11
Oct '12
Get to know SwingFix's Kate Tempesta
By SwingFix.com staff
It's easy to see that SwingFix instructor Kate Tempesta loves golf, especially introducing the game to youths. Just look to the school she founded, the Kate Tempesta Urban Golf Academy in New York City. Here, she is a leading youth creative movement educator in the city and her school specializes on introducing the game to young golfers with a unique set of equipment and games created specifically for newcomers to golf.
Another unique attribute to Tempesta is her embrace of the LPGA's holistic view of the golfer. Kathy Murphy, Lead Instructor for the LPGA National Education Program Series, had this to say about Kate:“Kate is totally engaged and student-centered," said Murphy. "And she stands out as an instructor who is looking for the uniqueness in people as students.
To get to know Tempesta more, we asked her five questions about her teaching philosophy and what attracted her to SwingFix:
1. Tell us about Kate Tempesta's Urban Golf Academy. What makes it unique?
TEMPESTA: At Kate Tempesta's Urban Golf Academy we coach the "whole golfer." Since the vast majority of our students are junior golfers we believe in developing the child first as we guide and nurture their process and journey with golf. We treat every student, young and old, as an individual taking into account different learning styles, developmental differences, personalities etc. Most importantly we do our best to keep learning, training, playing and practicing FUN and engaging!
2. What attracted you to the SwingFix platform and how effective can this method be for golfers?
TEMPESTA: Golf is the greatest game ever played in my opinion and NO one should be left out of that! I love SwingFix because it brings golf and golf coaching to the masses at an affordable cost and works to break many barriers between students and instructors. The personal connection between student and coach SwingFix offers goes beyond anything a golfer can read about in a magazine or online. Building a relationship and creating something together as we do with our students on SwingFix is a very effective way to learn and improve in this game.
3. In your opinion, what is the secret to taking the "range game" to the first tee?
TEMPESTA: One must emulate real on course situations during their "range game." Having a purposeful practice is crucial in performing well on the golf course and in my opinion too few golfers take into consideration all aspects of the game during their practice. Tuning into the body mind connection is the key in my opinion, slowing down your practice, creating purpose and intent and NOT just beating balls on the range and stroking a few putts.
4. Is there a particular training aid that you tend to use most regularly and with the most effectiveness?
TEMPESTA: My "training aid" is an arsenal of games we use to teach with. I am a big believer in teaching skills and technique through games. On a daily basis we are coming up with new games that teach everything from posture to distance control, trajectory to course management, etiquette, problem solving, tempo and so much more. We use a variety of athletic equipment in addition to traditional golf clubs that develop the athlete.
5. Is there a way students who have worked with you most often dramatically improve and achieve that coveted five-shot drop in scores?
TEMPESTA: The majority of my students have improved and achieved the five shot drop through course and self management. It's not how you swing ... it's how you bring your swing, creativity and sense of enjoyment to the course. PLAY golf!