Lessons
Lessons are provided by Mat Vachon, local Teaching Professional
Teaching History
Since 1999 Mat has been educating young toddlers taking their first swings at one of the many Jr. Golf Camps hosted throughout the years. Along with taking on some of the most interesting swings in the world, the Northern Ontario slap shot.
He began tinckering with golf swings when he was a frequent player at Abitibi Golf Club in Iroquois Falls.
After spending 2 years in London, Ontario earning a degree in Recreation and Leisure Services, Mat was hoping to apply his programming skills to various golf activities in Northern Ontario, mainly junior golf development. London is where he learned of a specialising golf college in Temecula, California.
The Professional Golfer’s Career College is where Mat took his teaching experience and grew his knowledge about the physics and psychology of golf. Learning under multiple PGA Master Teachers for 2 years gave him advanced knowledge about how to help any type of golfer improve their game. After completion of this program Mat returned to Northern Ontario to apply his new skills and knowledge. Spruce Needles Golf Club became his home for the past 4 years and now with a year round business, Mat is able to teach full time at Northern Swing Golf Centre.
Future plans are to travel the North to host various teaching demonstrations at courses that may not have teaching services. Other plans include to grow the junior golf involvement in the Timmins and surrounding area, with hopes of recruiting talented players and giving them ample opportunity to gain sports scholarships in Canada or abroad. “ There is so much natural talent for the game in the North, it only would take some simple discipline and applied knowledge to grow some great golf prospects for schools looking for such talent.”
Methods of Teaching
Individual Lessons (1 on 1) (1/2 Hour or 1 Hour)
Notes: Personal instruction is used to directly identify areas of your golf game or swing that need to be re-aligned or adjusted. Private lessons are generally educational sessions, shedding light on areas that the student may have never learned before. Often these sessions identify areas where the student may have been misinformed with a random tip via a friend, magazine, or TV. Also the misinterpretation of tips can be a cause of golfing struggles.
Price: ½ Hour - $55.00
1 Hour - $90.00
Group Lessons (2 to 4 Students) (1 Hour)
Notes: Group instruction can be a lot of fun for those looking to learn the basics and maybe some small advanced portion of the game. It is a much more relaxed atmosphere where students are usually surrounded by people they trust and feel comfortable to take on this trying game. Minimal hands on instruction.
Price: $120.00
Clinics (5 or more) Information Session (1/2 Hour to 1 Hour)
Notes: A clinic is more of a seminar session or a demonstration of specific information. The instructor can be prompt as to what to speak about or he can present a general information session with a Question and Answer period. Sometimes there would volunteer demonstrations used to help clarify instruction.
Video Analysis (1 Hour – 1 on 1 Video Session) (1 Hour)
Notes: This is where video cameras and special computer software is used to analyse the golf swing throughout its entirety. This would include a look at various areas of the swing such as, the set up, the take away, the mid-backswing, the top, the downswing, the impact position, and the follow-through. Many of these areas affect each other that is why we would have to look in depth from the beginning to end. This method is a great way to pin-point mistakes in the swing. At the end of the session we can compare video with your previous session or even with various PGA professionals.
Price: $105.00
On Course Lessons (9-Holes)
Notes: This method is used to identify strategic errors and mental mistakes players may have in their games while playing a round of golf. These things cannot be seen on the driving range. They can only be observed while the player in his or her element on the course. If you haven’t heard it yet, you will, everyone is a range pro, but it takes another mentality to bring your skills to the course. An on-course lesson would help identify areas where a player could improve their scores by simply thinking better. Perhaps even learning new ways to play problem shots, meaning, shots that tend to be repetitive misses. On-Course Lessons can be organized for 1 to 4 players at a time.
Price: Single Person - $150.00 Additional Players – Add $20/ Player
Series of Lessons (1/2 Hour Lessons)
Note: A great way to learn all areas of the game. Attack your golf game from all angles by focusing time on each area, rather than trying to learn it all in a short period of time. Progress can be monitored and evaluated. Not only is this the best way to learn but it also tends to have the best value for your money.
Price: Custom Pricing – Call for quote or look for promotional programs
Website Tips
Note: A great way to keep your knowledge growing, subject to misinterpretation as anything you read will be, but when written responsibly even beginners should be able to understand the instruction.
Price: Free right here at www.NorthernSwing.ca
