Yesterday, I was invited to take a golf lesson as part of a seminar for golf instructors from an icon teacher named Manuel de la Torre.
Manuel wrote the book, so to speak, on how to play golf with his book, Understanding the Golf Swing.
Manuel started by asking me, "What's your greatest problem when you're playing golf?"
"Inconsistency, sometimes I hit great shots and other times I completely blow it." was my reply.
Manuel had me hit some shots. He watched then asked me, "If I didn't know anything about playing golf and you were to tell me how to hit the golf ball, what would you tell me?"
Dumbfounded for a moment I replied, "Well, I'd tell you to stay relaxed, use your body and swing the club, don't really try to hit the ball."
Manuel did what I told him but added a LOT of wrist action. "Is this how to do it," he asked.
"No, you don't want the wrists in there," was my reply.
"That's right, but that's what you're doing. You put the wrists in there instead of swinging with your arms."
Manuel asked for the problem as I saw it, observed what I was doing, told me a story that got me thinking and allowed the answer to unfold inside of me.
Then he added, "Observe what you're doing. Don't just swing and swing, observe how are you moving your body, what does that feel like, what's happening each time."
Think, observe, remain conscious. WOW! Break through common sense.
We can learn a lot about delivering services and teaching from Manuel de la Torre. I certainly did. Thank you Manuel.
And a special thank you to my friend and exceptional golf instructor Kay Jeanquartier for inviting me to participate in the most interesting 45 minutes I've spent in a long time.
Kay teaches at Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler AZ. She provides excellent instruction that is always well worth the drive.
