Five questions with PGA of America's Teaching and Coaching committee chairman Ed Ibarguen

[Moecat]

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-equipment/blogs/hotlist365/2013/08/ed-ibarguen-pga-of-america-interview.html

 

Ed Ibarguen, director of golf at Duke University Golf Club, is chairman of the PGA of America's Teaching and Coaching committee, which is developing teaching guidelines for the rule change banning anchored strokes. He answers five questions from Mike Stachura.

 

Q: Why don't people putt as well as they should?

When you're on the green before a round, you're probably taking three balls and hitting putts from 20 feet and missing them and starting again. It's like what Davis Love Jr. once said, "You're just practicing missing." What you've done in five minutes of warm-up is watch yourself miss putt after putt.

 

Q: Why is the rule change good for teachers?

This rule will open up an opportunity to talk about putting as the most important stroke. When people come in for a lesson, and you ask them about their putting, they often say, "Oh, my putting's fine."

 

Q: What's a successful alternative?

Johnny Miller once won a tournament by looking at the hole when he putted. If you're a little yippy, that's a great option. When I have beginners in clinics putt that way, their distance control gets better, their follow-through is better, and almost every time someone holes a putt from about 30 feet.

 

Q: The physical challenge is only part of it, right?

Any time golfers think it's the equipment that's making them better or worse, you have a hard time convincing them otherwise.

 

Q: Your colleagues are now at the front lines in this issue.

This is such an opportunity because we have 21⁄2 years to deal with it. PGA professionals can organize putting clinics specifically to help players who anchor. Maybe bring some wine and cheese, too, in case it gets a little rough.

[JMiller]

This one actually hit very close to home. Many of you know that I am a member of Duke University Golf Club i have posted it in a few places / topics.

 

Ed Ibarguen is a super nice guy. I have spoken to a couple of his students and a few of the PGA Pros that work for him. All on the subject of his teaching philosophy and ideas. I'm not looking for a local instructor I am just curious what quality of instruction my home course has to offer.

 

This is what I have heard about Ed:

~ In the full swing he just takes what you have and tweaks it, gives you little things to think about the fixes larger problems.

>> This is coming from 2 single digit handicaps so not sure how he works with beginners.

 

~ in putting / short game this still applies he does a case by case basis on what to tweak.

>> I have heard some success stories here more so then the disasters.

 

 

Not too bad of an article, thanks for posting it Moecat