Changing coaches

[SteveW86]

Up until last Friday I had always used the same coach, probably a total of 7 lessons throughout last year and this January. I have been making progress, but not particularly steady. I had always struggled visualising what he was saying my swing issues were as he didn't ever film me and show me my swing.

Im looking at joining my first club in the next few weeks and my first choice requested that their pro took a look at me because they have a handicap limit and I don't have a handicap. I popped along on Friday for a 30 minute assesment which turned into a lesson. The camera came straight out and I was instantly able to see what I was doing and relate that to the changes I needed to make. A few other changes were made and I was hitting the ball better than I ever have done before and crucially much more consistently. Went along to the range last night to keep the changes flowing and bed them in and again was hitting the ball cleaner, with a nice draw very consistently.

It most certainly looks like I'm going to be changing coaches!

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Do it mate, after having a few coaches I have now found one that I trust and can work with. I am making some really good progress. Not saying that my previous coaches were not good but my current one is very good at communicating that changes that i need to make. I think its a horses for courses scenario.

 

[MendieGK]

Up until last Friday I had always used the same coach, probably a total of 7 lessons throughout last year and this January. I have been making progress, but not particularly steady. I had always struggled visualising what he was saying my swing issues were as he didn't ever film me and show me my swing.

Im looking at joining my first club in the next few weeks and my first choice requested that their pro took a look at me because they have a handicap limit and I don't have a handicap. I popped along on Friday for a 30 minute assesment which turned into a lesson. The camera came straight out and I was instantly able to see what I was doing and relate that to the changes I needed to make. A few other changes were made and I was hitting the ball better than I ever have done before and crucially much more consistently. Went along to the range last night to keep the changes flowing and bed them in and again was hitting the ball cleaner, with a nice draw very consistently.

It most certainly looks like I'm going to be changing coaches!

I've been to a a few coaches over the year and personally i wouldnt go near a coach thats doesnt utilise tech thats available to them.

I'm not saying they are bad coaches, i'm sure they are not, but why would you not use something that makes yours and their lives easier?

 

[Three]

he didn't ever film me and show me my swing.

Any teaching pro that hasn't used a video as a matter of routine for at least the last 10+ yrs should be struck off!

 

[Joff]

Any teaching pro that hasn't used a video as a matter of routine for at least the last 10+ yrs should be struck off!

Rubbish. Had a few lessons 5 years ago. Fixed a problem I had, no need for videos to confuse me.

 

[SteveW86]

Stopped off at the range on the way home from
work, still hitting the ball really nicely so hopefully it will continue.

I'm not against people not using videos as a tool, but for me I need to actually see what im doing wrong, not just be told. I feel like it is a lot easier to adjust the swing if I can visualise it more.

 

[Tashyboy]

Rubbish. Had a few lessons 5 years ago. Fixed a problem I had, no need for videos to confuse me.

I don't think that videos would of confused you, in fact i think the videos would of more than helped emphasise your coaches points. There is an old saying when it comes to learning " what I hear I forget, what I see I remember".

Re changing coaches, sometimes you just have to "click" when it comes to coaches, and watching one of the pros at our places coaching young Bradley Tash at 3 yr old, girls, boys, scratch players and everyone in between. Aided by the latest technology, he is not going to lose many customers.

 

[Three]

Rubbish. Had a few lessons 5 years ago. Fixed a problem I had, no need for videos to confuse me.

Sorry, but as a one-off example, no problem.
But a coach who refuses to use the most effective form of communication, ie showing golfers what that they look like, is a dinosaur.

Everyone learns differently, and sometimes the video isn't the only tool required, but it sure as heck is a very important "bread and butter" tool that should have been in place for at least 10+ years or more.

 

[swanny32]

My old pro could give a lesson with or without a video being used but seeing it in front of you makes things so much easier to understand so I would always make sure he had his iPad to hand. My new pro has it setup and ready to go from the off. The biggest thing for me is the drills or info they give you in order to change. My old pro would get me to look for feels and try to hit certain points in my swing, which I struggled with at times. My new pro does a much better job of sticking something in the way to stop my over the top motion and has better "visualisations".

 

[Three]

Re changing coaches, sometimes you just have to "click" when it comes to coaches,

Definitely. We are all humans and, speaking from the coach's point of view, with the best will in the world it is obvious that we don't "click" mentally with every customer.

Something that most golfers have probably never considered, but some students are also a lot more enjoyable to teach than others, some students are very difficult due to a variety of reasons : serious personality, lack of emotional connection, complete lack of talent, never practice, think they know best, etc etc etc.

It's a two way street, absolutely the connection between customer and coach needs to be there for the golfer to achieve their potential. If it's not working, just politely move on.

 

[Maninblack4612]

Rubbish. Had a few lessons 5 years ago. Fixed a problem I had, no need for videos to confuse me.

Sorry, but I can't think of another sport where video is more helpful. Our pro doesn't use video & I'm sure it loses him lots of customers. Not all players may want it but any pro who doesn't offer it is not doing himself any favours.

 

[Tashyboy]

Definitely. We are all humans and, speaking from the coach's point of view, with the best will in the world it is obvious that we don't "click" mentally with every customer.

Something that most golfers have probably never considered, but some students are also a lot more enjoyable to teach than others, some students are very difficult due to a variety of reasons : serious personality, lack of emotional connection, complete lack of talent, never practice, think they know best, etc etc etc.

It's a two way street, absolutely the connection between customer and coach needs to be there for the golfer to achieve their potential. If it's not working, just politely move on.

That for me is as honest an assesment I have read on this forum.

Many years ago when I became a first aid trainer, I was fortunate enough to be taught old Skool. My trainer before we even talked about the subject talked about the " customer ", and in first aid it could be anything from six yr old boy/girl to a doctor. You had to be able to teach to that level. Including miners who just wanted to "dick about". Ask a miner what he would do if he saw the manager collapsed underground miles from anywhere and a " kick in the head" was one of the kinder responses. Ask the same miner what he would do if he saw his grandkid face down in the pond on his back garden and he can relate. You have his attention. It is just how you can get his attention.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I was using a PGA pro at a local range until last winter who used launch monitors and film in every lesson. I felt I was starting to plateau and not moving forward. Went to a guy on word of mouth recommendations. He doesn't tend to video all of the time, but will if necessary but explains everything simply and shows what he is trying to adjust. We have used launch monitors and video but I don't necessarily think it's vital to film every lesson if the pupil understands the changes being made and can implement them

 

[Three]

I was using a PGA pro at a local range until last winter who used launch monitors and film in every lesson. I felt I was starting to plateau and not moving forward. Went to a guy on word of mouth recommendations. He doesn't tend to video all of the time, but will if necessary but explains everything simply and shows what he is trying to adjust. We have used launch monitors and video but I don't necessarily think it's vital to film every lesson if the pupil understands the changes being made and can implement them

I agree, it is definitely not necessary for every lesson.

However, as a starting point and for ongoing comparisons it's normally pretty effective.

We all learn differently, looking at a video might not be the most effective way for some people, however every coach should have, at the least, a decent camera and some software on a phone.