I was already in some considerable demand for lessons and the day came when, following a heavy week of teaching, I found myself so jaded and playing so poorly in a tournament at Fulwell that the issue was more or less resolved then and there.

  It was then the realization was forced upon me that, even in those days, to spread my concentration and my time and effort over the two sides of professional golf was asking too much.  From that time on I devoted myself to teaching at such places like golf school.

  The rewards of the successful teacher mature more slowly than those of the correspondingly successful tournament player, and it takes far longer for the former to establish his name.

  But there need be no rivalry or jealousy between these two types of professional.  Both make a necessary contribution to the game of golf.

  The tournament pro comprises the shop window of golf.  The performances of players like Cotton, Rees, O'Connor, Brown, Alliss and Weetman attract the galleries.  The onlooker senses the thrill to be gained from a cleanly struck shot, or a spectacular recovery from Weetman's repertoire.  He feels an urge to go back to his own golf course and hit at least one or two shots in his round like they do.

  His enthusiasm is re-kindled and he decides to go to a teaching pro (golf school) for help in improving his own performance.  If the teacher can give him a fresh interest, a new target to aim at, and, in the case of the newcomer to golf, set him on the right path, then he, too, is making an important contribution to golf.
The able teacher can also help the professional and the good amateur with his problems. Many such come to me for a periodical check-up or to discuss a tendency which they find creeping into their play.

  I was able to help a number of young golf professionals and golf assistants, some from distant parts, at a fortnightly clinic (golf school) which I conducted for two and a half years from 1948 when I was professional at Maiden Golf Club, Surrey.

The Simple Swing

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