Reflecting On The Year Behind Us and How I Set Goals

December 26, 2011

Today I stood very still and thought for a while. I prayed a prayer of thankfulness. This time of year is great for two things.1) Reflecting on the year that has passed and 2) An opportunity to look ahead and make plans for the future. Isnt funny how we long to take days off but then we feel guilty for not doing something we would consider productive? I have a hard time sitting still. I am restless for change. I am so blessed with my life and what I have accomplished but that kind of thinking can often make you lazy and complacent. I don’t want to be that guy. So I had to write something today whether it made sense or not, I just had to have a brain dump of sorts. First of all thanks for showing up today as I never in a million years thought I would ever have something interesting to say that so many people would want to listen to. It’s funny how writing works. We think we are sharing our thoughts with our readers but really I am learning and growing as well. It provokes thoughts on both sides and hopefully we talk about it. This has been a crazy year for me and a memorable one for sure as I am finally doing exactly what I should be doing. I love my new job as Director of Instruction at Carmel CC. For many years I wondered when this career move that I had been preparing for all of these years would happen. After it finally happens,  I am able to look back and see that I wasn’t ready back then. I thought I was but I needed more preparation. More maturity.  I always say,” God is Never Late…..But He is never early either.” This often makes people impatient and they make mistakes.  I had set this goal 5 years ago and it has motivated me to get better in every area of my job. Whatever your goal is the key is to prepare yourself to be ready when the door opens because you never know. So now what do we do. We have the dream job and this opportunity ahead of us so now what…………..? Lets set some goals! I recently met with my staff and asked them to submit their goals for 2012. They did such a great job and I am excited to help them achieve them next year.  I have always been a goal setter as I feel it keeps me going in the right direction. Kind of like this blog, I tend to get going in multiple directions and don’t get anything fully accomplished unless I have a plan . It doesn’t matter whether you are a student trying to improve your golf game or a teacher/coach trying to improve your skills as an instructor, you need to write down some things that you want to accomplish. So here is some insight on how I go about this process every year about this time:

1.) First, look back at your goals for this year and see how many you were able to check off and how many you may want to carry over to next year. What you did well and the things you want to improve upon. (Reflection is important)

2.) I break mine up into categories such as:

1. Teaching production/units/income

2. New programs

3. Social media/marketing

3. Writing

 4. Speaking

5. Certifications and Continuous learning

6. Stretch Goals

Then I start to fill in the blanks with ideas, action plans and timelines. As soon as you decide on what you want to do, it is so important that you creat an action plan. These are the steps that you are going to make in order to achieve this goal. This could be an important phone call, a contact letter or a class to take….The main thing is to never leave a goal without creating action to move towards it.

Extra goals that I would encourage away from career goals are: Spiritual, Fitness and a Life or Bucket List……(for another blog)

I am not going to share all of my goals for this upcoming season but I will tell you that I am going to have a big focus on creating new programs which I am very excited about. I have the 2012 calender of events locked and loaded to share with my members at Carmel which will have a laser like focus on short game and putting as I will set a goal to see how many strokes I can take off of my members handicaps by year-end. Aimpoint, Putting Schools and Wedge fitting short game schools will be the highlights. Second will be more speaking engagements. I will host a PGA section seminar this spring as I am very excited to share the knowledge that I have acquired from many of you reading this blog, you know who you are and I  thank you. I have already been asked to do my first away game short game school (Thank you Rob McGill aka @golfprorob) that I am very excited about in March. FYI….I am free to speak at anyones club or section meeting as I would love to do that if you need someone to share coaching and social media ideas or personal development (shameless plug). In the writing category I will be finishing up my first book which I am excited about. Due to Golf Illustrated being bought out, I am available for more writing gigs if anyone needs an instructional editor. I will be writing for a new up and coming magazine called the Turn and will be an instructional editor which I am excited about but I have room for more (Golf Tips, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine…..If you are listening!  In the Certification category, I am very excited to be finishing my Aimpoint Green Reading certification in February. My members are already excited about the clinics that I have presented and will take that to the next level for sure. What certifications do you think is important? I am looking at a few for this year. I have put together a social media schedule of videos (Guru TV), increasing brand awareness,  tips and information to get the Carmel members more involved with the Carmel Golf Academy  (click to like our facebook page) and to help communicate better with them which I think is going to be great. Even the non-members will be able to view so don’t worry but I am excited to see what I can do with my new environment of outstanding members so stay tuned. The seeds that I have been planting are starting to grow. So thanks for being here for this brainstorming session. I feel better already and I hope you got something out of my rambling rant. I am so thankful for you the student and my fellow coaches that help me achieve my number 1 goal every year. Be a better coach than I was  last year…..and I have done that for sure. Talk to you tomorrow

