Can YOU learn golf from an Avatar?

I have always learned golf from an instructor face-to-face either on-course or, when I thought my swing needed video analysis, indoors at a facility such as GolfTec, where an evaluation was held by a teaching pro offering golf tips and a drill or two for future use. 

 

With golf videos and applications readily at hand today via computers and through smartphones, I was introduced to a website in which a PGA instructor, with help from an avatar, teaches everything from how to set a correct grip to proper chipping and putting techniques.

 

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]Rick Nielsen, avatar, teaching golf to beginners

 

Can a beginner learn how to play golf from a computer program?

 

Rick Nielsen, PGA head golf instructor at Randall's Island in New York, is answering the above question in a new website, SportsMechanics.com, which I believe is ready to roll out after its recent BETA testing. I got a chance to watch a golf video and decide for myself.

 

I followed along with the avatar (I don't think he has a name yet but he is cute) for the four-minute "Golf Grip" video. Although the steps seemed rather simple, I am no longer a beginner. This is not to say that a newbie will have trouble following directions but I remember my first lessons.

 

After my first grip, alignment, stance, posture session (G.A.S.P.), I was dazed and a bit confused. I had to run right over to my booth and practice, all the while looking over at my instructor who nodded and gave me much needed encouragement! I still enjoy direct, face-to-face connection with an instructor for a Q&A and to make sure I'm correctly positioned.

 

I also don't know how a golfer, especially a beginner, will be able to follow these directions while watching the tutorials unless a laptop is carried to the driving range (except maybe for the grip lesson which can and should be practiced everywhere). Distractions are everywhere in the game of golf, but newbies should not necessarily be exposed to them right off the first tee. We don't want to lose our beginner golfers as soon as they join the ranks if the "I can't do this" fear sets in.

 

This instruction site may make a good combination to on-course lessons. At $7.95 per lesson or full online access for $39.95, you decide if an avatar can help teach you the game of golf or if you would rather visit Rick for a personal evaluation in NYC!

 

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend us on Facebook!

 

 

 

 

Posted via email from stacysolomon's posterous

Golf Tips from Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, at the 2011 Grand Slam of Golf

Rory McIlroy, in a six-minute PGA golf video interview during the Grand Slam of Golf this week, slipped fans a few tips about how he managed to win the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional, "you need a consistent shot-shift; you need to know what to do with the ball."


Rory's shot-shaping draws were only one way in which this year's current "number three" golfer in the Official World Golf Rankings stayed in the mix. Balance and stability throughout the golf swing; standing wider on drives and in a more athletic position, is a key swing thought which Rory McIlroy uses along with the swing key of keeping his extension "nice and wide" through the swing. (Check out Rory's "puppy golf club cover" too!)

McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Charl Schwartzel and Keegan Bradley, the four major winners of the 2011 golf season, were on hand for a demonstration during this year's Grand Slam of Golf. Here are a few of the golf tips the three other winners had to offer.

Golf swing thoughts from The Open Championship winner, Darren Clarke, included the importance of controlling trajectory in windy conditions and a long-iron golf tip for amateurs: hit down on the ball with good body turn; no scooping!

Chipping has to do with rhythm, said Charl Schwartzel, so slow down during your shot and think about tempo and weight distribution.

2011 PGA Champion Keegan Bradley relied on putting to win and says that he places the top of the grip squarely in his navel and locks it in so it's in the same place every time, then forgets about swing mechanics and makes the putt!

The final round of the Grand Slam of Golf from Southhampton, Bermuda, is being televised on TNT and concludes on Wednesday October 19th. Check your local listings.

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend us on Facebook.

photo credit: AP

Posted via email from stacysolomon's posterous