Home About Us The Instructors Clinics Private Lessons Junior Golf Instructional Tips Calendar Oak Marsh Golf Club Phone: 651-730-8886 Fax: 651-730-6711 institute@wpgolf.com By David La Pour In coming from Florida I have had the opportunity to work with some big name golf instructors like Peter Kostis, Dave Pelz, and Rick Martino. That's why when Steve Whillock of Oak Marsh Golf Club in Oakdale was recently named Minnesota PGA teacher of the year by his peers it didn't come as a surprise. In getting to know Steve over the past 7 years I realized that although his face isn't plastered on golf magazines publications his love for the game and the people who play it was real. Couple that with 20 plus years of teaching and promoting the game of golf you have the same ingredients as the big names and a valuable commodity in the state of Minnesota. Recently I sat down with Steve for an interview: DL: First off, congratulations on the award. Did you know you were nominated and if so what did you think? SW: Yes I was notified in the summer. I was honored just to be nominated. We have many great teachers of the game in Minnesota. DL: Tell us why you like golf so much and especially teaching? SW: Because I like people. Especially working with students, co-workers, and business owners to help make their time with golf as enjoyable as it can be. I love watching a golfer or fellow professional learn and become better. DL: Give us an idea of what it's like to take a lesson from you? SW: It usually starts with a phone interview where I start gathering information about the student and why they called in the first place. When we meet the process continues as I find out about the persons history, their goals, and if they have any physical limitations. Students need to focus more on the swing than the club its self. I like to start with a shorter club and work my way to the longer clubs. DL: You mentioned goals, what's your goal for the student. SW: It's the same as the students. DL: What do you think makes a good teacher? SW: The most critical part of a lesson from the teachers' point of view is the diagnosis. There's a difference between causes vs. symptoms. From there you can team up with the student to form a game plan. DL: What do you mean causes vs. symptoms? SW: A slice is a symptom. Finishing on your back foot when you should finish on your front foot is a symptom. A possible cause of a slice may be a open clubface or a bad grip. The cause of a lot of problems in many swings is a bad pivot. It's important to work on good sound fundamentals and not waste time practicing compensating moves. DL: Are you considered a "method" teacher? SW: For people who are just starting out I have a certain direction that I'd like them to take. For people who have been playing golf for a while I tend to work with what they have. A lot depends on their dedication to improvement. DL: What is the hardest thing for a student to do? SW: Change. DL: Why? SW: The golf swing is not rocket science but getting the student to see and feel their body in the right place can be tricky. Getting yourself in the right grip, stance, and swing positions give you the green light to be more successful with ball contact and consequently consistency. I'm a big fan of the right positions especially at address and in the back swing. Start correctly and you're on your way. DL: What were some of you worst lesson experiences? SW: Probably early in my teaching I would leave a lesson thinking that if I didn't get instant results I failed. Now being a little more seasoned I know better. There is no substitute for experience. DL: What were some of you best lesson experiences? SW: I have a lot of stories but lets just say that when the student and the teachers' light bulbs turn on, real and effective learning occurs. I always get a rush when I see the student understand, feel, and execute what ever we are working on. Watching the student smile and feel confident makes me feel I've made a difference. DL: Are you taking on new students and if yes what is your rate? SW: My rate is $100.00 per hour and I currently teach existing students and WP Golf School students. DL: What's a WP Golf School? SW: WP Golf Operations owns and operates 5 area golf properties that make up the WP Golf Institute. We have PGA professionals at each property that are passionate about teaching and helping people improve. The Institute is designed to help golfers of all kind in their enjoyment of the game of golf. We like to match our passion for teaching with the students' passion for learning creating a lasting friendship, which in all honesty helps the golf industry as a whole. DL: Is there anything else you'd like to add? SW: Yes. Without the support of my wife Roz and daughter Samatha, I wouldn't have come close to getting this award. I thank them for letting me stay late for "just one more lesson". "The most critical part of a lesson from the teachers' point of view is the diagnosis. There's a difference between causes vs. symptoms. From there you can team up with the student to form a game plan." Steve Whillock