Institute of Golf
N
ot so long ago, accessing world-class Golf instruction usually
meant checking out a well-worn library copy of a Jack Nicklaus
coaching book. Outside of maybe the old man drilling in “don’t
forget to keep your head down”, you were pretty much on your own in
those formative years.
Luckily, for those who attend Kristin School, all barriers to discovering your
innermost Tiger Woods are well and truly banished to the Dark Ages.
From April, Kristin is the new home of the holistically minded Institute of
Golf (igolf), which represents a complete all-in-one 21st-century approach
that anyone of Gen-Y rank or older can only drool over. The concept is
the brainchild of Craig Dixon, a class AAA teaching professional with the
New Zealand Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), who has teamed
with in-demand strength-and-conditioning coach, Alex Porter, sports
physiotherapist, Bradley Takai, and mental performance guru, David Niethe.
“We are the first in New Zealand to offer the complete package for golfers
of all abilities under the one umbrella,” says Craig (26) the club pro at the
Waitemata Club in Devonport and coach of the North Harbour Special
Olympics team.
“We believe the key to improving your game is to look at every component
of the Golf swing, from nutrition and physicality, to installing the right
mental approach on the course.”
The institute’s facilities include Kristin’s existing covered 10-bay 60-metre
coaching area, a new CrossFit® Auckland athletic training gym and
To find out more speak to the professionals:
Craig Dixon Alex Porter
Director of Golf Instruction Director of Physical Performance
+64 21 474 289 +64 21 0250 6236
craig@instituteofgolf.co.nz alex@instituteofgolf.co.nz
64 WINTER 2009
physio rooms, all on the school grounds. The doors are open to students,
teachers and the public, with all skill levels catered for, from single figure
handicappers to those just starting out.
Craig says igolf’s results so far validate his faith in the institute’s scientific
approach. Recent success stories from its growing elite stable include igolf
protégé Tom Cardno (16) winning the national Under-23 title, while a slew
of higher-handicappers from all age levels continues to report dramatic
improvements. Tom, who was scouted as a complete novice by Craig
during a ‘knock around’ with mates three years ago, recently smashed the
Waitemata course record by two strokes with a 61.
The Institute of Golf process begins with a thorough muscle balance
assessment and, in the case of acute or ongoing pathologies, treatment
of the cause and future injury prevention. Brad Takai’s personal philosophy
is to “treat the cause, not the symptoms”, and he takes great pleasure
in using this to maximise the client’s Golf performance, and their overall
health, well-being and resilience. The physiotherapy division works to
integrate a referral system that will include: podiatry, massage therapy and
biomechanics for performance technical analysis.
Working in tandem with Brad, Alex utilises strength-and-conditioning
methods that are unique and unconventional. These include General
Physical Preparedness (GPP), Specialised Physical Preparedness (SPP) and
CrossFit® weightlifting and gymnastic protocols. He believes that to look
and perform as an athlete does, you must train as an athlete. He has high
Continued on page 65
Bradley Takai
Director of Physiotherapy
+64 21 248 8872
brad@instituteofgolf.co.nz
 Sports News

Inter-Collegiate
Continued from page 64
Golf
On Monday 30 March, the Kristin Inter-
expectations of his clients, from novice trainees to seasoned pros, and his clients will testify that the Collegiate Golf team played the finals match
results speak for themselves. for teams from Pukekohe to Whangaparaoa.
After an exciting season and winning the
CrossFit® Auckland Services are supervised in the form of group classes and personal training. North Harbour title, we played Mt Roskill
These will include: high performance sports classes in a vast range of disciplines, open sports classes Grammar School in the semi-final and beat
classified by age, adult classes, martial sports classes, and specialised individual coaching and general them 37.5 to 34.5. This lead us to the finals
conditioning for athletes. against Saint Kentigern College at Pupuke
Golf Course.
Craig’s style of coaching is also unique. He works with an individual’s learning preferences and For this game, we had to draw on our
physical attributes to design a swing that allows them to reach their full potential. In using this reserve player Julitta Lam as one of our
approach, Craig is able to create an individualised performance programme, providing the best players was unable to attend. Julitta played
practical information and coaching. By following the programme, the players are on a constant extremely well to take eight points out
schedule of improvement and achievement within their game, whilst maintaining a consistent of a possible 18 and shot five over par.
pattern of learning and practice. Craig and his highly qualified Golf coaching staff will provide: high- Anthony Cope took nine points and shot
performance Golf academy programmes, after-school programmes for all levels, parent clinics and a one over par. Rica Tse playing at number
staff Golf programme. one, shot two under par to take eight
points off her opponent, and the star was
Whether you are a recreational golfer, an amateur golfer or professional on tour, the Institute of Golf’s James Beale who took 11 points and shot
innovative systems are proven on the course and reflected on the score cards of their players. a four over par. This left the team with 36
The Institute of Golf promise is ‘Forever Evolving Your Game’. points which meant
we drew and went
Benefits for Kristin High Performance Programme on to the sudden
Kristin High Performance athletes will be in the enviable position of death play-off. Rica
having experts such as Alex, Craig, Brad and David onsite to oversee their and James both
continued development, both physically and mentally. I can’t imagine that played well against
any other school can provide such a comprehensive ‘one-stop shop’ for its their opposition, but
elite athletes; we are very fortunate. The relationship between CrossFit® unfortunately didn’t
Auckland, the Institute of Golf and Kristin re-enforces our place on the come away with
cutting edge of performance sport. the win.
Cherry Webster, To date, the team has
Director of Sport worked hard and had
an outstanding season, winning the North
Physical Education Year 7 to 13 Harbour title and becoming runners-up in the
Institute resources are used directly in PE classes; many students are being tutored for Golf already. greater Auckland region. This is the highest
Over the last term, many of our younger Year 7 and 8 students have had the opportunity to go over to placing a Kristin team has achieved and
the Golf Range. All of the feedback that has been received from both students and staff with respect there are still a few tournaments to go. Well
to the organisation and quality of the instruction has been that it is at the highest level. The planning done to our team. In playing order they are:
and thought that Craig and his team have put into their programmes for the students puts them in the Rica Tse, James Beale, Jane Lee, Anthony
top of their field. It is very exciting for Kristin to have this opportunity, not only for Golf but potentially Cope and our playing reserve Julitta Lam.
for all of our sports. Bryce Cattell,
Trevor Hayes, Teacher-In-Charge Golf
Head of Faculty PE

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