Have you ever considered running a "TGM dream team event" (Yoda, Ben Doyle, Brian Manzella, Chuck Evans, ... ) in Europe?
I just committed to Destin bash on the beach. Why? To learn from some of the top TGM names in person.
If the same group of teachers would have hosted something in Europe I would have preferred that. Not that I mind travelling to the US. Quite the contrary. But I guess for most Europeans (as for me) it is impossible to go there for just a 3-4 day event. I had to add a few other things to the schedule & now I am off. So that's fine. But what about next year? I am not sure I'll be able to do it again, but I might like to.
Sure, there are AI's in Europe, but (according to thegolfingmachine.com) only a total of 6 GSEM's and no GSED's. 5/6 GSEM's are located in Germany. I am sure they are good, but Germany is not where Europeans would typically go to play golf. Neither is Netherlands where the only non-german GSEM is based. There are great courses in Germany and the Netherlands, but I feel it is hard to break a habit.
If I'd say "Hey, lets to to Germany or Netherlands for a TGM event" to any of my not-yet-interested-in-TGM buddies they would probably not consider it. The guys want to go to Spain or Portugal. Sometimes also to Scotland France, Italy. On occation also to Turkey or Marocco, but that's less likely.
(If there'd be an event in Sweden it would most likely not attract even a single non-Swedish golfer. )
To summarize I'd say for a TGM event in Europe to really pick up interest it'd have to:
Attraction: Include => 2 U.S. GSED's with very solid reputation.
Location: Run in Spain, Portugal, France or Italy
Timing: Run in the period october-november or february-april.
Opinions?
I guess TGM will not seriously take off in Europe until there's a number of GSED's available in different countries. Even though most speak English it seems most people want to talk golf in their native language - which is also a factor.
Good idea Metallion, and one I believe that has been pondered before.
If my experience is anything to go by, there would be no shortage of possible participants, willing to pay whatever it would cost.
Unfortunately, TGM in Europe suffered the same battering it did in the U.S. and that at the hands of the self appointed bodies for teaching the game, namely the P.G.A.s.
For 25 years or so there has been a systematic rubbishing of TGM. Principles before personalities was never an option. The British PGA was of the opinion that studying the GM was the touchstone of insanity, and gave the impression that anyone caught would be barred forthwith.
The German PGA loudly claimed for many years that the Golfing Machine was dead. Its leaders continued a very expensive scientific study into the 458 ways to top the ball. I am serious. In good vee vill vin tradition they continue trying to reinvent the wheel.
The tragedy that is the Golfing Machine story so far has been given a golden opportunity to transcend the politics and small minded power struggles that have kept it in the shadows all these years.
Why not Sweden?. Or Scotland in July?. St Andrews, maybe?.
mcfas45: I wish I had the same background info regarding the scene in Sweden, but being just any golfer there is no way I do. I do not know if TGM has been systematically rubbished, but judging by the end result - so it seems. I have seen traces of the yellow book being part of the problem, but you know all about that. I have also noticed that every time someone is brave enough to bring up TGM on a Swedish golf forum there is no shortage of bashers.
I feel sadness seeing how the Swedish Golfers Association spend resources on producing low-grade material such as "how to hit the ball off a slope" and "how to hit an intentional hook". Its just embarassing. I'd much rather see they'd allocate time to teach people how to hit a proper chipshot.
Scary enough, for most part golfers seem to be satisfied with that. They generally seem to be unaware of the fact that there is something beyond band-aid. Seems in general the pros are not good enough to trigger knowledge absorbation process among their students.
Thinking of how may range balls I've hit in vain is pretty horrible. But I have to admit I did. Hope this event can get the ball rolling.
Only this year did I for the first time REALLY feel PP#3 activated in my swing. It gave me a sense of a huge amount of wasted time, but luckily the rewarding feeling was greater.
mcfas45: I wish I had the same background info regarding the scene in Sweden, but being just any golfer there is no way I do. I do not know if TGM has been systematically rubbished, but judging by the end result - so it seems. I have seen traces of the yellow book being part of the problem, but you know all about that. I have also noticed that every time someone is brave enough to bring up TGM on a Swedish golf forum there is no shortage of bashers.
I feel sadness seeing how the Swedish Golfers Association spend resources on producing low-grade material such as "how to hit the ball off a slope" and "how to hit an intentional hook". Its just embarassing. I'd much rather see they'd allocate time to teach people how to hit a proper chipshot.
Metallion,
Our own Henning Lundstrom is a member of the Swedish PGA and is the 2005 Teacher of the Year for its largest section. He is also a GSEM and enthusiastic advocate for TGM. His presentation to a large gathering of Swedish Professionals just before a visit to The Swamp last Fall was a smashing success that resulted in the sale of more than forty copies of the book.
Henning is also on the program committee for the 2006 Swedish PGA annual conference next March. As I understand it, a full day is being devoted to TGM. So, it looks like things are really happening for TGM in Sweden. Henning will be attending the Destin Bash On The Beach, and I look forward to seeing him again and getting a first-hand report.
Why not Sweden? Or Scotland in July?. St Andrews, maybe?
You are on my wavelength, Mcfas45.
I have already met with the good folks running the show at St. Andrews. Result?
The Lynn Blake Golf Academy at St. Andrews / 2006 will be announced soon.
sign me up!
We will be putting out an Earlybird Registration in the next few days in the Schools, Workshops and Special Events section. Dates have not yet been officially established, but preliminary indications are for July 2006.
In addition to the obvious world class golf http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/the...ld_course.html , St. Andrews features some of the finest practice facilities as well. Click on http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/pra...tre/index.html to see where we will be getting the G.O.L.F. job done. And we'll most likely be staying at the Rusacks Hotel overlooking the 18th on the Old Course or at one of the world's most famous golf resorts, the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort and Spa overlooking the famous 'Road Hole,' the 17th, the West Sands and the coastline of Fife.
Metallion, I really do not know the Swedish scene either. The last time I was in Sweden was ten years ago. I do know though, that every other Golf Association in Europe was full of envy for what became known as the "Swedish System". From Matts Lanner onwards. By the way what is Ove Sellberg up to?. My comments regarding rubbishing were perhaps a little hard, but I have been a golf pro for 26 years, and am a fully qualified member of 3 PGAs, as well as an Authorized Instructor of Mr Kelleys masterpiece. My experience has been such that the Golfing Machine is vastly underrated and misunderstood by the various associations. Hence the golden opportunity provided by Lynn Blake Golf and the Golfing Machine oriented sites on the Internet. One stop shopping. The whole elephant. The truth in teaching. God knows how Ben Doyle must feel.
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Hybrid Mode
