Erika Larkin's Golf Blog

Newt and Golf... ? :) OWN IT!

2012-01-19T17:17:00.003-05:00

Living near Washington D.C. I may be more in tune to politics than if I lived elsewhere, but I couldn't help get inspired the other night after watching the SC Republican Presidential debate. If you didn't see it, Newt Gingrich made a great point about how he would help create jobs- he would help people find a job (any job- even janitorial work) ... then teach them to get a BETTER job... then teach them to OWN the job. So how does this apply to golf? I think a lot of golfers have this mentality that they can just skip steps and find the swing cure tomorrow, gain 20 yards or drop 10 strokes with a magic tip or new golf club. So listen to Newt (and me) ...start by learning the basics, improve your skills, then master your skills then you will OWN YOUR GAME!

Teacher of the Year!

2012-01-19T17:15:00.001-05:00

I'm thrilled to announce my recent award as the Middle Atlantic PGA Section Teacher of the year! I will continue to earn this every day. Here is a link to the posting about this year's award winners.

PGA Show and Teaching Summit 2011

2011-01-31T15:00:00.006-05:00

Well I just got back from a great week in Orlando!

PGA NATIONAL TEACHING AND COACHING SUMMIT

I spent two days at the Nick Faldo Golf Institute for the National PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit. There, I met a few notables including Michael Breed (who MC'd the event), Bobby Clampett (who've I've written about before), and really enjoyed a few presentations particularly Lou Holtz who gave a motivational and hysterical speech on coaching, Bob Toski -still going strong at 83 years young, Derek Shelton- a Tampa Rays Hitting Coach who talked about the similarities/differences in baseball and golf swing training, and the "debate" on ball flight laws between Trackman representatives and Dr. Gary Wiren (the father of ball flight laws)- very interesting.

The hot new word was "D plane"= an old, but new physics phenomenon that has been applied to ball flight "laws"- I'm still not sure if I totally understand it... I might need to go back to school!

I learned about some new 3d video analysis software debuting from Bentley Kinetics. For a second time, I saw a presentation about AIMPOINT green reading and I'm looking forward to becoming one of only approx 150 certified instructors in the country later this summer!

With all of that said and all of the research and data being collected and analyzed in all areas of the game because of technology....there were just as many experts/presenters that talked about how we need to get away from swing styles and overwhelming our students with technology and striving for the "perfect swing." There were many references to all the different and un-orthodox swings that have become some of the best players in history, and that its not about swing- its about skill. We need to as teachers help our students be more well rounded, apply skills to the course, spend more time practicing and teaching on the course- situational skill application, different lies, decision making, mental and emotional control- this is the way people will improve and enjoy the game more. We have to keep finding way sot make golf fun so we can retain students and players.

I see both sides of the coin. I can't ignore the research and technology and think that a lot of that, presented correctly and wisely by a teacher can really help a student. But like all things, balance between that and the "holistic"approach that was talked about too is the key. I guess that is what separates the good teachers/coaches from the GREAT... their ability to know when to make swing changes and when not to mess with raw talent- how to nurture different players in the right ways and to be well-rounded or having a team of people to help you help your students in all ways possible. I will try my best to be THAT kind of Coach.

THE PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW:

This was my 6th time attending the show over the last 8 years. It is an amazing huge show- I guess I'm numb to some of the excitement because I've been a number of times now. Its still fun to walk around, see the vendors, network with new and old friends and see what and who you can see. I am happy to report that some of the main manufacturers returned after a sabbatical...in particular, my sponsor Taylor Made had a very impressive, extensive booth that took up a whole WING at the convention center. Their new products were the highlight of the show from top to bottom. The new white R11 and burner line is good looking and you can adjust it numerous different ways- more than ever before. Ex.-you can take the 9degree head and change it down to 8 or up to 10. No more worrying if you bought the right driver..just turn the hosel!

People always ask me - "so what did you buy at the show?"... I did invest in some new swing analysis software Swing View Pro, that I'm excited about. I ordered a few new training aids included some of EyeLine's new products: portable full swing mirror, a putting steel ball, sweet spot pads and putting mirror. I also ordered Mike Bender's new Bender Stick- an adjustable foam rod that can be used as a guide or a blocker for swing training.

I saw a few live fashion shows including Puma and Callaway... both sporty and young. Goodbye old frumpy fashions... I think they are gone fore

Overall a great week- my brain is tired from all the excitement and my feet are tired from walking miles and miles as I am 34 weeks pregnant now.

I'm back home, and back to my reading project, so stay tuned for the next book review coming later this week!

Book #5 Bob Toski

2011-01-19T10:49:00.003-05:00

Bob Toski's Complete Guide to Better Golf (c 1977)

I chose this book because I didn't know much about Toski and have always been told by peers "oh you have to read some of his stuff, its really good.." So I ordered this 1983 copy off Amazon.com because I couldn't find it in the store. This was definitely a piece of nostalgia...should I read it, or frame it? !

