Just as golf equipment advances through technology, so does golf instruction. Just as we find a great variety of drivers, irons, putters and golf balls to choose from, although we might not aware of it, there is also quite an ample choice of golf teachers – two or three per club, for sure. And choosing one is not an easy job if you’re not clear about your preferences and requirements.

To help you, under the heading “How to choose your golf instructor?” we offer you a series of short articles outlining the basics you should consider in order to find your ideal instructor.

1. COMPATIBILITY
2. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE
3. SWING AIDS
4. VIDEO ANALYSIS

Video swing analysis has been widely used by good golf instructors for the last decade. At first the domestic camrecorder did the job, and you’d look at the image on its screen. Now, with the more professional cameras, you can analyze images directly on the computer.

From being an interesting option this has now become essential. If you are paying for a level of golf instruction that does not include video reviews of your game, make sure your lessons are not too expensive.

When this tool is used properly, it is like a third pair of eyes, after yours and your teacher, of course. The instructor should use it with you rather in the way that a doctor uses X-Rays or MRI to make a diagnosis about your health. With slowed or still images your instructor can make a radiography of your swing, check and/or discover your strengths and weaknesses, show them to you so that you can understand them better, and work out what mistakes should be corrected.

But remember that good golf instructors should have the ability to spot the imperfections in your swing just by observing, and use their knowledge and experience to determine your difficulties, and establish the practice and exercises to improve your performance.

If the instructor is relying only on the video to see what’s happening in your swing, you will end up losing confidence in his or her ability to help you. A good doctor knowa what s/he is looking for before refering a patient to a medical test. In golf instruction it is similar: after confirming the findings with the video, the instructor then prescribes and administers the appropiate medication.

Look out for “How to choose your golf instructor? (V)” next week.

Por REDACCIÓN