Instruction resources on television

[dave67az]

I saw a similar thread about this subject asking what people thought was their favorite golf instruction series on TV.  Michael Breed's GolfFix seemed to be the most popular last year.

When I started playing, I watched a show called "The Name of the Game is Golf".  I found it really helpful to a beginner like me who was trying to teach himself the game.  I did a Google search and the only reference I found to it was somewhere you could buy the series on VHS.  (yeah...thanks guys, now I feel old)

Now that my wife is learning to play, I'd like to find more shows like that and GolfFix, to help her on her way.  For that matter, I'm sure there are resources on the web that I don't know about that may have great videos for her, but I've found that YouTube is pretty much useless unless someone recommends something for you because there seem to be WAY too many low-quality instructional stuff on there.

So with that being said, do you folks know if there are more shows besides GolfFix that I can watch for?  She likes GolfFix okay, but honestly sometimes she gets kind of tired of Breed's "infomercial-like" personality and he has a tendency to repeat the same things over and over and over again which makes both of us want to fast-forward and lose interest sometimes.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

- Dave

[Jeffrey71]

School of Golf with Martin Hall is very informative, plus they have a pretty woman too, Holly Sonders.

[iacas]

I've yet to see an instructional show on TV that I'd consider all that good.

[Incognito]

any show that has Holly Sonders in it is ok in my book...

[GaijinGolfer]

I find Holly to be annoying because she tries too hard to sound like she is smart.  As for Martin Hall, well, when he learns why a golf ball slices (he still believes the old ball flight laws), maybe he will have some credibility in my book.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by dave67az

I saw a similar thread about this subject asking what people thought was their favorite golf instruction series on TV.  Michael Breed's GolfFix seemed to be the most popular last year.

When I started playing, I watched a show called "The Name of the Game is Golf".  I found it really helpful to a beginner like me who was trying to teach himself the game.  I did a Google search and the only reference I found to it was somewhere you could buy the series on VHS.  (yeah...thanks guys, now I feel old)

Now that my wife is learning to play, I'd like to find more shows like that and GolfFix, to help her on her way.  For that matter, I'm sure there are resources on the web that I don't know about that may have great videos for her, but I've found that YouTube is pretty much useless unless someone recommends something for you because there seem to be WAY too many low-quality instructional stuff on there.

So with that being said, do you folks know if there are more shows besides GolfFix that I can watch for?  She likes GolfFix okay, but honestly sometimes she gets kind of tired of Breed's "infomercial-like" personality and he has a tendency to repeat the same things over and over and over again which makes both of us want to fast-forward and lose interest sometimes.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

- Dave

I know this thread is about television but I picked up a book for my daughter and it's designed to allow carrying in a golf bag. It's actually quite a good book - surely I wasn't swayed by the photos?!?.

[RPMPIRE]

School of Golf with Martin Hall is very informative, plus they have a pretty woman too, Holly Sonders.

Martin Hall is okay but the contraptions he conjures up aren't likely to be used at a driving range.

[GaijinGolfer]

Originally Posted by RPMPIRE

Martin Hall is okay but the contraptions he conjures up aren't likely to be used at a driving range.

The fact that he constantly yells, "RUBBISH!!!" doesnt help either.

[RPMPIRE]

Originally Posted by GaijinGolfer

The fact that he constantly yells, "RUBBISH!!!" doesnt help either.

That whole "Right or Rubbish" section is a waste because EVERYTHING is Rubbish...basically just an excuse for him to say it. But I prefer Hall over Breed mostly because Breed sounds like he drinks too much 5 hour energy for a one hour show.

[AmazingWhacker]

Check out Shawn Clement's videos on Youtube  (username is clemshaw).  Probably some of the best instructional videos I've seen - for free or not.

The problem for me with books and videos is it's very hard to tell if you're "doing it right".  Even though Shawn's videos are awesome . I needed some lessons from a real instructor to realize what I was doing wrong.  The better I get, though, the more usefull these types of things become for me.  As a total beginner, not so much.

[Golfingdad]

I kind of like the "Playing Lessons With The Pros" shows they sometimes do on the Golf Channel.  Not even really for swing instruction, but more for learning about how they manage their games, and why they choose to play certain shots in different situations, etc.

[dave67az]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad

I kind of like the "Playing Lessons With The Pros" shows they sometimes do on the Golf Channel.  Not even really for swing instruction, but more for learning about how they manage their games, and why they choose to play certain shots in different situations, etc.

