I have spent many years (including more than a dozen as Director of Instruction at Grey Oaks Country Club) teaching golf and watching golfers move. During a golf lesson, I am always analyzing a golfer’s movement and seeking ways to improve it within their golf swing.
Since completing the GFAA-Gray Institute 3D Functional Movement Coach and 3D Functional Golf Coach Certifications, it has been easier to assess golfers and show them how to move better using some of the simple movement screens that I learned. I no longer have to send my golfers to the gym for their assessments, and am now able to conduct these analyses during our golf lessons, making it easier for the golfer to understand. I still insist that golfers follow up with a personal trainer for more detailed assessments, but having the knowledge and ability to get the ball rolling with the Gray Institute 3D Functional Movement Coach Assessment has been beneficial to my students’ progress.
I record the movements in our hitting bay so the golfers can see the exercise. After watching themselves move and understanding the movement, they can implement these concepts into their swing. I send them a video of the movement exercises and various golf drills to practice after every golf lesson, and I create a “locker” for each student using V1 Video Coaching software. The golfers receive additional movement screens and exercises during every lesson. It has been very inspiring to learn these new movements and to get creative while incorporating them into my golf drills.
Bob Usher, a 2022 and 2023 Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA) On-Course Award Winner and four-time Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, is the PGA of America Director of Instruction at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, Florida.
