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SCMP Reporter

BRAD SCHADEWITZ

The Hong Kong Golf Association's national junior coach is widely regarded as among the best teaching professionals in the SAR.

Does being a golf guru mean you operate on a higher spiritual plane?

It is almost a spiritual thing when you get into the zone. It almost becomes an out-of-body experience. There's a bit of Zen in the game.

Are there better things for a fully grown adult to do than teach people to chase little white balls with a bunch of hi-tech sticks?

No way. I can't think of too many. Maybe playing for a living would be the only thing I'd rather do. I've never felt golf is a ridiculous game. It's the best game ever invented.

If you're so good, sort my game out. Now.

Well, I haven't had a chance to look at you. But I look at every situation as a challenge. I have one child on our programme who had a terrible swing, but a great attitude. He'd never broken 90 but after just three months he went to his latest tournament and shot 77 and 84. He's my poster child.

Where are you happiest in Hong Kong?

In the fall, on a perfect day on the North Course at Kau Sai Chau with three of my good golfing friends having a dogfight of a match.

What gets you on your high horse?

Driving in Hong Kong, and I'm not talking about tee shots.

Pushy parents. Root of all evil?

They're giving their kids an opportunity. That can't be a bad thing. Most parents don't give their kids enough chances. In my position I do sometimes have to talk to them and often they're not even aware of what they're doing.

Should high handicappers have to get a licence before they use their driver?

Yeah. Most beginners should excel with their three wood before they go to their driver - or at least be able to get their three wood off the ground!

Would golf be more fun if we still called the clubs things like mashie niblicks?

Don't think of it as a club, but as an instrument. Call it a mashie and you know what people would try do with it. Most players are already trying to mash it too hard already!



2 Minutes With... Brad Schadewitz