Setting Goals article, published by www.pgamagazine.com March 2010


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A Top Flight Teacher, published in Mainline Today Magazine

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PGA Best Practies: Women & Golf
by Rebecca Dengler

Set Goals With All Your Students

Rebecca Dengler on the importance of setting goals with your students:
It's important to set goals for what you and your student want to accomplish in a lesson, or series of lessons - especially for women just starting out in the sport. If there is no goal, it is harder to determine the appropriate instruction and to measure success. Whenever we begin a lesson, I talk with my students about what they want to accomplish. Sometimes the answer is very definitive, and other times its something more along the lines of "I don't want to embarrass myself out on the course," in which case I will ask what things may embarrass them. Often it is something as simple as how to drive the golf car, where to stand on the green or what to wear. With these newer players, it is often less stressful to start at the green and focus on putting. I point out that most players only make 50 percent of three-foot putts, and we begin there. Then we move further away with the goal of just getting within that three-foot range for a two-putt. The importance lies in setting a concrete and attainable goal, always working in small steps to move from the simpler to the more complex. In treating golf learning as a series of attainable steps, I've found it useful to use analogies to build on what a student already knows - such as describing chipping as similar to putting, rather than as an entirely new skill. I also have found it useful to give my students notebooks so they can take notes about their lessons. They can then refer back to their notes, which helps with retention.

Rebecca Dengler on the business impact of setting goals with your students:
When you have clear goals that can be measured it is easier to track the student's progress, which in turn reflects your value as an instructor. Clear goals are useful for all levels of students and ensure that instruction continues on a path of success. I've found a strong retention rate with my students, and much of the success has come from equal commitment to the individual goals of each of my students.

Article naming Becky one of 50 Top Teachers by the LPGA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 4, 2008 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is proud to announce its first-ever compilation of the “The 50 Best Teachers.” To identify and recognize the best instructors in each of the five LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) sections (Central, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast and Western), the LPGA T&CP - which includes more than 1,200 members – were asked to rank their peers by voting for the top teachers in their sections.

“Through LPGA student-centered education, our teachers are trained totailor their instruction based on the individual golfer’s goals,personality and preferred learning style,” said LPGA T&CP National President Patti Benson. “Each individual is definitelythe focus of our golf instruction.”“For almost 50 years, the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals have been the grassroots ambassadors growing the game of golf and making the game more enjoyable by providing industry-leading golf education to golfers of all skill levels,” said LPGA T&CP Executive Director Nancy Henderson.

“The significance of this list is that, for the first time, LPGA teachers have been recognized and voted on by fellow LPGA members.” The LPGA T&CP membership was established in 1959 as an outgrowth of the LPGA Tour membership and has enjoyed an unprecedented rate of growth in recent years. The LPGA boasts the largest membership of women golf professionals in the world and is dedicated to the advancement of golf through teaching, managing golf facilities and coaching.

The teachers listed below are The 50 Best Teachers for 2008-2009. To find these and other LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals in your area, visit LPGA.com, click on Teaching and Club Pros in the top menu, then scroll down and click on “Find a Teacher.”

 Article features Becky talking about challenges women face in the workforce.

Golf Digest article naming Becky Top Teacher in Delaware