[Amen Corner]

Jim,

There are at least three reasons why the test is 'open book:'

1. It is the only way that 95 percent of the soon-to-be-Authorized Instructors could pass the test. They simply don't yet KNOW enough to pass it any other way. And it is unrealistic to expect -- much less require -- that a student commit to memory the vast amount of material he is exposed to during the formal training process.

2. In truth, the test is more of a learning experience in and of itself than an actual 'exam.' Digging for answers and writing them down has value to the student.

3. Answering the questions is demonstrated proof that the student can use the book in its research function, and that he has at least a cursory familiarity with its contents.

To my mind, the Authorized Instructor designation is a beginning, not an end. It is formal recognition that the journey of a lifetime has begun. The student now has been exposed to the tools that over a period of years will enable him to become a true Authority. One, I might add, who could pass an 'open book' test...without the book.

Whether or not that noble goal is achieved rests squarely on the shoulders of each student. True mastery of any discipline requires an effort that differentiates the few from the many.

And so it is for those who would master The Golfing Machine.

HEAR, HEAR

as they would say in he british parlament(sorry if I´m wrong lads!)

Had a few minutes over between finishing my openbook exam for level 2 and starting to memorize a couple of things for the visual identification and demonstration exams for tomorrow.

Remembered point # 10 on Yodas list to me - and here I am.

I have spent 64 hours on the schoolbench(right spelling?) with TGM the last 8 days. This is only my 7 month (Yoda was at our Sweden PGA teaching summit in March) with TGM, so I am fairly new with the expression compared with others here. Since then, I`ve been reading the book and visiting the forums every single day. I've learned a lot and still do.

But going through Bachelors class IS a whole other ballgame.

I TRULY UNDERSTAND the differnt concepts
I CAN DEMONSTRATE it to my students to make them understand

and I can appreciate EVEN MORE Yodas recommendations to me.

BTW, Yoda, do you remember the guy that you talked/teached during the morning hours at Halmstad? Your introduction to TGM made him attend this class I´m going!

So, without ............. oh shit, times flyes when having fun. Must go back to memorizing!

Hej på Er!