BE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN EVERYONE YOU MEET

"Be genuinely interested in everyone you meet."

HERE IS THE UNEXPECTED CONVERSATIONS AND PLEASANTLY IN A GOLF CART RIDE WITH ADAM BAUMANN

1. This is about coaching approach, I had encountered many golf coaches in my 30’s, 40’s to 50’s most of them are experienced and in their late 40’s 50’s. When I mentioned “professional value” you replied, can you elaborate on that?

I think each case of Student to Coach relationship is different. The professional value brought to the table is how the Coach relates to what the student is trying to accomplish. Whether that be serious training, fundamental building, or sometimes learning golf in a fun relaxed environment that does not intimidate the student. The main goal is to keep people playing golf as long as possible. That is the Value a great coach would bring to the table.

2. This about your client/student, can you share 3 common habit that possibly cause one’s frustration? The lesson with you, I know I try too hard, instead of driving accelerate the golf ball, unintentionally intentionally I aimed to lift the golf ball.

The most common frustration point is that many students expect immediate results and fast progress. The thing about golf is that is a life long journey. Even for the professionals on tour they are constantly working to get better. Whether that be incremental or at whatever pace the hardest part is setting realistic goals and achievable expectations early on.

The second most is I see many students overthink instead of just allowing what athletic ability they do have to take over. A lot of times they get wrapped up in the specifics on how the body moves and that leads to tension and making swings that are less natural. The key point here is trying to free your mind with some simple thoughts that lead to multiple good movements throughout the swing.

The final most frustrating part people bring up is the transition from Practicing to Playing. A lot of times the student can hit well on the range but not translate it to the course. The reason I see this being tough is because of something called Target Anxiety. On the range if a shot is missed, you just grab another ball and hit it without consequence. On the course, the anxiety of only have one chance at each shot can add tension and make your body not react the way you’ve trained it to do. The goal in getting over this target anxiety is to practice more on the course, understand bad shots WILL happen, and that you can only affect the shot you are about to hit. Try to do that in the most positive mindset you can.

3. This is about you, you may or not want to introduce yourself. I knew little of your background but yours simplicity approach in coaching to your golf stroke that is sincere and relax, what is your advice to those who would like to take up golf as profession, coaching or just want to take up the sport?

Would be happy to introduce myself. Adam Baumann. The reason I got into golf as a profession was something at the beginning, I wasn’t sure I was going to do. I played Baseball my entire life and my Uncle Mike was always trying to get me to golf. Once I graduated High school and was not playing competitive baseball anymore, I turned to golf with his guidance. I quickly realized I was in love with the sport and got a job at the local country club in Texas. I never knew it would lead to where I am now as the Head Professional at Brentwood Country Club. I gave every extra moment of time I had to this game, learning the swing, the operations on how country clubs worked, the ins and outs of member relations, and learned quickly that you could find out the character of any person by playing one hole with them. For me I love every aspect of the game. For those looking to get into Coaching or running operations, the core of this profession must be GOLF (the game itself). I truly believe that golf teaches us so much about ourselves, not only how we can push ourselves to get better at a very challenge sport but can teach us how to interact with all walks of life. How we react to those people is truly what defines our character. If you’re looking to take up the game please do, just understand there will be ups and downs (like in the game), but do not get discouraged. The game is the most challenging, time consuming, frustrating, most beautiful, fun, exiting, rewarding game you will ever play. You play to better yourself and compete against the course in front of you. You may surprise yourself how good you can get!

Credit: Adam Baumann, PGA Head Golf Professional