What makes "Functional Golf" so successful? Two things primarily. First is our belief in the "whole-part-whole" method of learning. Through this method we expose you to the big picture (the whole swing), then teach you the parts that fit within the whole. Imagine trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together without a picture! The golf swing is the same. Second is our blueprint. We build your golf swing much like a carpenter builds a home, following the blueprint and building in sequential order. Why 90-minute workshops and not the traditional 30 minute lesson? Quite simply, traditional 30-minute lessons are not very effective. We have found that our students will quickly comprehend the verbal message, however, their bodies cannot learn the swing skill within the 30-minute time frame. For muscle memory to occur, the body has to repeat the motion over and over again. During our 90-minute workshops, we monitor your motion to assure it is repeated properly, thus allowing you to encode muscle memory of the newly learned skill. What is a workshop? Workshops are structured training periods where you learn and we monitor swing corrections, assuring a perfect practice environment. Workshops are identified as full-swing, short game or on-course in our schedules. Is this a group program? Yes, but no. You will be involved in a small group during the workshops; however, lessons are individualized and structured to provide monitored perfect practice of newly learned swing skills. This idea actually evolved from the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating program. Do I have to start with the First Step Program? Although an introductory Computer Swing Analysis is available, the "First Step program" is required for students wishing to participate in the school. It is through this program that we introduce you to the "whole-part-whole" learning method. Remember, it is this approach that greatly accelerates the learning curve in any athletic activity. Without our "first step program", we are just another golf school. What options are available for new golfers? The new golfer has two options: (1) the "First Step Program", an accelerated learning program which will totally immerse you in the golf swing fundamentals, or (2) the "Adult Plus Junior" Program which is designed to assist the adult family member explore his or her interest in golf with their child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What is meant by "process" versus "outcome" orientation? When developing and working on a golf swing within the process, we are building repeatable fundamental skills through monitored perfect practice, which leads to muscle memory. Imagine what would happen if you always repeated the golf swing the same way? Logic tells us the shots would be the same. If a golfer becomes "outcome" oriented, they are constantly trying to correct what they did not like about their last shot. In other words, each swing is a new adventure and muscle memory is impossible. © 2008 Functional Golf. All rights reserved. | Call 831.458.9119 or email us