TGM is Misunderstood

[lagster]

Why does much of the golf world seem to dislike TGM? I have been involved with TGM since the late 80's. The reaction I often get when I mention I am a TGMer is usually not very positive, and sometimes quite negative, unless the person is already involved, then they usually like it very much. Why is this? I think I know.

1) To them... TGM has a cult like appearance, where there is a special language, and even a HANDSHAKE.

2) To them... Many of the TGMers seem to think they have all the answers. They seem to think that TGMers believe that non-TGM golf knowledge is inferior, even though they may have spent years learning golf teaching information and techniques from OTHER sources, many of them proven to produce champions and good players.

There probably are a few other reasons, but that is all I will list.

What can be done to change these perceptions?

[Yoda]

Why does much of the golf world seem to dislike TGM?

What can be done to change these perceptions?

People mistrust (and even fear) that which they do not understand. That mistrust and fear is exacerbated when the 'redeeming' message is delivered without empathy -- and even with arrogance -- in a language they do not understand.

The mind of a Golfer -- whether Instructor, Student or Performer -- must be won. It cannot be commanded.

How can perceptions be changed?

Adopt the approach of Homer Kelley:

Resolute in Principle...

Strong in Character...

But gentle in Spirit and respectful of his fellow man.

In short...

The Humble Approach.

[neil]

Why does much of the golf world seem to dislike TGM? I have been involved with TGM since the late 80's. The reaction I often get when I mention I am a TGMer is usually not very positive, and sometimes quite negative, unless the person is already involved, then they usually like it very much. Why is this? I think I know.

1) To them... TGM has a cult like appearance, where there is a special language, and even a HANDSHAKE.

2) To them... Many of the TGMers seem to think they have all the answers. They seem to think that TGMers believe that non-TGM golf knowledge is inferior, even though they may have spent years learning golf teaching information and techniques from OTHER sources, many of them proven to produce champions and good players.

There probably are a few other reasons, but that is all I will list.

What can be done to change these perceptions?

We just have to keep trying

[psheehan]

IMHO..... it is because TGM is correct. Most people don't want a)to invest the time and energy into understanding what is required to make an efficient golf stroke and b) given 'a' they don't want to be told they are going in the wrong direction. The book stands as a constant, unchanging reminder that an individual is or isn't doing something correctly. What percentage of people in our society take responsibility for their failure? 100% will take credit for their success.

The book requires a certain intelligence to understand and that intelligence isn't minimal. AND... it requires a lot of time to even begin to master. Not everyone will make that commitment.

Now, as to why so many people think TGM is a cult etc.? Again, imo, that is just the way the VOCAL minority behaves. If something is hard, and requires work.... don't do it, just criticize it. I read a post on GEA where the nut poster actually equated TGM with a religion. You can't argue with people like that, you surely can't reason with them .... just ignore them . (BTW... the same nut challenged Ted to a golf match, for money, and I think he is a 6...and probably a vanity 6... and probably can't hit it 230.) We shouldn't get too sensitive when dealing with people like that.

I'm not sure TGM is misunderstood at all. Those with open minds who try it, and work at it, know it works. They know it is unchanging and that the principles upon which it is based are factually correct. Those who have a vested interest in TGM failing or who are ignorant and prefer to stay that way will criticize it. They will follow the instruction found in golf magazines....I laughed recently, I have a complimentary subscription to one (don't remember which one) and in the last issue there was a world renown instructor telling everyone to use the right hand to control the clubface..... I'm dying to see how many people get messed up on this one.

Ultimately TGM will succeed because it works. Many other well marketed, highly financed products that don't work that well will also succeed, at least financially, and at least for a time. This happens often in service industries. I think people who teach and promote TGM need to be patient and less sensitive. Everytime I see someone who doesn't think TGM isn't correct, I just think "there is another guy I can beat." Now, to be truthful, that isn't always correct, because there are some people so talented that they don't even need instruction to play at a higher level than I'll ever be able to play at.... but most of the time, it's true. Focus on those that want to learn and don't try to convince anyone. Word will spread and people will follow results. The one thing I would recommend is staying away from hostile environments. There is nothing to be gained by arguing with the Stags, Hammers, and george hibbards of the world. You can't change their opinions, they aren't there to have an exchange of intelligent opinion, they're there to fight.

[dcg1952]

Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.
Bacon

[Vikram]

TGM is not known in India AT ALL. I ventured out on my own on recommendation from Paul Smith to half way around the world to learn what this little yellow book was all about. I did my GSEB and returned with a much clearer understanding and intention as to what I MUST impart to my students. Having taught for only two years till then, I was noticed by an ametuer while I was teaching a student at the Driving range. A day later he asked me if I could help him as things were not happening with his present coach the way he expected to. Said he had reached a brick wall and had tried everything under the sun but wasnt able to move up the ametuer ranking -26 at the time.

One year later we have a No.1 in the guy and when he looks back at the year passed says" What a trip Sir!! What a trip!!