*****follow me on twitter

*****friend me up on facebook and like our Carmel Golf Academy page

Guru

7 Nights At The Twitter Academy: Gaining Momentum (videos included)

December 19, 2011

The bible says,”Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.”  Not to get preachy with you but the point is that we can accomplish more in a group than as individuals. Our goal for this project was simple,”To Help Grow the Game Of Golf,” As the goal stated is very straight forward, the avenues that lead us down this journey can take on many forms. So here is my lists that make up the objective and then I will review the project for those coming late to the gathering.

1. to share quality golf information with the average golfer through a single social media vehicle (twitter.com)

2. to highlight some outstanding PGA and CPGA professionals that you may not have heard of before

3. to share knowledge and open up discussion/debate with other coaches in the industry

4. to stretch ourselves to become better through the sharing and learning process (iron sharpens iron)

5. And finally to show other golf professionals the value and effectiveness of social media through tracking views and comments that could lead to future relationships and business with: students, members and other coaches)

So lets backtrack for those that are hearing the details of the “Seven Nights at the Twitter Academy” for the first time.

My good friend, CPGA teaching professional, Jason Helman (jasonhelmangolf) came up with this idea to mirror the Golf Channels week of instruction shows by having 7 golf professionals shoot 7 videos on different parts of the game, unveil them every night @8 p.m. on twitter. The catch was that you have to be following one of the group in order to view the videos as we all kept the link unlisted so we could control who viewed.

The group that was assembled is a very tight-knit group that converse regularly on twitter and other social networking sites. I affectionately dubbed the group; “The Mastermind Crew” after Napoleon Hill’s (Think and Grow Rich) idea which states in chapter 10.”The “Mastermind” may be defined as: “Coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definitive purpose.” #mastermindcrew……..So here they are for you to follow: Jason Helman (@jasonhelmangolf) Sara Dickson (@sara_PGA) Rob McGill (@golfprorob)Kirk Oguri (@kirkoguri)Andrew Marr (@andrewmarrgolf) Dennis Sales (@dennissalesgolf) A very important member of our mastermind crew is John Graham, aka. the king of twitter (@johngrahamgolf) . John was originally going to participate in our project but was out-of-town so couldn’t do it. I am very fortunate to call John a good friend but all of us in the crew have been affected by his knowledge, sharing of that knowledge and friendship over the years so I didn’t want to leave JG out for sure.  I would expect to see him in future videos for the project.

I am very fortunate to be a part of this outstanding group of professionals as I have learned so much from every one of them and learned some new things this week watching their videos. All of us met via twitter which show you how powerful this tool can be if you are searching for information, new relationships and interested in gaining more knowledge about your profession.

As for the question of have we reached our goals for this project? I would say this is only the beginning as the behind the scenes information and ideas that have been traded has unlimited potential. We will see where it takes us all but I can tell you that I am so thankful for Jason Helman for coming up with the idea, allowing me to be a part of it and guiding us through it. I appreciate the kind comments and questions for our #mastermind crew as we posted our videos. They were all wonderful and I think we represented ourselves well. The sky is the limit and I hope that you will come with us as we try to improve your game as we are passionate about sharing, coaching and this great game of GOLF.

Update: As of now we have collectively over 1700 views for our shows, not bad for 1 week!

So here they are! The 7 nights Crew in order of days they were presented

Oh yeah, Follow me on Twitter (@golfgurutv)…..almost forgot!

