Q&A with Michael Bannon

What’s it like to coach the world number one? That was the question on everyone’s lips during an intriguing session with Michael Bannon at The PGA in Ireland’s regional AGM.

Luckily PGA in Ireland press officer Paul Kelly was at hand to document the event through the region’s Twitter account.

Here’s what the man himself had to say. 

11.38am
Q&A about to start with @MBannonGolf @CartonHouse - packed house #golf - tweets to follow

11.40
@MBannonGolf started his career @Ardglass as an assistant - starting learning the coaching ropes with Don Patterson at Warrenpoint

11.42
@MBannonGolf - we all have the potential to teach well #golf

11.44
@MBannonGolf - lucky enough to meet John Jacobs recently - always followed his books #golf

11.46
@MBannonGolf - when I left @HolywoodGolfclu in 1997 - we had a great youth set up - some good players including @PhilCollins59 #golf

11.47
@MBannonGolf - great ethos at @HolywoodGolfclu - I always felt I was decent at junior coaching #golf

11.48
Moved to @BangorGC - always wanted a great range and found the facilities there - got more into technology 2003/2004 - video footage #golf

11.49
Played for 20yrs on Irish circuit - that was my life - it was a family - we played everywhere - big part of my learning #golf

11.49
I always felt all that experience of playing and watching filtered down to my teaching - students knew I have played the game #golf

11.50
@McIlroyRory came on like a rocket. He had talent - my job was to not wipe out that talent - just take him along - keep an eye on him #golf

11.52
One of the dangers is that we have to justify ourselves - sometimes have to send them away when they are swinging well #golf

11.54
Elite coaching v recreational players
Elite players know where they are going - they want to go to the top - it is meeting of minds #golf

11.55
Recreational players. You always have to remind them that practice is key #golf 
@MBannonGolf Q&A - don't overteach

11.57
Recreational players. Do you want to improve - work on your game or simply enjoy their game.

11.58
Elite player. @McIlroyRory and the top players work so hard. Discipline and practice #golf

12.01pm
On a normal week with @McIlroyRory we play games around the greens - drop balls in bunker/rough etc - he has to hole 10 in a row

12.06
We use @TrackManGolf a bit with @McIlroyRory 
Best time to use it is when he is playing well - that gives us a baseline when things go off

12.07
With kids it is all about making it fun, show them a lot - show them videos
Use simple methods #golf @MBannonGolf Q&A

12.10
Always stay positive with kids. You are all professionals - you should feel capable of showing the kids how to play a shot - play wee games

12.11
With kids sometimes it’s best to keep parents away - they are well meaning - but best to sometimes keep them at a distance #golf

12.17
@MBannonGolf - now taking members through videos of @McIlroyRory #golf

12.18
@MBannonGolf - I knew @McIlroyRory was going to be very good when he was around 15 - always felt he would be a top 10 player #golf

12.20
@MBannonGolf - when he plays bad you feel under pressure. It is part of the job - you get used to it - never take the role for granted #golf

12.22
@MBannonGolf - Last year @McIlroyRory decided he would try and fade the ball a bit to try and control it better #golf

12.27
@MBannonGolf - I only work with @McIlroyRory - #golf

12.28
@MBannonGolf - it is always back to basics - the laws of golf - the PGA principles #golf @ThePGA @PGAMemberEd #golf

12.33
@MBannonGolf - never liked 30mins lesson - always 45 mins or so - never satisfying for the player or myself #golf

12.34
@MBannonGolf - looking to the future - never thought that far ahead - maybe a book - video instruction?? #golf

12.35
@MBannonGolf - great life now - after years at a club I get to spent time with my family - very welcome #golf

12.37
@MBannonGolf - modern game all about power - so fitness and strength training is very important #golf

12.38
A great part of my life was being involved with the @PGA_Ireland - enjoyed coming back to speak to everyone today #golf

12.40
That finishes the @MBannonGolf Q&A - hope everyone enjoyed it #insight

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