When launch monitors first came on the scene they specialized in data – launch angle, carry, apex, curvature, ball speed, swing speed, etc. And while that’s great, it got tedious at times in the offseason as people wanted to PLAY, not just hit balls all day. The majority of my students (including Tour players) are much more “feel” oriented and seeing all those numbers led to brain overload, making the session longer and less productive. Enter current launch monitor technology which has a simulator aspect attached to it. Suddenly you have an opportunity to not only look at the data, but to also PLAY golf with your students. If you want to run a league, you can do that. If a student complains that windy conditions typically lead to problems for them on the course, you can simulate that, with the data to show why that’s happening. Many launch monitors that contain simulators also have the ability to do “bag mapping,” giving students true indications of their yardages and helping to identify gaps, which can lead to additional sales for your shop. It becomes a FUN time with your teacher, instead of yet another lesson outside on a super cold or hot day. The vibe has become so relaxed that we’re playing music in some lessons now.

As PGA Professionals we all know that on-course instruction can expose more areas that need improvement for a student than just hitting balls on a sterile range. One of the advantages of advanced launch monitors and simulators that contain things like “bag mapping” or a “wedge matrix” (showing how far you hit every wedge in your bag with a full swing, ¾ swing, ½ swing, etc.) is you’re able to make that progress in the indoor “lab” and then take it immediately onto the “course.” Additionally, especially with juniors, being able to “play” versus “practice” is more enticing for them. Playing games against their parents (closest to the pin from 125 yards for the adults, 50 yards for the kids, for example) can be super exciting. The reality is that it is a “Near Golf Experience,” which experts say is a good way to train the brain and emotions of a player for when they find themselves in these scenarios in real life! Take Seth Frack, an avid golfer and weekend player who like most has a group of friends who bring both fun/laughs and the all too prevalent trash talking in our weekend games on the links. One time as Seth arrived at the 18th hole and needed a partial wedge to reach the green and seal the win for his team, his opponents knew this was TOTALLY his Achilles heel and took the time to remind him of it. But, Seth had spent time on a wedge matrix and knew the EXACT shot and swing needed to hit this 67-yard shot. The result and the ensuing smile at his opponents said it all! “Have fun and smile more…time inside makes time outside even better,” is Seth’s new mantra! Offseason work paid off on a big stage.

If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email thepgaguy@pga.com.