So this was originally published a few years before I was born... which means almost 15 years before I even picked up a golf club or ever read a golf instruction book. The whole time I was reading this book (illustrated/photographed in full color by the way:) as it states on the cover!) I had to laugh at a few things like "turn your cheek at address.." and "Reverse C for a swing that's free".... not exactly what you would hear now a days... also, "distance formula: add motion, subtract muscle". From what I understand that (the latter point) sums up Toski's teachings. The "60's- 70's" swing" like many things in those decades was more free. In golf terms: whippy, handsy and more about timing. Today timing is important but with all the research in bio-dynamics and popularity of fitness, there is much more muscle and much less hands in golf now.

In the book, Johnny Miller's grip was not criticized for being weak nor was Lee Trevino for being very strong, but the differences were recognized as style preferences. Toski (with Dick Aultman, Golf Digest) nicely illustrate the why and how of ball-flight patterns. In this faults and fixes section many times, Toski suggests slowing down a backswing or lengthening a backswing as a way to fix a problem. You would very rarely here this fix today when talking about how to fix topping or pulling.

I kept thinking.. okay, what is so special about this book? What made Bob Toski so renowned? I guess because I didn't live through it, its hard for me to understand what may have been earth shattering about this book at the time. Was it just a quintessential book of its time, laying out points of swing style and theory? Or was there some NEW idea that he presents that I just don't recognize since I didn't live through it? Maybe everything in this book was "new" at the time and I just don't realize it? Maybe someone out there can help?

One last note.. I did enjoy, for nostalgia sake, the 30+ pages at the end of the book with Toski's detailed analysis of various swing sequences from popular golfers at the time. That was kinda of neat to compare in my own mind how different the swings of today look.

So my personal takeaway on Toski is this: the average golfer is typically not in supreme physical condition, so a knee sliding, handsy approach to the swing could work in his/her favor and allow for decent speed to be created. However... the average golfer is looking for consistency and hands and timing are two of the hardest things to control from a consistency standpoint. It puts more importance on the coordination of the small muscles amount of practice it would take to train them to repeat a particular pattern in a particular timing to work. So therefore, the more modern swing driven by positions and patterns of the big muscles is simpler and easier to be consistent with for the average golfer.. in my opinion.

But of course its your choice...Hands or muscle... which kind of golfer are you?

Thanks for the perspective Mr. Toski. Its always refreshing to look back.

Making Golf Fun

2010-12-22T13:42:00.002-05:00

My husband and I were just having a conversation yesterday as we drove home from a little vacation about ways to make golf more fun. We agreed that in general golf is time consuming, too hard for most people, and too strict when it comes to rules and tradition- maybe that is why we are having trouble in today's society really growing the sport among adults. Then I opened up the most recent issue of Golf Digest (Jan '11) -what a great issue by the way....and what do I see?...a whole section "The FUN Issue" make your game a blast. They recounted almost all the points Mike and I discussed and more. So to share, here are the ways you can make this game more fun for you, your friends and family!

- Invent your own rules (who says a foot-wedge, 3 foot gimmies or 1st tee mulligan are all that bad?)
-Lighten your load - don't play with as many clubs. It will be simpler and you might even be encouraged to walk the course with a smaller lighter bag!
-Betting- try unusual bets like if you think someone's going to three putt put up $5... if the person 2-putts they get $2 or if they sink it, they get $20!
-Don't keep score
-Play fewer holes
-Stop playing stroke play- play matches or scrambles
-Move up to the front tees or even the fairway (play every hole as a short par 4) How short do you have to make the course to break par?
-On a quiet night or day- make up your own course. This is called "cross country"... play from the first tee to the 17th green as the crow flies, and so on...
-Play night golf or find a lit-course!
-KIDS: make up a separate set of rules and tee boxes for kids under 13... Free water balls, x# of do-overs, magic putts, hand wedges out of the sand after one try. This will speed up play and they will have more fun. Also don't wait for them to tell you they've had enough... leave the course before they are ready. Leave them wanting more!

Let's have some fun in 2011! Break the rules, its okay! Just keep playing golf!

Book #4 White Pearl

2010-12-15T10:13:00.002-05:00

White Pearl & I: A memoir of a political refugee, by Svetlana Kim

Okay, this is not a golf book. Instead, an inspirational one that I highly recommend (with a few good lessons that could be applied to life and of course golf). This is an autobiography of a Korean-Russian woman who made an unbelievable journey to this country- and pursued the American Dream; a real rags to riches tale. As she tells her story she flashes back to the wisdom and stories of her grandmother, affectionately called White Pearl. She did have to overcome a lot and had a few hurdles to cross but it almost seems like she was "lucky", in the right place at the right time. She randomly met people who helped her out of the goodness of their heart. She was given opportunities by people that saw her passion and drive and she made the most of them everytime. Svetlana was always hard working, and even when things did not go her way, she never gave up the hope of what she thought she could be, she wasn't afraid to leave what she "knew" at home, and never ever felt sorry for herself. Afterall, this was America- anything was possible.

