TPC Instruction
Module #1
Student Learning Styles
In learning, most students will depend on their senses to process the information
provided from an instructor. Furthermore, these same students will typically rely
more on one of their senses versus the others. There is no right way, nor are these
learning styles necessarily permanent. Students tend to process information
differently under altered circumstances. By recognizing and understanding a
student’s learning style, an instructor can target the lesson plan techniques for
speed and quality of learning. Understanding right brain versus left brain
orientation as well as identifying a student’s favored learning style, can provide a golf
instructor the ideal information for a successful lesson learning environment.
Left Brain Characteristics
Right Brain Characteristics
Logical
 Thinking
 Enjoys reading
 Dog lovers
 Instructions come verbally
 Possess strong reasoning,
speech, writing, and number
skills







Enjoy music, 3-D, creativity,
using imagination
Understand visual
instructions
Strong sport skills
Prefer group activities
Cat lovers
Often daydream
Left Brain vs. Right Brain
Predominately, student learning methods will fall into one of the three
styles below. Initially, our job as golf instructors is to identify the student
learning style and develop a teaching curriculum that promotes the most
efficient learning environment. In the pages to follow, we will assist in
identifying your students learning style and help you with different ways
to teach these students.
Visual – Your student prefers pictures,
images, and spatial learning.
Auditory – Your student prefers using
sound and music.
Kinesthetic – Your student prefers using
the body, hands, and sense of touch.
TPC Golf Lesson
Student Information
A Pre-Lesson Student
Information Sheet will
establish goals or areas of
improvement for the golf
swing. Also, you will realize
the ball flight patterns
preferred by the student.
The questions provided can
go a long way in
determining the student’s
learning style.
Name:
Home Club:
Phone #:
e-mail:
How long have you played golf?
How many rounds of golf do you play annually?
Current Handicap Index
How many lessons have you had in the past year?
Physical Ability/Flexability/Limitations
Notes:
Driver Distance
8 Iron Distance
SW Distance
Ball Flight/Trajectory
Fade
Slice
Draw
Hook
Playing Information
Average Score
Average Number of Fairways Hit in a Round
Average Number of GIR
Putting - Average Number of Putts per Round
Student's Goals
High
Mid
Low
To the left is a sample of an
information sheet that can
help. It is important to
include in your sheet
information specific to your
style.
VISUAL LEARNERS
A Visual Learner is defined as a student who prefers using pictures, images, and
spatial understanding in the learning process. They easily visualize objects,
plans, and outcomes in their mind’s eye. These students tend to remember
what they see and forget what they hear.
Tips in Teaching a Visual Learner

Various Teaching Aids
 Mirrors & alignment
tools

State of the art video
 V1, JC Video
Books
 Magazines

Did you hear the
noise made after
that shot?
AUDITORY LEARNERS
An Auditory Learner is defined as a
student who prefers using sound and music
in the learning environment. These
students find themselves tapping, humming,
or singing during an ordinary day. In golf,
they would be focused on the sound of
impact in determining learning and
improvement. They could easily distinguish
the difference in sound between a solid
and off center shot.
Tips in Teaching an Auditory Learner
When working with auditory learners, it is
important to always speak clearly and use specific
verbiage. Maintaining eye contact with the student
throughout the lesson will ensure your teachings
are being understood.
KINESTHETIC LEARNERS
A kinesthetic learner is defined as a student that prefers using their body, hands, and
sense of touch. They enjoy sports, exercise, and like to go for a run or walk when
bothered by something. When learning a new skill, these students will show desire
in jumping in or playing or hitting balls right away. In golf, they prefer the hands on
approach to learning from the instructor.
Tips in Teaching a Kinesthetic Learner

Hands on approach


Various Teaching Aids
 Leadbetter Right
Angle
 The “Plane” Truth
 The Putter Track
Specific ball to clubface
contact
Below is an example of specific traits possessed by visual, auditory, and
kinesthetic learners. Understanding these can allow you to quickly
diagnose a student’s style.
Learning Style Possible
Occupation
Likely Hobbies Assessing
Driver
Performance
Visual
Pilot
Loves to read
Flight
Auditory
Musician
Singing
Sound
Kinesthetic
Surgeon
Performing
sports
Feel
Another great way to identify a student learning style is to have
them take a standard golf position and demonstrate the same
skill in three different manners that correspond with each
learning style. In most cases, the student will come closer to the
instructor’s position goal using their preferred learning approach.
In golf instruction, identifying a student’s learning style is crucial
in creating a comfortable and effective learning environment.
Customizing your lesson plan to your student’s learning style will
not only assist in the student’s pursuit of enjoyable golf but help
create repeat lesson clientele.
QUESTION #1
A student comes to you for a golf lesson and in the initial interview you uncover
he is an airline pilot. Chances are he/she would learn under which style?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic
None of the Above
QUESTION #2
Brad arrives for his lesson early and when speaking with him, he mentions that he
has been using the “right angle” as a training aid while practicing alone. Brad
would most likely be which type of learner?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic
None of the Above
QUESTION #3
An auditory learner would tend to make which of the following comments after
trying a few new drivers on the practice facility?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The off center hits feel much better than my current driver.
This driver sounds like a tin can when I hit it.
The shaft on this driver feels a little stiff to me.
The driver looks closed when I address the ball.
QUESTION #4
Heather comes to her lesson and mentions she was in her bathroom checking to
see if her arm was straight at the top of her backswing. She would most likely fit
into which learning style?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Visual
None of the Above
QUESTION #5
During a lesson with Roberto, he mentions that the ball feels like a marshmallow
when he hits it. Which learning style would Roberto most likely fit in?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Visual
Needs to play a harder golf ball
QUESTION #6
After filling out a pre-lesson information sheet, Anne states that her golf ball
always goes to the left while hitting her irons. She would tend to be which type
of learner?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Visual
None of the Above