He was full of " it " and really didn't care.

[buteman]

If I struggle with any particular part of my game it is beyond a doubt hooking my tee shots with my driver. I can't figure it out at all, I play one day when I rip them down the middle with a hint of a draw then the next round I snap and pull hook the ball into all kinds of trouble. I play an excellent, lengthy Robert Trent Jones links course, a fine par 72 layout, on a reasonable day I will shoot in the high 70's. I decided to take a lesson, I was looking for " cause and effect " regarding my problems with my driver.
The lesson was a disaster to say the least, the young pro. gave me the distinct impression that he really didn't want to be on the practice range. The third ball I hit he didn't even see the flight of the ball as he was busy waving to someone in the parking lot. Not once in the 30 minutes we spent together did he stand behind me to check my takeaway or plane. He was silent for most of the time, after hitting a pull hook he asked me to hit a three wood off the turf. I knocked it out there about 210 in a straight line then using my driver I hit another pull hook. " It's got to be in your grip, that's the problem " utter nonsense, I have a lovely neutral grip that I've had for forty years, absolutely nothing to do with my grip whatsoever. He had no answer that was obvious, any lessons I've had in the past from pro's regarding my hooking problem they all commented on my good grip and certainly mentioned that the grip was not the problem.
I ( like the rest of you I'm sure ) expect and demand value for my hard earned money, I don't care if I'm buying a cheeseburger, a car or paying for a golf lesson. Back in the pro-shop I had a discreet word with the head pro concerning my " lesson " the $50.00 fee was waived, I have a lesson with the head pro today, he will have the video camera and he and I together will work on finding the flaw in my swing.

[Dazza XL]

Re: He was full of " it " and really didn't care.

I've never really had one on one lessons with a pro, so I can't really comment on that side of things.
Our local pro was confident. Said it was $25 for half an hour, and half an hour is all he needs!

Have been involved in a few group sessions as a junior. Charlie Earp would have to be the stand-out, gave me some great advice over time.

Good luck, and make sure you post those videos!

Cheers

[qassim]

Re: He was full of " it " and really didn't care.

If I struggle with any particular part of my game it is beyond a doubt hooking my tee shots with my driver. I can't figure it out at all, I play one day when I rip them down the middle with a hint of a draw then the next round I snap and pull hook the ball into all kinds of trouble. I play an excellent, lengthy Robert Trent Jones links course, a fine par 72 layout, on a reasonable day I will shoot in the high 70's. I decided to take a lesson, I was looking for " cause and effect " regarding my problems with my driver.
The lesson was a disaster to say the least, the young pro. gave me the distinct impression that he really didn't want to be on the practice range. The third ball I hit he didn't even see the flight of the ball as he was busy waving to someone in the parking lot. Not once in the 30 minutes we spent together did he stand behind me to check my takeaway or plane. He was silent for most of the time, after hitting a pull hook he asked me to hit a three wood off the turf. I knocked it out there about 210 in a straight line then using my driver I hit another pull hook. " It's got to be in your grip, that's the problem " utter nonsense, I have a lovely neutral grip that I've had for forty years, absolutely nothing to do with my grip whatsoever. He had no answer that was obvious, any lessons I've had in the past from pro's regarding my hooking problem they all commented on my good grip and certainly mentioned that the grip was not the problem.
I ( like the rest of you I'm sure ) expect and demand value for my hard earned money, I don't care if I'm buying a cheeseburger, a car or paying for a golf lesson. Back in the pro-shop I had a discreet word with the head pro concerning my " lesson " the $50.00 fee was waived, I have a lesson with the head pro today, he will have the video camera and he and I together will work on finding the flaw in my swing.

Well done Buteman in making a stand on this and registering your dissatisfaction with the head pro. Most people would simply have not said anything.

Why should purchasing a golf lesson be different from anything else that you purchase - if you don't get what you expect or what you are led to beleive then you are perfectly entitled to complain/demand your money back.

In my opinion a teacher that can explain cause and effect is invaluable as you can then understand what you are doing wrong/right. This is particularly helpful once the lesson has finished and you practice by yourself. A teacher who simply tells you 'what to do' without explaining why isn't worth wasting your time with.

[BrianW]

Re: He was full of " it " and really didn't care.

Well done for lasting the session, I think I may have been walking after 10 minutes.

[bill reed]

Re: He was full of " it " and really didn't care.

hi Buteman
sad you ended up with such a poor teacher. i also had a lesson when i first started and had a very similar teacher and really tool little interest. i gave up on teachers and was lucky to meet a golfing pro many years later that helped my game and we became friends, he helped me a lot. he was not a teacher but on the British pro circuit. about 5 years ago i went for a lesson on sand play as my game was falling down there and the teaching pro was great and first showed me and had me do it, and he showed me many diffrent types of shots in the two hours. that was the best £50 i have spent.
i think its a case of finding a good teaching pro from people that have used him and have had results in the same part of the game you want to improve. there are a lot of good and a lot of bad teaching pro's out there. some use to be on tour and never made it and started teaching and could not teach to save themselves.
Trevino said he would only go to a teacher if he could play better than him and up till then he had not found one, find someone that can explain as well as show you.
best of luck
bill

[jbrunk]

Re: He was full of " it " and really didn't care.

If I struggle with any particular part of my game it is beyond a doubt hooking my tee shots with my driver. I can't figure it out at all, I play one day when I rip them down the middle with a hint of a draw then the next round I snap and pull hook the ball into all kinds of trouble. I play an excellent, lengthy Robert Trent Jones links course, a fine par 72 layout, on a reasonable day I will shoot in the high 70's. I decided to take a lesson, I was looking for " cause and effect " regarding my problems with my driver.
The lesson was a disaster to say the least, the young pro. gave me the distinct impression that he really didn't want to be on the practice range. The third ball I hit he didn't even see the flight of the ball as he was busy waving to someone in the parking lot. Not once in the 30 minutes we spent together did he stand behind me to check my takeaway or plane. He was silent for most of the time, after hitting a pull hook he asked me to hit a three wood off the turf. I knocked it out there about 210 in a straight line then using my driver I hit another pull hook. " It's got to be in your grip, that's the problem " utter nonsense, I have a lovely neutral grip that I've had for forty years, absolutely nothing to do with my grip whatsoever. He had no answer that was obvious, any lessons I've had in the past from pro's regarding my hooking problem they all commented on my good grip and certainly mentioned that the grip was not the problem.
I ( like the rest of you I'm sure ) expect and demand value for my hard earned money, I don't care if I'm buying a cheeseburger, a car or paying for a golf lesson. Back in the pro-shop I had a discreet word with the head pro concerning my " lesson " the $50.00 fee was waived, I have a lesson with the head pro today, he will have the video camera and he and I together will work on finding the flaw in my swing.

Good job.

You are searching for the truth, and hopefully this head pro can help you. Take care.

[cyc53870]

Re: He was full of " it " and really didn't care.

There are a lot of pros out there who can swing a club well but can not teach golf properly. I guess they need the money...