I think to some degree what she practiced was the "Laws of Attraction". If you're not familiar with what that means, its an actual theory based on Plato's the Law of affinity. It states that like attracts like when speaking of elements, and even electromagnetic forces. Because we as humans have electrical and chemical composition we too are affected by this and will tend to gravitate to those ideas, things and people that are similar to us physically, mentally, etc. We can attract and write to some degree, our own destiny. So, for life or even for golf, know this:

You must know where you are going in order to get there. (Set goals!)
Don't let small setbacks discourage you- keep your hope up ( doesn't this sound like a round of golf?)
Visualize what you want your life/golf game to be and believe that it can really happen.
Creating your own reality, looking for the upside in situations and having a good attitude is more than half the battle in teaching your goals. (you'll play better golf when you're positive)
Surround your self with information and people that can help you get there. No one reaches there goals without help from others. Who is your White Pearl?
Don't be afraid of the unfamiliar...(new experiences, feelings, information) embrace it.

I hope even without reading the book, you might find some inspiration in those ideas. But I would highly encourage you to check it out.

Book #3 The Impact Zone: Mastering Golf's Moment of Truth

2010-12-14T22:00:00.007-05:00

If and when I write my own book one of these days, I think would end up echoing a lot of things in this book: "The Impact Zone" by Bobby Clampett & Andy Brumer. Based on his outstanding playing career, broadcasting experience, research/help from with the wonderful Swing Vision technology (high speed cameras) and time spent teaching Mr. Clampett writes about the indisputable dynamics that every good golf swing has in common ( and how to learn them). He says in the opening pages (similar to Dr. Rick Jensen in his book "Easier Said than Done") good golf shots happen because of good dynamics- not style. He doesn't care about back swing or positions or how the swing looks per se.... if you can master the dynamics, you will have the best chance to hit consistent, solid shots.

Here they are:
1- Flat left wrist at Impact
2- Swing bottom that is forward of the ball
3- Loading the club with the wrists
4-Lagging the load (and using pivot to deliver it at the swing bottom)
5- Swinging along a straight plane line through impact.

None of these are rocket science, but the way he presents it like a teaching method (even though its not stylized) is logical and good. In order from small swings to big swings ( the same way I teach) he builds on each dynamic and suggests practice ideas. If you can't master Dynamic #1 (which would be fundamentally important starting with putting) you shouldn't expect to have success in your ball striking with full swing. Dynamic 2 has to work starting with chipping. The absence of a dynamic doesn't mean you won't be able to hit a golf ball, but it can explain almost every inconsistency, swing flaw and and compensation ex.- hitting thin, fat, scooping, casting, poor balance, late weight shift, etc.

One NEW takeaway for myself was about Drivers... I admit, I thought and have always taught that the ball is hit on the "upswing" with a driver...I guess I was wrong. I didn't know that most good players are reaching their swing bottoms after the ball even with this club. Wow. Thank you Swing Vision for blowing my mind. Thank you Mr. Clampett for bringing this to my attention. Maybe my students and I will all pick up an extra 10 yds now!

The first 100 pages are the meat of it and worth studying for sure- the rest in my opinion, even though I liked the book as a whole, are skim-able. He gets into how club fitting and mental dynamics relate to good mechanics and mastery of them... let's get the dynamics down first.

One warning- the language in this book is not geared for the new golfer... (that is the book I'm going to write:) ! ) but if you understand golf lingo and don't mind some technical talk its pretty easy to follow all things considered.

I found this book on Amazon, but its probably available in stores too. Enjoy!

Lisa Combs to play at Columbia

2010-12-14T14:37:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to my student, Lisa Combs (a Senior at Faquier HS) who just received early admission to the prestigious Columbia University in NY. She will be playing golf for their Women's Golf Team beginning Fall 2011! Go Lisa!!

Book #1 The Game Before the Game

2010-11-16T22:54:00.006-05:00

This book was written by Lynn Marriott & Pia Nilsson ( Annika's longtime coaches). They have several good books out, but this one is great because it gives specific practice ideas for make practice more effective and fun : practicing with a purpose and finding the art in practice.

They break down practice into different themes and they give "perfect 30-min. practice" regiments for each of the following areas: warming up, improving balance, improving tempo, having a good mental attitude, developing a solid routine, putting skills, keys to golf fitness, developing focus, and more. Not all of their recommendations involve on-course activities, some are internal /meditative and many could be easily adapted to indoor use. There are great on-course transfer practice ideas too.

Along the way they stress that you have to continue to find the fun and passion in the sport. I agree this is very important. Too many people (especially those who don't work with an instructor) practice mindlessly - it might be an outlet to relax, but if you're going to spend the time swinging around, I say, accomplish something!

A few of my favorite tips include:

Be "curious" when you practice... don't expect to know what you might learn... be open minded and discover as you go.
Make 8 swings alternating between 50 percent and 100 percent of full tempo
Putt for 5 minutes to a hole with your eyes closed. Estimate where you think the ball ended up before you look.
Say 5 things to a friend that you think you are good at in golf.
Hit 6 shots with different grip pressures, starting with 3 fingers on each hand... then all your fingers but lightly as possible, each shot should get tighter and tighter. Evaluate which grip pressure felt the best.

More info on these great ladies and their coaching at www.vision54.com- they even have a nice portable version/coaching cards that are great to bring with you to the course to remember the drills and ideas.

Book #2 "Easier Said than Done"

2010-11-10T11:33:00.011-05:00

This book was recently written/published by Dr. Rick Jensen (a nationally recognized sports psychologist and performance consultant) who I saw present at an AMF Golf Management Summit I attended in September. He is so dynamic, funny and I really like his approach to "coaching."

