Phil Jonas -- How You Play The Game Of Golf

Phil Jonas has played and won tournaments all over the world, spending time on the links with the likes of four-time British Open Champion Bobby Locke, Grand Slam winner Gary Player and current international stars like Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Nick Foldo.

A native of South Africa and now a Canadian citizen, Philip and his wife Patty, both Canadian PGA Class 'A' teaching professionals, have two children and live and teach in Greater Vancouver.

Recently returned from visiting family and colleagues in South Africa here is Philip Jonas:

The growth of outstanding new golfing talent bodes well for the future of South Africa because of a program devoted to junior golf called the South African Golf Foundation.

It was the same when I was growing up some 35 years ago. Each region runs tournaments during the school holidays---usually 36 holes in a day---and they are staged at various golf clubs, between two and four tournaments a week. The competition is quite stiff because these events all attract the best players.

Back in my day it was an honour to play in these events and you learned early on the need for discipline and respect for the game. After each 36-hole event you were required to have a shower and wear a jacket and tie. Your jacket or blazer carried the Golf Foundation badge. If you represented a province that designation was proudly displayed underneath the badge. And if you represented South Africa you had the distinction of wearing a green blazer.

In each tournament there was one age group under 19 with net and gross prizes awarded for the different age divisions based on your handicap. If you played well and were fortunate to win a tournament in your category you were required to make speech in room filled with other juniors, parents and the local club members. Giving a speech was something that I was afraid of, even when I was 13. I think I probably choked during an event or two for fear of having to get up in front of everyone and giving a speech.

These tournaments were cheap as well, but maybe having to compete against players who were often older and sometimes bigger might be one of the reasons South Africa has produced some of the good players it has.

Aw, The Memories

There are a lot of new courses in S.A. and they are affordable for tourists. I have played some of the newly designed courses and they certainly are good, but I really prefer some of the older courses. In fact, just recently I played the course I grew up on. The Kyalami Country Club was built in 1954 and my father was the first manager for 25 years. Today he is an honoury life member.

During my recent visit home to South Africa my Dad and I went and played at Kyalami Country Club and I'm so glad I did. He's 91 now and there is a good chance it may have been our last round together. Kyalami was also the scene of our first round together This course has become so good; the trees have matured, the condition and the layout are great. It took 50 years for this course to be great.

My Dad played well for 91, and I was decent for 60, but I'm only 46. He had to play the same way I played when I was seven and that is by aiming for bridges to get over hazards that were too long to carry. When I was a kid we were always encouraged to play in the adult club tournaments with the adults. So we learnt etiquette quickly and how to compete. You know, when you are about 10 you can't hit the ball very far so you develop a good short game to compete and then as you get distance you become a great player because you learnt how get around before you could hit the ball a long way.

The Professional Scene

In South Africa the Sunshine tour has done okay. I think the co-sanctioned events with the European PGA Tour both help and hinder the S.A. tour. The reason is a large amount of money is spent on just three events and these three, the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek GC, in Mpumalanga, the South African Open at Pearl Valley Golf Estates, in Paarl, Western Cape and the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, take up a large amount of sponsorship. As a player, you have to play well in those 3 events or your year is history.

Before the co-sanction events, when I played there in the late 80's and 90's, there were about 14 nice sized events since the co sanctioned they had as few as 6 events. With the co-sanctioned events, this now provides an easier way for the S.A. players to get on the European tour, which is good. The Sunshine Tour also makes sure they take care of their own, namely the S.A. players. The Canadian Tour, however, hasn't been quite as successful at that, at least not yet.

For golf fans in South Africa the Sunshine Tour also produces a great weekly magazine/TV program that shows the highlights from the week before. From what I saw I was impressed.

Teaching Today

I have a simple teaching style, but I'm always looking to see what others doing. The swing hasn't changed a lot over the years. I really like Tiger Woods' swing, but you know, having played with Sergio Garcia of Spain and studied his swing a lot, I have some issues there. After Tiger, though, Sergio is probably one of the best ball strikers in the game today.

Knowing HOW TO PLAY GOLF is, in my mind, the most important thing and that is what is stressed in my teaching. I don't use many teaching aids, but I would say that using a stick or a golf club to make sure you aim properly and set up correctly is critical for every level of golfer. At my teaching academy I do use video and we use computer programs for assistance, although often it's the little things make the biggest difference.

Not every player has the same swing. There's something unique about every golfer, but the most important thing is how you play the game.

We'll discuss that in more detail in our next session.

Philip Jonas
CPGA Class A Professional

Philip Jonas Golf Academy

McCleery Golf Academy

(604) 787-0145