Cool.  Just checked out their page on the Golf Channel and watched a 20-minute "Bloopers" segment (although it was more just humorous stuff than bloopers).  If nothing else, it's certainly entertaining.  http://www.golfchannel.com/media/playing-lessons-pros-bloopers/

I've seen a couple of Shawn Clement videos that were pretty helpful.  I'll have to look for more of them and see what he might have that would help my wife.

I also set my DVR to start recording School of Golf on a regular basis.

I realize a lot of the stuff won't be of significant benefit to her, but I think it will help her build a good foundation as she realizes that there are many different teaching methods and getting better at golf is more about finding what works for you.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to let her do exactly what I did (which was learn from reading, watching golf shows, and experimenting at the range and on the course without any lessons).  I just want her to read and watch a little more before her first lesson (something she agrees with 100%).

- Dave

[1puttit]

I think I learned the most from Bobby Knight's Golf Your Way  (Not Safe For Work)

[Phil McGleno]

Check out Shawn Clement's videos on Youtube  (username is clemshaw).  Probably some of the best instructional videos I've seen - for free or not.  The problem for me with books and videos is it's very hard to tell if you're "doing it right".  Even though Shawn's videos are awesome . I needed some lessons from a real instructor to realize what I was doing wrong.  The better I get, though, the more usefull these types of things become for me.  As a total beginner, not so much.

He got a big following because he was one of the first people to use YouTube for golf tips. Because, seriously, who really wants to swing like that guy?

[dondiegojr]

Originally Posted by Phil McGleno

He got a big following because he was one of the first people to use YouTube for golf tips. Because, seriously, who really wants to swing like that guy?

Not sure if you're being sarcatic but I've learned everything from Shawn Clement and my swing doesn't look like his. Hunter Mahan's swing looks nothing like Tiger or Justin Rose and they share a coach.

[Taylor Johnson]

Originally Posted by dondiegojr

Not sure if you're being sarcatic but I've learned everything from Shawn Clement and my swing doesn't look like his. Hunter Mahan's swing looks nothing like Tiger or Justin Rose and they share a coach.

I think that's a valid point. I've found Shawn Clement's videos to be helpful with my swing. At least he attempts to back up his theories with anatomical facts/explanations and is not just regurgitating bad information.

Phil, I hear what you're saying about how his swing looks, but anyone who has played to scratch both right and left handed probably has some good things to share.

To the original question: I'd recommend spending a lot of time here on TST, and going to see a PGA pro instead of looking for a show or a video to help you. There is an ocean of bad information out there as people have already mentioned. It took me a long time to understand that just because something is on the Golf Channel, that doesn't mean it's right for me and my swing.

[EmGee]

New to the forum... Hi folks.  I have always been a true duffer...  honestly... 140 shots a round... I was just out for the walk in the park.  I finally decided to either learn to play the game or get rid of the clubs.  In March of this year I started recording and watching School of Golf, The Golf Fix and The Haney Project (just fast forward thorough all the extraneous stuff with Hank Haney and his 'students').  I now shoot consistently in the 90's and my best round to date is 87.  If i can ever get control of my driver.....

These shows can be very beneficial.  Yes, Martin Hall uses some strange contraptions, but instead of thinking "I'd never take that to the range" I instead pay attention to the concepts he's demonstrating as far as weight shift, balance and angle of attack to the ball, etc.  As far as The Sky Caddy SGX Infomercial Golf Fix, I agree... I will never delete his Putting Special from my DVR... but someone give Michael Breed a Xanax, PLEASE!  Hank Haney says very little of true importance during his Projects... but those things he does say truly seem to be golden nuggets ("It's not a HARD swing... it's a QUICK swing" - Hank to Sugar Ray Leonard).

The other video lessons I watch a lot are "Phil Michelson's Secrets of the Short Game."  Not that I did it well, but when I first learned to play (I worked part time at a practice facility 25 years ago) the style of his chipping matches what I was taught back then by the owner (a PGA club pro.)  I have been able to get more and more 1-putts lately thanks to these DVDs.

I think the main purpose of these and other instructional videos is not to try to imitate the presenter... rather to truly pay attention and learn to understand the concepts (easier said than done) involved with golf physics.  I'm finding lately that I can self-diagnose a bit better... and when I can't... I've found this forum...  and I know where I can get a lesson or two now that I've managed to build a fairly repetitive swing.

End of Essay

[Ricepr]

I get some useful nuggets from School of Golf, also liked the Tony Jacklin shows. The champions tour show has less (ff with tivo). Golf fix with amphetamine abuser Michael Breed is just annoying he may have good info there but its like watching the today show, and at 2*x speed at that