The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate "apparently ordinary" people to unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary people. K. Patricia Cross

GOALS: My philosophy is simple: I want to help you reach your goals. Every golfer's swing is unique, and every golfer's situation is different. I don't believe there is such a thing as a "perfect" swing, so I won't try to mold your swing into something it cannot be.

FOCUS ON YOU: Instead, the focus is on your orientation toward your game and where you want to be in a specified time frame. Goal setting is one of the first steps we take. That's why everybody who works with me gets a notebook and why we reserve the first few pages to record your goals. It's also why we spend the time to talk about what is happening with your game now, how you interpret that, and what you have time to do about it. If we are both on the same page and headed in the same direction, our chances for success are significantly greater.

TOOLS: A second philosophy is to provide you with the tools to help yourself. Some of the tools focus on understanding root causes of swing breakdowns, some are drills, and some even involve homework! The majority of improvement in your game is going to come as a result of the effort you make after the lesson is over, so it only makes sense to have your practice time be efficient and focused. Knowing what to practice on and why, and how to practice effectively, are the fastest ways to improve. These are some of the best tools I hope to provide you.

KNOWLEDGE: It's not enough to know WHAT you are doing - you need to know WHY it is happening. If you try to address a swing challenge without understanding and addressing some of the underlying contributors - the root causes - you will limit your success. We work together to help you understand not only what is happening with your unique swing, but also all the contributing factors. To reinforce your understanding of the root causes of swing breakdowns we will develop drills to practice, key swing thoughts, a smart practice routine, and sometimes paperwork using the latest in sports psychology and mental coaching techniques.

FUNDAMENTALS: The golf swing is easy and very complex - all at the same time. Despite this paradox, there are certain fundamentals - alignment, posture, balance, and impact position among them -- that are fundamental building blocks which significantly affect your performance. We'll look at video to understand what is happening, use state-of-the-art technology to break down the swing and point out causes and effects, and then try to make changes happen in real time.

DOING IS BELIEVING: I believe there is no substitute for physically making a correct swing and that students learn by experiencing, first hand, the correct golf motions. So my sessions are always very interactive, and I'll be right there with you walking through the swing at each step. You'll also get plenty of drills and exercises designed to help you feel where you should be in your swing. Plenty of research has shown that this is the most effective learning method.

THE MENTAL GAME: Lastly, I believe that mental preparation and practice is every bit as important as physical practice. During lessons you will often be introduced to many of the mental tools and techniques I've learned through years of playing, competing, and through my Master's degree training in applied sports psychology. Golf is one of the most intensely mental sports, and applied sport psychology techniques such as goal setting, imagery, pre-shot routines, deep breathing, tension management and confident self-talk can have a profoundly positive impact on your game. Our sessions are one of the rare places where you will get both physical and mental coaching in an integrated setting.

That's my philosophy. It's all about having some fun while learning a few new things to get you where you want to be. I'm ready when you are!