It’s funny how things work out sometimes.
I met Tim Miller several years ago, as I was invited to join a group of co-workers to go down to play a fairly prestigious private facility just outside of Philly – Manufacturers Country Club. Tim was working there as a teaching professional at the time, and went out of his way to make our visit there most enjoyable. We’d go back on a couple of occasions here and there, and Tim would always be there to greet and welcome us to his beautiful facility where he worked for the better part of nearly 20 seasons. While the experience there was always top-notch, what struck me most about my visits to “Manny’s” was Tim’s wonderful personality… and over the years he would become much more than just a gracious host for our merry band of golfing misftis who happened upon his beautiful facility. He would become a close friend as well.
Tim and I played a lot of golf together last season on his days off. He would venture up to Olde Homestead and each and every visit he would become more appreciative of what he himself considers to be the best public course in Northeast Pennsylvania. He loved everything about our facility, especially the 5-star practice facility and par3 course that sits at the top of the property near the main road. “Everything about this property seemed destined to be a spectacular golf environment” Tim would always say. And each time he would return to play, the stronger his appreciation of Olde Homestead Golf Club became.
This past off-season, the head teaching professional position became available at Olde Homestead, and Tim decided to chart a new direction in his golf career by accepting the position without as much as a second thought. “I’ve always said that they’ve got the ideal place to grow the game… a great course, a splendid teaching facility. There was really nothing else for me to consider.” There was really nothing else for Olde Homestead to consider either; Tim’s credentials and his personality made him a perfect fit for the job.
With that, I’d like to take this moment to welcome my good friend and accomplished PGA Teaching Professional, Tim Miller to the Olde Homestead Golf Club Blog. Tim, thanks for taking the time to be with us.
Tim: Scott, I have valued your friendship and respect your opinions and insight on this great game. Thanks for having me here today.
So let’s get started, shall we?
In your own words, what exactly was the appeal that attracted you to Olde Homestead?
Tim: Since playing golf several times in Ireland, I’ve always enjoyed links-style golf. Links golf gives golfers of all abilities an opportunity to play a variety of shots, both in the air or along the ground, which makes the experience enjoyable for all ages and levels of competence. Olde Homestead Golf Club is an outstanding test of golf possessing those qualities.
What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of teaching golf? And while we’re at it, talk about the challenges now, compared to when you first started teaching.
Tim: I receive the most satisfaction from teaching when I see someone experience the joy and feeling of hitting a well-struck shot. I’m a firm believer if you have the ability to hit that shot the first time, it is my job to give you the confidence to hit it again. Regarding the second part of your question – I feel that today’s golfers are trying to be too mechanical in their approach. Let’s try to bring what natural coordination that we all possess to simplify the golf swing.
As I’ve gotten to know you over time, you seem to take a very basic, understandable approach to both teaching and learning the game. I’ll use your patented, personal motto as an example: “90 percent of what happens with the result of a golf shot occurs before a player ever hits the golfball.” In laymen’s terms, explain to us what you mean when you say that.
Tim: Think of the word, “GAP.” Grip, Alignment, and Posture. It takes no athletic ability to grip the club properly, or to aim the bow and arrow at the target, or to have a solid foundation for your swing.
All three elements will relieve anxiety and help with a favorable outcome.
We’ve seen technology explode in golf, in just about every aspect imaginable. I remember back about five years ago when I half-jokingly made a remark to a golfing buddy that we’d someday see interchangeable golf shafts in golf clubs. Sure enough, we’re there now. Yet despite all of the different shafts, weights, clubs, balls, and materials in general, golf scores are not improving across the board that would reflect this game-improvement era. Give us some insight as to why you feel that golf is as difficult now as it was 20 or 30 years ago.
Tim: I think it’s the constant of battling our own inner demons. We golfers are all trying to perfect a very unpredictable exercise. While technology has improved, most times we simply can’t seem to get out of our own way.
You were an athlete growing up, played a lot of sports in school, you were by all accounts an athlete. Yet a lot of us who play golf don’t have an athletic bone in our bodies. What can we do to get a little more athleticism in our golf swings, without having to commit to some type of life-changing fitness program?
Tim: Continue to try (as I refer to it) to “let the air out of the balloon.” Take the tension out of your grip. The turning of your “core” will allow you to have leverage in your swing to establish club head speed.
If asked you to reveal your teaching philosophy in one sentence, what would that sentence say?
Tim: Comprehend the basic word “GAP”, let the air out of the balloon, and don’t strive to make perfect swings.
We have some relatively serious players out there in the blogosphere who might feel intimidated or uncomfortable taking lessons, for a host of reasons. One of those reasons, no doubt, is the myth that golf instruction will ruin their games and make them less competitive. I have to admit that for a number of years I bought into that belief myself, until I realized that “my way” had gotten me about as far in the game as it could take me. What would you say to those players, like myself years ago, who might be sitting on the fence – those who know they could benefit from lessons, but are hesitant to take advantage of them?
Tim: If the best players in the world, like Phil, Tiger, etc. feel that they need a trained eye to help them stay on track, maybe you might also.
Tim, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to be with us today. We look forward to seeing you around at Olde Homestead this season. To our local readers in the blogosphere, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to Tim the next time you’re at the club. As great a golf teacher as Tim is, he’s equally as nice a guy as you’d ever want to meet. Again, thanks Tim.
Tim: Scott, thank you for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to my association with Olde Homestead Golf Club.
