Considering taking lessons?

[Airlie_Andy]

If your considering taking lessons but your not 100% sure then take my advice and DO IT!!! It's seriously the best thing I ever did. The difference between my swing after just 2 lessons is huge and I actually understand how the swing works and can now feel exactly how it feels to be "in the slot" and hit the ball exactly how I intended to. That's not to say I don't still have a lot of work to do but I can actually feel why I hit a bad shot now and understand what I did wrong. I was a major sceptic about lessons previously but I now understand why those in the know always say how important lessons are. Has anyone else had a similar experience or maybe a completely opposite one? Have I been lucky with a combination of a good teacher and the fact I actually really like practicing on the range?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If your considering taking lessons but your not 100% sure then take my advice and DO IT!!! It's seriously the best thing I ever did. The difference between my swing after just 2 lessons is huge and I actually understand how the swing works and can now feel exactly how it feels to be "in the slot" and hit the ball exactly how I intended to. That's not to say I don't still have a lot of work to do but I can actually feel why I hit a bad shot now and understand what I did wrong. I was a major sceptic about lessons previously but I now understand why those in the know always say how important lessons are. Has anyone else had a similar experience or maybe a completely opposite one? Have I been lucky with a combination of a good teacher and the fact I actually really like practicing on the range?

Great that you are seeing the benefits. Its funny how Murph took the plunge and has wished he did it years ago. I get slated for taking lessons. Ho hum :rant::sbox::mmm:

 

[USER1999]

Hmmm.

One lesson in, and I can see where it is going, but heck, I'm not going to see much progress for months.

You must have had a pretty tidy swing to start with.

 

[Jaymosafehands]

best thing I ever did. Glad it works for you too!

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Hmmm.

One lesson in, and I can see where it is going, but heck, I'm not going to see much progress for months.

You must have had a pretty tidy swing to start with.

I thought I did but when I had my first lesson and he showed me it I was gobsmacked just how bad it was. He is emailing me the video of my swing from the first lesson so I will post both swings up tomorrow and you can judge for yourself. I'm probably over-exagerating but I'm really pleased with my progress after just 2 lessons.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Great that you are seeing the benefits. Its funny how Murph took the plunge and has wished he did it years ago. I get slated for taking lessons. Ho hum :rant::sbox::mmm:

Hmmm.

One lesson in, and I can see where it is going, but heck, I'm not going to see much progress for months.

You must have had a pretty tidy swing to start with.

Murph - my point exactly. I can see where it is going and although I've gone backwards in terms of handicap I've gone forwward in terms of ball striking. Shame I tend to get shot down in flames everytime I say I've had to take a hit in terms of performance to make the changes. Sometimes there is no way of saying it without sounding pessimistic and down especially when you work hard on the range and think you've made the breakthruogh and it melts away after 2 shots on a Saturday round. It'll be interesting to see what this new pro makes of it on Thursday and whether I get on with him and can buy into his methodology. I'm hoping it'll be plain English, not trying to reinvent the wheel and simple direction

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Murph - my point exactly. I can see where it is going and although I've gone backwards in terms of handicap I've gone forwward in terms of ball striking. Shame I tend to get shot down in flames everytime I say I've had to take a hit in terms of performance to make the changes. Sometimes there is no way of saying it without sounding pessimistic and down especially when you work hard on the range and think you've made the breakthruogh and it melts away after 2 shots on a Saturday round. It'll be interesting to see what this new pro makes of it on Thursday and whether I get on with him and can buy into his methodology. I'm hoping it'll be plain English, not trying to reinvent the wheel and simple direction

I haven't actually played a round since I started my lessons due to too many commitments recently but I'm hoping it wont all fall apart on the course. I'm not much of a winter golfer anyway so this is the perfect time for me to make these changes, and as I've become a believer in the process I'm prepared for some short term pain for the long term gain.

 

[Phil2511]

I agree 100% with you Andy.

Though I know where Homer is coming from regarding his experience as I was very down a few times during the season with being good one moment and bad the next.

Then all of a sudden BANG it all clicked and now I look forward to going out to play or to the range.

 

[Oddsocks]

Any swing changes needed then between now and march for me is the time, after the second week in December we have only jan, feb, march medals will all the comps starting again at the end of march. I will again invest in a 5 lesson Package and a huge bag or range tokens in my quest for single figures for 2012.

