| The Resource Center recently caught up with teaching professional Judy Alvarez. She is a PGA Professional based out of Palm City, Fla. Alvarez has been instructing individuals with disabilities since 1993. She has been named one of the "Top 50 Teachers of the Year" by Golf for Women Magazine in 2003, 2004, and 2005, and has made appearances on The Golf Channel and XM Radio.
RC: What made you start teaching individuals with disabilities? JA- "I took over the head professional position at a municipal golf course. Each week an adaptive golf program was being held and I took over teaching. When I taught the first class there were about eight or nine people, all with different limitations. A couple were recovering from strokes, one a spinal cord injury, one a traumatic brain injury, and another had cerebral palsy. I honesty didn't know what I was doing, so I thought. But I did know how to teach the game and the swing, so I moved forward and learned."
RC- What is your favorite story about working with a golfer with a disability? JA- "Gosh there are many! There was an avid golfer who went in for a routine operation and came out with a spinal cord injury. I took him from a wheelchair into a single rider golf car. He started using flatter clubs for his full swing, and was provided with short clubs for chipping and putting. He now plays on the course, his self-esteem is better, and he enjoys the game again."
RC: Do you have a secret instruction method for teaching adaptive golf? JA- "Yes.listen, be compassionate, and deliver. I don't take no for an answer and I find a way for someone to advance the ball. I have a bag of devices for golfers with disabilities."
RC- What is your advice for instructors who have not worked with individuals with disabilities? JA- "Treat golfers with disabilities just like an able-bodied person, which is what they want. If you understand your ball flight laws and principles to teaching you should be able to assist them to advance the ball. Equipment issues are always a case, so adjust their clubs or get them new ones (flatter, longer, shorter, more flexible) so that someone sitting or standing can hit the ball. They may not hit it like they used too, but my job is to provide them with an arsenal of information and different ways to do it."
RC- How do you recommend to other professionals to get involved? JA- "Start a program at your club, or hook up with physical therapists in the area and do in-services and expose your talent to them so they can recommend you as a golf instructor in your area."
Judy Alvarez is available for lessons or to lead seminars on instructing golf for individuals with disabilities. Please see her Web site at www.judyalvarez.com or contact her at golferja@aol.com. |