In this book, Dr. Rick reveals the 12 "tour-tested truths" that you need to know and apply to play to your potential on the course. Of course, they are "easier said than done". It is not meant to be a discouraging title, instead motivational and a reality check for those golfers who don't know what it really takes to make changes and truly how to improve (like the Pros). Now of course, most of us are not Pros or looking to become Pros, but anyone can benefit from the suggestions in this book and align them to their goals and playing level.

We are all "victims" of an instant-gratification society. We all want our information, communication, answers immediately (faster internet, electronic and wireless everything, text messaging, sms and rss feeds, twitter, etc.) and so as a result we also expect instant results even in golf. We have to learn to be patient, find a good coach, learn to master a basic skills without skipping steps. Most golfers never truly master a new skill or swing change- they can do it in practice, but not on the course under pressure, they wonder why. Here are the steps to skill mastery which breeds improvement and confidence: Step 1- Understand cause & effect, Step 2- Supervised practice, Step 3- transfer training (course application), Step 4- play (put it to the test).

Dr. Rick signed my copy of the book, and in his note wrote "Its about more than the swing." I agree with him. Good golf does not come from a picture perfect golf swing it comes from (1) good ball control (2) proper decision making and (3) self management. He touches on all of these ideas and more: stat tracking, creating a game plan for practice, setting realistic goals, the importance of fitness, etc.

Its a quick read and well worth it, especially as we get closer to golf season. It will give you some fresh ideas about practice and how to approach your game, selecting a coach and how to spend your time wisely to reach your goals in golf. For more information about Dr. Rick or his book, please visit www.drrickjensen.com

My Winter Reading Project

2010-11-10T11:20:00.002-05:00

I'm on a mission... read 12 + golf books in the next 4 months! You're invited to follow my journey and search for fresh inspiration and learning. I'll do my best to post book reviews of new books and some old classics as I finish them. Enjoy!!

Season Recap!

2010-11-10T10:48:00.005-05:00

I'm back.. it's been such a busy year (I know, that is not excuse for not blogging)!

I am winding down from my first full season at Stonewall Golf Club. I enjoyed meeting so many new wonderful students, building my business in a new community and planting seeds for the years to come on the junior golf front. I have an updated website with photo gallery and new scheduler. I have posted many more video tips as well as a result of my aspirations to be picked for the Golf Channel's Next Instructor Search that I participated in this Fall (I have not been notified of my selection...yet.. still waiting... any day now....! )

I look forward to next year and I've already selected a few new coaching tools to incorporate in my training that I think will really help the learning process : a mental golf profile and a stat tracking program. More info to come soon!

I am really proud of the accomplishments of some of my competitive students this year:

Lisa Combs had a great summer highlighted by competing in Europe (for the USA) on the IJGT Jr. Euro Cup Team. She finished top 25 in the state for Girls Golf and won the Women's Club Championship at her home course, Faquier Springs CC.Now in her senior year in HS and entertaining offers from various D1 and D3 schools around the country. Very exciting.
Former Student , Amanda Steinhagen made it into Sports Illustrated for being the first woman in VA in over 30 years to hold the VA Women's and VA Girls title simultaneously. She is now in her freshman year at Longwood University on a full scholarship.
I had the pleasure of starting to work with Joe Megless this season. He is a local, accomplished amateur player who has aspirations of turning pro. He just joined the FUZION Minor League Golf Tour to gain more top level experience at this time. Keep an eye out for him, he has a lot of potential!

Rub of the Green

2010-05-07T09:23:00.004-05:00

Sometimes its hard to explain where a round starts to go "wrong." Other times, its quite clear ex. a blowup hole, four-putting a green, you get the idea. I had an interested round the other day that was somewhere in between.

I felt like I couldn't hit the ball any better...then came hole number 7. The pin was tucked in the back right hand corner of the green (bordered on the right side by bunkers). Feeling confident, I hit a slight fade into that corner of the green: risky but why not? I was playing well. "Take dead aim" I told myself. Well as it turns out, the wind picked up and carried what looked like a perfect shot that would have left me with a nice look at birdie, right into the bunker. "No big deal" I thought, I will just get up and down (which I just did on the previous hole too).

Once I got to my ball, I saw that my lie was uphill/sidehill but I still thought,"take dead aim". I mis-hit the shot a little heavy, and as soon as I did, I realized where I made my mistake. It wasn't the mis-hit, but by being aggressive with my line, I brought the next part of the bunker into play and guess where I ended up... yup right back in the bunker. In an instant a potential birdie hole turned into a big mess of a hole with multiple bunker shots, and multiple putts. All I had to do was adjust my aim on that first bunker shot to get on the meaty part of the green instead of being greedy and aiming right for the flag. Needless to say I didn't recover and I didn't play very well the rest of the day. More bad breaks even when I thought I hit good shots.

So lesson learned: play aggressively, but don't be greedy. Listen to the "golf gods" or they will put you in your place :)

DEMO DAY/ Free lessons

2010-05-05T22:46:00.002-05:00

DEMO DAY Saturday, May 8th from 10am-3pm visit Stonewall Golf Club. Nike, Adams & Taylor Made will be there, win door prizes and take a free 10 minute lesson from yours truly....:)

Never say "I can't"... you CAN...trust me!

