Do golf lessons work?

[Imurg]

For many it's the amount of work that needs to be done to ingrain the changes made
Having a lesson and hitting a few dozen balls isn't going to do it, especially if the issue is a longstanding one.

 

[Grant85]

Golf lessons will work for almost everyone at all levels.

But it depends what you want out of the game. If you want to genuinely improve and you are prepared to practice, then a lesson, or regular lessons, will likely accelerate that process.
Although obviously everyone will reach a ceiling at some point.

A good pro will always give you one or two things to focus on after a lesson rather than bombard you with too much at the same time.

I do get slightly frustrated that a lot of pros are overly keen to focus on the positive and even try and trick you into thinking you are doing better than you are. I guess this is part of the psychology in golf and everyone does it to the extent that it is surely part of the PGA training.

I had a lesson about 2 months ago when I wanted to work on mid-iron play. I hit the 1st 4 or 5 shots perfect, right down the middle of the range. We kind of looked at each other as if to say 'what are we even doing here?'
We then introduced more defined targets, to try and simulate hitting a green on the course. All of a sudden, with a bit of extra pressure I could barely find the meat of the club-face.
So that gave us something to work on for the next 40 minutes, in terms of hitting a target, being property aligned and having the confidence to make a good swing without worrying about all the things that could go wrong if I missed the green.

A few weeks later I had my best ever stroke-play result, winning the September Medal.

 

[hovis]

golf lessons definitely work if the pro is good. I've had a few golf pros that haven't got a clue and feels like they only have one lesson in them. how some of them stay afloat is beyond me.

when you find a pro that actually makes changes that work and you see your game improve then hold on and hold on tight. they are a rare commodity

 

[Imurg]

golf lessons definitely work if the pro is good. I've had a few golf pros that haven't got a clue and feels like they only have one lesson in them. how some of them stay afloat is beyond me.

when you find a pro that actually makes changes that work and you see your game improve then hold on and hold on tight. they are a rare commodity

But, again, it's down to how much effort you're prepared or able to put into making changes stick.
The best teaching Pro in the world isn't going to help anyone if they don't help themselves by putting in the graft.

 

[hovis]

But, again, it's down to how much effort you're prepared or able to put into making changes stick.
The best teaching Pro in the world isn't going to help anyone if they don't help themselves by putting in the graft.

I agree but sometimes it doesn't matter how much effort and practice you apply after a lesson if what they have told you is wrong or isn't the problem. I remember a friend working on trying to open his hips more at impact for months and months. he sacked off his pro and went with someone else. the problem ended up being his open clubface on the downswing. opening his hips was never going to work. he worked on his open clubface and the hips fixed automatically

 

[Deleted member 23344]

I had a couple of lessons to cure my slice. Told the guy that I was too old to begin all over again, but could he suggest just a couple of things to correct it. He did and I no longer slice the ball with any club. Money well spent. My handicap is still going the wrong way, but not due to slicing the ball!

 

[larmen]

Had a lesson today. Took him 5 minutes to get me going again and then the next 25 minutes we used to grind it in.
My issue is, he fixes me, but I keep losing it again and again after a short while. I should be booking 5 minute lessons before a round, that would be useful ;-)

 

[Rlburnside]

I had a couple of lessons to cure my slice. Told the guy that I was too old to begin all over again, but could he suggest just a couple of things to correct it. He did and I no longer slice the ball with any club. Money well spent. My handicap is still going the wrong way, but not due to slicing the ball!

I am in a similar position as you so would be interested in what tips the pro gave you, I was looking online last night for tips but when I played today I topped 3 drives that went no distance, that is something I rarely do.

 

[bradleywedge]

I'll have a look at a grip trainer.

I have now finished the block of group beginners lessons, had my first one to one lesson using video analysis. Still working on my grip and the swing fundementals but i am definitely seeing improvement. My scores since starting 2 months ago:

134 (66 over par) @ Brucefields
128 (60 over par) @ Brucefields
124 (56 over par) @ Brucefields
112 (46 over par) @ Brucefields
112 (46 over par) @ Mearns Castle
101 (35 over par) @ Mearns Castle
100 (34 over par) @ Mearns Castle
94 (28 over par) @ Mearns Castle

So seeing pretty steady improvements, 40 shots shaved off in 8 rounds.

Still playing with a slice but the changes to grip and swing should sort that, just need to put the changes into practice and get them ingrained in the natural swing.

Wouldn't be too bothered about scores mate, just go out and concentrate on hitting some nice shots, pick up the odd par here and there, take something out of each round.

I was always told not to bother with my score when I first started playing, you tend to become over obsessed with it, and more pressure comes with that. You will know when you're playing well then the consistency will come. Pointless counting your 8's 9's and 10's on holes, they don't count in handicap assessments anyway, 3 over par on the hole is the maximum they acknowledge I think. No doubt someone will be along shortly to put me right on that one anyway!

