Leo Halloran, GSEM

April 2008

Personal/Playing Background

When and where did you first start playing golf?

I started playing golf when I was a freshman in high school at the Frear Park Golf Club in Troy, New York. Before that I had hit some balls with hand-me-down clubs from my two older brothers. That entire summer, my younger brother and I started to play 27 or 36 holes a day. I enjoyed the game so much as I was able to play with many golfers who were older than I was, and I formed many friendships.

Did you play on a high school team? If so, where?

I played on the Catholic Central High School Golf Team in Troy, New York, and I was the Captain my senior year. During this time, I started to caddy at the Country Club of Troy. On Mondays, which was Caddy's Day, my brother and I would play 36 or 54 holes. I caddied for many good players, and one in particular, was John Snyder. He later gave me my first golf professional job as Assistant Golf Professional at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In what top events - regionally or nationally - have you played?

I won the Northeastern New York PGA Section Assistants Championship and was the Runner-up the next year that I played.

Teaching Background

When and where did you first start teaching golf?

I started teaching at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Where do you currently teach?

I teach at The Carolina Golf Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Who do you teach? Do you specialize in a certain group?

I teach golfers of all ages. I enjoy teaching junior golfers and I have taught both boys and girls who have received golf scholarships to major colleges.

Why did you become an Authorized Instructor of The Golfing Machine? Who influenced you to become an Authorized Instructor?

My interest in The Golfing Machine was created in my search to find out where the well known teachers obtained their information. I had collected many teaching books through my years as a club professional, and I went through them all and found two very prominent names the authors acknowledged, specifically, Homer Kelley and Ben Doyle. In 2000, I began to teach for a wonderful teacher and player, Rick Murphy, who had taken many lessons from the late Tom Tomascello, GSED. Rick had taken the information he obtained from Tom's lessons and formed his own teaching principles and a wonderful teaching career in our area. It has also helped me greatly to receive the support from my employer on my journey to become an Authorized Instructor. Finally, I received a lot of help from Ted Frick, GSED, who was a teacher for Tom Tomascello. Ted had TGM schools for professionals in the Carolinas PGA Section and it laid the groundwork for my taking classes with Joe Daniels, GSED, to become an Authorized Instructor of The Golfing Machine.

How does your knowledge of The Golfing Machine help you to teach your students?

I have a game plan for all of my students to improve. There is not a student's problem that I fear to cure. Knowing what to teach a swinger and hitter has been very educational. I am able to obtain plenty of information from a student by understanding what their perceptions are to compress the golf ball. Most students think that address and impact are the same position and bending of the left wrist is uncocking. This completely destroys the moment of truth, which is impact. I use other sports the student has played in transmitting the message of clubhead lag and educating the hands.

Tell me about a specific problem one of your students had, and how you used The Golfing Machine system to correct the problem?

Two years ago I had a man come for a club fitting, and he was totally convinced that his clubs were causing his golf ball to go way left of his target. He did not need new clubs, but he did need to know that: 1) address and impact are two different positions, 2) the clubface at impact interval was slightly open, and 3) the clubface was square at separation of the ball from the clubface. We worked on this for a few weeks, and he was then able to compress the ball and direct the ball to his target much better. Since then, this student has sent me many students to have their swing problems solved.

What would you tell an instructor considering becoming an Authorized Instructor of The Golfing Machine?

I have actually told fellow professionals that have an interest in becoming an Authorized Instructor of The Golfing Machine (TGM) that TGM is the most complete educational process in the teaching business. You learn to give information that the student will understand and retain. They will be able to have their students have constructive practice sessions and they will truly understand what it takes to become better golfers. You cannot argue with Geometry and Physics.

Are you a member of the PGA? If so, when did you become a PGA member?

I am a member of the PGA since 1969.

Have you won any awards for your teaching, including PGA chapter/section/national teaching awards?

I have been nominated by the Carolinas PGA for the Teacher of the Year Award for the past 4 years.

I have been nominated by Golf Digest for the Best Teachers in the State of North Carolina for the past 4 years.

Do you use video as a part of your teaching? If so, how do you incorporate the use of video into your lessons?

I do use video in my lessons to let the student see where the problems exist and how we will fix the problems. I usually take a picture of impact from face on and a picture from down the line to check the swing plane of the student's swing.

What is your teaching philosophy? How do you share it and reinforce it with your students?

I truly want the student to clearly understand my teaching in the easiest terms that I present to them. I continually ask for feedback from them. I have been amazed that when I find out their perceptions, how easily I can put in place the needed information to cure the student's problems. I clearly define the swing principles that the design of the golf club dictates how the golf club should be swung.

I would like to add that The Golfing Machine's Annual Teaching Summit is the highlight of my teaching year. Being able to ask questions of the speakers and have the chance to debate answers, makes this such a quality organization. I pride myself on having attended all three of the Teaching Summits offered. It is a great experience to meet the great, passionate teachers that are part of this fine group. I have also enjoyed working at The Golfing Machine's booth at the PGA Merchandising Show, and telling fellow PGA members the great benefits of being part of The Golfing Machine.