Driving range or lessons?

[freduk]

Hi,
I ve had a bit of a break from golf and now realise the error in my ways and need to get back playing, should I start with lessons or put in a few hours at the driving range?

Back on the Green

Freduk

 

[ricardodaintino]

If you want to learn to swim, you take lesson or else you thrash around haplessly and drown.

Golf is exactly the same! Get the basics from a pro and then hit the range until its set.

Good luck!

 

[SammmeBee]

There is little point in practicing bad habits....

 

[TonyN]

Definitly lessons. Learn the basics, then practice the basics.

Dont goto the range and learn bad habits cause you will only end up practicing bad habits.

My one piece of advice to all new golfers would be take lessons to begin with.

 

[freduk]

Youre dead right with the swimming good point well made,
and the other comment about practicing bad habits. May be the break will have done my game good and I can get a new start by having lessons.

Thanks for the advice

Freduk
ps How much should I be paying for lessons?

 

[jonesuk]

Definitely lessons as the others have said then spend time on the range to practice.

As for lessons, I think it varies depending on where you're based. I'm in North-West London and for a half hour lesson it varies from around £25 to £35 depending on where you go.

A lot of pros/clubs will do a package deal for a series of lessons however which can save money - eg, buy 5 lessons, get the 6th free etc.

 

[TonyN]

It also depends on the level of the pro. You can learn the basics of even assistants who dont normally charge as much as a head pro.

I am with a full pro and he charges £15 for 45mins. Thats in Chester. Seems to be about the going rate here although I have seen full pro'scharge £25 and assitants £15-20.

 

[viscount17]

if you want to tell us where you are there's a chance one of the guys will know of a good pro in your area.

round here lessons can cost up to £45 half-hour

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As with most things you get what you pay for. If you go for the top teaching guy it may be £35 + for 30 minutes whereas an assistant may be £25 and a junior assistant around £15

My guy charges £44 for an hour and is a great teacher. He is part of N1 golf (www.N1golf.com) and they have a few coaches around the country. My club pro charges 25 for 45 minutes and a well respected coach (one of the best teachers in Berkshire and ex tour player) charges £28 for 30 minutes at Downshire in Wokingham.

Most teaching pros will do a block booking and offer some form of discount. If you have had a break this may be a good option as you can have a couple of general swing refreshers and then maybe individual lessons on irons, woods and chipping. The secret is to keep working at what you are shown to make it comfortable and natural.

Let us know how you get on

 

[freduk]

I live just outside Derby, can any one recommend anywhere for me to have some lessons?

Thanks for the advice so far

Freduk

 

[fastmover2]

Has to be lessons first then practice on the range then lesson then practice etc.

Also be patient and find a Pro that works for you/suits your style. Not all of them will.

One thing that I would advise against is too much practice on mats as opposed to grass as the strike can be quite different. I found that if you do too much off mats you can be prone to hitting a little fat on course.