advice on lessons please...

[time_vans]

popped into the local range today for a relaxing 100 and got talking to the guy who owns it re the lessons he's offering at £18 per half hour. He gave me his card and it doesn't state he is a qualified pga coach. Now I know this doesn't necessarily mean he isn't capable of teaching so I probed a bit about what he would propose for me ...a complete novice.
There was no big sell, he reckons 6 to 8 lessons over 12 months is adequate as I will need time to learn and practice what he is teaching (makes sense).He said he would 'start with the basics grip,stance,posture etc'as although he knows I have been hitting a ball around a course for twelve months ...'I need to get these right to progress' (makes sense)
It is by far the most convenient location (10 minutes from work)so I'm tempted...obviously I can move onto a pro with video technology maybe next year when I will be seriously thinking about joining a club as long as I can play to a 24/28 handicap as the norm.
Yes or no ......what do you guys/gals reckon?

Cheers

Tim

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would be slightly reticent on taking ongoing lessons unless from a PGA qualified teacher. They have to be able to prove that they can teach as part of their exams and so have a good in depth knowledge of the swing and the best way of teaching it. If this guy isn't qualified it is akin to paying a low handicapper at a club to teach you. You may get the benefit of their knoweldge but you wouldn't be guaranteed that there teaching is based on anything proven to the golf swing other than their own playing experience.

In my opinion it has to be a PGA pro every time. Have a shop around the local clubs. Most pros will offer a decent pric on block bookings. They may not match that price but you will get the comfort of having a trained eye look over you and may find tht you get the video packages as part of the lesson anyway.

That said, the guy at the range is correct in saying you need to get the basic core fundamentals right. These are the building blocks to a repeatable swing and you will find as your golfing career progresses that you will revisit these everytime your swing goes astray, especially if you seek professional advice to cure it.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I'm with Homer on this one.

Even if he is good enough to spot faults, unless a pro it is unlikely he will be able to effectively eradicate them from your swing. £18 per half hour should be adequate to get you lessons with a pro also, even if it is an assistant.

I should think the guy must be a pro if he is doing this, it wouldn't be worth doing so if he wasn't trained. Why don't you ask him if he is qualified and / or find out from others who have had lessons with him if he is any good. Reputation is very important when choosing a pro, which is why I ended up with my current one.

 

[Herbie]

popped into the local range today for a relaxing 100 and got talking to the guy who owns it re the lessons he's offering at £18 per half hour. He gave me his card and it doesn't state he is a qualified pga coach. Now I know this doesn't necessarily mean he isn't capable of teaching so I probed a bit about what he would propose for me ...a complete novice.
There was no big sell, he reckons 6 to 8 lessons over 12 months is adequate as I will need time to learn and practice what he is teaching (makes sense).He said he would 'start with the basics grip,stance,posture etc'as although he knows I have been hitting a ball around a course for twelve months ...'I need to get these right to progress' (makes sense)
It is by far the most convenient location (10 minutes from work)so I'm tempted...obviously I can move onto a pro with video technology maybe next year when I will be seriously thinking about joining a club as long as I can play to a 24/28 handicap as the norm.
Yes or no ......what do you guys/gals reckon?

Cheers

Tim

Ivehad a visit from a friend this evening and I am as p****** as a F*** so anything I say may be taken down and used in evidence. Ask the bloke what teaching experience he has!

 

[toyboy54]

Herb.....Possed on a Wedesday night???Shame on you sir!
What am I talking about?><!Have some fun my friend As I am just about to!!"£!
You've just reminded me ....I need to get my clubs regripped this time of year.
Really fancy toast and beans before bed and maybe another glass of cider?
Oh,what the hell,may have two(beans that is!)
Aye right,think the cider wins!"£

 

[Herbie]

Herb.....Possed on a Wedesday night???Shame on you sir!
What am I talking about?><!Have some fun my friend As I am just about to!!"£!
You've just reminded me ....I need to get my clubs regripped this time of year.
Really fancy toast and beans before bed and maybe another glass of cider?
Oh,what the hell,may have two(beans that is!)
Aye right,think the cider wins!"£

You have had more than me this evening havent you?

 

[forefortheday]

Don't do it my friend!

I get lessons from a qualified PGA pro for £25 an hour.This guys going to charge you £36 an hour???

Would you pay a mate more than a driving instructor I know I wouldn't.

 

[RGuk]

You have to find out if he's a PGA pro. If not, forget it, not at that fee.

I had a lesson on Monday from a new pro, much better than my existing pro. Both PGA qualified, but the qualification is surely a minimum, after that, you either need a recommendation or just go for it like I did.

 

[TonyN]

I only pay £15 per 45 mins and that is with a Fully qual'd Pga pro. I wouldn't be taking him up on his offer.

 

[viscount17]

Don't do it my friend!

I get lessons from a qualified PGA pro for £25 an hour.This guys going to charge you £36 an hour???

Would you pay a mate more than a driving instructor I know I wouldn't.

if you can get a pga pro for £25/hour give me the address!
it's now £70/hour and that's for an experienced but still an assistant pro; the GM top 25 that we have is £90/hour.