 

[MadAdey]

No one is too good to take lessons. Everyone should be seeing a good pro now and again to make sure everything is tidy. Tour pros are always chatting to their coach to make sure everything is good so why do handicap golfers believe they do not need to do it? I like having a lesson, at least you get to have everything checked out and make sure that you have not got anything destructive slipping into your game that could end up in disaster.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I've regularly had lessons since I started playing as a kid 40 years ago.

Had a very intensive course about 20 years ago which throughly improved my game and rid me of a nasty slice knocking 6 shots of my handicap in the process (16-10).

I try to have 2 or 3 lessons a year just to make sure everything is as it should be and always surprised how the little flaws creep in and how just a few tweaks can sort them out. Stuff I wouldn't spot myself. Always gets result too.

Also well worth having specialist lessons on bunker play, chipping and putting. So much of this is down to basic technique and getting it sorted will improve these areas no end.

 

[Airlie_Andy]

Well as promised and to prove my point....

My swing before the lessons; ugly I know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsYmPwEW-Ws


My swing at the end of my second lesson; still not perfect but so much better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k8BB49HhIo

 

[bobmac]

A big improvement, well done.
What drills has he given you?

 

[Airlie_Andy]

A big improvement, well done.
What drills has he given you?

Thanks Bob.


I've only really done a couple of drills as such it's more understanding what I should be doing and then trying to repeat the process.

The 2 drills I've done are using a ball balanced between my elbows while swinging to try encourage a wide takeaway and I have a 3 part swing drill when I stop at the top of the back swing then my right arm straightens and the club drops inside and I stop again then I rotate through and hit the ball. Weird feeling at first but again it makes total sense. Luckily I have the sort personality that won't give up until I get it right so lots more range sessions for me.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Got my 30 minute first lesson with the new pro tonight. Hoping for a geneal overview, discussion on what we might work on if I like his methods. Looking forward but also a tad nervous. I feel the backswing isn't what it should be (not sure where the club is going on the way back) so if we can get that feeling better and I work with the drill he has already shown me for getting the club in front and not trapped on the inside then Homer "MIGHT" be a happy camper

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Couldnt agree more, earlier this year my swing was like a train wreck with Shermans coming from EVERY club in the bag.

Have now had about 15 lessons, 2 shots off handicap and ONLY 0.3 to go to get to single figures.

No improvement in distance but accuracy hugely improved together with a much better understanding of what to do and most importantly what not to do.

Support your PGA pro, they do a great job.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Always go for a lesson when things start going a bit pear shaped in my game, not that it's ever really been any good to begin with. Beginning of this year had a horrid swing and torrid times on the course, came taht close to giving up. I used to go to a local pro who could always put me right, but it was easy for me to lose it again. Around May time I went for a custom fit (Ping's now in my bag) and got a free lesson with the pro at my course. One of the best lessons I've ever had. He's significantly more expensive than the guy I'd been using to that point, £45 per session instead of £20, but he was able to communicate the info I needed to me in such a way that it has stuck. My swing has improved immensely, and in knockabout rounds I consistently shoot lower than handicap, only the competition mentality stops me from playing to the same level in comps........ That's something I have been working on, and plan to address next season. I'm already planning what I want to achieve prior to meeting with him to try and lay down a proper plan for next year to help achieve it. Go for lessons.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

I would say only go for lessons if you are the type of person who will go to the range and practice. If you dont put in the time on the range it is just a waste of money.
Mike

 

[Airlie_Andy]

I would say only go for lessons if you are the type of person who will go to the range and practice. If you dont put in the time on the range it is just a waste of money.
Mike

Agree with you there. Just having a lesson won't suddenly make your swing perfect. Like everything else in life, practice makes perfect.

 

[stevek1969]

A big difference there Andy keep up the hard work it will be worth it in the end. Like Homer i recently ghanged Pro, don't get me wrong mine is a good teacher but is my mate and would spend to much time chatting . The one is use now is more expensive but after the hour if you've not grasped what we're doing he'll stay with you till you get it.

My problem was i would scoop the ball eg hitting a 6 iron 8 iron distance, i was not compressing the ball also i wouldn't go down the line on the way thru so have had 2 drills to work on this so far so good i've got my distances back and maybe slighty further, but have worked hard at it hitting hundreds of ball and filming my new swing to make sure its on track to what the pro emailed with.