 

[Grant85]

Also worth analysing your strategy, if you are one of those players that is always looking to get the handicap down and have reached a plateau.

The number of people I see go Driver > 3 wood at all long holes and end up losing shots is incredible. Especially on Par 5s where there is no need. The chances of hitting a green 230 yards away is very low, and it's pretty remote even from nearer 200 for most amateurs. i.e. the chance of a 3 or a 2 putt 4 is very slim, so why bring 6 into play? 230 yards is probably an easy 7 iron and a wee pitch on for most players. Much lower risk shots and you will get far more satisfaction from hitting two comfy iron shots under pressure, compared with putting all the marbles that one swing of a 3 wood comes off.

Obviously depends on the hole. We have four long par 4s and two short Par 5s. The Par 4s have a bit more room around the green, so less trouble if you miss. The Par 5s narrow up considerably at the green and make a 2 shot approach very high risk.

There's a psychology about the amateur golfer that they want to take every shot on. But you have to think about where your miss is. If you typically hook a fairway wood and the hole narrows up towards the green (which is fairly common strategy) then every time you try that shot on, you are just asking for trouble down the left.

Also think how many people play under the SSS in a medal. It's probably not many - often fewer than 5% or 10% of the field. So basically take the big numbers out of play and you'll give yourself a chance to make a score on the greens.

If you have a decent pro at your club, then see if he offers a playing lesson. Potentially far more valuable and rewarding compared to banging balls up a driving range for an hour. Especially if you have been playing for years and know your swing and would be wary of making big changes and putting the hours in.

 

[jamiet7682]

Wouldn't be too bothered about scores mate, just go out and concentrate on hitting some nice shots, pick up the odd par here and there, take something out of each round.

I was always told not to bother with my score when I first started playing, you tend to become over obsessed with it, and more pressure comes with that. You will know when you're playing well then the consistency will come. Pointless counting your 8's 9's and 10's on holes, they don't count in handicap assessments anyway, 3 over par on the hole is the maximum they acknowledge I think. No doubt someone will be along shortly to put me right on that one anyway!

Thanks for the advice, I like to keep score so I have a record of sorts of my progress but I am not overly hard on myself. I pretty much aim for double bogey on every hole, have started to see the pars increasing and the absolute blow ups reducing so I know I am making progress regardless of overall score.

Happy with my play from 120 yards out, its just getting to that point on that is the struggle as I struggle for distance. topping out at 140 yards with 3W off the tee. I'm hoping as I continue to work on my swing at lessons the distance will come and the slice will disappear.

I think once I can hit a tee shot in the region of 200 yards and straight I will be see massive improvements in my scoring.

 

[Jensen]

I'm yet to find a Pro who has really bowled me over. I've seen plenty and unfortunately I find that good players make lousy coaches. Most will just teach you to swing how they do and one size does certainly not fit all. We are all different builds, some have short arms and long legs and vice versa.
I've picked up useful bits here and there, but overly I've not been impressed.
There are certainly some good teachers out there, but it's hard to find them and prove a costly long process to find them.
I've found some good advice/tips on YouTube, however again this can be a very long and frustrating experience.
My view is if you find a good pro who can coach and teaches the golfer and not a method then they are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Had a lesson today. Took him 5 minutes to get me going again and then the next 25 minutes we used to grind it in.
My issue is, he fixes me, but I keep losing it again and again after a short while. I should be booking 5 minute lessons before a round, that would be useful ;-)

This could be me. I always hit the ball beautifully, within the limits of my level, within minutes of the advice being given. Being able to repeat it at a later date is the harder bit. It is usually only a slight tweak that is needed, no more than 5 minutes of time as you say. Great post.

 

[GB72]

only if you don't work on what the lessons covered, i can't see why if you see a pro and work on changes you can't improve, unless you have Physical issue of course that holding you back

I suppose that this is my point. I am realistic in that I do not have time to practice much, if at all, and get to play maybe once or twice a week. The enjoyment of that round is important to me and so I do not want to spend a few weeks playing badly whilst I try and grind in a change, nor do I want to give up that round for more practice. As such, I have reached the conclusion that my circumstances and attitude to golf do not really make lessons a great benefit for me. I appreciate that I am going to plateau where I am, steady but with the occasional very good and occasional very bad round but I have not got the time to commit to really improving. Even harder now as I am trying to get fitter so what little practice time I may have had is now gym time.

 

[bradleywedge]

Also worth analysing your strategy, if you are one of those players that is always looking to get the handicap down and have reached a plateau.

The number of people I see go Driver > 3 wood at all long holes and end up losing shots is incredible. Especially on Par 5s where there is no need. The chances of hitting a green 230 yards away is very low, and it's pretty remote even from nearer 200 for most amateurs. i.e. the chance of a 3 or a 2 putt 4 is very slim, so why bring 6 into play? 230 yards is probably an easy 7 iron and a wee pitch on for most players. Much lower risk shots and you will get far more satisfaction from hitting two comfy iron shots under pressure, compared with putting all the marbles that one swing of a 3 wood comes off.

