TGM book.

[Delaware Golf]

Good stuff guys...it just doesn't have to be about golf/g.o.l.f...so many good things will come as a result of studying TGM.

BTW....Happy Birthday, Lynn...Cheers.

DG

[jim_0068]

Not all of us have the memory ability of Lynn or Justin .
I know what the words mean and how to get my students to demonstrate the concepts.

I agree 100% wholeheartedly.

And for those of you who think anyone can memorize that entire list really do not know how the human brain works in regards to memory, memory damage, or learning disabilities.

Everyone's different. As long as you know what you're doing with the information you have (the book) and can APPLY IT you have a chance at being a great teacher.

[Yoda]

I agree 100% wholeheartedly.

And for those of you who think anyone can memorize that entire list really do not know how the human brain works in regards to memory, memory damage, or learning disabilities.

Everyone's different. As long as you know what you're doing with the information you have (the book) and can APPLY IT you have a chance at being a great teacher.

I never said my 10-point checklist was a pre-requisite to becoming a great teacher. I was asked what could be done to help one prepare for Authorized Instructor training, and I offered the list, somewhat tongue-in-cheek due to its obvious overload. Certainly, there have been many effective teachers who never heard of The Golfing Machine, much less committed to memory much of its contents.

However...

Homer Kelley himself did require that those who came to him for GSEM training memorize items #1, #2, #3, and #8 in my Checklist. In addition, we were to familiarize ourselves with the Twelve Session Normal Course Curriculum, and we were to answer in writing his 50-page test bank of 529 questions covering each chapter of The Golfing Machine. All this was a pre-requisite to his training.

My own checklist included a few additional items, such as the 12 Sections of the Stroke -- certainly not difficult -- and the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes and the Basic Motion Curriculum as long-term goals to strive for.

People think it is easy to become a Professional Golf Instructor, and they are right. There are few barriers to entry and the quality of instruction over the decades reflects that reality.

Homer saw it a different way.

It takes many years of dedicated study to become qualified to even begin to practice professsions such as medicine, dentistry, the law, and accounting. Why should becoming a qualified and competent Professional Golf Instructor be any different? Why should proficiency in what is truly a complex discipline come without the requisite pricetag of time and study?

I have met very few teachers -- great or not -- who when pressed, will not freely admit, "If I could give all my early students their money back, I would." It takes a long time to learn to teach effectively, even when you have the correct information. And rote memorization by itself is not the answer...I am not saying that it is. However, it can and will greatly compress the years required to truly be the Master of your Discipline.

Those who say that such memorization is unnecessary have not done it. Therefore, as effective as they may be as teachers, there is no way they can judge how much more effective they could be if they had truly internalized the Stroke Components, their Variations, the Basic Motion Curriculum, and the mission-critical alignments of the Hands in each of the Twelve Sections of the Stroke.

I have done it.

Was it easy? Hell no, it wasn't easy. I worked my butt off.

"How did you do it," I asked Homer. "How could you write such a book?"

Said he, "There is the sweat of blood on every page."

I know I am a better teacher for having followed Homer Kelley's advice to memorize those elements of The Golfing Machine that serve as its foundation.

My message in prior posts was that you don't have to do it all at once. Simply begin...

Take it one step at a time.

And before you know it...

You will have accomplished much more than you ever dreamed possible.

[jim_0068]

I never said my 10-point checklist was a pre-requisite to becoming a great teacher. I was asked what could be done to help one prepare for Authorized Instructor training, and I offered the list, somewhat tongue-in-cheek due to its obvious overload. Certainly, there have been many effective teachers who never heard of The Golfing Machine, much less committed to memory much of its contents.

However...

Homer Kelley himself did require that those who came to him for GSEM training memorize items #1, #2, #3, and #8 in my Checklist. In addition, we were to familiarize ourselves with the Twelve Session Normal Course Curriculum, and we were to answer in writing his 50-page test bank of 529 questions covering each chapter of The Golfing Machine. All this was a pre-requisite to his training.

My own checklist included a few additional items, such as the 12 Sections of the Stroke -- certainly not difficult -- and the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes and the Basic Motion Curriculum as long-term goals to strive for.

People think it is easy to become a Professional Golf Instructor, and they are right. There are few barriers to entry and the quality of instruction over the decades reflects that reality.

Homer saw it a different way.

It takes many years of dedicated study to become qualified to even begin to practice professsions such as medicine, dentistry, the law, and accounting. Why should becoming a qualified and competent Professional Golf Instructor be any different? Why should proficiency in what is truly a complex discipline come without the requisite pricetag of time and study?

I have met very few teachers -- great or not -- who when pressed, will not freely admit, "If I could give all my early students their money back, I would." It takes a long time to learn to teach effectively, even when you have the correct information. And rote memorization by itself is not the answer...I am not saying that it is. However, it can and will greatly compress the years required to truly be the Master of your Discipline.

Those who say that such memorization is unnecessary have not done it. Therefore, as effective as they may be as teachers, there is no way they can judge how much more effective they could be if they had truly internalized the Stroke Components, their Variations, the Basic Motion Curriculum, and the mission-critical alignments of the Hands in each of the Twelve Sections of the Stroke.

