What I Learned about teaching from a PGA Professional!

I spent 30 years of my life teaching in the public school system.  Nineteen years as a classroom teacher and 11 years as a school administrator. 

So now whenever I am at the gym or taking a golf lesson I am always observing trainers or PGA Teaching Pros. 

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So having said all that listen up all you teachers. 

Collecting data on your students is an important part of teaching your students.

If you don’t know your students skill level
or areas of deficiency how do you know how to construct your lesson plans?

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I have been playing golf since I was 6 years old and have a good grasp on how the golf swing should perform. 

 However that does not mean I have the game mastered.

 I continue to read and try out new techniques that will make my game better.

  On occasion I will get with a local PGA Professional and take a golf lesson.

  One of the first things he will do is ask me what areas of my game are giving me problems.

  He will then ask me to hit about a half dozen shots. 

​ At this point, he has collected some data on my game and will give me strategies and drills to improve my areas of weakness.

  He will then ask me to hit a few more shots using the new technique, evaluate the outcome and reteach if necessary.

  Upon completion of the lesson, he will summarize the lesson, ask me if I have any questions and send me back to my home course to practice.

Let’s look at a few things that happened in the above-described lesson.

  Notice that he did not start with the basics. 

I as an experienced player already know the basics.  

It would be bad coaching on his part and a waste of my time to listen to a lecture on grip and stance. 

 Instead, he gathered data to evaluate where I am as a golfer and then constructed the lesson.

Next, the PGA Professional gave me strategies and techniques to help me improve my deficiencies. 

 Then he put me to work hitting shots with the new techniques taught and observed my progress.  

He would then reteach areas that lacked proficiency.  

Finally, he summarized the lesson, gathered additional information and sent me on my way to practice.

Now let’s take the above golf lesson and create an Instructional plan to use in our classrooms.
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• Step One:  Gather data on your students using a pre-test. “Entry Task”

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• Step Two: Develop lesson plans that address the needs of students based on data collected.
  

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• Step Three: Teach a Mini Lesson and circulate the room observing progress.  Evaluate and reteach if necessary.

• Step Four:  Gather data on your students using a post-test or “Exit Slip”.  Use this information to evaluate the effectiveness of the lesson. 

The above teaching model I believe can transform any classroom fitness gym, or golf practice area into a data-driven classroom in an efficient and manageable process.