On the Move

[HomerJSimpson]

I found out today my teaching pro is leaving Maidenhead Golf Centre and N1 golf. The good news is that he's only going to Maidenhead Golf Club so only and extra five minutes in the car. It has a grass practice area, a dedicated pitching green and a designated short game area.

My question is, if I have a short game lesson and brought my own balls, would it be the done thing to continue to hit balls and work on the things I'd just been shown after the lesson even though I'm not a member.

From my point of view if someone saw my club pro at Ascot for say a bunker lesson and then stayed to finish the pro's basket of balls or brought their own tube I'd have no issues with it. Obviously I'm not saying I'd stay all day, but I'd rather stay where I was rather than drive back to my club or a range and start practicing again from scratch. What is the done thing at your club. It is quite important as I want to focus on my short game early next year (once tempo has been sorted) as it paid big dividends this season. If I can't stay and work on it after the lesson I may have to have a rethink on where/who I see

I did ask the question but he didn't seem to know the definitive answer. I'm guessing if it was quiet and he still around teaching there wouldn't be a problem but if members are using it or he has to go back to the shop (the practice ground is set away from the clubhouse near the 3rd green from memory) then it could cause an issue

 

[didsbury_duffer]

Never come across this one. I would guess that so long as other members weren't wanting to use the practice ground, and so long as you didn't stay too long, then you would be OK to stay and practice what you had just been taught. If approached you could always say that you have just had a lesson with their pro, and that you are thinking of joining in the future. They are hardly going to kick you out in the current financial climate.

 

[Junior]

I'm not sure, , , , ,I know of clubs where members would kick up a stink, and I know clubs where you could probably get away with it.

As the members pay for the privalige of using the facilities, if its busy then i would be inclined not to hang around too long after the lesson.

 

[RichE]

Can see why you have asked. Depends on the 'type' of club where the Pro is moving to. Best bet is to ask the Pro on the day and as per previous comments see how busy the practice area is. If the Pro says it's fine for an hour or so and it's not busy then i can't see it being too much of a problem.
It's also in the Pro's interest to keep guys like you coming back for more lessons.
Let us know how it go's!

 

[Timh27]

I cant see anybody challenging you if you are practising. Unless they saw you have a lesson they would probaly persume you are a visitor warming up before tee off.

As i am not a member of a club yet i have used a couple of clubs practice areas as it is the only way i can practice other than the driving range and i cant practice putting on a driving range. I tend to use a bit of common sense and not go on if it is busy and make way if members want to use it and just generally be respectful and i have never had a problem with it to date

 

[RGDave]

My question is, if I have a short game lesson and brought my own balls, would it be the done thing to continue to hit balls and work on the things I'd just been shown after the lesson even though I'm not a member.

Should be OK. I had lots of lessons when I was a member of a municipal course and we only had a putting green. If I went to a private club and paid for my session, I can't remember not being allowed to practice afterwards. Just don't take advantage....I played a few holes once (on the pro's say-so) and felt a bit cheeky!!!

 

[Pants]

When you book your next lesson with him, ask the question again.

Did he tell you that he was moving, or did you find out via a 3rd party?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

He told me himself. I think he's only telling some of his clientele as I think he doesn't want his whole client base to suddenly descend on a private members club. I think he's cherry picking the better players (and me) and setting himself up to try and enhance his reputation for teaching good players. To be honest I don't blame him. I watch the three or four teachers in action regularly and its obvious that some of those they see regularly simply aren't working on the fixes they are shown and so never really make progress.

I know not everyone is as dedicated about practicing as I am and that many have work/family committments but in my opinion if your game is in a position where you need a lesson or you are just starting then its a waste of time and money not to at least try find a small chunk of time to have a go at the fix.

I'm seeing him on Saturday for a lesson so I'll see what his plans are. Maybe I'm doing him a disservice and he'll at least inform his whole client base including those he no longer sees. Thinking about it, it might be a good way of getting some initial business to reintroduce himself and maybe offer group lessons.

 

[Twire]

I think he's cherry picking the better payers

 

[Twire]

Oh and the OP....I think you'll be OK as your not stopping the members from using the practice ground.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Homer, that's how i joined my current club, i began having lessons with the club pro always continuing the session after he had finished teaching before packing up.
I had several members come and say hello, all knew i wasn't a memeber but were aware that i'd just had a lesson with there pro.
I made sure i didn't get in any members way or hog the facilities and it was fine.

Then i joined!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to say I'm tempted to join Maidenhead as its cheaper than Ascot but not as convenient unless I can wrangle a locker to keep my clubs in. I'm also sceptical that you can just turn up and go off which is one of the main benefits of Ascot and makes a solo round much easier. I have a feeling you need to be booking times but I guess that is something I can check out later.

I think I'll see what the practice facilities are like when I have the next lesson (Saturdays is still at the range) and then have a think and maybe try and arrange a round.

 

[viscount17]

I'm getting lessons at a club other than my own but the range is available to anyone to buy range balls.

I'd certainly stay and finish the bucket, I can and do use the putting green even when it's not part of the lesson (the pro's suggestion this). The chipping/pitching areas you need range balls for so not an issue.

 

[muttleee]

I think he's only telling some of his clientele as I think he doesn't want his whole client base to suddenly descend on a private members club.

Sounds a bit elitist to me. If I were a member there and found that he'd told you he was moving and not me, I think I'd be pretty miffed. Anyway, what's to stop anyone booking a lesson at his new club if they feel like it? I assume he's hardly going to turn any hackers away??

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't think he's being elitist. He has 175 or so names on his data base and some of thosehe hasn't taught for a few years. That tells me they have either found another teacher (probably cheaper) don't have lessons anymore or maybe don't even play still. Why waste money posting out to those people to let them know he moved. If I found out he'd moved and hadn't contacted me I wouldn't be miffed if I hadn't been using his services. No different to any other tradesman moving on

Much better to bring a crop of live clients and then pick up business from the club members. He'll be able to book up the short game areas and offer group bookings as well so getting more people in and more revenue.

 

[muttleee]

Ah I see. Your earlier post said (and I quote) "I think he's cherry picking the better players (and me) and setting himself up to try and enhance his reputation for teaching good players" (which sounds elitist). Now it seems he's just concentrating on his current client base (which sounds much more reasonable). Which is it..?!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its my understanding that he is cherry picking the best of the client base and utilising the best of his CURRENT clients (and me) first. I think he then plans to go back and announce his move across his whole database to include those he hasn't seen in a long while to try and get some interest from there too.

It seems perfectly reasonable. Pick some players that want to put the effort in and start off with them, plus new pupils from the membership and then go from there. If business is slow work back through your contacts for some new business.