2010-05-04T10:12:00.005-05:00

I had the privilege of spending time the last two days with some really amazing people. I participated in the Azalea Classic and Clinic at the Piedmont Club,in Haymarket, Virginia, which supports Special Olympics Golfers, Wounded Warriors and Boys and Girls Clubs in the area. Its a wonderful charity www.azaleacharities.com There are pictures from the event online and information in you're interested in getting involved.

I helped 4 great Special Olympic golfers at the clinic on Sunday, Amy, Becky, Kelly and Andrew... all between the ages of 22-32: what great spirits they had and they did so well on the range and putting green! Even with some limitations, they were trying their best, smiles the whole time, and they just astounded me with their ability to hit some great shots. Thank you to all of them for making me remember that golf is fun no matter what.

Even more impressive, was yesterday in the actual Pro-Am I was paired with the reigning Golf Medalist of the Beijing Special Olympic Games, Grace Ann Braxton, of Fredricksburg, VA. She apparently won her Gold by blowing away the field by 36 strokes. She blew me away too!... She hit 200+ yard drives, she made clutch chips and putts and out team tied for 1st place in the event. She was our ringer. If she had played her own ball, she probably would have beat me too.

What was so inspiring was watching her ability to just point and shoot without the over-thinking that so many of us do. She was very even tempered all day, only positive things cam out of her mouth. She swung freely and with a little help on alignment kept the ball in play and in great position. She just would step up, practice swing, line up and hit it. To decide what club to use, she would refer to her GPS Sky Caddie and then to a wrinkled old index card that listed out all of her clubs and yardages. Why don't we all just to that and trust it? It was awesome to watch her process.

Good luck to Grace as she tries to qualify for the Athens Games this year!

So in summary, if you're reading this there are no excuses in golf or life... never say "I can't"...you CAN,trust me: just like Grace and the game yesterday: you just have to be positive and try.

Congratulations Mary!

2010-05-04T10:07:00.003-05:00

My student of almost 1 year now, Mary Barbero, soph. at South County HS had a great first event of the year in the Capital Area Golf Tour's Laytonsville Open. She took first place with a 74-82. Great job Mary, congratulations on your win!

Golf and Spouses

2010-04-28T12:13:00.000-05:00

I recently saw a re-run episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" that I have to mention. It started with Raymond's wife, Debra asking to go to the course with him so they could have "fun" doing something together (like when they were young and dating). Reluctantly, Raymond agrees, and the round starts out well with hubby coaching and wifey listening. But after several holes things turn south when she has had enough of his coaching (and started coach back) and he's annoyed that she doesn't know proper etiquette (her shadow was in his line, and she rolled her eyes about moving it). It comes to a head with Debra yelling "face it Ray, you didn't really want to play golf with me or my shadow!"

I had to laugh because I have seen, heard and experienced this same situation MANY times before in golf and other arenas. So my advice:

* Golf is a great sport to enjoy with your significant other and your kids/family, but its not always easy for people to take coaching and criticism from a spouse or parent.
* Make sure your expectations are realistic. Playing with your family will be very different than playing with your friends, the chemistry and level of competitiveness is not even comparable. Know that in advance and get in the right mindset.
* Set some guidelines for fun: limit the amount of coaching to one or two tips for the day if any!... If someone is having a bad hole, they can use a "magic putt" a "foot wedge" or "skip a hole" if they need to to help move play along and keep everyone happy.
* The course might not be the place to go if your family is inexperienced. Stick to the putting green and create some fun games(a spontaneous putt-putt course) or chipping challenge. Its still time well spent and still qualifies as golfing together.
* When in doubt: PLEASE use me or someone like me as a resource to help make your time on the course with your family a fun one. As a PGA Professional, I can objectively communicate and teach skills, etiquette and be the one to "blame" for bad shots (and good shots!) instead of you :)

The day when golf is more popular than soccer....

2010-04-26T12:32:00.003-05:00

Why is it that every 4/5 year old in my county is enrolled in a soccer league and not in golf? Let's think....

-Money: By the time you're done buying their uniform, shoes, chin-guards, pay the league fee, grilling out at games, travel fees as they get older, etc.. soccer is probably just as expensive as golf.
-Time: Soccer is an all weekend event for some families.Golf is no different.
-Safety: I know in golf we swing metal sticks around- but I don't know the last time I heard of a kid twisting an ankle or getting bruises and scrapes on the course.
-Speed: I know golf is thought of as slow... but if Soccer is so awesome and exciting why can't the Major Leagues thrive in the U.S.? Where are all the spectators?
-Exercise: Yes, running around for over an hour is a great workout, but have you ever walked 9-18 holes on a hilly course with a golf back on your back? Its not as easy at is sounds! Plus there is always speed golf!
-Team sport: Maybe part of the draw is the comradery and team spirit? Sounds like the Ryder Cup to me... maybe we should make junior golf programs team oriented!
-The Beckham factor: hmmm... you think this could be why? I know Tiger's not perfect, but he's still a pretty inspirational competitor...
Scholarships: Even if there are more spots available for soccer scholarships there are probably 10x the kids vying for them.
-Sport for a lifetime: Soccer is NOT this- there are Grandmas who play golf but haven't seen any lace-'em up for "football" in a while.
-Age- Most soccer programs start at 2 or 3 yrs old. Most golf programs don't start kids until 6 or 7... maybe golf is missing out because kids start too late?
-Tailgating: Ah ha! This must be the reason! I need to create a new format. Golf Cart Tailgate Party Junior Team Speed Golf for ages 2& up! I'm on it... look for details coming soon!:)

