The word HOLISTIC comes from the Greek term which means TOTALITY. As the root of the word suggests, the aim of the HOLISTIC TEACHING-LEARNING METHOD is the unification, integration and synchronization of the mind and the body to achieve the pleasure that comes from a good game of golf. At the same time, both your mind and your body can get a total workout.  You will practice and polish your thinking skills as well as trim your body.

I want you to be as athletic as Tiger Woods, Nicklaus and Palmer, as cheerful as Chi Chi and as thoughtful as Gary Player. Each of these players have contributed to some aspect of the whole of the game of golf and you can use them as a role model for an integrated player for fun as an amateur or professional golfer.

The HOLISTIC TEACHING-LEARNING METHOD PROGRAM has as a mission . . . the integral development of the learner through the teaching of golf as a sport which requires motor skills and critical thinking as well as creativity and civic virtues. The Program assumes a monist (non-duelist) definition of human beings. This implies that every physical operation is accompanied by an intellectual one. Also, the Program assumes that the game of golf shows the unity of the MIND and the BODY. This game requires the use of a higher order of thinking skills as well as motor coordination. The thinking skills are needed to choose and execute particular shots among an indefinite number of playing possibilities.

The sport of Golf requires the use of thinking skills which are arranged in a spiral form. This means that a particular time a student can simultaneously be using a basic skill like observing or classifying while analyzing and evaluating a shot. Thus, a student or player of Golf observes the ball, the shot of his or her fellow golf partner or competitor, as well as, classifies and evaluates this data in order to choose the most adequate club for a particular shot.

The player also reproduces mentally the steps executed by his or her fellow partner. They also memorize and analyze such information in order to judge what and how to play a shot at a particular moment during the game. This is done at such a high speed that a player is not even aware of all the mental processes that have taken place.

The HOLISTIC TEACHING-LEARNING PROGRAM
coaches the player for the development of the
thinking skills and golf swing movements that are
necessary to be a SUCCESSFUL PLAYER.

The instructor of The Holistic Method is fully aware that there exists diversity in one level of flexibility, rhythm, timing and coordination. Reinforcement is done to develop a swing and style to fit the model. (A personal and individual style) The characteristics of the swing are determined by the individual's particular anatomy, flexibility and coordination. Thus, Jack Nicklaus swings the club upright, and a smaller golfer like Mr. Ben Hogan (The Father of the modern fundamentals of golf), swung the club from a flatter plane position at the top of the back swing. The student of the Holistic Method becomes consciously aware of which pattern will work with his or her particular physical and psychological framework. This awareness might be mere instinct or intuition in players of the caliber of Tiger Woods, Nicklaus and Hogan, but it is an intrinsic part of the Teaching-Learning Holistic Method Program. This pattern awareness could be study, learn and practice. Some players like Tiger Woods, Nicklaus and Hogan use high levels of awareness to acquire the competitive pattern.

Some have more instincts than others. Some have more intuition than others. Others use a pre-determined mechanical process of the golf fundamentals. Thus, the learning variables are unlimited in the Holistic Method for Better Golf. This is an intrinsic part of Holistic Golf. The Program aims at teaching golf at a higher level of critical thinking.

The conscious register of the laws and principles of golf allows for the creation of a mental self-evaluating process which allows the student to internalize mistakes in an off mental file of incorrect or unproductive movements or shots. These moves should not be reproduced. At the same time, the conscious reproduction of the golf swing or of a good shot allows for the appropriation of confidence. It establishes a series of movements or shots that the player can use systematically. Metacognition (critical thinking to totality) can result in the full internalization of an effective, individualized golf swing. This is also true for any decision taken on the golf course.

However, the fundamentals of golf go beyond individual swing style. The first movement of the down swing is the bilateral weight shift transfer. This first move is the most important in any golf swing. It maximizes swing path repetitiveness. It also maximizes the retension angle (Delay hit angle).

This is executed in the mind in its algorithmically mode. The algorithmically mode deals with the fundamentals of golf in the mathematical order by fashion. When the mind operates this way it behaves very much like a computer. The mind in its algorithmically mode does not allow movement on its own. This focuses on a single operation. It does not allow shifting of attention. The player has to use the fundamentals of golf, which will allow them to focus on a single operation. The instructor will coach the student in critical thinking. The student will enhance his or her capacity to learn at a higher level of critical thinking.

One of the most important fundamentals is the Delay Hit Angle. This is the proper use of hands, arms and wrists before impacting a golf ball. This increases the average distance and accuracy of a player. This might seem a simple task but the mind controls its
execution. As a student, you need to submerge yourself into the fundamentals recommended by the teacher and mentally reproduce the movements to appropriate them.

Response to the sound of impact. This is done by the activities of the hands. It maximizes consistency in a troubled path to the intended target. The sound of impact dictates the time to activate the hands. It is of utmost importance to be careful with the amount of grip pressure thru the swing. This requires an active mind in critical thinking. As in every other element of
the swing, responding to the sound of impact requires the intervention of a thinking and active mind. The mind will internalize this information and transfer it to the body. Thus, the student golfer must be sensitive to any referral tension to the body (referral tension inhibits motion).

The student golfer must be aware of any referral
tension, since tension could jeopardized the continuity and fluidity of movement.