2011 will be an exciting year for Golf at St John’s College. We have seen the numbers swell under the tuition of our coaching professionals. Their passion for the game has enthused a large number of young boys. The league in which College pupils participate has also increased in numbers, showing an increase in the number of schools representing their respective provinces. Our Prep boys have also performed well in a league which was specifically set up to promote interest in golf amongst Prep schools.

We plan to change the focus of golf at St John’s by running a programme that Martin Briede from Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, has been trained in. If your son still wishes to be coached on a one-to-one basis, please feel free to call our coaches to set up a suitable practice schedule.

Report back on 2010

Thank you to all you that participated in the golf programme this year this year, Ryan and I had a good year and had lots fun teaching the boys.

Our golf programme is cutting edge and is based on the latest developments in coaching children, I have been over to the States twice this year and have qualified as a Titliest Performance Institute Junior Coach (level 2 & 3).

I have also had the honour of being nominated the PGA Coach of the year which was a highlight of my year - I am truly honoured.

Ryan and I are really excited about bringing the best possible golf programme to St John’s in 2011.

Our programme is based on long-term athletic development. It is important to also develop basic athletic and ball control skills as this is beneficial in developing golfing skills. Besides teaching golf skills, we do activities that are fun and have a high transference to golf.

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy is to develop fundamental movement skills in our programme namely:

• to establish functional movement patterns
• to develop sport specific skills
• to teach golf-specific skills
• and most importantly, to create a love for the game of golf

Our golf programme is designed to be fun for kids encouraging them to participate with their friends. This year we will be introducing a grading and hat system; juniors need to achieve certain golfing and physical proficiencies during grading to move up to the next level. Everybody starting this year will start with a red cap and grading will take place at the end of each term.

Example of Grading and Classification

To earn a red cap pupils are required to achieve a few proficiencies, namely:

• Demonstrate a grip with hands touching
• Align feet square to target
• Demonstrate basic athletic posture
• Demonstrate basic weight shift from trail to front foot
• Demonstrate basic ability to hop, skip and slide
• 2 push-ups with good form
• Plank and bridge (balance) – 24 seconds with good form
• Vertical jump – 13cm
• Chest pass – 1.5 meters
• History – learn about two golf legends and one fact about each

Some proficiency’s needed to earn the white cap:

• Demonstrate a interlocking, Vardon or overlapping grip
• Demonstrate a strong or weak grip
• Demonstrate correct alignment of feet, pelvis, shoulder and clubface without assistance
• Demonstrate good posture
• Demonstrate basic clubface rotation
• Demonstrate a full weight shift
• Ability to hole a short putt consistently
• Able to read the break of a putt
• Demonstrate the ability to make consistent contact while chipping
• 6 push-ups with good form
• Plank and bridge – 72 seconds with good form
• Chest pass – 2 meters
• History – name six legends and one fact about each

Golf Clubs

Martin Briede endorses and recommends US Kids golf clubs – especially designed for for kids. They are easily fitted for length and are light enough for kids to use. For kids to perform their best they need clubs of the correct length and weight. If you are looking for good gift for budding young golfers, please contact Martin and he will custom fit and deliver the clubs.

Martin Briede
PGA Teaching Professional
Email: martinb@royaljk.za.com   |   Mobile: 084 503 5477

Professional coaching

Ian Hutchings is a full-time professional based at the St John’s College golf facility and is available weekly in the morning from 08h00 to 12h00 for corporate and parent coaching. He is also available for individual coaching for boys every weekday afternoon from 12h30 to 17h30 and Saturday mornings at a cost of R900.

Should you wish to book an appointment, please contact Ian on 072 430 3647.

2011 Golfing classes commence the 2nd week after school opening and will run from Monday to Thursday for the
10 weeks of Easter term.

Pre-Prep:	13h00 – 14h00
Prep:	14h00 – 15h00
College:	15h00 – 16h00
Cost:	R850 per term (including relevant cap)

All coaching takes place on the school premises.