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About Jim Flick
Some people are natural-born teachers, and Jim Flick is certainly one of
them. He has spent a lifetime dedicated to helping golfers become better
players – from novices to some of the greatest champions of our time. Jim
has been motivated and driven by his enthusiasm and love for the game of
golf. His 53 years of experience with over 200 touring professionals has
earned him the uncontested title of America's Master Golf Teacher.
Jim feels that the teaching of golf has become much too complex and mechanical.
The resulting confusion and tension lead to the deterioration of the player's
athleticism and ability to score. He also knows that golfers want help
on a more personal basis, more short game training and more time on the
golf course. While there are many ways to teach and play, time has shown
that simplicity is best for most. Jim believes that the true art of teaching
golf is in helping each student to better understand their challenges and
to become their own coach thereby enabling the self-confidence
and self-reliance to continue learning and improving long after the formal
lessons.
Golf is a game of constantly making adjustments which requires a deep understanding
of tendencies and habits. Even the best of players need another set of
eyes from time to time. Jim provides that invaluable extra set of eyes
through customized group instruction, individual instruction and corporate
golf outings.
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Popular Quotes
from the World of Golf
"Just before hitting the ball, I think about where I want it to go."
"Tiger Woods"
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Jim Flick's Teaching Philosophy and Principles
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Philosophy
Golf is a game that should be taught on an individual basis with consideration for each student’s physical and emotional strengths and weaknesses.
Golf should be taught as an athletic endeavor with the player selecting an instrument to put the ball into the target area to record the lowest possible score – not trying to build the perfect swing.
My responsibility is to help each of my students to have fun learning about themselves, their swings, playing the game and becoming their own coach.
Principles
The body moves and reacts to the use and swinging of the instrument to control the ball. (cause vs. effect)
Anything that creates undesirable tension in the player’s mind or body will limit their ability to play the game at their highest level.
The correct grip and grip pressure to fit their desired ball flight and feel for the club head is most critical for success and consistency.
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Jim is constantly searching for better information and different means for helping players play better. Here, the feel of the golf swing is suggested by technical information.
Jim at the TaylorMade Performance and Research Laboratory, better known as “The Kingdom,” working with a student and the technology.
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The use of the player’s eyes in creating the desired pictures for consistency of their setup, alignment and commitment to the shot and target.
The swinging of the instrument with the hands and arms to control the turning of the shoulders on both sides of the swing in order to create speed, freedom and feel for moving the club in the simplest and most efficient arc and release to fit the desired shot.
The feet and legs control the hips in supporting the swing during the transition in starting the forward swing from the ground up in an effort to have the left hip over left heel and chest facing the ball at impact.
Teach compatible concepts and principles for executing short game and full swing shots, whenever possible.
The player’s attitude, understanding, confidence, correct habits and feel can best be developed by using drills and a training station while learning to create shots and desired ball flight.
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Respresenting TaylorMade-adidas Golf
Jim Flick with Jack Nicklaus
Tom Lehman with Jim Flick.
Jim has worked with Tom since 1989.
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Tall Praise for Jim Flick...
"Jim and I have been working together since we first met during a practice round at the 1990
Tradition. I wasn't happy with my swing, and I asked Jim for some advice after
the round, and we went straight to the practice tee and started to work. Well. I went on to win
the tournament that week, and we have been working with Jim ever since.
"Jim understands me and my swing and teaches with a similar philosophy to the game as I do, mostly on "feel." He
studied Jack Grout and how he worked with me, and uses many of the same principles.
"In addition to what Jim and I did together with my game and with other Tour players for that matter,
we also launched a successful golf school together. We created a curriculum together and developed a
staff of quality instructors to help teach our curriculum. I always say, Jim is more than a teacher,
he's a coach. By that I mean that he is great with people - he learns about them individually, understands
them, motivates them and entertains them. That's what makes him special, that's what separates him from
all the other teachers in the game. He knows the game, there is no question. But he knows a lot a more.
He works with men and women, young and old, average guys to CEO's, Tour players to kids just learning
the game. And there is no difference in his level of dedication and ability to Inspire learning and enjoying
the game.
"Jim and I have more than a teaching relationship, we are close and loyal friends. Even though I have
retired, I still consider Jim one of the best teachers out there. He and I now spend a little more time
together these days working with my grandkids on the practice tee, which is fun for both of us - which
means that he has now coached three generations of Nicklauses I think that says it all."
Jack Nicklaus
“Probably no one has spent as many years studying the game of golf and the golf swing as Jim Flick. He's used that knowledge to become the most caring, committed, dedicated teacher I've ever known.”
Dr. Bob Rotella,
Sports Psychologist
“Jim Flick understands the golf swing better than anyone I have ever met.”
Tom Lehman
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53 Years of Teaching
- Club professional, 1954-1974
- Golf Digest Schools, 1972-1990
- Director of Instruction, 1976-1990
- Co-Founder Nicklaus/Flick Schools, 1991-2001
- Jim Flick Premier Schools, 2002
- ESPN Golf Schools, 2003
Instruction
- Individuals
- Couples
- Juniors
- Playing instructions by appointment at La Costa Resort and Spa
- On site at TaylorMade Performance & Research Laboratory
Honors
- Herb Graffis Award – National
Golf Foundation, 1982
- PGA Teacher of the Year, 1988, (3rd recipient)
- Top 10 Teachers of the 20th
Century – Golf World ,
1999
- World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame, 2002, (9th member)
- Hall of Fame - Southern Ohio PGA, 2002
- Athletic Hall of Fame – Wake
Forest University, 1995
- PGA Life Member
Author
Books –
- Square to Square Golf, 1970
- Square to Square in Pictures, 1974
- How to Become a Complete Golfer (with Bob Toski), 1980, revised 1984
- Jim Flick – On Golf, 1997
- Swing Analysis by Jim Flick
- Jack Nicklaus, Simply the Best by
Martin Davis, 2007
Magazine Articles –
- Golf Digest, 1969-1990
- Golf, 1991-2003
- Golf Digest, 2003-present
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Accomplishments
- Jack Nicklaus' coach, 1990-present
- Tom Lehman's coach, 1989-present
- Taught in 23 nations
- Completed over 1,000
multi-day golf schools
- Speaker at numerous PGA and National Golf Foundation
workshops and seminars
- Speaker at PGA Teaching Summits on several occasions and keynote speaker
in 1996
- Numerous appearances on the Golf Channel
- Appeared on Larry King Live
- Appeared on Good Morning America
- Appeared on The Charlie Rose Show
Affiliations
- TaylorMade Performance and Research Laboratory,
as TaylorMade's Golf Ambassador
- Golf Channel – Senior Advisor
and Troubleshooter
- Golf Digest
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For Individual Instruction, Group Instruction and Corporate Golf Outings
Call Toll Free 1-888-Jim Flick (546-3542) or fax us at 760-603-8891
Carlsbad, California
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