Even someone that is an irregular listener to my radio show knows I have a serious love of the game of golf. Although if you asked Mrs. O'Malley, I'm betting Debbie would say "obsession" is the more likely word. Us golfers, regardless of ability, are a very peculiar and passionate bunch. All it takes is that very first time you hit a ball flush ( usually with a 7 iron) going where you want it, and then the party's over. You're hooked. Addicts actually call this "Chasing the Dragon". From there on out, it's a lifetime of trying to improve, and repeating the feeling of hitting that awesome first shot. I'm no different than everybody else when it comes to this. Some times I'm hitting the ball like Mickelson, others like Helen Keller blind drunk. You know how it is right?
Some of you may know that I've been long time pals with Justin Rose from the PGA tour. Not only is JR an amazing player and multiple winner on tour, but he is one of life's genuine great guys who has also helped me immensely with my charity work. Justin's coach is a guy from Canada named Sean Foley, so I went on YouTube to see what his methods were. Now we all well know that half the fun of watching video's on YouTube is the comments section. After watching a video or two on Foley giving instruction, off I went to the comments. And there were a number posted from different viewers that said a variation of the same thing over and over. And that was, " You guys are watching the wrong Sean golf coach/instructor from Canada...Try Shawn Clement". And this is what changed my golf game permanently.
So I watched one video on YouTube from this guy Shawn Clement. And immediately went "Hmmmm...". And then another. And then another. Hey, they were free so why not? And the things he was saying were starting to make total sense. Let's face it, there's a zillion different methods (stack n' tilt, etc), and just as many famous instructors (McLean, Leadbetter, Haney, etc). Locally, Paul Sliva of Van Cortlandt Park GC is widely considered the best. But whatever works for one person, might not work for the other. I for one, was sick and tired of having to check and remind myself of every position in the golfswing while standing over the ball. Too much technicality going through your head when swinging the club, and it just sucks the joy out of the game.
So I watched one video on YouTube from this guy Shawn Clement. And immediately went "Hmmmm...". And then another. And then another. Hey, they were free so why not? And the things he was saying were starting to make total sense. Let's face it, there's a zillion different methods (stack n' tilt, etc), and just as many famous instructors (McLean, Leadbetter, Haney, etc). Locally, Paul Sliva of Van Cortlandt Park GC is widely considered the best. But whatever works for one person, might not work for the other. I for one, was sick and tired of having to check and remind myself of every position in the golfswing while standing over the ball. Too much technicality going through your head when swinging the club, and it just sucks the joy out of the game.
The more I watched these videos from Shawn Clement, the more a light bulb went off in my head. And this had been a very long time coming. Frankly I was amazed at the countless instruction video's this guy posted to YouTube, along with taking the time to answer viewers questions in the comments section. Then I thought, wow, if I'm learning this much by simply watching some video's, just imagine what it would be like I saw him in person for a lesson. Therefore, one night I decided to turn the charm-o-meter to the seek and destroy setting, and said to my lovely wife, "Honey, any chance I can get my birthday present a little early this year?'. "Where's the golftrip?" my big brained spouse replied.
"Toronto to see that golf teacher I was telling you about" I replied. Cue wifey's eye roll, a smile and "Well then, off ya go". This also gave me an opportunity to visit a buddy who lives in Toronto, drink some proper beer, and return to the country I adore where I spent the majority of my school years.
"Toronto to see that golf teacher I was telling you about" I replied. Cue wifey's eye roll, a smile and "Well then, off ya go". This also gave me an opportunity to visit a buddy who lives in Toronto, drink some proper beer, and return to the country I adore where I spent the majority of my school years.
Upon meeting Shawn at his home course Richmond Hill about 1/2 an hour from downtown, I just had a good feeling immediately. Having faith in what he was speaking of in watching his videos and dvd set (highly recommended) helped matters. I'll admit I was slightly confused that before we even picked up a club, he said "Come with me, before we do a thing, you need to meet Skelly". Skelly as it turns out is a biology type class skeleton he keeps in his indoor teaching area, and it might be the greatest instrument ever in showing what the body is capable of, and more importantly incapable of in a golf swing.
So this is where things get tricky. And by this I mean, I'm the student, and Shawn's the teacher. Therefore me trying to explain his philosophy in a few sentences would be a losing battle. What I will poetically say is this.... "Shawn Clement is the shit."...Haha.
If I was asked to sum up the way he teaches, it would be that he keeps things simple, and shows the way a golf club should be swung, without letting too many other elements get in the way. Those elements namely being your arms not crashing into the body, a smooth rhythm, and mental focus on swinging towards your target. Thinking about hand positions at the top of your swing, massive weight shifts to your right leg (if you're a righty), and all the other things that make your brain into scrambled eggs standing over a ball aren't even considered or allowed. If your set up and grip are proper, your expected rhythm correct, and mind on swinging towards the target, it will blow your mind how well your shot will go towards your intended target. Notice I didn't say "Hit the ball". That might be Shawn's #1 rule of thumb. You never hit the ball, it just gets in the way of your nice rhythmic swing. It's genius....
Obviously your best bet here is to watch some of Shawn's video's that you can find all over YouTube. They're free of charge, and I'm guessing it will turn you into a believer like me. I would highly recommend you consider Shawn's dvd or online series for purchase. It's super reasonable, covers absolutely everything, and moves along in priority sequence which makes things very easy. Check that out along with all sorts of other great stuff (much of what is free) at http://www.shawnclementgolf.com Of course if you're the traveling type like me, there's nothing like seeing an instructor in person. Plus you can't beat Canadian hospitality (not to mention local beer!) and Richmond Hill is 30 minutes from the airport. If you do go, get Shawn to point you to the bistro down the road that serves a meatloaf so good I could swear it was dosed with a hit of ecstasy....haha.
In closing, many thanks to you Shawn, and to my wife for green lighting an amazing early birthday gift. I'll leave you with a conversation I had with a charming British gent named Steve who had flown in for 24 hours in order to take a 2 hour lesson.
Me: "You really flew all the way from Newcastle for one day and a 2 hour golf lesson?"
Steve: "Absolutely. Mate you'll understand that 2 hours with Shawn is like 2 months with anyone else".
Nuff' said....
Have a fantastic 2012 golf season!
Ian
In closing, many thanks to you Shawn, and to my wife for green lighting an amazing early birthday gift. I'll leave you with a conversation I had with a charming British gent named Steve who had flown in for 24 hours in order to take a 2 hour lesson.
Me: "You really flew all the way from Newcastle for one day and a 2 hour golf lesson?"
Steve: "Absolutely. Mate you'll understand that 2 hours with Shawn is like 2 months with anyone else".
Nuff' said....
Have a fantastic 2012 golf season!
Ian
