Foreward – By Fred Couples
When Tom and I met, I wasn't Fred couples the tour player and he wasn't Tom Patri, one of the top 100 golf teachers in America's; we were just two kids in college chasing a dream. I was at the University of Houston and Tom was at Florida Southern College. During the spring of my sophomore
year and his junior year, he met while playing the 1980 NCAA championships at all higher state on their fabulous Scarlet Course.
The University of Houston was a perennial favorite, and Tom had qualified as an individual by finishing second in the NCAA Division II championships. Though we'd met briefly the fall before, we ran into each other again at Scarlet during the practice rounds and on the range. We talked at length it just seemed to hit it off. (I'm pretty quiet by nature, and if you haven't met him in person, let's just say he isn't.)
The NCAA had a 54 hole cut for both teams and individuals and, although I'd made the cut as an individual, both the University of Houston and Tom found themselves just outside the cut line. Later on, I found Tom trying to make a plane reservation home. Since my team and I were trying to escape the wrath of our coach, Dave Williams, for missing the cut, we were on our way to play at nearby Muirfield Village and asked Tom if you would like to join us. He quickly dropped the phone, and we were on our way. That afternoon, we had a blast. We've been good friends ever since.
Since then, I have watched Tom's career grow, and I have witnessed the development of his sound teaching philosophy, The Six-Spoke Approach, which I support wholeheartedly. Tom's six spoke approach to better golf-or, as he also calls it, a "blueprint for learning"-is an outstanding method for improving your play. When Tom first discussed it with me, I knew that he was onto something that would help players of all levels reach their potential. I saw, too, that his approach mirrored the approach that a lot of us on the PGA Tour utilize on a day-to-day basis.
Many of my peers work with the sport psychologist-not merely to survive, but to find the edge that will take them to the next level. A very high percentage of us work on our physical well-being, especially through the use of exercise programs specifically aimed at improving the physical skills needed to play golf as well as prevent injury. Space I personally have had to work very hard on my fitness to ensure that I can play the events that are important to me and my career.
In addition, most of us chart our progress statistically, many with computer-assisted analysis. This is the only truly objective method of uncovering were valuable shots are lost. Time management space is certainly one of our biggest challenges, and one that all tour players face. We are all interested in tweaking our acquaintance and finding that edge to the latest technology. And hardly any of us do not work with a coach to refine our techniques on a regular basis.
Please allow my pal, to help you design your blueprint for success using the six spoke approach. We both wish you great success on your journey.
Sincerely,
Fred Couples
Stay tuned for routine additions to this ongoing story that will bring you through one of Golf's Top 100 teaching professionals, Tom Patri and the Six-Spoke Approach.
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