Beginner Rules Seminars FYI

2010-03-04T10:16:00.002-05:00

The MAPGA and MSGA will run two half-day seminars geared towards golfers who are new to the Rules of Golf. Each seminar will run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and will be followed by lunch. The first seminar will take place on Saturday, March 13th at the Elkridge Club and the second one will be Saturday, March 20th at Chevy Chase Club. Please click HERE for the registration form.

My son at 2 yrs old swinging the club:)

2010-02-15T11:29:00.002-05:00

Click HERE to a link for youtube to see my son whacking the ball around!

To see him "putting" click here.

New Groove Rule explained

2010-01-12T15:59:00.005-05:00

Click here to read about the new "groove" rules on wedges. Don't worry, if you're not on the PGA tour you're good through 2024 with your current wedges or you can stock up on those that are currently being produced between now and the end of the year. After 2010, square grooved wedges will not be sold, but you may continue using them for 14 more years:)

Erika to Present on the Main Stage @ Dulles Golf Show Feb 6th

2010-01-06T16:16:00.003-05:00

Good News...I was asked to come back for the 2nd year in a row to give a presentation/demonstration on the main stage of the North Coast Golf Show held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantill VA the weekend of Feb. 5th. I will be on stage at 12:30pm-1:15pm on Saturday, February 6th. Come by for some great deals on equipment, pick up some coupons to local courses and get a free lesson from local pros including me.
Sure to be a good time! www.northcoastgolfshows.com See you there!

A New Year...a New Location! STONEWALL GOLF CLUB

2010-01-06T16:04:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! 2010 is going to be an exciting year. I have accepted a new contract with Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville, VA (www.stonewallgolfclub.com) to run my golf programs there as their first ever Director Of Instruction. Please stay posted on my website for a full calendar of programs. I will be doing all of my booking online through www.smarterlessons.com, and you can also sign up for a mailing list to receive newsletters on the CONTACT page of my website. Stonewall is a very beautiful golf course and practice facility. I look forward to spending my time there and having you come visit me!

On a sad note this means that I have officially ended my time at the place I've called "home" for the last six years, International Country Club. I will also no longer be teaching at 1757 Golf Club or Virginia Oaks Golf Club.

Have a great winter and I look forward to seeing you when the snow melts!

Amanda wins Virginia Girls State Championship!

2009-10-29T11:42:00.002-05:00

My former student of 5 years, Amanda Steinhagen, senior at Oakton HS, just won the Girls States shooting 70-68. She won it two years ago as well.

I was lucky enough to be there in Virginia Beach and see her finish. Great job Amanda, and good luck at Longwood next year!! My players from Westfield HS all finished in the top 15 out of 100 girls.

Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post article yesterday:

Steinhagen's 50-foot putt seals second title

Having all but wrapped up her second state title in three years, Oakton senior Amanda Steinhagen joked with one of her playing partners as she lined up a putt on the final hole of her high school golf career.

Steinhagen lamented leaving herself the longest putt of her round, a 50-footer.

"Why don't you just sink it and make it easy on yourself?" one of the other golfers asked.

Apparently, it was that easy. Steinhagen sank the long putt for her fifth birdie of the round, completing a spectacular two-day run in which she shot 2-under-par 70-68 -- 138 to win the Virginia High School League girls' open championship at Kempsville Greens Municipal Golf Course in Virginia Beach.

Steinhagen, who also won the tournament as a sophomore, finished 11 strokes ahead of her nearest competitor. Lauren Coughlin of Hickory beat Paige Reese of Park View-South Hill in a playoff for second after both finished at 149.

Starting the round with a four-stroke lead, she birdied the par-5 fifth hole and then made a 20-foot putt for birdie on No. 7. Other than a double bogey on No. 16, Steinhagen was pleased with the round.

"Today, I was more focused on being consistent rather than just going for pins and putting down a low score," said Steinhagen, who in two weeks plans to sign a national letter-of-intent to play for Longwood. "This is what I was really kind of hunting for all year long. I've been really looking forward to this."

-- Josh Barr

Check out TANG

2009-05-06T10:12:00.001-05:00

TANG Golfing (Take a Non Golfer Golfing) is a new blog dedicated to NEW Golfers and an outlet to tell your story of how you got into golf! Check it out!

Students Ashley and Mackenzie Nguyen at Golf Show

2009-05-06T10:08:00.002-05:00

Here is a youtube video link to see my students demonstrate some great swings during the North Coast Golf Show in Dulles, VA (Jan 2009)

CLICK HERE for video

GET GOLF READY debuts at Virginia Oaks!

