I am no teacher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bump-n-MI]

I've known for a long time but yesterday afternoon was the final confirmation that I am no golf instructor. My son just recently starting taking interest in the game and participated in a group lesson. Well yesterday was the first time that he expressed interest in hitting balls with me. We headed over to the course and went straight to the range. He has a pretty solid foundation and damn fine swing for someone that has only hit balls a handful of times. I picked up a couple things right away but had no idea how to translate these mistakes to where he could understand them….even tougher was trying to have him incorporate fixes into his swing. The more I talked and the more I tried to teach the more confused and frustrated he became. So I stopped and told him to have fun. I've been playing this game for well over 30 years and I play the game well. This in no way qualifies me to instruct or teach.

My advice, leave it to the pros and certified instructors.

[martytilma]

I've known for a long time but yesterday afternoon was the final confirmation that I am no golf instructor. My son just recently starting taking interest in the game and participated in a group lesson. Well yesterday was the first time that he expressed interest in hitting balls with me. We headed over to the course and went straight to the range. He has a pretty solid foundation and damn fine swing for someone that has only hit balls a handful of times. I picked up a couple things right away but had no idea how to translate these mistakes to where he could understand them….even tougher was trying to have him incorporate fixes into his swing. The more I talked and the more I tried to teach the more confused and frustrated he became. So I stopped and told him to have fun. I've been playing this game for well over 30 years and I play the game well. This in no way qualifies me to instruct or teach.

Amen brother! I'm doing the same thing with my daughter. I've showed her the basic swing, and she has a decent one. But other than that I'm leaving it someone else who knows more than me and won't get frustrated.

[boogielicious]

Remember, coaching your child or spouse is much harder than most people think. It still is worth working with them on the basics. Just remember to keep it very simple.

[NI4NI]

That's because you have a more vested interest in your child's or spouse's accomplishments - you really want them to succeed so you tend to take no quarter with instruction (human nature). Plus, you know each other too well, and tend to, over time, hit a few hot buttons during the course of instruction.

Keep it fun, make him want to go with you, and when he's ready, introduce him to the PGA instructor and see where things go from there.

[TourSpoon]

I think the hardest thing to do is to take 30 years of experience and really try to share that with someone who just started that you are emotionally invested in. Where do you even start?

Great thread...even if you are a teacher (I am in education and even ran golf instruction camps) when it comes to your own child it is a whole different ball game. The best thing you can teach them is just what you said...have fun and enjoy the game.

[Quinn07]

My advice, leave it to the pros and certified instructors.

Good on ya. There are a couple of parents at one of the courses that I play that think they are teachers and I just want to go over there and tell them to "LOCK IT UP!".

[Kieran123]

As a parent, it's better to teach the rules and etiquette of the game and what each club is for etc

But to actually fine tune a swing? I would leave it for a pro

But even the very basics of a swing can be taught by a parent IMO

[WUTiger]

Despite my HDCP, I can usually help beginners - if they ask me - on their statics and basics....
* You miss to right because you're pointed that way.
* You shouldn't hit a 3-iron out of shaggy rough. That's why you missed. Try a 7 iron.

Any more complex things such as timing, shoulder rotation --- that's why we have golf pros.