Scott Delair, a SUNY Delhi PGM Graduate, is the PGA of America General Manager at Malone (NY) Golf Club.
Scott Delair on the importance of initiating golf performance on the lesson tee:
I started implementing golf fitness concepts on the lesson tee when I was teaching at Sittler Golf in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania. I wanted to provide my clients not only with a good golf lesson but also with the tools to accomplish their goals. Through my own experiences and many conversations with players and industry professionals, I quickly realized that physical capabilities are one of the biggest factors that influence how one can swing the golf club. Understanding how people are capable of moving shifts the focus from “What do we want to do?” to “What can we do and how can we make it efficient?” I decided that pursuing TPI certification would give me the knowledge to help golfers better accomplish their goals.
Applying this fitness-minded approach to player development is important for two reasons:
- It helps players comprehend the body-swing connection and how that plays a role in ball flight. This understanding guides their practice and training sessions.
- The benefits of improving one’s physical well-being not only lead to better golf but to a better life. The mental health benefits of exercising are tremendous and usually come with an increased feeling of self-confidence, which benefits both our golf games and our everyday lives.
Scott Delair on the business impact of initiating golf performance on the lesson tee:
In my coaching with students, I start with a TPI screening to learn what their body can do before we get to work and I start putting players in different positions. By not having an understanding of an individual’s physical limitations, you run the risk of injuring them by putting them in positions that their body is not ready for. Helping players understand what their body can do and how it affects their golf swing is crucial, especially for self-correction. When working with a player and trying to implement a new move or pattern, I like to ask “why?” a lot. This puts the student in a position to do their own critical thinking rather than me providing the answer. I have found that this method helps players retain information, as well as be consistent with their rehearsals. It seems that improving one’s fitness in golf is becoming a standard topic of conversation. Considering the influence of the professional tours and the distance that playing professionals are hitting, social media has cast a light on the importance of fitness in golf. It makes sense, right? To generate more force in any sport, athletes strive to be stronger, faster and perform with better balance. I don’t think golf should be looked at any differently. We all have goals in golf as well as in life. I am a firm believer that working on yourself will not just pay dividends in golf, but the confidence that comes with it will help you accomplish your life goals, as well.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email scott@malonegolfclub.com.
