‘School of Golf’ celebrates its 400th episode on July 31st and still going strong

When Martin Hall was hired by Golf Channel in 2011 to run a weekly instruction show, he wasn’t ready to quit his day job.

“I thought I might do eight shows, and that would be it,” Hall said. “I didn’t know if we would do season two.”

That was 12 years ago, and Hall’s show “School of Golf,” is still going strong. He celebrates a milestone Monday when his 400^th show airs on GolfPass, Golf Channel’s digital app. The 400th show was filmed in June at Lake Nona.

That’s a lot of swing thoughts.

“It is hard for me to believe we have done 400,” said Hall, the Director of Golf Instruction at The Club. “It’s staggering … mind-blowing … remarkable, really.”

And unexpected because when Golf Channel approached Hall in 2011, he wasn’t interested because he thought he was too old and the network wouldn’t want him. Hall, now 67, was wrong. Viewers were allowed to vote for their new instructor, and Hall easily won over finalists Wayne Player (Gary’s son) and Karen Palacios-Jansen (wife of speed skater Dan Jansen).

“Martin is a great instructor with a great personality,” said Kevin Schultz, Golf Channel’s senior director of instruction who has worked with Hall’s show from the start. “A lot of great instructors are boring on TV. Martin is entertaining.”

Those eight shows became 100, then 200, 300 and now rarified territory as the longest-running instruction show. Consider: Two of the greatest TV shows of all time — “Cheers” (275) and “Seinfeld” (180) — had less air time than Hall.

“I think a lot more people have watched Seinfeld and Cheers than watched School of Golf, that’s for sure,” Hall said in his usual cheery British accent.

Hall’s career hasn’t been boring. He once counted that he has either played golf with, given lessons to or done TV alongside 47 major champions. Plus, he worked with teaching legends such as Bob Toski, John Jacobs, Peter Kostis and Jim Flick.

That’s a lot of positive swing thoughts.

“The wisdom they have given me is something I can pass on to the next generation,” Hall said. “I feel a responsibility to serve as a bridge between the older teachers and the younger golfers. It’s important we preserve this golf wisdom.”

For more than a quarter century, Hall has been imparting that wisdom with Ibis’ instruction staff, as well as the members, from his office at the back end of the range. Any time he brings in a pro golfer for a clinic, it’s a must-see event.

“Completing his 400th show is an incredible accomplishment that is indicative of his professionalism and overall knowledge of golf instruction,” said Stephen J. LoGiudice, Ibis’ GM/COO. “Martin is synonymous with golf not only at Ibis but within the industry.

“He adds credibility to our golf program and is an extraordinary asset to the membership and staff he teaches. His golf clinics have been some of our most memorable member events and we look forward to having him here for many, many more years.”

With his endless array of gadgets — he calls them “tools” — such as brooms, string and PVC pipes, Hall sometimes conjures up images of Monty Hall as he uses props during a lesson to help a player simulate the proper golf swing.

“Those are tools, not gadgets,” he said. “Would you go to the dentist and ask, ‘What gadget is that you’re putting in my mouth?’ These tools help you swing the club the proper way.”

Asked where he gets the material to do 400 instruction shows, Hall smiled. It’s the FootJoys-on-the practice-ground approach for America’s Instructor.

“I get them from the students I teach,” he said. “I teach every level player from people who have won major championships to absolute beginners. I get a lot of lessons from my most difficult student — that’s me! I am my most difficult student because I have all this information swirling around.”

His wife, Lisa, was a professional golfer who was the 1997 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year and played in two Solheim Cups before her career waned. Clearly, golf is a popular subject inside their home, but Lisa has her limits.

“We have golf-free zones in the house,” she said. “But the garage is full, and not with cars. Martin has been on this quest for the golf swing and that journey will never end. I think that says a lot about the game.”

Hall has worked with Morgan Pressel, Karrie Webb, Lexi Thompson

Hall has worked with major champions Morgan Pressel, Karrie Webb and Lexi Thompson. He said the TV gig probably made it harder for him to work with the game’s elite, but he has no regrets.

“Working for people who play sports for a living is not easy. Ask any coach of a professional team,” Hall said. “It’s very difficult. I have more fun doing the TV work and writing the shows. I’ve written all 400 of the shows.”

Hall has had to adjust his teaching method on TV the last 12 years because of the increase in golf technology and the recent switch from TV (the show aired at 7 p.m. Tuesday) to digital (it can be watched anytime on GolfPass). The first 395 shows with assistant Blair O’Neal aired on TV.

“We have a lot more equipment to measure what our bodies are doing during the swing and what the club is doing at impact,” Hall said. “This just reinforces what my mentors taught me 30-to-40 years ago.

“I must say I like being on digital better. I can go longer than 21 minutes (during a 30-minute show) and my producer will allow me to go on rants. But what’s best is you can see me from anywhere, anytime, across the globe.”

Four hundred shows down, how many more to go?

Stay tuned.