Golf Lessons

[noodles]

Hey all,

I don't know about you guys, but I am finding it really difficult to find someone who I trust to give me golf lessons. I have had a few lessons in the past, but to be honest with you the pro's just seem to be going through the motions. I have struggled with a slice for a long time now and not one of the golf lessons has seemed to help signifficantly. I am fully aware that I need to practice what the pros say and I do make great effort in doing so. I have left each of the golf lessons feeling that my swing has been fixed, yet they only seem to be quick fix's! How do you go about finding a really good pro, who is willing to give you golf lessons over a long period of time to really make an impact - long term - on your golf swing?

[LowPost42]

Re: Golf Lessons

Find someone with a PGA designation - it's more money, usually, but worth it. Also, ask around at the clubhouse. Guys will usually give you the 'straight dope' on instructors in the area.

The other (more drastic) option is to head to a new instructor, and have them start from the ground up - build you a brand new swing. Then, the onus will be on you to do the work to make the swing your own.

[gord962]

Re: Golf Lessons

The best advice is ask others who the best instructor in the area is.

What advice are the other instructors giving you? Are you making return visits or just see them once and if the first lesson doesn't give results you go to someone else?

If you are only booking one lesson and you are asking them to fix your slice, the simple answers are all they can give you. Curing a slice requires a change in your mechanics that may require 3 or 4 changes in your swing. If you book 4 or 5 lessons with an instructor they will actually be able to make some fundamental changes for you to work with.

If you are only looking for someone to point out your swing flaws, post a video on this site and you can get some feedback here as well.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Golf Lessons

Noodles,

I am just going through this myself, I have made (still making) quite a significant swing change this winter, I have been thinking that maybe my pro has ruined my swing because after 4/5 weeks hard work at the range I have still been hitting the ball badly.
Yesterday I played badly and had another lesson after my round as booked with the same pro. He has showed me my work has paid off, he has made me exaggerate the change for 4/5 weeks without telling me I was, so when I had my lesson yesterday he simply made me stop exaggerating and rotate my wrists a little and it fell into place perfectly.

The moral to this tail is stick with the pro if he's a nice guy and work on what he teaches and you will be rewarded.

It has been tough though, at times I wanted to book another lesson earlier than he said, Just to thump him for ruining my swing.


Ian.

[golfmanuk]

Re: Golf Lessons

Hey Noodles,

If you're based in the UK, I'd suggest checking out the Sussex Golf Academy.
Jerry Newham whos the director of coaching, has given me quite a few lessons and I've found them to be excellent. They do long courses of lessons and focus and achieving a maintaining a consistent reliable swing.
Check em out at www.sussexgolfacademy.com

[TeachingPro]

Re: Golf Lessons

Noodles,

Take it from a teaching pro: results are dependant on a number of factors, not just the pro. Most golf swing problems are easy to identify and solve for a good teaching pro, the slice is one of them. However, it is not always so easy for students to understand the solution and for the coach to get the student to execute properly. Sounds aweful to say, but some students just never get it.

Before you think I blame the students only, I don't. believe me, there are THOUSANDS of coaches who don't have a clue how to teach. They may be good golfers but can't teach worth a damn. Some are just 100% useless.

I suggest you do 3 things:
1. Decide on whether you are a "techincal" or "feel" player? Technical players understand swing concepts easily and don't need examples or drills to help them on their way. While "feel" players, although they might understand the concepts, need a drill or a "feeling" to help them implement and execute.
2. Decide on what sort of personality you get along with? Some students like a reserved, quiet type of teacher while others like a very animated teacher.
3. Think of whether you'd like a process of coaching or not. By a process I mean your coach will identify the problem, show you how to solve it, give you drills and you'll work through it together over weeks or months. You might prefer the coach to only identify the problem and show you how to solve it in 1 or 2 lessons and then go on your own from there.

Once you've got those 3 pointers, make a list of teachers in your area (they need not be PGA pro's) and speak to them. Tell them exactly what you are looking for and what you want from them. Make a short list after that and go and watch them teach for a while (most good coaches won't mind provided they know you're there and you don't get in the way). After you've seen them teach, make a short list and decide on 1.

Remember, you are hiring someone to do a job. The fact that the job is to teach you something gives you all the more reason to be thorough. Touring pro's are very careful who they work with and so should you.

If your selected pro doesn't work out, try another one on your shortlist.

Okay? I hope this helps you.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Golf Lessons

Graham,
Great advice, You sound like number one on the list.


Oh and welcome to the forum.

Ian.

