I guess when you have been at this teaching and coaching gig as long as I have your bound to have good and bad teaching / coaching stretches . It’s funny in my profession just like that of a tour player I have periods when someone wins a club championship , breaks 100, 90 , or 80 for the first time . As a teacher / coach during those periods you leave the tee each day feeling like you could make anybody on the planet better with your eyes closed !

THEN … Then the sky falls. Somebody shows up with the shanks and it seems like the longest hour of your teaching life. Particularly if the infection has made its way into the players bloodstream ! Or how about a bad case of the snap hooks , bladed bunker shots , or 3 putts !! The patience required of any student to right the ship is enormous but often the patience needed on the coaching side to first calm the student and reassure he or she that WE WILL cure the ill sooner then later but only if you ( the student calms themselves ).

Its is hard to convince the student often times that the error in fact causing them severe anguish is actually very easy to fix , and often very basic. The patience and calmness required however could be the single hardest thing they ever do in there sporting life . Remember angry minds make angry golf swings !!

Here is my bottom line thought . If you get yourself into a deep rut . Step back , take a deep breath , then ….

1- Review your pre- shot routine and each and every step leading to the launching pad

2- Review your set up fundamentals – Stance width , ball position , grip , posture , aim , tension levels . Etc …..

3- The golf swing before anything specific needs to process a comfortable tempo and balanced pivot ..

Get those 3 basics under control. Keep your chin up and stay patient and you’ll find your way back to the Yellow Brick Road in an instant . If by any chance you have not sought out the help of an educated eye . Give your favorite PGA Professional a ring !!

THINK LOGICAL ! THINK FUNDAMENTAL !!