2009-04-20T15:40:00.004-05:00

This season I am hosting the PGA's new national initiative, Get Golf Ready at Virginia Oaks Golf Club. Its perfect for beginner golfers or returning players looking to get a good golf introduction and on-course instruction! Once a week for 5 weeks and only $149. Ages 14 & up please.

To learn more ABOUT the program/ curriculum please visit http://www.getgolfready.com

To Register visit http://www.playgolfamerica.com/index.cfm?action=facility&facility=27002357

Appearance @North Coast Golf Show next weekend!

2009-01-15T12:06:00.005-05:00

Jan 23-25 is the Dulles Expo Golf Show. This is a great opportunity to get some good deals on new and used equipment, learn about new products, local facilities, services, test clubs and see some great presentations. The featured presenter on Fri and Sat will be HANK HANEY! I will be presenting on Sunday from 3:30pm-4:30pm- so swing by for the show! All afternoon along with my fellow MAPGA Professionals, I will be giving complementary golf lessons at a station next to the stage! Come get your free tip!

For more info check out www.northcoastgolfshows.com

Published!

2008-11-21T15:37:00.002-05:00

Check out my instructional article that appeared in the Virginia Golfer Magazine's Sept/Oct 2008 issue! http://www.larkingolf.com/GolfTips1.htm

Great article on Motor Learning

2008-10-19T16:27:00.002-05:00

Converting Drills to Auto Pilot

There are three primary developmental steps that you must transform to turn your golf swing into a correct and repeatable motor task. Here is an illustration of how it works.

By Rob Mottram - Posted December 8, 2005

Motor Development for Golf (How to Make Your Golf Swing Automatic)
You must first know why… then feel how… and then do it correct over and over.
There are three primary developmental steps that you must transform to turn your golf swing into a correct and repeatable motor task. Here is an illustration of how it works.
Can you remember when you first learned to write and how it required many hours of slow and focused practice, training your hands and brain to learn to write smoothly and with good technique? As you progressed with your writing practice and you saw and felt how to do it properly, it became easier and with less conscious effort. It finally got to a point that when ever you picked up a pen to write you didn’t think much about the method of writing, it became automatic…an acquired motor skill.
Learning the complex skill of swinging a golf club correctly is done the same way you learned to write. First, you must begin with an understanding of the correct movement patterns of swinging a golf club. This is followed by training the brain and body to recognize and “feel” the correct motion of the swing. And thirdly, and very importantly, one must execute this new high-speed motor skill with a high number and percentage of correct repetitions until it becomes almost automatic…like writing. In other words, skill acquisition is a sensory awareness process and the motor response is the resultant to sensory information. Faulty sensor information creates a faulty motor activity and inconsistent movement patterns. Another important factor to remember is that high skilled activity can only be developed if the neuromuscular system is working properly.
The Process: • Step one: The understanding or cognitive stage can be characterized by the awareness of all the movements you are trying to coordinate. Your initial performance is understandably poor and irregular. This is the preliminary organizational stage, where you are putting things together in order, so that you can perform them more steadily. At this stage you are beginning to understand how to do things, you just can’t perform them correctly or consistently.
• Step two: The important feeling or kinesthetic awareness stage is the part of the swing development where one can take the cognitive information, and with accurate and immediate feedback, allow the brain and body to “feel” the proper movement. This important information allows one to make adjustments and fine tune the necessary movements to swing correctly.
• Step Three: The over trained or automatic stage is achieved when the mind and body are able to perform the desired movement with a high level of consistency and accuracy. This is accomplished after successfully performing high numbers of correct swing movements were the desired action becomes subconscious and consistent making it almost… automatic.
Unfortunately, traditional teaching methods don’t always apply all of these important components. Proper supervision and feedback from the golf instructor to the student is critical for motor learning development yet more often that not the information is inaccurate or used improperly. The bad news about this is that it can take 10 times as many new and correct repetitions to over ride the ingrained bad motor patterns compared to learning a skilled movement correctly for the first time. Fortunately, new technology and teaching methods are being used to address these issues and should make learning more productive, long lasting and fun. Computer aided real-time motion capture and real-time biofeedback training provides accurate and consistent feedback for the golfer and makes the instructor more effective.
http://www.mytpi.com/mytpi05/Fitness/article.asp?id=157

Free Swing Tips

2008-10-19T16:22:00.004-05:00

Click here for some free tips I just posted to my website! Topics include alignment, power, pitching, chipping and more... http://www.larkingolf.com/GolfTips1.htm

Star Student's Successful Summer!

2008-09-10T09:37:00.002-05:00

My student of 5 years, Amanda Steinhagen is a Junior at Oakton High School (VA). She had a fabulous summer competeing on a local, regional and national level. A few highlights from this season:

She participated in the Junior Worlds in San Diego, CA
Qualified for the USGA Girls' Championship in Hartford CT, made the cut and made it to the first round of match play and lost 1up on Hole 18.
Finished 3rd in VSGA Girls Championship after leading the first day with a 68
Won the Plantations Junior Golf Tour Championship.

Since Highschool Season is upon us, here is a link to an e-article about her Fall Golf Season Preview:
http://www.digitalsports.com/article/type/organization/typeid/20181/id/35088.aspx

Here is a link to video interviews from this article:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1716442364/bclid1716449790/bctid1721771996

Here is a live video of Amanda's great approach shot taken on Hole #2 at International CC, Fairfax VA
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1716442364/bclid1716449790/bctid1721793001

Photos of Amanda:
http://www.digitalsports.com/photogallery/type/organization/typeid/20181/articleid/35088.aspx

PGA Magazine: all about WOMEN!

