Different Levels of Teaching

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Having been nagged to death by HID asking the question "what do you want for Xmas" I have finally asked for a 1hr lesson with a pro down at the Belfry as I would like to experience all of their hi-tec equipment.

A 1hr lesson with a PGA Professional costs £45
A 1hr lesson with a Senior Teaching Professional costs £50
A 1hr lesson with Gary Alliss (GM's Top 25 Coach) costs £75

So which one do I opt for? I think that the Senior Teaching Pro would know as much as Gary Alliss, but are you just paying an extra £25 just to say "I've had a lesson with a Top Pro"?

Which one would you guys go for?

 

[Barney]

I think you already know the answer to this one !!!

I just feel sorry for your mates who will never hear the last of it !!!!

 

[TonyN]

Yes you are right, But seeing as its a Christmas present, Go see Pete!

 

[DCB]

Why not go with a local pro ? You may well get a couple of lessons, video etc inc for the cost of one lesson at The Belfry. I feel you will be paying for the name/location and would be better off getting a couple of lessons elsewhere.

Have you though of what you are wanting from this/these lessons. Call round a few local pros and see what they say to your ideas and aims.

Whilst it will no doubt be a good talking point, I feel you won't get best value at the Belfry.

 

[SammmeBee]

It's all very subjective this - in answer to your question I would go for Alliss.....BUT the true answer to your question is a lesson with who you get on the best with....

All Pros know the same mechanics - as they all get taught the same way at school - some choose different paths after they've qualified - some love it, some hate it...but it is the one who gets on the best with you is the one to be with...

You also have to realise though that whilst one lesson is good, you really need a series of lessons and practice hard in between what he is telling you.....are you going for complete revamp or just fine tune what you've got.....practice is good but there is little point in praciticing the wrong things.....

 

[viscount17]

PPE, doubt if you will get to play with all the toys in one go, at least not in an hour if you want anything meaningful.

phone them, discuss what you want and who can give it to you - go cheaper get 2 hours?

 

[Adjani]

Agree with SammmeBee, a series of lessons is the only way to work on your swing with a coach, you need to get to know each other, he needs to understand your swing.

Over the colder wetter months now is a good time to start with someone; if you show him your dedicated to improving, work and practice hard, he will enjoy coaching you more and hopefully you will both see good results.

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Good constructive answer mate.

I have had 2 lessons from my club pro, 2 lessons from a pro local to my work and 1 lesson from N1Golf.

I have felt that the lessons that I have had from the pro nearest to work have been the best as they have been video lessons, however the technology that he uses is very basic and I feel that using the state of the art stuff that they have down the Belfry will certanly help me as i am only looking to fine tune.

My last round last Saturday was 80 (par 69) and I only hit two fairways! Luckily my irons are good and my up and down game got me out of trouble. What lets me down is an out-to-in swing path which I feel that (hopefully) one lesson with a decent teacher with the right equipment will put right.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have a look back at my forum piece on what I think makes a good teacher (which I wrote after a similar forum thread) and see if the Belfry ticks the relevant boxes. I'm pretty sure they won't and you are paying for the experience.

My bottom line advice is to get a pro that knows how to get the best out of your swing without trying to start back at square one. You need one that you can trust and who can get his points across in a manner that you can understand and remember. You need to decide if you want to be technical about your swing or learn in a more natural manner.

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

This is probably where I am going wrong. As i feel that I am nearly there with my swing, i'm thinking that only one lesson now and I will be fine. Where as the reality is that it might take quite a few lessons to not only correct my problem by also improve other areas.

 

[TonyN]

PPE, you dont need a lesson to correct an out to in, see the post 'How do I' and read my post regarding the 3 ball drill.

 

[Herbie]

My view of pro's is the same in all aspects of life, there people out there who are very very good at playing their game at such high levels and make good businessmen/women in the process, but teaching is very subjective thing. Some pro's are simply poor teachers, some are mediocre and some are superb. They may ALL know their subject but not all can teach it. So with that said, I would choose the one with the best credentials or choose someone I knew was good at teaching.

 

[RGuk]

Some pro's are simply poor teachers, some are mediocre and some are superb. They may ALL know their subject but not all can teach it. So with that said, I would choose the one with the best credentials or choose someone I knew was good at teaching.

herb....a post I agree with....

I'm taking the plunge with a new teacher (pro) on Monday and it'll be interesting to see how we get on.
What he doesn't know (and I shan't even talk to him about) is that he actually wants a much bigger fee for his time than I would charge for mine. Also, he'll add £5-10 for the luxury of using a video, whereas I often use one as an everyday "resource" to assist in the coaching I do.
So, his ability will be under close scrutiny. If he's good, I'll consider it money well spent, if not, I'll most likely scrub him off the list.
£75 an hour for lessons is a mighty fee; it might be a bargain for a top 100 coach but for the rest in between newbie teacher and experienced/proven teacher, there are going to be plenty who are only average or a bit crap but charge a considerable amount more than similar sports coaching.

