Advice for Healthy Living

Effective Instruction Blends Golf-Specific Drills and Advice for Healthy Living

Pierre Dugas is the Canadian PGA Teaching Professional at Club de Golf Knowlton in Quebec, and an assistant coach for the RCGA’s High Performance Player Development Program.

As a Canadian PGA professional and a physical education instructor in a provincial college, I have spent my life searching for the best way to teach golfers.

I believe golfers should not only learn how to swing the club, but also how to become healthier and more aware of all the aspects of the game.

During the past 25 years, I have determined there are certain underlying factors such as personality, teaching ability, and a positive and mutually respectful relationship between teacher and student that are essential to success.

But I’ve also found that effective instruction requires much more. The total package includes factors such as nutrition, awareness of the body’s need for recuperation after strenuous practice, specific drills, and a balance between fun activities and serious instruction.

While comprehensive instruction includes an array of factors, here is a specific biomechanical concept relating to the forward-motion plane of the swing that I have found to be a crucial fundamental.

First, set the clubhead and shaft straight up, directly above the heel line, which is parallel to the target line.

Second, move the clubhead and shaft line vertically over the same heel line. These positions demonstrate the proper swing plane.

To practice this drill, lay a club on the ground behind your heels. As you assume the two positions outlined above, have someone observe the position of your club in the transition sequence.

Then, stop your forward swing near your left hip (for right-handed players). At that point, both arms should be fully extended and connected to your upper body.

An effective teacher has a wide repertoire of drills such as the one above, but also a broad range of knowledge that can help all golfers player better and enjoy the game more.