[BWood]

Re: Golf Lessons

Noodles, I had the same problem - for many years I was unable to find someone to give me golf lessons that I could trust. Then a friend recommended someone to me and I have seen been having golf lessons from him for the past 15 years and have improved from a 16 handicap to 2.

In summary ask as many people as possible who they recommend for golf lessons, invariably the same name will crop up if they are any good.

Good Luck

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Golf Lessons

Just a small point to add to this thread,

Since the introdution of the laptop computers with the appropiate software into teaching bays I think it has become easier for the pro to explain the swing changes needed to improve.

If you are like me "know alot about the swing but can't actually do it to scratch" then when you are shown on the computer you understand, because I know what is a good swing but it is difficult do train yourself thats why every one has lessons, every thought what you favorate Tour Pro is doing today "having Lessons is the answer".

Also it is good when they split the screen into two halves and your on one side and a tour pro of a similar hight and build is on the other, then you can see that you are far from perfect.


Tip, seek out a pro with a lap top and a nice chap.


Ian.

[garcia]

Re: Golf Lessons

very good point Ian. The guy I have been having golf lessons from got a laptop with cSwing software 6 months ago and now I really don't know how I managed a lesson without this equipment. It helps so much to get an immediate analysis of your swing in a clear and presentable way, and with the ability of such swing software that enable you to compare your swing with previous swings on record, maybe a swing of 12 months ago. I believe golf lessons are a must for any serious golfer of any standard who is looking to improve. It is just too easy to let bad habits creep into your swing without a watchfull eye, and of course one that knowes what to look for and how to steer you in the right direction.

Good Luck

[ph_kingston]

Re: Golf Lessons

Hi Noodles,

I travel around a fair bit so I've used a variety of coaches (both PGA qualified pros and self-taught amateurs). As our resident TeachingPro says, quality and style vary. I spent half a day with an ex tour pro and he was fantastic, really making big improvements in my game in a short space of time. Another lesson I had with a teaching pro was a waste of money as the guy didn't seem to care.

At the moment the self-taught scracth golfer is making my game come on leaps and bounds. He's certainly not teaching from the text book and occassionally it's one step forward and two-steps back before we find a solution, but what I really like is that we are working together on my game. The thing I really like is that he's building "feel" into my game not just mechanics, so when I hit a poor shot I can diagnose it myself and make the necessary corrections.

I guess the lesson I've learned is to shop around until you find someone you click with, at the end of the day it's you hitting the shots and paying the money so if you don't think you are getting good value, try someone else.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Golf Lessons

I think this has been a great thread and long may it continue to be a topical discussion.

I was discussing my lessons yesterday with my golf partner who plays of 2, he's a quiet chap hits the ball well and just started to take lessons with our new club pro(same pro as me) for the first time in his life because he wants to improve even further.

He has helped Ian over the last couple of weeks with the technology he is using, but he did tell me one thing what the pro said which has stuck in my mind until today, when I can share it with you.

The main difference between Ian and myself is that he has this uncanny ability to attack the ball fully committed everytime without fail, I on the other hand feel like I don't commit to every shot ( I don't know why it just comes from nowhere)hence the h/capp difference.

Ian said..... a pro can teach anyone to swing a club properly but they cannot teach you to commit yourself to every shot......

Question... What is it that seperates the commited from the non commited??????? I think it's in your mind from birth!!


Ian.

[gord962]

Re: Golf Lessons

Like you said, that is a charactoristic that seperates the good from the great. I know myself if I am not sure I can make the shot something goes wrong. It all makes sense, if you are doubting yourself and your ability to make the shot, how can you make the shot?

I have made a HUGE improvement in this part of my game. A lot comes from course management - if you are trying a risky shot you haven't practiced or it's not a high percentage shot, you will doubt your ability to make the shot. Look for a safer alternative that you know you can make. As for regular shots, envision the shot before you step up to the ball. Keep a positive attitude that you can and will make the shot. Then, step up to the ball confidently and make the shot.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Golf Lessons

Gord,

You forgot to add "easier said than done".


I do these things and feel confident that I can make the shot but out of the blue there is a lack of effort, then my mate says you seem to give up on that shot.

Thank god it only once maybe twice in a round.......but it is difficult to make yourself believe in yourself.




Ian.

[gord962]

Re: Golf Lessons

Does this happen in all situations? You say this happens when playing with your mate, but does this happen to you during competition? It may be the lack of need to make the shot. I know when I am playing against my friends I blow shots that I would NEVER miss if I was in a tourney (or if money is on the line!) The heightened competition of a tourney and the urgency to hit a great shot every time seems to bring my game to another level.