Find a good pro and it's worth every penny....

 

[ricardodaintino]

Whats most important, the lesson or the experience. I'd be tempted for the Belfry for bragging rights and the enjoyment of it, even though I could probably squueze two or three lessons out of the local pro for the same price. Its the Mrs money so why not follow your instinct!Of course bragging about your pro lesson at the Belfry doesn't carry much weight if you are still missing all the fairways after!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Ok on te subject of costs (not sure we've covered this so apologies if we're going over old ground) how much does everyone pay and is it value for money.

I pay £40 for an hour. For this I get a chat about how I'm playing, a recap on what we have been working on, a video of my current swing, tuition, a video of the revised swing and a 5-10 summary chat on practice drills and swing thoughts to take away.

My coach isn't the cheapest around but I think I get value for money and as I've said before I have total confidence in him and he is getting results.

 

[Herbie]

Some pro's are simply poor teachers, some are mediocre and some are superb. They may ALL know their subject but not all can teach it. So with that said, I would choose the one with the best credentials or choose someone I knew was good at teaching.

herb....a post I agree with....

I'm taking the plunge with a new teacher (pro) on Monday and it'll be interesting to see how we get on.
What he doesn't know (and I shan't even talk to him about) is that he actually wants a much bigger fee for his time than I would charge for mine. Also, he'll add £5-10 for the luxury of using a video, whereas I often use one as an everyday "resource" to assist in the coaching I do.
So, his ability will be under close scrutiny. If he's good, I'll consider it money well spent, if not, I'll most likely scrub him off the list.
£75 an hour for lessons is a mighty fee; it might be a bargain for a top 100 coach but for the rest in between newbie teacher and experienced/proven teacher, there are going to be plenty who are only average or a bit crap but charge a considerable amount more than similar sports coaching.

Find a good pro and it's worth every penny....

I agree with all of that, what I can teach is limited, I get to a point and then would have to advise going to a pro, but it would be one I knew was a good teacher and could see things and deal with things I cant.We all have limitations and I know mine.

 

[Herbie]

Ok on te subject of costs (not sure we've covered this so apologies if we're going over old ground) how much does everyone pay and is it value for money.

I pay £40 for an hour. For this I get a chat about how I'm playing, a recap on what we have been working on, a video of my current swing, tuition, a video of the revised swing and a 5-10 summary chat on practice drills and swing thoughts to take away.

My coach isn't the cheapest around but I think I get value for money and as I've said before I have total confidence in him and he is getting results.

If you are confident you get value for money Homer, then the cost is almost irrelevant, thats what its about for me, results and value, not cost.

 

[Canfordhacker]

how much does everyone pay and is it value for money.

I pay £40 for an hour. For this I get a chat about how I'm playing, a recap on what we have been working on, a video of my current swing, tuition, a video of the revised swing and a 5-10 summary chat on practice drills and swing thoughts to take away.

I've just paid £80 for a series of 6 half hour lessons (Buy 5 get one free). No video just talking and tuning. I like the guy (recommended by a mate) and he makes sense. And I'm seeing results after 3 lessons in terms of my ball striking. Hopefully it will all be in place after the Winter.

My only bugbear is I have to pay for my balls for the lesson (ie buy a bucket before he shows up), but that's just the way the range is set up.

Not much different to your costs actually Homer.

 

[brendy]

All this talk of 40 quid, 50 quid etc what on earth fellas?
Dont get tied up on what their "ranking" in coaching currently is.
I can get a lesson from Rory McIlroys coach who just happens to be our pro (young Rory is not doing to badly on the ranking at the moment, I wouldnt mind half of his skill) for around the 17.50-20 quid mark at the moment, If I want to go in doors and use the latest camera and sensor kit he has just had fitted, its more I guess but forget this "top 100" or whatever, virtually all teaching pros should be able to progress your game by a certain degree, its not him making the swings and decisions come the first tee. If you can take on board what you are being taught then it doesnt matter if its your local pro or Butch Harmon.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My coach is nowhere near the top 100 and I think only breaking into coaching at junior county level (I may be wrong and doing him a disservice so don't quote me). However that is pretty much the going rate. The top pro at Downshire (Wayne Owers who has played European Tour and is recognised as a top coach in the area) charges £28 per 30 minutes. My club pro is £25 for 45 minutes

I would love to go to a coach that charged less than £20 for a basic lesson and be coach to a bright golfing star like McIlroy. Sadly that isn't the going rate in my area so I have to pick a coach I feel I get the most out of and pay accordingly. That said I have struck a deal to buy a set of 5 lessons for £165 so the next lot will only be £33 per hour.