By Dan Garagan
Canadian PGA Professional

As a golfer, golf teacher and coach in Northern Ontario, I am asked all kinds of questions about the golf swing.

One of the most common questions is “how do I stop my golf ball from slicing?”

What a great question! Realistically, there isn’t a quick fix answer. Each golf swing is as unique as the person holding the club. The only way to alleviate that problem is to seek professional help from a Canadian PGA professional. They are trained and certified to help and only a few courses in Northern Ontario offer their services.

Ask around for advice on what local Canadian PGA pro’s in the area have a good reputation on teaching and coaching golf. A couple of simple things to look for in a good teacher are: Is the person punctual? Do they use lesson plans? Do they have the lesson area prepared in advance? Are they enthusiastic about teaching?

A Canadian PGA certified teacher and coach would first do an interview, which would help them identify goals and targets that the golfer may have, as well as their physical limitations or athletic background. Knowing the person is just as important as knowing the mechanics of the golf swing.

On completion of the interview process, the professional would then complete an observation form. The observation form is a checklist that includes all aspects of the golf swing. The golfer would then hit some balls, using all of their clubs. They would then evaluate the swing movements and positions starting with:

• The golfer’s grip (top hand and bottom hand
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• Alignment (club face & body
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• Ball position
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• Stance
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• Posture
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• Weight distribution
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• Swing position at the top and follow through
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• Weight shift (equal left/right
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• The down swing sequence (hips, hands, club head
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Once this is completed, a plan will be developed to fix that slice that has plagued the golfer. Once the course of action has been decided it is important that the teacher and student agree to stick to the plan. The golfer may struggle with the urge to improve faster. Be patient and have trust in the plan.

The time frame needed to reach the student’s goal is dependent on how much time the golfer has to dedicate to his/her practice time. The Canadian PGA Professional will continue to support the golfer during practice sessions and be available for any questions that the golfer may come up with. Partnership for learning is a key advantage in choosing a Certified Canadian PGA teacher.

The golf season is fast approaching. Call your Canadian PGA professional to start a partnership for learning and enjoy the great game of golf often! Don’t forget to invest in yourself. After your game visit a wellness spa and treat yourself to an invigorating massage!