RON STOCKTON BIOGRAPHY continued...

The principles of Stockton Golf (from left to right), Dave Stockton Jr., Dave Stockton Sr., and Ron Stockton.

“What makes Ron successful is that he can adapt to the language of the player he’s teaching,” says Graham. “Harvey Penick had that remarkable skill. He could move from one student on the range with an entirely different style to another within moments. Ron can do the same by going immediately to the profile of that particular student.”

“It comes down to trust,” says Stockton, “getting clients to realize they have what they need to perform. If a player doesn’t trust his or her swing or stroke, it’s not happening.”

With its simple and clear approach, Stockton Golf® hopes to re-ignite the world's passion for the game, drawing back those who have given up on golf; attracting new players; opening up avenues for players with disabilities; helping golfers surprise their competitors with a level of game previously unseen; and elevating play at the professional level.

The Beauty of the Signature Approach®

“I believe the message from instructor to student is simple,” says Stockton. “That is the beauty of the Signature Approach that I trademarked for Stockton Golf.

"Putting is the easiest thing you get to do on a golf course. But what most people may not realize is that the Signature Approach is meant to be effective in every aspect of the game.

may not realize is that the Signature Approach® is designed to be effective in every aspect of the game.

On the flip side, my mechanical approach to the swing is quite simple: you can’t control the ball until you can control yourself. I work a lot with players on balance and creating a consistent move, focusing on ball flight.

I want a player to feel free to let the ball do something versus trying to keep it from doing something. Obviously you have to cater to people’s learning style but even that becomes less important if the message is simple.”

Ron Stockton (center) explaining the Stockton Golf Signature Approach®

at a charity golf outing.

"On the flip side, my mechanical approach to the swing is quite simple. You can't control the ball until you can control yourself. I work with a lot of players on balance and creating a consistent move, focusing on the resulting ball flight.

"I want a player to feel free to to let the ball do something versus trying to keep it from doing something. Obvisouly you have to cater to people's learning style and physical limitations but even that becomes much easier if the message is simple.

Stockton on Stockton

“I can’t say that I was really ever more a player than an instructor,” says Stockton. “I was always doing both at the same time and it was not a great

Dave Stockton, Ron Stockton and Dave Stockton Jr.

Stockton Golf booth at the 2012 PGA Show.

mix. A perfectionist does not make for a great player. I would find myself playing golf with a busy mind. Not ideal.

For one, finish getting an education. So many turn professional before finishing college or even going to college for that matter. You’re always one injury away from not having what you need to play competitively.

For players who want to become instructors: I think the number one challenge in transitioning from being a player to an instructor is the ability to see things through another’s eyes or another’s perspective. It’s not enough to tell someone how I would react to a situation. Rather, those moments need to be looked at in context to their perspective. Not always easy to do unless you’ve had some training.

To be a really successful Tour Professional is a very self-centered endeavor. To be a successful instructor requires the exact opposite.

A measure of success is having the ability to draw from those who are successful in common endeavors. For Ron Stockton, his grandfather, Gail, fit the mold. “My grandfather never believed you teach the same thing to everybody,” says Stockton.

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