2008-05-08T20:54:00.004-05:00

PGA Magazine focused an entire issue on growing golf amongst women!

It highlighted current efforts and best practices for teaching women and attracting them to golf facilities. The PGA's recent initiative - "Women in Golf: For Business & For Life" that I instructed in FL was also featured. Here is a peek into the issue... The cover is Suzy Whaley and there are also some pics of me teaching on the other three pages:

FREE Women's Golf Clinics in June

2008-05-08T20:48:00.002-05:00

I am thrilled to be hosting 2 FREE golf clinics just for women in June as part of the American Express Women in Golf Month and "Play Golf America."

Come out to Virginia Oaks GC in Gainesville, VA for full swing and short game instruction and more information about how to get into golf!

Wednesday, June 18th from 10am-12pm

Sunday, June 22nd from 2-4pm

To REGISTER:
Call 703-864-9017
Email erikalarkin@pga.com
or visit www.playgolfamerica.com and search the zip code 20155!

Pictures from Women's Golf School

2008-04-22T10:01:00.003-05:00

I had a great time at the first women-only golf school at PGA Village called Women's Golf: For Business and For Life. Here is a group picture!

Article: "How to Raise a Golfer"

2008-04-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

Great article on raising kids on golf...

http://www.pga.com/2008/instruction/other/04/22/raisingagolfer_elliott/index.html

"Wounded Warriors" Golf Program starts again this weekend!

2008-04-07T19:37:00.005-05:00

The 2nd Year of the Disabled Sports USA "Wounded Warriors"Golf program begins this weekend. It will run for the next 8 Saturdays from 10am-12pm at Olney Golf Park in Olney, MD. Shuttles are provided from Walter Reed. For more information about participating please contact Jim Estes, PGA at Olney Golf Park.

Here is a video link that aired on ABC News from the inaugural year 2007!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VfntzKCKvw

Article/Fact Sheet about DSUSA Program
http://pdf.pgalinks.com/pgafoundation/MilitaryGolfFactSheet.pdf

PICTURES from last year's event!
http://s196.photobucket.com/albums/aa313/woundedwarriors/?start=40

At one of the sessions last year I had the pleasure of working with double amputee, Sgt. John Kriesel to help him swing better! It was...he was AMAZING!

Here is John's swing!

Here is John's Site http://www.johnkriesel.com/about_john_kriesel.html

Erika named PGA Certified Professional

2008-04-07T19:29:00.004-05:00

Here is a link about the CPP program!
http://www.bunkershot.com/2008/viewstory.cfm?ID=6075

Erika is one of only 12 female PGA Professionals Certified in Instruction in the country! (out of 28,000 members!)

Feature Article in Fairfax Connection!

2008-04-07T19:08:00.002-05:00

Click on this link to read the article printed in the Fairfax Connection about me!

http://beta.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=238198&paper=63&cat=104

Women's Golf Day a huge success!

2008-04-07T19:05:00.001-05:00

I participated in the Play Golf America Day at PGA Village March 30th. With over 400 participants it was a great day! Click on the link to learn more about this great event.
http://www.pga.com/2008/news/pga/04/01/women/index.html

To find one like it in your area visit www.playgolfamerica.com!

NEW Women's Golf School @ PGA Village

2008-04-07T18:45:00.004-05:00

I had the great fortune of being invited to be a guest instructor for a new program presented by the PGA of America and the EWGA (Executive Women's Golf Association) called "Women's Golf: For Business & for Life" March 30-April 1 at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, FL. It is a brand new initiative that will hopefully be replicated around the country very soon!

Twelve executive women participated and received great golf instruction on and off the course and some very special extras to complete the golf lifestyle experience: a Spa night out, a golf fashion education, a lesson in how to leverage golf for their business development, wine tasting, good food and of course shopping!

Co-instructors included PGA Director of Instruction, Rick Martino, world-famous Suzy Whaley, PGA and Janet Ortega, PGA Head Professional at Pajaro Valley Golf Club in Royal Oaks, CA.

Pictures to be posted soon!

Quick Tip- Back o' the ball

2008-04-07T18:41:00.001-05:00

Back o’ the Ball

Before you pull the trigger and take your swing, where are you looking? At the ball? Which part of the ball? The top? The front? The side? The “T” on the word Titleist? Does it matter?

It depends on your swing flaw(s), but I will tell you that the majority of golfers would benefit from looking at the back of the ball. That means the right half of the ball if you’re a right handed player. I like to turn range balls to a position where I can focus on the black line the whole time.

What does this do? Well, at address it will encouragse a proper spine tilt. Your upper body and head have to be in a position slightly tilted away from your target to see the back half of the ball fully and clearly. This is part of a proper setup. At impact, your eyes staying focused on that part of the ball will keep your head in position so that you don’t get ahead or in front of the ball (causing blocked shots, pulls or tops). This tip can also help “keep your head down”, that pesky problem that happens to so many of us.