20 Questions With John Graham

It's been pretty amazing how the internet has impacted golf instruction. Even more amazing is how it has made several instructors celebrities in the instruction community almost overnight. A handful of guys have created their own brand and jump started their careers just by promoting themselves and their methodologies. All you have to do is develop a website, administer a message board forum, and the next thing you know you have a posse of followers ready to fight for you. Prior to about 2003 the only way an instructor could attain a modicum of notoriety on a national level was if he campaigned within his local you know you have a posse of followers willing to fight for you.  It used to be that the only way to get your name out into the public consciousness  was to be lucky enough to be seen on a PGA tour practice range with a lanyard containing a coveted PGA practice range instructor credential. If you were really lucky, one of your players might have had some success or possibly wins out there and mentions your name on TV or in the media. Thank goodness there are guys out there now that don't have to shamelessly self promote to garner attention for their craft.  I want to illuminate some professionals that I have personally researched, corresponded with, and in a sense vetted over the past few years by giving them an opportunity to answer some pretty intriguing questions. Today marks the first installment of 20 Questions With. We ask them questions that they might not typically offer opinions on in their internet worlds. Some of the questions might be a little controversial. Others might not be so golf related. But rest assured they will stimulate conversation within the golf instruction community. The first installment will be 20 Questions with John Graham.

John is a senior instructor with Aim Point Technologies. Aim Point is arguably the hottest new instruction program in the business these days. John conducted a fundamental green reading class here in Chicago last month at Links and Tees in Addison, Illinois and I was fortunate to spend a couple of days with him while he was in town. Rest assured I worked him over pretty good.

John lives at home with his wife Kristin and their four children. He can be reached at johngrahamgolf.com

1.  Where do you think golf instruction will be in 10 years? I think golf instruction will be very similar to how it is today. However, I think it will be more reasonably priced with lots of emphasis on 3D motion capture, both in club and body with a better understanding of how the body works in this act.  This will be good for the elite player but I don’t see much change in the type of instruction for the average player.

2.  If you could use only one piece of technology what would it be? As of now, it would be Trackman, assuming you’re talking about the full swing.

3.  Jack or Arnie? Arnie

4.  How did you get into Aim Point? I got into AimPoint after watching a video that used to be offered by David Orr called Green Reading 201. After watching it, I contacted Mark(Sweeney) and the rest is history.

5.  What would be your dream foursome? Ben Hogan, Mickey Wright, and Arnold Palmer.

6.  What is the best golf course you’ve ever played? Oak Hill East. No tricks just golf course saying come and get me if you can.

7.  Tiger or Jack? Jack

8.  Do you think Tiger will reach Jack’s record of 18 majors? I never thought Tiger was going to break Jack’s record.

9.  Path or clubface? Clubface.

10. If you had a student that came to you with a big pull slice that was 15 degrees  outside to in, and a square clubface at the top how would you fix him? Move his path more to the right. What if he had a closed clubface? Move his path more to the right. And finally, what if his face was open at the top? Move his path more to the right. With each fix tell us why you fixed in that manner. I would fix them all in the same manner because that is the piece they need. All the while, I would pay particular attention to how the path change affects the face.

11. Who are your top 5 instructors that no one has ever heard of. James    Ridyard, Jason Sutton, Jason Helman, Paul Horton and Jamie Donaldson

12. What would you do to help Tiger Woods if he called and wanted to hire      you as his swing coach? I would work on his downswing and follow through plane. I think he still swings to far right.

13. What is your greatest achievement as a golf instructor? Having five  students of mine that I taught how to play golf as youngsters play for me on a college team and win the National Championship.

14. Johnny Miller or Nick Faldo? Johnny Miller

15. What frustrates you the most about popular instruction?  It’s unwillingness to provide information in a correct fashion. I hate when complex info is dumbed down because they are afraid players won’t understand the truth.

16. What rules do you think the USGA should change or abolish? I think they are fine. I think their application is sometime miss used.

17. What age should parents  start their children with golf instruction? If the instructor understands how to work with kids, I would say when the child asks for them.

18.  What would be the most important piece of advice you would give parents about raising their child as a competitive golfer? Continue to have them play additional sports.

19. Fitness or properly fitted equipment? Properly fitted equipment.

20. Short game or ball striking? AimPoint =)

Bonus Question:

Lady Gaga or Madonna ;-)

Madonna. All day.