About
Hello and welcome!
My name is Mark Tynan, and for as long as I can remember I have had a love affair with the game of golf.
As a golf enthusiast my goal is to help you improve your golf performance. To achieve this I developed the communicative approach to Golf (CAG), an instructional method that takes the typical learning process and turns it upside down!
What is CAG? Quite simply it’s an approach focused on student performance, not instructional methods! The goal is for the student to demonstrate their ability to execute measureable tasks using my knowledge and support to help them improve their golfing skills. Let me give you a few simple examples to help you better understand this approach.
Standard Instruction: This is a typical experience for most students. The student shows up for a golf lesson, where the instructor immediatly begins to show the student how to swing the club. The student is then expected replicate this new swing, and is given a number of drills to help them ingrain this new motion. The experience is instructor driven with little focus on immediate improvement. Drills do not ensure nor measure student progress.
CAG: Student arrives for lesson and goals are immediatly determined. Student works to achieve goals by executing a number of tasks under my supervision, with helpful tips and guidance along the way. Each task is measurable to ensure that performace has been achieved.
Ex. Student wants to improve iron play.
Task: Student is tasked to hit 8 out of 10 nine irons onto a designated green. I help student acheive this my diagnosing their flaws and showing them how to better improve their ball striking. Progress is verified when the student successfully executes the task, and a new task is then created to further their progress. The result? Improvement that is measured through direct execution and better iron play performance.
I'd like to finish by stating that I relish in experiencing my students improved success through their own self discovery using me a tool to help them acheive their goals. While not a PGA professional, I nevertheless believe in my understanding of the golf swing, and MOST importantly, my ability to communicate and help others improve their performance, maximize their potential, and experience to the fullest this wonderful game.
I enjoy the experience of watching a golfer hit that one shot that brings them back. The one shot they have never hit before, and the look on their face when they pull it off.
Highlights
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Matt M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
1) Interview - students history playing the game, any physical limitations, and their goals.
2) Task assignment: Based on lesson objective, the student is assigned a task with clear directions and detailed objectives.
3) Under my guidance, the student works to execute the assigned task, and performance is monitored throughout the lesson.
4) Once the student has executed the task, the student is provided a progress summary and a new task to be completed as homework before the next lesson.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have formal professional experience and training in adult education, communicative learning, task based approaches, and a keen understanding of the golf swing and ball flight concepts through personal study of the greatest players and instructors throughout the history of the game.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
First lesson is $35 (1 hour lesson). All lessons after are $60 (1 hour lesson). I want to earn my students appreciation and trust upon meeting them for the first time, and make sure they are comfortable moving forward. I value their time and investment towards improving.
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching the game at Bishop Dennis J O'Connell Golf Camp in 2005.
What types of students have you worked with?
My student profile includes juniors and beginner golfers.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently played golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links. It was the greatest walk of my life, and a memory I will cherish forever.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
My advice is to find a teacher who makes the game simple and is able to communicate. Golf should be taught at a 5th grade level. There is no reason to make the game harder than it already is.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
My advice to students is to think about what they are looking to achieve by taking lessons. Are they looking to fix a particular ball flight, gain more distance, rebuild their swing, maybe work on their short game, etc?