Thanks,

Jason

50,000 Page Views: Guru Thanks You For Your Support

November 29, 2011

Just wanted to tell all of you who have read my blog or watched an episode of GURU TV, Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope that I have helped your game or pointed you in the right direction in some way form or fashion. I created this blog for YOU, the passionate golfer and golf fan and I am excited to see what lies ahead as I start another chapter of writing and tv shows. As always, feel free to leave a comment in the comment section about what you would like to see in the blog or ask a question that I will air on Guru TV. I know I open it up to you from time to time with an ask the guru segment but this is the time of year as things slow down that I will be able to answer questions, shoot new episodes and interact with you all which is my goal. I am always accessible for you, the passionate golfer or coaches that want to communicate. You can find me in a variety of places in the social media world but most of all here:

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/golfgurutv      – follow me and @ me to join the conversation

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasonsuttongolf – friend me up. I turn no one down as I leave no golfer behind

Check out my two fan pages: www.facebook.com/carmelgolfacademy and http://www.facebook.com/golfgurutv.com

See you on the lesson tee at Carmel,

Guru

An Interview With Rickyleepotts.com (An Inside Look At The Guru)

November 23, 2011

http://rickyleepotts.com/2011/11/the-guru-teaching-coaching-golf-with-jason-sutton.html

Thank you Ricky for the opportunity to talk to you and share a little about myself. You are a great friend and I have learned so much from you. I hope everyone enjoyed the interview.

See you on the lesson tee at Carmel,

Jason

My day with John Graham and Aimpoint Technologies

November 17, 2011

I couldn’t let one of the most epic weekends of my professional career go by without writing something about it. Last weekend, I successfully completed the first step in obtaining certification of Aimpoint green reading. For those of you who don’t know about this system, it is by far the most revolutionary green reading system in the golfing world. You may have seen the green line on some of the PGA tour events that shows the player where to aim in order to make it. There is a system that has been devised by Mark Sweeney that shows you, after some minor calculations, EXACTLY where to aim in order to make the putt. Not only did I get a first hand look at the system but I was very fortunate to be able to work with my good friend and Senior Aimpoint Instructor, John Graham (johngrahamgolf.com). Any time that you get to spend time with one of the world’s top instructors, especially Mr. Graham, you end up getting so much more than expected. What I got was an education from the master that will change my career forever. John and I did 2 clinics with 17 participants which included mostly Carmel CC members and a few other loyal students and they got an eye-opening experience that will (if practiced) change their games for the better.

The fundamentals clinics covered all putts from 20 putts and in which is a great place to start. The following day, I spent an entire day on the South Course at Carmel with John learning to read longer multiple plane putts (more than 1 slope change or break direction). This was as much fun as a golf professional could have as i picked it up quickly and was amazed at how accurate it is from such a long distance. I missed a 60 foot triple breaker by a couple of inches and found myself disappointed that it didn’t go in. Before, I would have been happy to get it within 3 feet. Without giving away the secret which you will have to get by attending a clinic…..Here are a few things that I learned from John and the aimpoint method

1. It is a skill just like any other in golf that has to be practiced (no shortcuts)

2. What I thought was 6 feet was only 5 (important when figuring out how far you are from the hole)

3. The process does not take more time than what you would consider a normal green reading process (which includes meaningless squats behind the ball and walking around too much)

4. there was not as much math as I expected (it is already done for you)

5. Your worst Aimpoint read is going to be better than your best guess with the conventional method (I promise you!)

After my final certification test in a few months with Mr. Sweeney, I will be  honored to be the only Aimpoint instructor in the Charlotte area. Special thanks to my good friend John Graham for making the information easy to understand for my students and for myself. You are truly a world-class coach and an even better individual. I look forward to teaching this method to my members and to whomever wants to learn the most accurate green reading technology in the world and soon YOU will be #MAKINGEVERYTHING.  I look forward to seeing you on the putting green at Carmel Country Club.

Guru

Tip It Up blog radio with Jason Helman; special guest Todd Sones

October 30, 2011

Here is an interview with my good friend and top 50 instructor Todd Sones. Todd is one of the foremost putting instructors in the country. I now have Coutour Putters in my learning center. Call 704-945-3300 to schedule a fitting today.

Jason

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jasonhelmangolf/2011/10/29/tip-it-up-golf-talk-radio-top-100-instructor–todd-sones

Guru on Tip It Up Blog Radio with Jason Helman

October 30, 2011

Here is a radio show that I did with Jason Helman along with special guest John Graham. John discussed Aimpoint and I talked about D Plane, social media and the presidents cup.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jasonhelmangolf/2011/10/03/tip-it-up-golf-talk-radio-guests-john-graham-jason-sutton

To schedule a lesson with me at Carmel CC, please call the golf shop at 704-945-3300

See you on the lesson tee,

Jason

#Mentor: A Twitter Question : Advice For New Coaches

October 24, 2011

men·tor

 noun

1.a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.
 
