Letters to the editor

Effective instruction
I really appreciated Jim McLoughlin’s article “Golf’s driving engine,” in Golf Course News’ May issue (page 24). I’m having the Nike Golf Learning Center directors of instruction read the article so we can discuss it during our next conference call. Our mission is to create golfers through our player development programs, and his article will be a great tool for us to develop new best practices, continue our growth and each golf professional’s development.

While reading the article, I found myself wondering how McLoughlin would define what an effective golf professional is. I was hoping he might take a couple of minutes to answer this question. I look forward to sharing his reply with my team of golf professionals that are dedicated to helping people develop a passion for the game and have fun doing it.

Paul Devine, PGA Member
National director
Nike Golf Learning Centers
Norco, Calif.

McLoughlin’s response follows:
I would define effective golf instructors as those who:

1. Communicate clearly and succinctly, using fewer words than more words, i.e., they don’t overteach.

2. Have a thorough understanding of swing mechanics.

3. Develop a personal teaching philosophy that’s a composite of generally established teaching philosophies.

4. Can paint an effective visual image (of swing and ball flight, etc.) through words.

5. Bond with their students by accepting responsibility for player development.

6. Know when to rebuild a student’s swing from scratch and when not to.

7. Are willing and able to teach the better and higher handicap players effectively.

8. Have an energy and detectable passion for teaching and the game, which is contagious and transfers to the student.

In the end, the only real measure of an effective teacher is getting results from the players.

More recognition
Thank you for addressing the need for the golf industry to devote more efforts to actively promote the essential contributions of golf course superintendents (“More recognition,” page 8 in the May issue). We at BASF couldn’t agree more. Because most superintendents are driven by pride in their accomplishments rather than a desire for public accolades, it’s little surprise their work often goes unrecognized.

BASF is one of many golf-industry manufacturers that has taken steps to showcase superintendents’ dedication and hard work. In a broad-based initiative that salutes superintendents as the most important pro on the course, BASF has forged a partnership with the GCSAA, funds superintendents’ education at regional and national levels, invites superintendents to compete in the People vs. The Pros Pro-Am golf championship, sponsors the top-two superintendents playing in the People vs. The Pros tournament to play head to head in a superintendent-only playoff championship televised on ESPN, and highlights superintendents’ achievements on ESPN.

We appreciate the attention you’re giving to supporting superintendents and invite additional efforts from throughout the industry.

Toni Bucci, Ph.D.
Business manager
BASF Professional Turf &
Ornamentals

Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Regarding John Walsh’s most recent column regarding lack of superintendent recognition (“More recognition,” page 8 in the May issue), I agree for the most part. However, the Golf Channel, throughout the last several years, has brought Mark Michaud from Shinnecock Hills and Dave Ward from Olympia Fields up to their interview tower. I also recall Jimmy Roberts interviewing Paul Jett during the ’99 Open.

But more needs to be done. Jim Nantz made a vow at the 2004 San Diego GCSAA Show that he would mention superintendents during CBS golf telecasts. Yet I watched most of the Memorial this year and didn’t hear any recognition of the superintendent or crew.

The Golf Channel also did a feature on Jon Jennings and the course he works at, the Chicago Golf Club.

Mike Scaletta
Advertising manager
John Deere Golf & Turf
Raleigh, N.C.

Readers with comments are invited to write to:
GCN letters to the editor
4012 Bridge Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113.

Letters can also be faxed to 216-961-0364 or e-mailed to jwalsh@gie.net.
Letters might be edited for space or clarity.