As a coach, one of the first things we should be doing is determining your learning style. In order to make sure we individualize instruction, it is essential to determine how we learn.
Me personally, I am a very visual learner. When I was young my father gave me my first clubs, the basic fundamentals & etiquette, and the means of hitting lots of golf balls. However, what I remember the most is watching the people in my life around me. I would watch how my dad made his swing, and I caddied for him and watched him play. I learned a lot from what I saw and of course asking questions. I would also spend time reading magazines and analyzing the pictures in them to see the positions I needed to be in. Not to mention, as a junior I watched my share of golf on T.V. and learned from the pros.
So you can say that I was a self learner past the basics. Lots of trial and error in my practice, but I ultimately learned from what I saw. Once I started working with my first real coach when I turned Professional, the first thing he did was find my learning style. And yes you guessed it... I am officially a visual learner.
The importance of this is that we can now design a specific lesson program and practice program for that sensory style. the three major sensory channels are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learning is the ability to learn from seeing than doing. Auditory learners find their way by learning through sounds made when done correct or incorrect. Most individuals that I have dealt with fall into the visual - auditory category, and very little in the kinesthetic. Of course kinesthetic learners have the ability to learn by feeling positions. So before you rush out and buy that next great teaching aid, make sure you know your sensory learning style. Most training aids are made around kinesthetic and auditory styles. So if you are a highly visual learner like me, most aids are not helpful. I use lots of mirrors to check my posture, grip, and ball position. Also, I benefit greatly from video. A kinesthetic style will find very little benefit from seeing themselves on video. These individuals like to be put into positions and feel where they should be.
This process is vital in understanding our students and developing proper practice habits. Do you know what learning style you are? Have you ever taken a test to get results? If not, see your local CPGA Professional to find out your learning style.
So you can say that I was a self learner past the basics. Lots of trial and error in my practice, but I ultimately learned from what I saw. Once I started working with my first real coach when I turned Professional, the first thing he did was find my learning style. And yes you guessed it... I am officially a visual learner.
The importance of this is that we can now design a specific lesson program and practice program for that sensory style. the three major sensory channels are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learning is the ability to learn from seeing than doing. Auditory learners find their way by learning through sounds made when done correct or incorrect. Most individuals that I have dealt with fall into the visual - auditory category, and very little in the kinesthetic. Of course kinesthetic learners have the ability to learn by feeling positions. So before you rush out and buy that next great teaching aid, make sure you know your sensory learning style. Most training aids are made around kinesthetic and auditory styles. So if you are a highly visual learner like me, most aids are not helpful. I use lots of mirrors to check my posture, grip, and ball position. Also, I benefit greatly from video. A kinesthetic style will find very little benefit from seeing themselves on video. These individuals like to be put into positions and feel where they should be.
This process is vital in understanding our students and developing proper practice habits. Do you know what learning style you are? Have you ever taken a test to get results? If not, see your local CPGA Professional to find out your learning style.
