Those golfers who spend much time on the driving range
working to hone their swings can typically tell when a new student is taking
their first lesson with a particular PGA Professional. As is typically the case, the first lesson begins with a short
conversation with the professional asking several questions of the new pupil.
The questions cover a variety of topics including how long the student has
played, current handicap, common mistakes, short- and long-term goals, physical
issues that may hinder their game, etc. It is a necessary and very important
conversation for both the student, the PGA Professional. Both are able to begin
establishing a relationship that will allow for the correct instruction to be
given enabling the golfer to see the greatest benefit and therefore improve
their game as much as possible. This same conversation happens with each new
junior golfer who joins in the weekly “Golf Day” clinics at Ranken Jordan
Pediatric Bridge Hospital.
Such was the case one afternoon a few years ago at an early November
clinic when a 13 year old young man named A.J. came to his first golf clinic.
A.J.’s therapist pushed him in his wheelchair to the clinic and told everyone
that he was looking forward to playing golf. As the PGA Professionals squatted
down to talk to A.J. and learn a little bit about him and what he wanted to get
out of learning to play golf, he boldly stated “I want to learn how to walk
again.” This caused everyone to smile and promise to work hard right alongside
A.J. to make his goal into reality. A.J. did not hesitate to get started as he
immediately wheeled himself over to the line of U.S. Kids Golf clubs and
quickly selected a driver. As most of the children prefer, A.J. swung with one
arm from the side of his wheelchair and picked it up right off the bat. In
depth instruction did not begin right away; rather A.J. was allowed to start to
develop his own swing and provide feedback on what felt good to him.
Over the next few weeks out-going A.J. worked hard in
therapy and on his golf swing. He was never shy to ask questions or want to try
something different. A.J. was always the life of the golf clinics, constantly
talking, smiling, and laughing. Minor tweaks and adjustments were made to his
setup position allowing him to take a fuller backswing while in his wheelchair.
The most comfortable position that provided the best results was a slightly
closed setup. A closed setup is where the front foot, hip, and shoulder are
closer to the ball while the back foot, hip, and shoulder are farther away.
A.J. and the PGA Professionals found that this allowed him to take a longer
backswing and hit the golf ball much straighter and farther. While A.J.
continued to improve his golf game, what he did not tell anyone was how much he
was improving in therapy.
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| Ranken Jordan President & CEO Lauri Tanner with Cooper Burks |
Golf clinics at Ranken Jordan are held 52 weeks a year
regardless of inclement weather, scheduling conflicts, or holidays. Adjustments
to the day of the week may be made if major holidays fall on the regularly
scheduled day for golf, but the kids will still have the opportunity to hit
golf balls every week. A few short weeks after A.J. arrived at his first golf
clinic and let everyone know he wanted to learn how to walk again; he came to
the golf clinic the week before Christmas. On this particular day the clinic
was going to be primarily putting and chipping practice. There were more people
with A.J. this time than usual, therapists, family, nurses, etc. A few children
were already there working on their putting stroke or trying to chip golf balls
into the target nets. There was one putting mat available that A.J. had his
eyes on. Everyone expected to see A.J. wheel himself over to the golf clubs,
get his favorite putter, and head for the green. Today, however, A.J. had a
different thought. With his therapists standing right beside him, A.J. got out
of his wheelchair, was secured into a stander, and he walked to the open
putting mat. A.J. stood as he hit a few putts then turned and walked back to
his wheelchair. Mission accomplished. There was not a dry eye in the room.
