Golf Pro Improved My Game Immediately

Yesterday I had an exciting golf experience. My teaching pro--Mark Bowen, pictured above giving a lesson to Lauren Bell--gave me a 90 minute lesson. I went to him because I was having a big problem with my short shots into the green, those of 100 yards or less. This was especially frustrating because my tee shots have been long and straight, yet I couldn't score well because my wedge shots were unreliable.

Mark watched me hit a few shots, so he could identify the problem. Then in less than 15 minutes, he showed me the right grip, stance, and swing motion that would almost guarantee success when I followed his directions.

Next, we practiced hitting shots to the green from different distances, from as close as 10 yards up to 83 yards away. Mark demonstrated the changes I would need to make to adjust to the varied distances.

To my delight, the last 7 shots I hit to a green from 83 yards away were incredible. The were right at the target. Two of them almost went in the hole.

Notice two big points here. One is that I have played golf avidly since age thirteen. I have taken many lessons. Yet there is always more to learn. I slip into bad habits that I can't see myself. Only my golf coach can spot the problem and provide a solution.

The second point is that under the watchful eye of a skilled coach, I improved dramatically, hitting difficult shots with an ease and confidence I had never felt before. Today I practiced for another hour, to make sure I remembered Mark's tips. Fortunately, I did, and I hit many shots I was incapable of hitting just three days ago.

If you're a golfer, I recommend that you contact Mark, Director of Golf and Head Professional, Chattahoochee Golf Course, Gainesville, Georgia. His phone: 770-532-0066. His instruction will become one of your finest golf investments.

As Columbo used to say on TV, "Oh, and there's just one more thing. . . ." A few minutes ago, it dawned on me that this is why I provide communication coaching for individual clients. Like Mark Bowen, I get tremendous satisfaction from helping others strengthen their skills. One of my clients learns how to rely less on notes while giving a speech. Another one learns to control stage fright. Another client uses Power Point more effectively. I love to watch their progress.

To find out more about my speech coaching, visit my Web site's coaching page:
http://www.championshipcommunication.com/coaching.htm

"But Bill," you're thinking, "I live too far away to take advantage of your on site coaching." Well, I have an accessible, cost effective solution. Sign up for my Online Coaching Program. Use this link to read the description:
http://www.championshipcommunication.com/online_coaching.htm

Also, if you live in the United States, I encourage you to order my audio CD, "How to Become a Dynamic Speaker!" Read the description on my site:
http://www.championshipcommunication.com/store/index.htm


Remember my motto: "Learn more. . .Earn More!"

What My Readers Say About First Impressions

Recently Business KnowHow published my article, "Everything Counts in First Impressions." Here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/33scd4

Concluding the article, I invited readers to add to my list of
offensive behaviors that ruin first impressions. Here are some
of the many responses, printed with permission.

"My personal 'favorite' of behaviors that mar first impressions: the
handshake without eye contact, like politicians do who are
focusing on their next greeting, not the current one."
Nancy Krug, Owner
Arcana Tileworks LLC
Windermere, FL

"A low cut blouse, constantly flipping the hair back."
Maudie Abraham
Moments Like This, LLC
Ypsilanti, MI

"Cologne or perfume too strong, that bothers me. Especially if
you can smell it in a large office area."
Sally Westhause, Results Program Manager
Avnet, Inc.
Phoenix, AZ

"Weak handshakes. Insincere responses, i.e. laughing weakly at
a joke or saying something like 'I understand' when you really don't."
Karen L. Graves
The Mom's Coach
White Plains, NY

"Overusing key phrases or words. 'Certainly' seems to be an
adverb that is constantly used whether it's appropriate or not."
Also, "jingling coins in your pocket" and "slouching in your
chair during a meeting, presentation or lecture."
Peg Barto, AIS
AMICA Mutual Insurance Company
Fairport, NY

Among one reader's 47 suggestions: cheap ties, bragging, put on
accents,playing with things on the table, too many rings, negative attitude
Bagalopal
Merchant Banking, Investment Banking, Stock Brokering
Mumbai, India