2.an influential senior sponsor or supporter
 
I spoke to the large group of insurance business people the other day on the  topic of  personal development. My speech closed with a quote from one of my favorite people, Mr. Zig Ziglar.It states “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want. Today, I was talking to a hungry, young driven golf professional that was seeking my advice on how to become a great teacher. First off I was flattered, second of all I was mindful to give him advice that I wish I would have gotten when I was new in the business. Gathering and sharing information and experience is something that i have enjoyed doing when I felt like I had something to offer someone who could improve their knowledge or outlook on the coaching business.  So before I tell you what I told the young man, I posed this question on twitter. The pool of outstanding coaches that I have on my twitter feed is something that I can’t put a price on and will never take for granted. Tonight I was the student and they were the mentors and just set back let the magic of social media run its course. My friends did not disappoint as they never do. The question was,” In 140 characters or less, what advise would you give a young coach?”  So here is a culmination of the answers that they came up with. So new coaches, take note and pay attention: I will use their twitter handles so you can follow.
JohnGrahamGolfJohn Graham
@golfgurutv I would tell them to get on twitter. Follow everyone you know and start a new topic conversation everyday by @ing #mentor
 
AMGolfMindCoachAndy Morrison
@golfgurutv ‘Be ready to meet the PERSON in front of you at their model of the world and shape your knowledge so it fits for them’ #mentor 
 
ParkytheProMartin Park
@Sara_PGA @golfgurutv “Those of us who dare to teach must never cease to learn”…there you go – less than 140! #JustforSara 
 
IanPeekGolfIan Peek
@golfgurutv understand impact,gather info from as many varied coaches as possible,test what youve heard,always ask customer what he wants
 

Sara_PGASara Dickson, PGA
@JohnGrahamGolf @golfgurutv #truth Twitter & it’s links to other resources has been the most help by far
benclaytongolf1ben clayton

@golfgurutv: Coaches. If you had to give a new, young teacher on piece of advice, what would it be. Learn not from a book #mentor”
 
DonalScottDonal Scott
@golfgurutv #mentor I’m still young;) so I can only speak from my experience so far. Lust for new info & be genuinely interested in people!!
 
alasdairwattalasdair watt

@golfgurutv Read everything,watch everything,Watch @ range @PGA events. Visit the best instructors. Then formulate what is best. #mentor
 
IanPeekGolfIan Peek

@golfgurutv #mentor part II ;look at the traits of successful people,gather info from the coaching world o/side golf,write down what u learn
 
BrentDavisGolfBrent Davis

@golfgurutv watch, study, read about & talk to as many different coaches as possible. Take what works and develop your own ideas #mentor
 
rcampbellgolfRobert Campbell

@golfgurutv Go see as many top teachers as u can, take lesson or observe them teaching for a day. #mentor 
 
TimCookeGolfTim Cooke

@golfgurutv read, watch, find people to teach! Must help people to develop coaching skill (not just talk about it!) #mentor
 
dancarrahergolfDaniel Carraher
@golfgurutv keep asking why #mentor
 
CMcCormickGolfCameron McCormick
@golfgurutv great question. Aspiring coaches must pursue knowledge outside of conventional sources/subjects. Gr8 coaching requires cont…
 
CMcCormickGolfCameron McCormick
@golfgurutv …knowledge in all facets that influence performance. Seek knowledge to differentiate from the masses. #mentor
 
jgpaUSAA. S. Graham III
@golfgurutv My advice: Don’t latch onto others 2 reach your goals. It’s not who U know, its the hard work U do that creates success
 
In my opinion, the great coaches always have a student mentality and are willing to share with others their experiences and knowledge because they understand the big picture. The problem with the golf business is that we don’t want to share best practices because we are afraid or insecure in our future. We think that if we assist others that they will take our piece of the pie. Let me give you a secret, the pie is very big and we havent even bitten off a nibble. There are so many golfers who are afraid of taking lessons because of all of the bad golf lesson experiences that continue to be given  because of coaches who aren’t prepared to guide the student in the right direction. IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. It is us, the ones who are the caretakers of the game who need to make it our mission to reach out and share in order to improve the over all quality of the golf instruction business. Okay, Okay, I will get off of my soapbox and get to what my advice was to a young up and coming coach. It has all been said but this is what i think:
1. Find an experienced coach to guide you in the right direction (mentor)
2. Learn why the ball does what it does (D Plane)
3. develop your people skills first and then learn to teach. I see so many that have the info but cant communicate it to the average golfer
4. develop a servant attitude toward your students and learn to build relationships
5. If your student doesn’t get better, it should bother you. Figure it out! Ask for help and don’t be too proud
6.Teach as much as you can (even if it for free) to sharpen your eye. Nothing can replace experience on the lesson tee.
7. Learn all the different theories, methods..do your research and develop your way
8. Get around as many great teachers as possible and don’t be afraid to ask why?
9. get out of the box and learn from coaches in other sports and how they apply to golf
10. Stay humble and stay Nervous!
 
