Unsurpassed by any golf improvement program, the Troon Golf Academy offers extensive on-course golf instruction dedicated to creating an extraordinary learning experience. Students enjoy playing on some of the world’s most pristine and well-maintained layouts amidst spectacular resort surroundings, while working on their game. The instructional team at the Troon Golf Academy takes a proactive teaching approach to improve their students’ swings and to help them realize their full potential on the golf course.
The aim of all instruction conducted at the facility is to achieve the student’s desired results. This will be achieved through the interaction of student and a highly trained instructor to identify a series of clearly defined pathways to improvement. The instructional process at the Academy revolves around the position of the clubface at impact. This is the one constant to all good players and the cornerstone to consistent ball-flight. At the Troon Golf Academy, students are taught to achieve a square or slightly closed clubface at impact resulting in a straight or slightly drawing ball-flight.
The Academy offers comprehensive instruction ranging from full-swing to putting and short game to on-course management, in addition to state-of-the-art video analysis. Students receive a take-home copy of their swing and a detailed manual to aid in their learning long after their visit.
World-renowned golf teaching professional Tim Mahoney offers his highly refined, time-honored teaching philosophies and instruction models as the basis for all Troon Golf Academy programs. Under his leadership, more than 250 certified teaching professionals around the world provide students with highly individualized instruction in a fun and relaxed atmosphere guaranteed to please golfers of every ability level.
Troon Golf Academy Instruction
Troon Golf Academy’s teaching philosophy was developed by many of the greatest teachers in golf including: Chuck Cook, Jim Flick, Hank Johnson, Peter Kostis, Davis Love, Jr., Paul Runyan, Bob Toski, Hank Haney, Jim Hardy and Mike LaBauve. Troon Golf’s unwavering commitment to their student's improvement, both professional tour players and amateurs of all levels, becomes obvious during the first lesson. It is this passion for their students’ success that has driven the Troon Golf Academy to become one of the best programs in the game.
Tim Mahoney, director of education for Troon Golf worldwide, has been teaching in the national and international arena for more than 27 years, training all levels of players from beginners to professionals. His commitment to helping golfers improve is evident in his involvement in many areas of the industry, including lecturing at teaching seminars, consulting in the development of computer software for golf swing analysis, and assisting in the development of learning centers and practice facilities worldwide.
Based at Talking Stick and Troon North golf clubs in Scottsdale, Ariz., Tim is currently rated as one of the country’s Top 100 teachers by both GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest. He is also featured on the Golf Channel’s “Golf Academy Live,” as well as a DVD series titled “15 Shots to Save Your Golf Game.” Tim’s impressive student roster includes Billy Mayfair, Danielle Ammaccapane, David Duval, John Cook and Blaine McCallister.
The Troon Golf Academy Difference
Each student will be exposed to every aspect of the Academy’s instruction philosophy and will obtain knowledge and understanding of their own individual swing predispositions.
The Academy staff will also identify the particular strengths and weaknesses through a physical screening and assessment of the student prior to and during each program. The success of the Academy will be built around the quality of the programs and its ability to deliver a holistic approach to the game of golf.
Instruction Philosophy
Each student is treated as an individual and remains the center of their personalized improvement program. Instructors constantly encourage students to ask as many questions as they like. Understanding their personal swing predispositions and the means to make the necessary changes to achieve their desired results are the key to every session.
The instructional model is built around the four keys to a consistent golf swing:
1. Athletic set up – The majority of swing faults can be traced back a poor set up. An athletic set up consists of the grip, posture, ball position, aim and tension levels. The grip will affect clubface presentation at impact; posture affects body turn; ball position affects swing path; aim affects swing plane; tension levels affect sequencing.
2. On-plane swing – During the swing, the golf shaft should be pointing at or parallel to the target line at all times. This on-plane swing will produce consistently solid contact.
3. Impact – The one constant with all great players is the position they achieve at impact. This position is influenced by what has happened in the downswing and is a key position in establishing solid contact, distance and consistency.
4. Physical – Often it is impossible to make a change or improvement due to physical limitations of flexibility, muscle control or strength. An imbalance in any of these areas will influence the ability of the body to consistently move the club at the appropriate speed and on plane.