I have done it.

Was it easy? Hell no, it wasn't easy. I worked my butt off.

"How did you do it," I asked Homer. "How could you write such a book?"

Said he, "There is the sweat of blood on every page."

I know I am a better teacher for having followed Homer Kelley's advice to memorize those elements of The Golfing Machine that serve as its foundation.

My message in prior posts was that you don't have to do it all at once. Simply begin...

Take it one step at a time.

And before you know it...

You will have accomplished much more than you ever dreamed possible.

If memorization was so much more valuable why is the AI Certification test OPEN BOOK?

There were lots of times in business school when in my Finance classes my professors would ask the student what say the Time Value of Money was. There would always be the person in the class that new the definition right out of the book. Then the professor would ask, "in your own words, what exactly does that mean? Explain it in a situation." They would look at him blank because they couldn't understand the CONCEPT.

Memorization has its place in learning but it doesn't necessarily make you any smarter or know how to do anything better, it just means you can remember it.

Now please don't take this the wrong way that i'm saying all people who can recite the book can't apply it because that is not what i'm saying. Some people are really pationate and they have learned to do it and can still apply the book and maybe even teach it.

[Yoda]

If memorization was so much more valuable why is the AI Certification test OPEN BOOK?

Jim,

There are at least three reasons why the test is 'open book:'

1. It is the only way that 95 percent of the soon-to-be-Authorized Instructors could pass the test. They simply don't yet KNOW enough to pass it any other way. And it is unrealistic to expect -- much less require -- that a student commit to memory the vast amount of material he is exposed to during the formal training process.

2. In truth, the test is more of a learning experience in and of itself than an actual 'exam.' Digging for answers and writing them down has value to the student.

3. Answering the questions is demonstrated proof that the student can use the book in its research function, and that he has at least a cursory familiarity with its contents.

To my mind, the Authorized Instructor designation is a beginning, not an end. It is formal recognition that the journey of a lifetime has begun. The student now has been exposed to the tools that over a period of years will enable him to become a true Authority. One, I might add, who could pass an 'open book' test...without the book.

Whether or not that noble goal is achieved rests squarely on the shoulders of each student. True mastery of any discipline requires an effort that differentiates the few from the many.

And so it is for those who would master The Golfing Machine.

[Amen Corner]

Jim,

There are at least three reasons why the test is 'open book:'

1. It is the only way that 95 percent of the soon-to-be-Authorized Instructors could pass the test. They simply don't yet KNOW enough to pass it any other way. And it is unrealistic to expect -- much less require -- that a student commit to memory the vast amount of material he is exposed to during the formal training process.

2. In truth, the test is more of a learning experience in and of itself than an actual 'exam.' Digging for answers and writing them down has value to the student.

3. Answering the questions is demonstrated proof that the student can use the book in its research function, and that he has at least a cursory familiarity with its contents.

To my mind, the Authorized Instructor designation is a beginning, not an end. It is formal recognition that the journey of a lifetime has begun. The student now has been exposed to the tools that over a period of years will enable him to become a true Authority. One, I might add, who could pass an 'open book' test...without the book.

Whether or not that noble goal is achieved rests squarely on the shoulders of each student. True mastery of any discipline requires an effort that differentiates the few from the many.

And so it is for those who would master The Golfing Machine.

HEAR, HEAR

as they would say in he british parlament(sorry if I´m wrong lads!)

Had a few minutes over between finishing my openbook exam for level 2 and starting to memorize a couple of things for the visual identification and demonstration exams for tomorrow.

Remembered point # 10 on Yodas list to me - and here I am.

I have spent 64 hours on the schoolbench(right spelling?) with TGM the last 8 days. This is only my 7 month (Yoda was at our Sweden PGA teaching summit in March) with TGM, so I am fairly new with the expression compared with others here. Since then, I`ve been reading the book and visiting the forums every single day. I've learned a lot and still do.

But going through Bachelors class IS a whole other ballgame.

I TRULY UNDERSTAND the differnt concepts
I CAN DEMONSTRATE it to my students to make them understand

and I can appreciate EVEN MORE Yodas recommendations to me.

BTW, Yoda, do you remember the guy that you talked/teached during the morning hours at Halmstad? Your introduction to TGM made him attend this class I´m going!

So, without ............. oh shit, times flyes when having fun. Must go back to memorizing!

Hej på Er!

[12 piece bucket]

Let me qualify this by first saying this . . . I'm probably one of the top 5 biggest book nerds on this and other sites. I have or have copies of every edition. I have typed the 6th into a word file. I have for the most part read each edition but I'm half way throught the first and haven't read the 2nd. I have read the 6th from cover to cover 3 times. And read the 7th.

However . . . I haven't memorized much of the book . . .

What exactly is the intent of the memorization? I'm not saying that I wouldn't do it. I probably will . . . but to what ends does it serve? Is this a "to be teachers" task? Or just a task that any serious student should take?