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Are lessons really worth it?

I think lessons certainly helped me when I first started playing as they gave me an understanding of how things worked, but that's not to say they are suitable for everyone. I know a few guys who have never had a lesson, started off with a h/c of 28, and are now close to single figures. All down to the individual and their circumstances, but I agree with Homer that when you first take up the game they can be invaluable. I had a few lessons last year to blow the cob-webs away and like to have one every now and again just to give myself a kick up the backside, almost like an MOT, and I'll probably have one or two this year depending on how things go. Just bear in mind that things tend to go pap before they get better - but the eureka moment when it clicks and feels right is always very satisfying.
 
Leaney - Sounds very similar to my own self education.

I was struggling with the internet tips, but found quite alot of contradictions. I found Mark Crossfields videos also and it provided a basic starter kit for all of the fundementals. Each of these worked in tandem also as it was the same pro teaching.

I tend to go to his videos when I am having a particular issue with something and it saves me the fees I would pay on lessons.

When its going well I tend to stay away from his site, as I enevitably start to tinker and break things lol
 
chris661 said:
Why what test do you have for playing golf :confused:
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Handicap springs to mind. You might get to a certain point self-taught but for many the only way to kick start a drop towards single figures and keeping it is to have lessons. Even if you have a good swing, a good teaching pro will be able to shave a few shots of by refining certain areas.
 
HomerJSimpson said:
Handicap springs to mind. You might get to a certain point self-taught but for many the only way to kick start a drop towards single figures and keeping it is to have lessons. Even if you have a good swing, a good teaching pro will be able to shave a few shots of by refining certain areas.
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But most golfers have lessons etc and never get better and anyway I would hardly say a handicap is a test that has to be earned in the same way a driving licence has to be.
 
Sorry...just to clarify the lessons were charged by the hour.

I'm sure people do learn from lessons, else nobody would ever have them.

My point is that I learnt more from self education. I don't think it's wrong to expect to learn more from a pro than I did from watching Youtube clips.
 
Don't do lessons or practise.....each to their own,but I have been known to have the odd game.:o

That said I think I would have benefited from the amount of cheap/free instruction juniors receive these days from a very early age.A lot of juniors come through with really nice looking swings on this basis.
 
For me it has been worth it and wouldn't be playing golf now if I hadn't had them. First pro I saw said my ability to strike a golf ball was 9/10. My ability to do that and repeat it consistently was about 2/10 ! The extremes were what was killing my enjoyment and having had many lessons I feel a have been taught well and can often be my own coach. I understand the main principles behind the golf swing and also my own "catalogue" of flaws which will re-occur if I get lazy. I feel more confident about the robustness of my swing so that I'm not constantly seaching for the whys and wherefores if things don't go to plan - do they ever in golf?!

Each to their own though and it is about finding the right pro for you with the right teaching style. I have never ever left a lesson with my coach Paul without gaining tremendously both in terms of knowledge and ability but also confidence.
 
I'm having lessons, and getting worse.

Rickie fowler has never had lessons. Bubba too, and I believe dustin Johnson also.

That said, I recommend it. I can no longer blame myself for playing gash. It's my coaches fault. Very liberating.
 
In response to the original post are lessons really worth it ?

I have had many lessons over the years, and would comment that when taken correctly and "homework" diligently undertaken then they can be very worthwhile. The benefit of someone with knowledge watching your swing far out weighs watching generic tips on you tube. My opinion on self assessment is that you tend to see too many other faults and end up trying to fix too many things at once.

It can be difficult, however, to get a good coach that you can get on with and has a reputation for developing players in to better golfers.
 
Just from my preference of what works, I would much prefer to be taught about the swing by a pro, rather than shown certain things to work on. It's kind of 'teach a man to fish'. It's all well and good giving me a swing that hits it long and straight, but if I get out on the course and it's not working I need to know why.

If I can understand the underlying mechanics of the golf swing, then I can use that to focus on the right things when out on the course.

Just my two cents - I suspect lessons probably are quite useful, but I think the way to maximise what you get out is to understand why what you're being taught works, rather than just trying to learn the exact movements.
 
murphthemog said:
Or swap coaches.
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One change of coach in three years. Hardly the merry go round of Woods. The other guy wasn't bad and had got me from 18-11 but I just felt I was stagnating and hadn't seen any progress after the last two lessons and wanted a fresh persepctive. The new guy has renewed my enthusiasm, my ball striking is better and my cup must be nudging half full
 
Smiffy said:
Who got you back out to 13 then????
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That would be a combination of the short game meltdown to the point of almost having the chipping yips and a swing change that perhaps wasn't needed. Lets not forget in there was a monthly stableford win, and the GM success so not all doom and gloom. I feel that with the new guy and attacking the short game from a different angle we've got the potential to play a lot more consistently. Sometimes handicaps don't tell the whole story and I'm actually striking the ball really well at the moment and need to cut out the odd mistake. If I could chip it would rescue the scores and the cuts would come
 
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