Instruction Based on Preparation and Progressive Learning
1. Preparation is “the Key” to Success – The majority of swing errors are the result of an incorrect pre-swing fundamental that includes grip, posture, ball position, aim, mindset and tension level. These pre-swing keys have a direct relationship with the in-swing motion. The grip controls the clubface and release through impact. Ball position controls the swing path. Posture controls the body's pivot. Aim controls the sequence during the swing. Mindset controls the ability to adjust. And the body's tension level controls the ability to swing the club without interference. Fortunately all of these fundamentals can be improved and adjusted before the swing even begins.
2. A Non-Method Approach – The Troon Golf Academy has one method of teaching the golf swing. Each student is an individual, and has differing abilities to learn and progress. The emphasis is on understanding the student and assisting with the learning of their ideal golf swing. To facilitate this learning, Troon Golf Academy establishes a perfect set-up position and then works to perfect a swing-shape that compliments the student's body type and time commitment for practicing the preferred swing.
3. Solid Contact – Manufacturers design clubs to swing on a pre-determined angle. During the entire swing, the club shaft should be either parallel to or pointing at the target-line to assure this proper angle at impact. Swinging the club on the correct angle or plane will guarantee solid contact and maximum consistency.
4. Distance – Distance is the effect of club head speed and solid contact. Club head speed is the result of wrist hinge, arm swing and body pivot. Golfers must utilize a blending of all three power sources to maximize distance. Instructors at the Academy work with each student to unlock their maximum power production.
Instructor Courses
Every golf instructor at the Troon Golf Academy has completed extensive training that qualifies them for three different levels of teaching. This ensures that students are receiving the best quality of instruction from professionals who have received appropriate training.
Level One
Level One covers the basic skills of golf, safety, group organization, exercises and activities. It is aimed at developing the skills and personnel to conduct the following programs:
• Junior programs • Short game classes • Supervised practice sessions • Playing lessons
Level Two
Level Two is to be completed by all instructors at end of the first 12 months (end of year 1) of employment at a Troon facility. The target group is for assistants at facilities, Academy staff or golf club employees with an interest in developing a basic level of golf instruction.
The course expands on the fundamental skills of golf. It also covers the role of the coach, physical and mental preparation, safety, organization and so on. The course requires 12 hours of lectures and 12 hours of practical coaching to be completed.
Level Three
Level Three includes the requirements listed by the Professional Golf Association. The following three aspects must all be completed before an accreditation is awarded:
• 25 Hours of lectures • 30 Hours of the Troon Golfing Principles • 60 Hours of practical instruction
The ability to turn the body freely and swing the arms freely on both sides of the swing is the effect of a correct posture. A reverse pivot, an in-correct shoulder plane, a change in spine angle and an in-correct arm plane is the effect of an in-correct posture. Posture yourself correctly and the pivot and arm plane will be correct. The body angles established at address will allow you to turn on a consistent axis throughout.
The proper width of stance allows the body to turn and the weight to shift. For a middle iron the outside of your feet should be shoulder-width apart. For your driving club the inside part of your feet should be shoulder-width apart.
As you posture yourself, keep in mind the term “hinge” not “sit,” as you maintain your neutral spine angle. What I mean regarding a neutral spine, is to match your normal standing posture. If you are slightly rounded, maintain this roundness over the golf ball. If you attempt to decrease or increase your natural roundness you will increase your tension level. A simple routine that will assist you with the correct hinge is to take a middle iron and rehearse the next five steps:
1. With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand tall with a neutral spine with your arms stretched in front with the correct grip.
2. Hinge from your hips as you maintain your neutral spine. As you hinge, maintain the distance between your chest and chin. The amount of bend will be approximately 45% forward.
3. Flex your knees slightly as you maintain your hinge in your hips and your neutral spine.
4. Allow the arms to drop and fall freely behind the ball. The club shaft should be at right angles to your spine. Arms hanging directly below your shoulders. Weight should be on the balls of you feet. Maintain your hinge at your hips with a neutral spine.
5. Tilt your spine slightly to your right. Your lead-side should be higher than the trailing side. Left side of your body: shoulder, hip and knee, should be in line with your right side under. This tilt to the right is the effect of the right hand lower on the club.
This exercise will assist you with the correct hinged posture. This posture will allow you to turn your shoulders 90 degrees and your hips 45 degrees during the backswing. With your head up, your shoulders can turn freely on the backswing. With your arms hanging freely from your shoulders at address the arms will swing up and down, the neutral and hinged spine will allow you to maintain your axis throughout.
