Lessons advice needed

[Canary_Yellow]

I currently have lessons from a pro at my local driving range. He coaches a lot of people I know and they all think he’s a good coach and I think he is too although I’m not sure his style suits me.

I’ve been having lessons with him for roughly 10 months. In that time my game has got gradually better. However, I feel this has been a product of my pro pointing out a flaw in my swing and then me looking at Shawn Clement videos to work out how to fix it, rather than my pro being able to explain both the issue and the fix. I am also quite frustrated that I seem to still have some of the same problems that I had when I first went to see him, for example I have a tendency to hit a bit of a duck hook with my driver, his suggestion is to try and feel like I’m opening my hands on the back swing and then just swing through – maybe that’s good advice, but I feel like he’s treating the symptoms rather than the cause which is surely more fundamental given how terrible the results are with my driver! His approach seems to be feel driven and just tweaks what I’m already doing to try and improve the result, I don’t leave the lesson with a particular movement or action to practice as such. Am I being too impatient? Should I stick with him?

I’m giving some thought to switching to Paul Page at Kings Hill. I’m aware that one or two on here have some experience of him and I’d appreciate some thoughts. I think I respond best to a technical approach – I have a naturally analytical mind – and looking at Paul’s website he seems to have quite a detailed approach which appeals to me. I also like the idea of being emailed a summary of the lesson (with video) and points (a maximum of two) to work on. I am not the type of person that isn’t willing to practice, quite the opposite, but at the moment I don’t feel like I know what I should be practicing and why.

Any thoughts welcome, if I’m being impatient and expecting too much too soon then please tell me!

 

[Hunka Turf]

I have no experience of the the pros you're talking about but it sounds as though a change would be a good move. You've stuck with this guy for 10 months, its not as though its a knee jerk reaction.

With the new guy I would stress that you're committed to improving long term and you're willing to put in the hours. That'll mean he looks at fundamental issues not just quick fixes

 

[pbrown7582]

Are you practicing in between lessons or just playing? with regular lessons and practice i would of expected you to move forward from where you started. Just because a coach is a good coach it doesnt mean they will suit everyone, it sounds as if you are not connecting with yours and not understanding the changes he is trying to implement so from what youve said a change sounds a good move.

 

[CMAC]

Move!

Just by posting here you're clearly not happy with him- yes he might be good but you have to communicate well with each other and that doesnt appear to be happening, possibly by both of you.

No idea about Paul Cage but detail, video and summaries all sound good. Go try him you have nothing to lose.....and report back:smirk:

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I both practice and play in between lessons. I noramlly get to the range twice a week (once midweek, once on a Saturday) and play most Sundays.

My iron play has improved and so has my short game - that is what has taken my handicap from 21 to 19 in that 10 month period.

I'm not naturally a good golfer but my current pro clearly was - I think he struggles to explain concepts which come naturally to him to somebody who doesn't find anything about the golf swing easy!

I think I'll finish this course of lessons and then try Paul Page - I can always switch back if it turns out this chap is for me afterall!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I had a teaching pro who was very good. Very analytical and his style suited me but it got to a point where I thought I was stagnating and couldn't seem to make any progress. Went to my current pro on word of mouth recommendations. He's remodelled the swing completely and although not a finished article is a lot more predictable and ball striking vastly improved.

Sometimes a change can be the catalyst to progression and if you think the new guy will suit your learning methods why not book a couple of lessons and see. If you get on and it works then see if you can get a deal on blocks of lessons as I find these can work out much cheaper

 

[AMcC]

I'm not naturally a good golfer but my current pro clearly was - I think he struggles to explain concepts which come naturally to him to somebody who doesn't find anything about the golf swing easy!

Whilst others may think him a good coach I would say he may not be best for you if he cannot find a way to adequately convey his thoughts to you. He is maybe not as good as others think.

He should be able to explain it to "everyone" in a way that works for them.

 

[Foxholer]

Move!

Just by posting here you're clearly not happy with him- yes he might be good but you have to communicate well with each other and that doesnt appear to be happening, possibly by both of you.

No idea about Paul Cage but detail, video and summaries all sound good. Go try him you have nothing to lose.....and report back:smirk:

I agree 100%

Doubts about your current coach are holding you back.

Saying you don't gel doesn't mean he's a bad coach, just not for you!

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Thanks guys.

I think I'll do it.

Foxholer - you're definitely right, I'm almost put off booking a lesson as I don't have any faith in my current coach fixing the problem - that can't be right!

I will report back on my progress....

 

[Khamelion]

I've been having lessons from a pro for the last year or more and he's got my swing coming together very nicely, so much so I was shooting 100+ and now I have shot my best ever 83.

He uses video and his own experience to teach and explains everything, giving examples of how a move feels.

 

[Odvan]

Move!

Just by posting here you're clearly not happy with him- yes he might be good but you have to communicate well with each other and that doesnt appear to be happening, possibly by both of you.

Completely agree with Darth and what all others have said. If you read all your posts back again (if you haven't already) its obvious you're not comfortable. There's always the option of discussing it with him first if you do feel loyalty however it's also your cash and regardless, value for money is always at the forefront of our minds.

I've been having lessons from a pro for the last year or more and he's got my swing coming together very nicely, so much so I was shooting 100+ and now I have shot my best ever 83.

Thats brilliant to read - out of interest, do you plan to continue with your lessons for the foreseeable future?

 

[Khamelion]

Thats brilliant to read - out of interest, do you plan to continue with your lessons for the foreseeable future?

Yes, after my last lesson, my instructor was well pleased with the way I'm progressing and I'm determined to get my fade (read massive slice) turned into a draw.

My huge slice, is now a more controllable fade and with practice I'm training my body to recognize what it is I need to do to produce a draw on demand and adversely a fade when required.

I was doing lessons every two weeks, but I'll drop that back to once a month and just practice in between and after becoming a member of a GC for the first time I'll be putting 3 cards in to get my handicap, then hopefully with lessons and practice over the winter come the new season next year I'll be getting into a few comps and getting my HC down, with a goal of getting it to single figures, by the end of 2014.

 

[Wolfman]

I think there are good and bad teachers, some find it hard to describe what needs to be done, others have a knack of seeing whats wrong explaining it and then putting it right

Sounds like you should try out somebody new

 

[lyden]

Ive had lessons with 3 pros, The first was awful.... the second to last was good but i felt as though i wasnt improving and my latest is great and i got cut 1.2 after one lesson, admitidly im yet to go back but he is 50 miles away. Go for it a change will do you good.

 

[Odvan]

Yes, after my last lesson, my instructor was well pleased with the way I'm progressing and I'm determined to get my fade (read massive slice) turned into a draw.

My huge slice, is now a more controllable fade and with practice I'm training my body to recognize what it is I need to do to produce a draw on demand and adversely a fade when required.

I was doing lessons every two weeks, but I'll drop that back to once a month and just practice in between and after becoming a member of a GC for the first time I'll be putting 3 cards in to get my handicap, then hopefully with lessons and practice over the winter come the new season next year I'll be getting into a few comps and getting my HC down, with a goal of getting it to single figures, by the end of 2014.

Sounds like you set out on a mission and are so far on track. Fair play. Look forward to reading your thread on ya first sub 80 :thup: