1st golf lesson

[browner77]

This Thursday having my first golf lesson, the pro is playing 9 holes initially with myself to peruse my game etc, possibly video a few swings and get back to me on any recommendations and where we go from there. Now the question is it better to not play well so he can see my swing/game at its worse or hope to have a good day?
Thanks

 

[pbrown7582]

The best way to go, is go out and relax play as if you were in a friendly with your mates. Forget it's the pro your playing with play naturally and let him get a genuine assessment done and then talk through with him his suggested plan to improve you.

 

[Airlie_Andy]

This Thursday having my first golf lesson, the pro is playing 9 holes initially with myself to peruse my game etc, possibly video a few swings and get back to me on any recommendations and where we go from there. Now the question is it better to not play well so he can see my swing/game at its worse or hope to have a good day?
Thanks

If you can actually choose whether to play well or not you probably don't need lessons.....

 

[ScienceBoy]

Interesting method, good for an established golfer but for a new player I would have asked for range lessons to get the basics sorted first.

Playing lessons are simple, do everything you would normally do in a medal. If you lay up then lay up, if you pull out the driver, pull out the driver. Don't afraid of being "wrong", if you play a different game to normal then the playing lesson is half wasted!

Also its a huge confidence boost to be told you are doing things right, just as much effect as fixing a fault!

 

[Doh]

The pro will ask you about your bad shots, areas where you feel you can improve etc. So don't worry about not getting the most out of your lesson.Think of it as he start of journey this is where I am now and this is where I want to be.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

So if we aren't lucky enough to have a first lesson like this with a pro, what information do you guys think you should note before a course of lessons? Only because I think it's too easy to try and think back as to what your main problem is, but end up missing something big!

I was thinking: Result of first shot, Greens in reg, results of chips/pitches on, number of putts for a few rounds before the lesson. Would anyone add anything to that?

 

[pbrown7582]

So if we aren't lucky enough to have a first lesson like this with a pro, what information do you guys think you should note before a course of lessons? Only because I think it's too easy to try and think back as to what your main problem is, but end up missing something big!

I was thinking: Result of first shot, Greens in reg, results of chips/pitches on, number of putts for a few rounds before the lesson. Would anyone add anything to that?

I'm of the opinion that if you know what's wrong you don't need a pro for lessons.
What I think you should do at the first lesson is just hit a few 6/7 iron shots and let the pro see where you are, then talk through any specific areas you want to improve woods irons etc and then work a plan with him dependant on how much practice you can commit to and if you want long term Improvement or a quick fix.

 

[Doh]

I always believe that you have to get the basics right everything stems from the basics good or bad right or wrong.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

then talk through any specific areas you want to improve woods irons etc

That was kind of the bit I meant, as in how would you pick up on which the specific areas are? As in, I would probably blame a few of my rounds recently for bad shots off the tee. But then if I think, I wonder whether the chipping was actually just as problematic, or maybe the putting was where I should be making up shots! It's hard to know which the specific bits are...

 

[pbrown7582]

From your brief description there, I would say no specific area that's the game and why we're all handicap club golfers inconsistencies one day you can drive like a dream and can't putt for toffee another it's knobbles off the tee but chip and puttline a demon.
That's where the playing lesson comes into its own as the pro will observe all round technique and not just the results, us tips on course management too.

 

[browner77]

Whilst this is my 1st lesson been playing for just over 2 yrs and self taught. play socially and obtained a previous handicap whilst a member at a club last year of 12, although now do not have an official h/c now. The pro Rec playing lesson to start on a 9 hole par 3 course although one hole is approx 200yds to just see my overall then Part of package inc 6 x1hr video lessons after! I am prepared to go backwards in my game b4 hoping fully improving!

 

[pbrown7582]

Having been down to 12 last year hopefully , it shouldn't take you long to get back playing to that level and with lessons Single figures is a real possibility. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[sev112]

A good pro will have sized you up after the first hole, would be looking to verify that on the second hole. He/She will be looking at swing tempo, set up and shot results. Depending on how many people on the course he might throw down a ball 30 yards short of the green and see what shot you pay from there. On the green he'll look to see what idiosyncracies you have.

The he'll look at your clubs, so that he can work out what he can sell you

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Even as an established golfer with a few years experience I'd have thought a static range session would have been a good starting point bt the pro must know what he's doing. Relax, and just play your normal game. Don't try and swing differently to impress or mask any faults. Hit. it and accept each shot and let the pro see it in its gory majesty