Follow up to Shaping shots question

[Paul Howard]

Ok, so we got the arguments out the way. I dont know how to create a poll so let me just ask. Better to play for a shape or shapes of shot or better to aim for a straight shot?

Im for aiming for shaping as I still say straight as in shortest point from A to B is impossible.

Thats 1 for the shapers...

[Longshot]

You won't be surprised that I'm going for straight.

You benders do what you want. :tongue:

[Paul Howard]

Call the moderator... Longshot called me a bender. (Rule 2&3)

No wonder your off 19 you straight shooter!

[Pete]

Shape everytime, I can't hit straight for S*IT:wink:

[Creosote]

Didnt we just have this thread?

[MisterS3]

Paul just a OT question.....
Is there are reason that as a teaching pro you have so much time during the day? Are you on hols at the mo?
Just wondering....because you are writing your book and i'm all for thinking out of the box or questioning conventional wisdom, but if your concepts aren't bringing in the customers here or where you work, as a business person (god i feel like bloody duncan bannatyne) there might not be the mileage in your book idea that you think there is?

PS - If you actually want to "call" the moderators and Gord there is a report post button at the top right.

[Stu-Pid]

Yawn

[Pete]

Yes, but Paul doesn't know how to create a poll:rolleyesw:

[MisterS3]

I hit in a general direction of the hole without any really control over shaping or straight.

[Paul Howard]

Mister 3
Good point! I was certainly busier teaching the old traditional way but i wont ever go back to it. I earned money from teaching without feeling or seeing improvements in golfers to a degree that could justify my earnings. I aint ever gonna go back to that feeling again. Frankly, I would leave the position before going through that again. The old way meant I could always get people to come back as I had the answers, nowadays I believe the best way to help people is to help them teach themselves. You know golfers dont need further lessons when they can tell you what is happening themselves,and sort the shot out themselves... Its at this point that I know I have done a good job and I can let them go. What can I say im a crap salesman. When I worked in a golf shop I was lowest salesman continually due to my honesty. I couldnt sell a new driver to a golfer if I didnt think they could use it. I cant sell golf lessons to people when I have enabled them to sort their game out by themselves. But I tell you, its a nicer feeling, than knowing your not helping them.

The book was never written to make money. If I break even with the small outlay it has cost me then Im happy with that. I wrote the book for me, my own personal goal wa to write a book on golf, to have a feeling of acomplishment. Once I see it available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble Christ knows what I will do then, as my goal will be completed. Whats next?

My situation with work is that it is so quiet on the range, even with people hitting balls, that my wife goes to work and I look after our son. When the better weather arrives I will put more time in. Summer is pretty good for it but this aint so good. I have been offered a number of other positions, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool and two in Lancashire but their agendas are all different to mine. One job wanted me to teach their methods. and whilstthe money wa sgood I refused. Another one wanted me to pay them a target fee per month which meant a 50 hour week to recoup and make profit... I dont know if you have kids but 50 hours away a week from my son is to many. My wife wants to be near her family so we turned down Bristol and Glasgow. In hindsight if it was just about the money I should have staye din Holland. However, family and happiness comes before Money. I dont want to make a mark on the world with my book or teaching. It has to be said though one day I may need to look at changing careers to earn enough money to live comfortably but also to keep the family and myself happy. For now we will just wait and see what happens. At the moment I am down to being in work about 15 hours per week thats all. However, in fairness I used to work a 60 hour week. I have only ever had a week of work 4 times in 15 years. I hated holidays. Even when my son was born i worked in the afternoon. Priorities change... I dont want to be a millionaire anymore, just happy!

[Alex_Smith]

You are really starting to peeve people off now, including myself.

Haven't you got some 'coaching' to do, if that's actually what you really do....

[MisterS3]

Mister 3
Good point! I was certainly busier teaching the old traditional way but i wont ever go back to it. I earned money from teaching without feeling or seeing improvements in golfers to a degree that could justify my earnings. I aint ever gonna go back to that feeling again. Frankly, I would leave the position before going through that again. The old way meant I could always get people to come back as I had the answers, nowadays I believe the best way to help people is to help them teach themselves. You know golfers dont need further lessons when they can tell you what is happening themselves,and sort the shot out themselves... Its at this point that I know I have done a good job and I can let them go. What can I say im a crap salesman. When I worked in a golf shop I was lowest salesman continually due to my honesty. I couldnt sell a new driver to a golfer if I didnt think they could use it. I cant sell golf lessons to people when I have enabled them to sort their game out by themselves. But I tell you, its a nicer feeling, than knowing your not helping them.

The book was never written to make money. If I break even with the small outlay it has cost me then Im happy with that. I wrote the book for me, my own personal goal wa to write a book on golf, to have a feeling of acomplishment. Once I see it available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble Christ knows what I will do then, as my goal will be completed. Whats next?

My situation with work is that it is so quiet on the range, even with people hitting balls, that my wife goes to work and I look after our son. When the better weather arrives I will put more time in. Summer is pretty good for it but this aint so good. I have been offered a number of other positions, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool and two in Lancashire but their agendas are all different to mine. One job wanted me to teach their methods. and whilstthe money wa sgood I refused. Another one wanted me to pay them a target fee per month which meant a 50 hour week to recoup and make profit... I dont know if you have kids but 50 hours away a week from my son is to many. My wife wants to be near her family so we turned down Bristol and Glasgow. In hindsight if it was just about the money I should have staye din Holland. However, family and happiness comes before Money. I dont want to make a mark on the world with my book or teaching. It has to be said though one day I may need to look at changing careers to earn enough money to live comfortably but also to keep the family and myself happy. For now we will just wait and see what happens. At the moment I am down to being in work about 15 hours per week thats all. However, in fairness I used to work a 60 hour week. I have only ever had a week of work 4 times in 15 years. I hated holidays. Even when my son was born i worked in the afternoon. Priorities change... I dont want to be a millionaire anymore, just happy!


