first lesson tonight with new pro...

[slugger]

I've not had a lesson for a good few months now, but have one tonight after work.

I know i'm swinging off plane (too low in the backswing) as a few decent players have told me this recently and i can feel it... should i mention this to him, or wait and see if/when he points it out.

and... should i just take my 6 iron and just concentrate on that, or is 30 mins enough to get him to look at my driving as well?

 

[User 105]

Take all you're clubs and tell him what's on you're mind and let him take a look and see what he thinks.

I prefer to focus on just one thing per lesson then practice and get that working, then focus on something else next lesson.

Sometimes I'll get him to do a 'quick' swing check on my mid irons before moving onto something else. If he spots anything major I'll work with him on that. Otherwise I'll move onto just driving, chipping, putting or something else.

I just think it's hard to change too many things at once.

 

[JustOne]

Don't say a word, let him do his job and only answer any questions asked.

 

[GasMan]

Don't say a word, let him do his job and only answer any questions asked.

^^^ This.

If they are any good and suitable to help you long term then your nput should be minimal.

 

[Oddsocks]

yup, as above,

In my past lessons the pro will generaly get me to hit half a dozen 6 irons, same with 4 irons, same with drives and then looks for common faults with all 3. he should spot your fault instantly with your first few shots, then see if its uniform through your other clubs, although some pro's work differently.

My last lesson was pretty much pointless as long and mid game were bang on, so he asks "whats your problem area killing cards then " we ended up on the putting green with a new stance, grip and putting swing which after 3 months is becoming strong.

 

[slugger]

ok... i'll not say a word, even though i know i'm off plane. Just let him figure it out. will report back in the morning.

 

[JustOne]

To elaborate: There's no need to tell him you are off plane, at most you could mention what you are trying to achieve ie: If you want to play for a draw then tell him so that he doesn't just set you up playing for a fade for the rest of your life Apart from that you might aswell keep your swing thoughts to yourself, he'll have heard it all before and most of it is probably wrong. An open mind and a closed mouth works wonders in this game if you want to get anywhere.

 

[GasMan]

An open mind and a closed mouth works wonders in this game if you want to get anywhere.

Wise words that countless women should heed!

 

[DingleBerry]

An open mind and a closed mouth works wonders in this game if you want to get anywhere.

Wise words that countless women should heed!

lol

 

[HomerJSimpson]

A decent pro should be able to spot your problems with ease and get you on the right track. You shouldn't need to tell him anything and to be honest first time out I'd let him asses you andn just see what he says. I guess it then comes down to how you hit it off and whether you like his teaching methods over your current teacher.

I do think that in 30 minutes you'd better off looking at just one thing and not trying to cram too much (driver) into the lesson. Then its all about working on what you've been shown. My teaching pro will send me the video of the lesson via e-mail so I can see what it looked liked before and once he'd fixed it. It's really useful to look back on if certain problems reappear and I record all the lessons in SS2 as well to give me a reference point.

 

[bobmac]

To elaborate: There's no need to tell him you are off plane, at most you could mention what you are trying to achieve ie: If you want to play for a draw then tell him so that he doesn't just set you up playing for a fade for the rest of your life Apart from that you might aswell keep your swing thoughts to yourself, he'll have heard it all before and most of it is probably wrong. An open mind and a closed mouth works wonders in this game if you want to get anywhere.

I agree.
What he should do is ask you lots of questions, the most important one being....
How can I help?
Tell him what you want to improve ie. contact, direction or distance.

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Don't say anything, he'll know from the first couple of shots what needs to change. At my first lesson my pro just watched me hit a few 6 irons then changed my stance, arm hang, stance and shoulder turn. He gave me 2 drills to work with and then said he'd see me in a month once it'd all sunk in.

 

[slugger]

well, that was intersting!!!!

I've got some of the best hand to eye co-ordination he's ever seen!

and i need it to be able to hit a ball with my swing!!!

sad thing is that he was serious! lol.

turns out i am failing to turn my shoulders independently from my hips. When i turn, the whole kit and caboodle is turning!

Anyway, 30 minutes later and i feel i have learned something and i know i've got a lot to work on. Lots of practice with a couple of drills from the pro and he feels we can achieve something. I improved by 10% through the lesson which he thinks is very positive.

Went out for a few holes after the lesson and wish i hadn't bothered lost 5 balls in 6 holes. Hit some good shots too though.

Lots of hard work ahead for next season, but i'm looking forward to it, and my next lesson

 

[Split_Fairway]

personally when i take a lesson i let the pro say all he has to say about my swing/game and then afterwards write down everything i remember from the lesson and work on each part one at a time

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I use SS2 to record everything from the lesson especially the drills and what they were trying to correct or the feeling they were trying to create. That way I can refer back when I forget (usually about a week later).

I would never go and play any holes straight after a lesson. For me a bucket on the range working on what I've been shown and working on the drills is far more important

 

[Oddsocks]

I use SS2 to record everything from the lesson especially the drills and what they were trying to correct or the feeling they were trying to create. That way I can refer back when I forget (usually about a week later).

I would never go and play any holes straight after a lesson. For me a bucket on the range working on what I've been shown and working on the drills is far more important

As above, changing stuff then hitting the grass is a disaster for me. always have 100 extra balls ready so when he has finished the lesson i can carry on with the extra 100 balls without moving (as such) so i can play the new drills into a routine meaning my body half remembers them. Finishing a lesson then going home, and coming back the next day to do drills just doesnt seem to have the same impact