How to find a good local teaching pro....

[30yearlayoff]

I live in Daytona Beach, FL. Been taking lessons from a local "instructor". He is OK and definitely helping with identifying faults. However, I keep struggling with these same problems. I am really having trouble with ingraining what I am being taught.

This instructor does not video tape and in 7 months (about 9 lessons), we have never been out on the course, though he says that will come. I can usually groove a shot after spending time on the range but...this tends to go away on the course since you are not hitting the same club over and over and over.

I think I need an instructor that either films or uses the course to show why I am breaking down on mechanics. I have called a few courses in the phone book and talked to their pro....but, I'm not sure I would be getting anything better than what I am getting now.

We do have the LPGA headquaters here and they have LPGA and PGA pros there. They are also very expensive (from $75-$100 per 45 minutes).

What questions should I be asking of an instructor and how should I go about determining what instuctor would be best for me????

[msklar92]

Re: How to find a good local teaching pro....

I think it might be good to have your swing on video at least once and analyzed with a digital machine. there is nothing like seeing your swing on tape. My personal bias, is that I think the "swing plane" ( on ebay for 30- 40 dollars) is an excellent training device to reinforce mechanics from your lession. Ask your teacher about it.

[Carter]

Re: How to find a good local teaching pro....

If you have a digital camera, it might have a video function on it. Most of the low to mid-range digital cameras on the market now ($100 to $200) enable you to record very short snippets of film (15 seconds or so - perfect for capturing a golf swing). The quality isn't amazing, but it's good enough to see your general positions in the swing.

This is what I use at the range - in fact, I personally find it is pointless practising without being able to see my swing on video every few swings, as that is the only true way to tell if I am doing what I think I'm doing.

99% of the time, feel does not equal real.

The nice thing then is, after the range, you can go home, download the video on your computer and step through your swing. I find it fun to compare my swing at various stages with the pros and see where I'm doing well and where it's going horribly wrong...

[vp27519]

Re: How to find a good local teaching pro....

You should shop around and when you find the pro that you works for you, stick with them.

A good coach is one that listens and conveys his message to you in terms you understand.

I'm suprised you haven't been put on video yet. It is important to see your swing. It's amazing, you think your doing somenthing and infact, the vide shows differently. I agree - feel and real do not equate.

It's also great to get onto the course with your coach, play a few holes and talk course management.

I pay $35 a half hour. Pricewise - you get what you pay for.

Cheers