Finsterwald, Smith Occupy Teaching Chairs at PGA

Finsterwald, Smith Occupy Teaching Chairs at PGA Dow Explains Strategy Horton Organizes Lessons in Playing the Circuit to the Last Detail Dow Finsterwald, the PGA's "Profes- Horton Smith, who will be eligible sional Golfer of the Year" and 1958 PGA to be enrolled in PGA Seniors on May champion, in describing his golf game says 22 and who was inducted into mem- he turned pro because he enjoys golf. He bership in the PGA's Hall of Fame at the started on the tour in 1952. association's 1958 meeting, gave impres- He has played 14 years, seven of them sive evidence of his comprehensive quali- as a pro. He qualified for the National ties as a pro during the pros' teaching pro- Amateur but didn't get far. While he was gram when he told "How I Teach." in the Air Force he got a chance to watch Harry Pezzullo, winner of the PGA's some tournaments and borrowed some de- "Pro of the Year" award and a first class tails from fellows who were playing well. teacher himself, claims that Smith is one Dow believes in a lot of practice before of golf's greatest teachers although the a tournament, being aware that if a player noted Detroit GC pro isn't recognized as doesn't bring his game to the first tee with he should be when top teachers are dis- him he won't find it on the course. cussed. Has "Commercial Stroke'' Horton said that he organizes every Dow always figures on playing con- lesson as much as he can, basing it on the servatively rather than risking any spec- pupil's needs and personality. tacular shots. He has developed what he The lesson arrangement with Horton calls a "commercial stroke" with a slight is: Preparation, Demonstration, Explana- cut. If he does miss the fairway or green tion and Examination. he won't miss by as much as he once did He told of having trained himself to with a hook which he seldom could con- think of what, who, where, when and why trol. he is teaching during any lesson. Finsterwald says that he benefited Other factors to be considered in plan- greatly from playing practice rounds with ning the lesson are: Doug Ford and watching Doug maneuver Is the lesson part of a longer program the ball around the green so his short or a "one-treatment" cure? game made up for other mistakes. How recent was the previous lesson, Ford provided him with a good example how frequently are the lessons taken and of a fellow who never gives up and who what intensity does the pupil put into his keeps his steam inside so he can play the learning and practice? next shot better. Finsterwald said that he Makes Thorough Apraisal liked Horton Smith's method of preparing In preparing for the lesson Horton looks for a shot: doing the thinking in advance at the pupil's equipment for weight, shaft and spending very little time over the ball. flexibility, loft, hook or slice and balance. Stays Out of Trouble He looks over the pupil's record in the "I get very few 'sensations' when I play. handicap book. Then he reviews informa- There is nothing specific or detailed like tion from his golfing companions and turning the left shoulder," Finsterwald de- analyses the pupil's physical and mental clared. He added that he takes a free characteristics as they walk to the tee. swing only when there's no chance to get What has the pupil on his mind? Why into trouble. On what he considers a nor- is he taking the lesson? What amount of mal week he favors left to right shots, gen- skill does the pupil have? These are other- erally playing with a square stance and questions Horton asks himself in prepar- with the ball back toward center. But if ing to do some good for the pupil. that style isn't working one week and calls The pro doesn't work under ideal con- for some minor adjustment he doesn't get ditions, Smith noted. Instead of being in upset but plays with just what he happens the authoritative position and being able to have that's working well. to make a professional approach to the Finsterwald uses 1, 3- and 4-wood clubs. problem, the pro generally has to teach as Don Finsterwald Finsterwald He gets satisfying results with a 43& in. shaft. In answering queries Finsterwald said that he considered Arnold Palmer the longest straight driver on the circuit, and usually Palmer is the best putter. Dow commented: "Even when Palmer thinks he is putting bad he is good. Bill Casper is the one other fellow who ranks with Palmer as a putter." Smith a service somewhat similar to that of sell- ing clubs. Teaching the whole swing rather than Horton Smith any one detail is a new idea and Horton advocates it. He prefers to give the pupil action in an underhand throw makes it suggestions before a swing is made. easy for the newcomer to get a good He sets three balls down for the pupil's swing. To develop control by the begin- use, believing that the pupil performs ner lie asks, "To whom are you throw- better when lie knows he will have three ing?" chances. Right Side Emphasis Smith advocates having plenty of swing Smith is strong for developing the new pictures for the pupils to look at, study or high-handicap golfers by getting them and discuss. Action pictures of golfing to use the right hand, the right arm, side stars, as printed in GOLFING Magazine, and leg properly and as naturally as they Horton thinks are especially useful. He use the right hand in eating or opening a says that he has given some of his best door. lessons in the grill room by explanatory He thinks that it is almost impossible to discussions with his pupils. get too much right side into a full shot. Horton thinks an hour lesson is best, But a person can get the wrong use of usually, for pupil and teacher. the right side or too little use of the left He agrees with Ernest Jones that swing- hand, arm, leg and side into a swing. ing the clubhead is the only thing you Horton thinks considerable attention can't underdo or overdo in making the should be given to the matter of controlled golf shot. tension rather than relaxation and to pos- He thinks that getting the beginner to ture, adjustment of the feet and position- visualize the golf stroke as similar to the ing of arms at address. Harold Sargent (center) was re-elected pres. of the PGA for 1959 while Warren Cantrell (left) and and Lou Strong were re-named treasurer and secretary, respectively. (Right) Horton Smith, named to the Hall of Fame, Harold Sargent, pres., Harry Pezzulo, Golf Pro- fessional-of-the-Year, and Dow Finsterwald, Pro Golfer-of-the-Year, pose with Bob Jones at PGA meeting. Photo by John G. Ilemmer, Pinehurst, X. C. If you don't think course supts. occasionally take what might be called a busman's holiday and play golf, you should have been at Pinehurst last fall when GCSA directors and members got together for their annual meeting. All that silverware wasn't won at bridge, canasta or gin rummy tables. The trophies went to the following: (Front row, I to r) Harley Long, Shaw AFB, S. C., winner of GOLFDOM trophy in pro-supt. flight; John Connolly, Fairfax, Va., USGA trophy for supt. flight; Bob Williamson, Roseland GC, Windsor, Ont., O. J. Noer trophy for Seniors flight. Second row: Russ Birch, Coharie CC, Tom Clark, pro emeritus of the swank Blue Hills Clinton, N. C., Grant Bennett, Florence (S. C.) CC, Club, Kansas City, is in training for his 20th annual Joe Maples, Siler City (N. C.) CC who joined with PGA Seniors' tournament. Tom believes that a canny Harley Long to win team trophy. golfer should pick his pigeons on the first tee by astute handicapping. This gem of photographic art shows Tom at Trafalgar Square, London, practicing gaining the confidence of pigeons. .

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