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By James M. Lane, USGTF Contributing Writer
1970's and Technical Development
Golf did not sustain in the 1970’s
the same level of popularity it had enjoyed in the 1960’s, but significant
changes were looming for the game as golf’s expansion had created
a large enough golf economy to allow for substantial investment
in research and development. The groundwork was laid in the 1970’s
for radical transformation of turf preparation, golf club technology,
and instructional technique. The cavity-backed iron, the metal wood,
the graphite shaft, as well as revolutionary changes in irrigation
technique and turf-laying, date to the 1970’s. All would have substantial
impact on the game as golfers achieved better and better control
over the golf ball (in flight direction, overall distance, and spin
characteristics.)
1980's and Golf Schools
Golf instruction, particularly golf
schools, would not enjoy a real economic boom until the 1980’s but
the influential theory of connection, video analysis of the golf
swing, and the emphasis on big-muscle leadership date to the pioneering
work of David Leadbetter, Jimmy Ballard and others in the late 1970’s
and early 1980’s. Golf instruction also became more specialized,
as teachers by the mid 1980’s began to emphasize their expertise
with "practical instruction" (John Jacobs), "short
game instruction" (Dave Pelz), "women’s instruction"
(Penny Zavichas and Linda Craft), or "mental conditioning"
(Bob Rotella and Chuck Hogan).
The 1990's Golf School Boom
By the 1990’s, and into the new millennium,
golf instruction had boomed to the point that there are now a multitude
of national golf schools offering hundreds of programs across the
country, with a cornucopia of techniques, price points, regimens,
and training goals. The largest of these is America’s Favorite Golf
Schools with more than 40 locations nationwide. Virtually all of
the national golf schools offer books and videotapes for sale. Prominent
golf gurus such as Dave Pelz, Bob Toski, Rick Smith, and Jim Flick
are in demand not only with the touring pros but at skyrocketing
master class rates at the finest resorts. Harvey Penick’s Little
Red Book also became the biggest selling sports book of all time.
In short, golf instruction has expanded into one of the largest
and most vibrant sectors of the substantial golf economy.
The United States Golf Teachers Federation
The United Stated Golf Teachers Federation
(USGTF) has also had an enormous impact on the golf teaching industry
since it’s inception in 1989. The USGTF were responsible for taking golf instruction and making it a separate entity unto itself. They established a national and
international standard in the training and certification of golf
teaching professionals. In 1993, the USGTF was instrumental in establishing the World Golf Teachers Federation (WGTF) which today comprises 40 member nations and over 22,000 members. The WGTF is the only worldwide golf teaching federation in existence. The best teaching ideas from each country were combined to form a standard of teacher training that was state-of-the-art. Each member nation of the WGTF adheres to this high standard. In 1997 the first World Golf Teachers Cup and Conference was held in Naples, Florida. Today, this biennial event is the largest international golf teachers tournament in the world, with a full field of international competitors regularly attending.
The Twentieth Century
As the twentieth century gave way, teaching became more of a specialized field. Many directors of golf and head professionals became unable to give lessons due to the increased paperwork and administrative duties of their positions. This opened up more doors for those who strictly wanted to teach. One of the members, USGTF member Julius Richardson, made history when he became the first African-American to be named to Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers list.
Technology and Golf Instruction
Technology also took a leading role, with high-speed cameras and computers becoming the norm for many teachers. The internet has also had an impact on the golf teaching industry. The ability for a student to email their teachers photos and videos of their golf swings become common place. Most students now turn to search engines first to find golf teachers and golf schools, instead of relying on print ads. Some teachers are also offering online lessons, along with articles and blogs. This explosion of information has no shortage of takers, including a wide spread thrust for golf knowledge among the general public.
We've Come a Long Way with Golf
Looking back over the entire grand
parade of gurus and teachers, if one were to assign a grade to golf
instruction as a whole, six centuries into it, one would pencil
"M" for "much improved." It’s well-worth knowing
that even in this day of gurus and their technical wizardry, fewer
than half of the world’s players can regularly break 100. It’s also
fitting to mention that when James Durham recorded 94 at the Old
Course in 1767, he set a course record that lasted 86 years. Golf
instruction has indeed come a long way, and it’s future has never
looked better.
The End.
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