Thats the power of TGM as far as I am concerned. Many others have come in to the swamp here and all are here to stay. The word is spreading here and who knows!! A TGM summit in India????

Anythings possible.

Vik

[Yoda]

TGM is not known in India AT ALL. I ventured out on my own on recommendation from Paul Smith to half way around the world to learn what this little yellow book was all about. I did my GSEB and returned with a much clearer understanding and intention as to what I MUST impart to my students. Having taught for only two years till then, I was noticed by an ametuer while I was teaching a student at the Driving range. A day later he asked me if I could help him as things were not happening with his present coach the way he expected to. Said he had reached a brick wall and had tried everything under the sun but wasnt able to move up the amateur ranking -26 at the time.

One year later we have a No.1 in the guy and when he looks back at the year passed says" What a trip Sir!! What a trip!!

Thats the power of TGM as far as I am concerned. Many others have come in to the swamp here and all are here to stay. The word is spreading here and who knows!! A TGM summit in India????

Anythings possible.

Vik

Thanks for sharing this inspirational experience, Vik. Great stuff!

And I like the reference to your own "swamp" in India. It brought a smile to ol' Yoda's face.

[Sonic_Doom]

Why does much of the golf world seem to dislike TGM? I have been involved with TGM since the late 80's. The reaction I often get when I mention I am a TGMer is usually not very positive, and sometimes quite negative, unless the person is already involved, then they usually like it very much. Why is this? I think I know.

1) To them... TGM has a cult like appearance, where there is a special language, and even a HANDSHAKE.

2) To them... Many of the TGMers seem to think they have all the answers. They seem to think that TGMers believe that non-TGM golf knowledge is inferior, even though they may have spent years learning golf teaching information and techniques from OTHER sources, many of them proven to produce champions and good players.

There probably are a few other reasons, but that is all I will list.

What can be done to change these perceptions?

As new to the TGM book and theory here's my 2 cents.

My place in the golf world is as a recreational player that strives to improve. I've played for 15 yrs now following all the traditional instruction published in print and broadcast on TV. When I stumbled upon this site I found the depth of discussion fascinating even if it was way over my head. I love technical discussion and exploration so I feel like TGM is a good fit for me. I thinks that's the main difference, some people don't have the paitience or interest to plumb the depths of golf theory that TGM does. TGM is fantastically complex to the fisrt time reader. I think that TGM is best suited to a certain personality type and the golfer at or near single digit handicap.

The similarities to a cult are apparent too. It appears to have an almost mythical figurehead, devout followers, sacred text, the handshake I haven't heard of. Similar to a religion, it attempts to answer all the concievable questions one might have about the subject with an element of faith required to boot. There's a definite sense of superiority in this forum that may be well deserved, I certainly can't suggest anything that's better and it may prove to be the best eventually.

I would not feel comfortable in telling my playing buddies to go and buy the book, they're just not that interested.

To change the perception? I don't know if it can be done without a marquee player flying the TGM flag. It sucks but that's the era we are in. We live in a world of instant gratification, something that you won't find in TGM.
Try and picture an infommercial for TGM.

My opinion is that TGM is best golf instruction manual because it properly details an immensely complex athletic activity. I am truly glad to have found it and this forum.

CW

[Mike O]

As new to the TGM book and theory here's my 2 cents.

My place in the golf world is as a recreational player that strives to improve. I've played for 15 yrs now following all the traditional instruction published in print and broadcast on TV. When I stumbled upon this site I found the depth of discussion fascinating even if it was way over my head. I love technical discussion and exploration so I feel like TGM is a good fit for me. I thinks that's the main difference, some people don't have the paitience or interest to plumb the depths of golf theory that TGM does. TGM is fantastically complex to the fisrt time reader. I think that TGM is best suited to a certain personality type and the golfer at or near single digit handicap.

The similarities to a cult are apparent too. It appears to have an almost mythical figurehead, devout followers, sacred text, the handshake I haven't heard of. Similar to a religion, it attempts to answer all the concievable questions one might have about the subject with an element of faith required to boot. There's a definite sense of superiority in this forum that may be well deserved, I certainly can't suggest anything that's better and it may prove to be the best eventually.

I would not feel comfortable in telling my playing buddies to go and buy the book, they're just not that interested.

To change the perception? I don't know if it can be done without a marquee player flying the TGM flag. It sucks but that's the era we are in. We live in a world of instant gratification, something that you won't find in TGM.
Try and picture an infommercial for TGM.

My opinion is that TGM is best golf instruction manual because it properly details an immensely complex athletic activity. I am truly glad to have found it and this forum.

CW

Well spoken CW.

[drewitgolf]

Hey, who told Millrat about the secret handshake?

Pass the Coolaide so we can make a toast. You have come to the right place.

Seriously, you post has alot to say. Many feel the same way you do. I am a little concerned about the sense of superiority. That can be a turn-off. I believe that the people that post here, however, mean well and will be helpful to all that really want to learn.