My Father introduced me to
golf when I was 12-years old. I practiced and played about once a week
during the first few years. My first opportunity to play more often
happened during my years on the high school golf team. I also played
numerous junior tournaments during summer breaks. During those years I
didn't possess the skill or ability to contend, and only occasionally
posted a competitive score.
When I was 18-years old I landed a job at a private club which afforded
me the opportunity to play and practice for free. My game improved
dramatically in a relatively short period of time. Consequently, I was
able to compete at the collegiate level. During my first ten years of
playing, I can recall taking only a handful of lessons. The instructors
did nothing to educate me about the golf stroke, and the lessons were of
no lasting benefit. In my early adult years I read articles about the
swing that I found in various golf magazines. Eventually, I grew tired
of reading those articles because no one offered a comprehensive
understanding of the swing. The articles took a "cookie cutter" approach
and targeted readers seeking a quick fix to solve commonly shared
problems. Despite having little understanding of the golf swing I was
able to periodically post some low scores. However, I had demonstrated
time and time again, that I was incapable of playing well on a
consistent basis.
Throughout the following decades most of my time was dedicated to my
family and law enforcement career. I played sparingly and even took a
lesson or two, every few years to satisfy my morbid curiosity.
Unfortunately, not much had changed in golf instruction over the
decades, or my game for that matter. I continued to wallow in
mediocrity.
My pursuit of a thorough understanding of the golf swing had been
shrouded by the vagaries and generalities spewing forth from a plethora
of so called "experts." In 2007, I found what I had been seeking all
these years. The book that contains all the information about the golf
swing has, ironically, been in publication since 1969. Homer Kelley
applied the laws of the geometry and physics (specifically, the geometry
of the circle and the physics of rotation) in writing The Golfing
Machine. The principles found in The Golfing Machine equips the
instructor to lead his students to a clear understanding of their
current knowledge, skill, and ability level. It then moves the student
systematically toward continuous progress in achieving a practical goal.
Under the discerning eye of my personal instructor, the quality and
consistency of my own game has progressed more in the last year than
the combined progress of the previous 43-years. My practice goals are
component specific, well measured, and productive. I am excited that I
now have the opportunity to share that which has been graciously shared
with me.
Contact Steve:
SVanHerpe@verizon.net
M:805.551.9787