Good post Paul.

Good luck on point 2 :) ( i have a similar unfulfilled ambition)

[Paul Howard]

Sorry Alex Smith for irritating you and sorry to anybody else who was offended by my answering to Mister 3's question.

Next time so nobody is offended like Alex could I ask that people please message me privately. I really had no idea it would irritate people. Sorry again.

[Tin Pot]

Im for aiming for shaping as I still say straight as in shortest point from A to B is impossible.


I say it depends on the shot. Sometimes straight is not the best choice.

I prefer, on the whole a straight shot - or as straight as is feasible anyway. I got nearest the pin in our little three-ball today with as-near-as-dammit-straight 7 iron straight at the pin, just 6 feet to far.

[Tin Pot]

Oh and Paul - I admire your spirit. You aspire to improve your career, other golfers and your family life, and if people -especially golfers- can't admire you for your aspirations, then stuff 'em ;)

:D

[Creosote]

Well Paul, you have certainly stirred up people since your arrival here. In some ways a bit of controversy and debate can be both refreshing and healthy for any forum, but sometimes it can have the opposite effect. Personally I edge on the side of it being a good thing.

Having read most of your postings I am left with several conclusions, for the sake of this posting let's call them issues about your style and contribution. Let's examine them, I'm sure many others here would agree with one or more of them.

- You are deliberately controversial and agrumentative (by your own announcement), and sometimes conforntational. You have an all knowing posture but seem unable to back that up with any basis of real knowledge or achievement.

- You appear to be a driving range pro without much to do. Engaged on some self achievement goal of writing a book. As you are a self confessed lousy salesman I am wondering how you will ever sell that book, and how if you have such belief in your "methods" (whatever they are you don't seem to enlighten us) you believe that self publishing a couple of hundred books which you cannot sell is ever gonna make any sort of statement to anyone.
I am a published author so have experience and knowledge in that area, and from what you have said about your book and your own attuitude, I have no doubts you will never get it into the book stores. How is it a self achievement to have created something that no-one wants?

- You adopt some sort of all knowing attitude that embraces smugness. Yet you have achieved nothing in your profession of note, and with all that great gift and knowledge I have doubts whether you are even a better golfer than a couple of the amateurs here. Of course to be a great teacher you don't need to be a great player, but you will need personal skills, some charm and charisma.

- You have a style and tone of asking a question in a thread and then effectively rubbishing the responses and answers and replies. There appears almost no point to most of your threads other than to inflame or to be controversial. Is there a message? Is there something you are trying to get across? If so, why not start a new thread and state your ideas and methods in a plain and simple way. Maybe actually try and practise your lacking salesmanship skills on us.

Paul - I, and I am sure, many others here feel you add something to this forum. But please do try and contribute, rather than incite. Its getting old, really quickly.

[Alex_Smith]

All hail straight-talking Creosote! :D :laugh:

[SBL]

Yep, I think that just about sums it up!!

[Paul Howard]

Thanks Tin Pot, I appreciate your comment.

Creosote,
I enjoyed your read, I think I have acomplished some stuff within this game, hopefully when I get the book out I will make enough available for people to read without having to purchase. You can judge for yourself if I acomplished anything, when you read it. I mentioned I had 4 hole in ones the other day and Alex Smith seemed to lose the plot (yes I know hes only a kid), I aint gonna start mouthing off about how Ive done this and that.

In truth as a player I didnt acomplish that much. I managed to get down to 0.5 but it has to be said I was never any better than that and it showed in big tournaments. I won a single tournament when I turned Pro but it has to be said I would think yourself and a number of other guys on this site would have beaten me for top spot.

Look, most of the stuff is tounge and cheek to see what people will say. I ddint think it could offend people especially when they dont have to answer. Lets be honest its really easy to wind people up who you probably wont ever meet. I cant imagine Alex Smith saying his stuff to my face but via email is far easier. I dont want to upset anybody, im happy where I am for the time being in my life, if you are then whats the problem. If my family or friends didnt like me thenits a problem but otherwise its not a major is it.

Anyway the book is trying to wind the golfing world into having a serious look at how it coaches this game. Lets see what happens.

[eelabob]

I troll the golf forums and offer advice and coaching but if the truth be said I'm shit at golf , there i said it , its off my chest , so do you want to come out too Paul, "I've had 4 holes in one", lets clear this up are you golfs Walter Mitty.

[Paul Howard]

I dont know... Who was Walter Mitty. I know golf is about getting the ball in as few a shots as possible which means im not that good at it either... but no offence taken.

[Cliche Guevara]

As for Pauls merits as a teacher, I dont know as Ive never had a lesson from him, but I would take a lesson from him, even to just see where he is coming from, as I too have found some of his posts both interesting and frustrating!

However, if Ive understood correctly, Ballsy Northerner is now a pupil of Pauls, so it would be good to hear how Paul has put some of the thoughts that have courted controversy into practice.

Hope this doesnt again feel the world is against you Paul, keep the posts/ideas/new thoughts coming, but simplify them please, you never know you might just get some book sales!.

Feedback is a two way thing, so happy to recieve any thoughts you have on my rantings.

[Paul Howard]

hey, he aint a pupil yet but we shall see what happens Wednesday... Thanks Cliche, I would have a lesson from you too.

[Longshot]

Thanks Tin Pot, I appreciate your comment.

Look, most of the stuff is tounge and cheek to see what people will say.




No problem with that but it's verging on trolling at times.