Obviously depends on the hole. We have four long par 4s and two short Par 5s. The Par 4s have a bit more room around the green, so less trouble if you miss. The Par 5s narrow up considerably at the green and make a 2 shot approach very high risk.

There's a psychology about the amateur golfer that they want to take every shot on. But you have to think about where your miss is. If you typically hook a fairway wood and the hole narrows up towards the green (which is fairly common strategy) then every time you try that shot on, you are just asking for trouble down the left.

Also think how many people play under the SSS in a medal. It's probably not many - often fewer than 5% or 10% of the field. So basically take the big numbers out of play and you'll give yourself a chance to make a score on the greens.

If you have a decent pro at your club, then see if he offers a playing lesson. Potentially far more valuable and rewarding compared to banging balls up a driving range for an hour. Especially if you have been playing for years and know your swing and would be wary of making big changes and putting the hours in.

Good advice Grant, and very sensibly explained.

 

[Deleted member 23344]

I am in a similar position as you so would be interested in what tips the pro gave you, I was looking online last night for tips but when I played today I topped 3 drives that went no distance, that is something I rarely do.

(a) He slightly narrowed my stance and moved me closer to the ball (b) he pointed out that the marker on the head of the driver was not exactly aligned with the ball (I thought it was ... optical illusion) and (c) probably most importantly, he got me rotating my shoulders which resulted in my arms coming up under my chin during the swing. It worked for me, but your issues could of course be different. Good luck with solving it.

 

[Rlburnside]

(a) He slightly narrowed my stance and moved me closer to the ball (b) he pointed out that the marker on the head of the driver was not exactly aligned with the ball (I thought it was ... optical illusion) and (c) probably most importantly, he got me rotating my shoulders which resulted in my arms coming up under my chin during the swing. It worked for me, but your issues could of course be different. Good luck with solving it.

It’s not been a major problem for me but sometimes I might slice a couple of times during a round, but today I didn’t slice once, I think your last point is something I need to make sure I do as sometimes I don’t make a good enough turn.

Let’s hope we can keep them straight 👍

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It’s not been a major problem for me but sometimes I might slice a couple of times during a round, but today I didn’t slice once, I think your last point is something I need to make sure I do as sometimes I don’t make a good enough turn.

Let’s hope we can keep them straight 👍

Turn was the big thing in my last lesson last Wednesday. I wasn't making a full turn and was too quick into transition. Worked hard on feeling as though the back was pointing at the target on the backswing and the left shoulder was over the right shoe and that I made the turn fully and properly before turning into the shot. The biggest difference when it went right was getting the club head speed up from 92-93 to and average of 96-97 (and several on the 100mph mark) with a 7 iron but dispersion remained constant and in fact hit three line balls (including one with the 100mph swing speed) and as a result was seeing some extra distance

 

[chrisd]

Turn was the big thing in my last lesson last Wednesday. I wasn't making a full turn and was too quick into transition. Worked hard on feeling as though the back was pointing at the target on the backswing and the left shoulder was over the right shoe and that I made the turn fully and properly before turning into the shot. The biggest difference when it went right was getting the club head speed up from 92-93 to and average of 96-97 (and several on the 100mph mark) with a 7 iron but dispersion remained constant and in fact hit three line balls (including one with the 100mph swing speed) and as a result was seeing some extra distance

Funny, it's quite the opposite for me.

My pro has himself been taking some 3d lessons and now sees the swing quite differently. He reckoned that I was turning to 90° too quickly and so we worked on much less shoulder turn early in the backswing which apparently saves a bit of turn to use in the start of the downswing. I certainly found it was a much easier swing, with a slower backswing and transition. I now dont have such a feeling as being wound tight at the top and the downswing gathering speed rather than firing from the top. Out the next day in a comp I easily hit the 5 iron around 195 yards with a gentle draw and what felt (but wasnt) a much slower swing than before. He now just wants my left arm closer to my chest during the downswing (I'm right handed) to improve accuracy in delivering the club face along the chosen path

I was also able to fault find better in that any hooky draw came where my club was a bit too much from the inside, and the odd slice for which the issue was the opposite.

 

[pendodave]

Turn was the big thing in my last lesson last Wednesday. I wasn't making a full turn and was too quick into transition. Worked hard on feeling as though the back was pointing at the target on the backswing and the left shoulder was over the right shoe and that I made the turn fully and properly before turning into the shot. The biggest difference when it went right was getting the club head speed up from 92-93 to and average of 96-97 (and several on the 100mph mark) with a 7 iron but dispersion remained constant and in fact hit three line balls (including one with the 100mph swing speed) and as a result was seeing some extra distance

Not wanting to be picky hjs, but that's faster than my driver swing .....