Objective

The word for the week is adventurous, ready to take risks or to deal with the new and unknown. Risks are defined by danger. The dangers we face on the golf course are more often mental than they are physical.

We want the students to learn to be adventurous and try new things. Fear is hardwired into our DNA. Being afraid, literally, helps keep us out of dangerous situations. Being adventurous does not mean be foolhardy. However, we can not let fear paralyze us either.

So, whether it is extending a hand to meet new people, trying a new swing move or taking a taste of something we have never eaten before, we must squash our fears. The person we reach out to might not like us. The new swing move might not help. The new food might taste terrible. Being adventurous might not work.

But it also may lead to something better.

Notes & Activities

1. This is the last week before the Thanksgiving break. Let’s have fun. Do whatever the students want to do.
2. Encourage a spirit of adventure. Encourage them to try something new over the break.
3. We have one early session this week on Wednesday:
   • @1:00 p.m. Savant Prep.
   • We need to make sure that we have smaller clubs and designate who is attending the session.
4. Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. is our Quarterly Parent Meeting. Please let the students know that their parents should try to join us.
5. Swing basics.
   • The yardstick drill. The best putting drill ever. All putts are straight putts.
   • Alignment stick drill. Pick up 8 alignment sticks from the Home Depot or Lowe’s. Have the students (SAFELY) try to make the thing whistle.
   • Learn to compress the ball. Stop whiffs, tops, thin, fat and chunks. Hit solid shots.
   • Everyone should know the swing sequence (Start behind the ball, target, grip, setup, on balance, finish facing the target).
   • Students should be focusing on solid contact.
   • Go over the meanings of whiff, topped, thin, solid and fat shots. If you don’t know what those mean, ask someone.
   • The ball gets in the way of a good swing.
   • Students need to learn to swing the club, not hit at the ball.
   • Short shots: Learn to play from the hole backwards.
   • Make good contact.
   • Sweep the grass under the ball.
   • Hit the ground in front.
   • Here’s a great drill to help hit the ball first (https://youtu.be/N1Yd_CXkdi4?si=YtVMDUP4yc0xyD5S).
   • You don’t have to swing hard.
   • Long shots are the same as short shots with a longer swing.