James doesn’t have one golf swing that fits all, each person has abilities and limitations and he structures the lesson to fit the student not the student to fit the lesson... My only regret is that I didn’t go to see James sooner. – Steve Rauschkolb
"My journey began over 20 years ago when I was asked to
play in a golf scramble. This was a bit odd because I had
never swung a golf club. This was a special golf scramble
where each team was paired with one non-golfer. This was
truly a humbling experience, for I thought “how hard could
it be to hit a stationary ball?” Well, it is hard. But I was
encouraged because at the end of the round the team had used
two of my drives on par 5’s. Needless to say I was hooked
and began looking for a starter set of clubs which I found
and began to practice with at my home during the fall and
winter. I was determined to learn this game on my own and
with the help of a video and book or two. As I began to play
I was always given plenty of advice by well meaning friends,
all of which did more to confuse than to help. I have played
in leagues over the years and I began to not enjoy the game.
It was beginning to be no fun at all. And that was the key
phrase “no fun at all”. I was more worried about a poorly hit
ball that would or could hurt someone. I began to address the
ball with little idea of what I was supposed to be doing, and
clung on to a prayer that was “Lord, please don’t let me hurt
someone”. So the state of my game was in total disarray. And
did I say it was no longer fun?
One the golfers in my company golf league didn’t offer what he
thought I should do with my game, instead he suggested the
services of his golf pro. He did this several years ago but for
personal reasons, I wasn’t in position to take on the challenge
that I thought a golf pro would introduce. And besides, I had
heard so many horror stories about golf pros messing up a student
so bad that they gave up the game altogether or that a golf pro
would attempt to mold my swing like every other one of their
students.
One fall I was invited to go on a weekend golf outing. The trip
was to include playing at three of top five courses in that state.
I really had no business playing these courses, but it sounding
like a fun weekend. This golf trip was a turning point for me and
my golf game. I came away with a need to fix my golf game or do
something else.
I chose to fix it. I called James Townsend and set up an
appointment. My first lesson with James was not like anything
I expected. I expected that he would observe how I hit balls
and make recommendations on what I needed to do to fix my golf
swing. Instead James sat me down and interviewed me with many
questions like my height, did I have any physical limitations,
how long have I been playing and did I have any formal training.
James’ questions were all part of what would turn into a training
program tailored specifically for ME. James doesn’t have one golf
swing that fits all, each person has abilities and limitations and
he structures the lesson to fit the student not the student to fit
the lesson.
What has James done for my game? To name a few things, I have learned
the proper golf swing for me, I have learned how to practice correctly,
I have learned how to recover when I don’t hit a good shot but most
of all I have learned how to enjoy the game and have fun again. My
only regret is that I didn’t go to see James sooner."