BTW: Twitter was on fire today. If you are not using twitter, then what are you waiting for…..the info is there!
 
Please share with any of the buttons at the bottom and your comments are always welcome!
 
See you on the lesson tee at Carmel,
 
Guru

Aim Point Clinics At Carmel CC

October 24, 2011

I am hosting two Aimpoint Green Reading Clinics with Senior Aimpoint instructor, John Graham (johngrahamgolf.com) on November 11th. The clinic times are 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The cost of each clinic is $200.00 per person. For those of you who don’t know about this technology are in for a treat. It is by far the most revolutionary concept to hit the golfing scene in a long time. I can promise you that it will be worth every penny and your ability to read greens and make more putts will be your reward. I am very excited to have my good friend and one of the best aimpoint instructors, John Graham teach the classes. John has taught this concept all over the world so you don’t want to miss it. I only have a couple of spots available in the morning class so sign up now! Contact Me by email @jasonsuttn@aol.com to reserve your spot. I will take them by the order I receive the email. If you have any questions feel free to contact me via twitter or facebook as well. I look forward to seeing you at Carmel and you can now make everything.

See you on the lesson tee,

Guru

 

Guru’s Update from Carmel CC

October 17, 2011

As you all know, I have recently changed jobs (or maybe you didn’t know) and am now the Director of Instruction at beautiful Carmel CC in Charlotte, NC. It is an awesome 36 hole private facility with a newly renovated Reece Jones designed South Course that is second to none. I have been overwhelmed with all of the well wishes from friends and family and your prayers are working because things could not have gone better in the first two weeks. Beginning with the outstanding staff from Jeff Nichols (DOI), Patrick Seather (HP) to the shop staff (Brandon, Adam, Chris, Dan, Fallon and Brett)…they have made the transition so easy with all of the help. Most of all, my new team of outstanding Instructors (Eerik Kauppinen and Clint Udell) have been so gracious and helpful in showing me how to get around all the day-to-day processes that are vital to our success. They are so open to change and have a passion for getting better which is why we have all jelled together as if we have been working together a lot longer than 2 weeks. The members at Carmel have received me with open arms and have been so nice as I walk the range everyday and run into them in the golf shop or in the locker room. I am very excited to provide them with new and exciting programs and help take the already excellent instruction to the next level. My staff and I have already made some nice changes that the members are taking advantage of such as 1)upgrading our video analysis software (V1 Branded Academy) which allows us to email the before and after swings with voice over of what we covered in the lesson to the members. We have had a lot of positive feedback on this already which is exciting. I have put together two new ladies programs and one adult short game school which has been well received. I am also bringing AIMPOINT technologies green reading (with the help of John Graham: senior instructor) in November. If there are any spots open after the next two weeks, I will open the two clinics to non-members. If you have any interest in attending, send me a message via twitter, email or Facebook). I just put together the entire schedule for 2012 which is chalked full of new and exciting programs for the members.

We have an outstanding facility with two hitting bays that allow us to open the doors and hit out into the range protected from the elements. Fitting capabilities with all the major manufacturers. It is only going to get better as we will make some upgrades to the building that will include indoor netting for cold weather and a putting studio with TOMI putting video software along with Coutour Custom fit putters.

Now that I am settled in, look for new upcoming episodes of Guru TV, featuring guest appearances from my staff instructors, Eerik and Clint (@clintudellpga on twitter). I have received many questions about whether I can teach non-members. As the members are my first priority, I can fill in the gaps with non-members. Feel free to contact me on my cell or you can simply call the golf shop (704-945-3300) or the learning center (704-668-9201)

See you on the lesson tee at Carmel CC,

Guru