I was very fortunate last week to host Mark Wilson (noted player, instructor, and commentator) for a few days in Betmore's Basement - adding to the growing list of notable pool personalities who have kicked my a$$ on the green felt in the Basement. He now possesses the High Run in Betmore's Basement, even though we only played one long game (79, knocking off the previous record holder by one ball).
As many already know, Mark is one of the best instructors in the world, and it is a privilege to be able to work with him. I hadn't worked with him for over a year, and was excited to be able to have his input to help correct the many (??countles??) flaws that have crept into my game. The lessons, as always, were just amazing; and my game, as always, picked up significantly after the lessons.
I was also VERY privileged to sit in on 2 lessons with a couple of my friends. One had no formal training in the past (B/C player), and one had LOTS of playing experience, and lots of contact with other instructors (A/B player). I tried to keep my mouth shut, and watch the process.
As always, I was very impressed with Mark's communication style, knowledge of the game/stroke, and enthusiasm for the game. You will not find many people with such a deep love for the game, and such ability to communicate what is necessary to play pro-level pool (and truly, isn't that the goal for most of us pool fanatics).
His approach is to build or modify a stroke so that it will be repeatable, precise, and pressure-resistant. He emphasizes that pool is a game that demands a level of precision greater than the naked eye can perceive - the reason more people do not become proficient. An error of less than a millimeter in striking the cue ball, can be an error of several millimeters by the time it reaches the object ball, and will then be an error of inches by the time it reaches a pocket on a 9-footer - leaving the player to wonder "what happened".
To build a stroke capable of delivering a consistently repeatable hit on the cue ball accurate to within less than a millimeter is not the easiest process; but one that if done diligently and correctly can build a stroke that can yield professional results. For players that desire such results, Mark's process can definitely get them there, IF they are willing to commit the time and effort on the practice table afterwards. My opinion is that any players in the Midwest who can't already run a hundred ought to be looking Mark up for some lessons - it is an experience they won't soon forget (hopefully his new and improved website will be up and running soon...www.playgreatpool.com was the old one).
End of unashamedly biased testimonial.....hey, I like pool and want to play well, no shame in that.:smile:
As many already know, Mark is one of the best instructors in the world, and it is a privilege to be able to work with him. I hadn't worked with him for over a year, and was excited to be able to have his input to help correct the many (??countles??) flaws that have crept into my game. The lessons, as always, were just amazing; and my game, as always, picked up significantly after the lessons.
I was also VERY privileged to sit in on 2 lessons with a couple of my friends. One had no formal training in the past (B/C player), and one had LOTS of playing experience, and lots of contact with other instructors (A/B player). I tried to keep my mouth shut, and watch the process.
As always, I was very impressed with Mark's communication style, knowledge of the game/stroke, and enthusiasm for the game. You will not find many people with such a deep love for the game, and such ability to communicate what is necessary to play pro-level pool (and truly, isn't that the goal for most of us pool fanatics).
His approach is to build or modify a stroke so that it will be repeatable, precise, and pressure-resistant. He emphasizes that pool is a game that demands a level of precision greater than the naked eye can perceive - the reason more people do not become proficient. An error of less than a millimeter in striking the cue ball, can be an error of several millimeters by the time it reaches the object ball, and will then be an error of inches by the time it reaches a pocket on a 9-footer - leaving the player to wonder "what happened".
To build a stroke capable of delivering a consistently repeatable hit on the cue ball accurate to within less than a millimeter is not the easiest process; but one that if done diligently and correctly can build a stroke that can yield professional results. For players that desire such results, Mark's process can definitely get them there, IF they are willing to commit the time and effort on the practice table afterwards. My opinion is that any players in the Midwest who can't already run a hundred ought to be looking Mark up for some lessons - it is an experience they won't soon forget (hopefully his new and improved website will be up and running soon...www.playgreatpool.com was the old one).
End of unashamedly biased testimonial.....hey, I like pool and want to play well, no shame in that.:smile:
