Poll: how many golf lessons have you had in 2015?

[3565]

I have regular lessons and have done with the same excellent coach for the past 5 years. Usually every 6 weeks or so but depends what I'm working on and if there's something I really need help with. So voted in the 11-20 range. Not included the regular and excellent online lessons provided by the_coach which have also proved invaluable this past year.

I also practice a lot and enjoy that element - 100% necessary to get the most from lessons.

I always get the feeling that those who don't have lessons, have never had a lesson, don't ever practice etc wear that as a badge of honour and look down at those of us that do...or maybe I'm just being over-sensitive!

Hammer, head, nail. Totally agree, and your not being over sensitive.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I have regular lessons and have done with the same excellent coach for the past 5 years. Usually every 6 weeks or so but depends what I'm working on and if there's something I really need help with. So voted in the 11-20 range. Not included the regular and excellent online lessons provided by the_coach which have also proved invaluable this past year.

I also practice a lot and enjoy that element - 100% necessary to get the most from lessons.

I always get the feeling that those who don't have lessons, have never had a lesson, don't ever practice etc wear that as a badge of honour and look down at those of us that do...or maybe I'm just being over-sensitive!

I certainly don't look down on people who have lessons - if that's what people want to do then away they go - doesn't make them any different to people who don't have lessons.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Hammer, head, nail. Totally agree, and your not being over sensitive.

Totally agree with the sentiments Amanda posted. I have had to work hard at all sports I've played to get any degree of success and that includes practicing and training as hard as I can and getting regular tuition. Just the way I am

 

[3565]

Totally agree with the sentiments Amanda posted. I have had to work hard at all sports I've played to get any degree of success and that includes practicing and training as hard as I can and getting regular tuition. Just the way I am

you are who you are Homer, I admire the dedication that you put into the game.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

I certainly don't look down on people who have lessons - if that's what people want to do then away they go - doesn't make them any different to people who don't have lessons.

I agree with this, it certainly isn't a 'badge of honour with me' more like lazy maybe!

I don't personally really want lessons, as I just love playing the hit the ball as hard as I can, walk, find ball and then hit again.


Many times I have come very close to booking up a lesson due to the random nature of my golf, but in the end I just can not be bothered and I do love the ups and downs during the round and over different rounds, getting a better more consistent swing would perhaps ruin that part of the game/fun for me.

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

I should have waited to vote as I am now in the 6-10 bracket. Squeezed a last lesson in with the pro before he moves on to pastures new in the South West of England in the next week or so. It was more of a refresher lesson but ironed out a few bad habits that had crept in.

 

[Robobum]

I have not had a lesson this year. I've not had one since about 2001.

id be concerned that I would go backwards and this is why....

I'd get a lesson, in that lesson I'd be watched by the pro and have them comment on when I'm in the correct/ incorrect position etc.

Lesson done, I'd go to the range to practice and spend 100 balls not really knowing whether I'm repeating the correct positions that the pro wanted me in. Which would then pose two questions.........persevere and possibly groove a swing in a different (but incorrect) way or revert to old swing and make the lesson(s) a waste of time and money.

For my mind, to make lessons effective, they need to be frequent and close together over a period of a couple of weeks. But then that gets expensive in both time and money.

But that's just the way I see it for me.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

I have not had a lesson this year. I've not had one since about 2001.

id be concerned that I would go backwards and this is why....

I'd get a lesson, in that lesson I'd be watched by the pro and have them comment on when I'm in the correct/ incorrect position etc.

Lesson done, I'd go to the range to practice and spend 100 balls not really knowing whether I'm repeating the correct positions that the pro wanted me in. Which would then pose two questions.........persevere and possibly groove a swing in a different (but incorrect) way or revert to old swing and make the lesson(s) a waste of time and money.

For my mind, to make lessons effective, they need to be frequent and close together over a period of a couple of weeks. But then that gets expensive in both time and money.

But that's just the way I see it for me.

Interesting post and yours is a position I can understand. Clearly you must still have very good fundamentals and know how to score, so not such an issue?

My set up and swing is a pretty awful thing but I've grown to make it work. Undoing all of that would be a huge undertaking in time and money (which I just don't have/want to do as there's more pressing things in life) so it's persevere and learn as you go along.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I have not had a lesson this year. I've not had one since about 2001.

id be concerned that I would go backwards and this is why....

I'd get a lesson, in that lesson I'd be watched by the pro and have them comment on when I'm in the correct/ incorrect position etc.

Lesson done, I'd go to the range to practice and spend 100 balls not really knowing whether I'm repeating the correct positions that the pro wanted me in. Which would then pose two questions.........persevere and possibly groove a swing in a different (but incorrect) way or revert to old swing and make the lesson(s) a waste of time and money.

For my mind, to make lessons effective, they need to be frequent and close together over a period of a couple of weeks. But then that gets expensive in both time and money.

But that's just the way I see it for me.

In my case I always try to ensure at the lesson that there is one move or "feel" which I know means I am doing the right thing and which I can take away and replicate on the range and on the course. Usually this involves trying out a range of drills and different swing thoughts until I find something that works for me. For example at the last lesson that thought and feel was about feeling my left thumb was under the shaft at the top of the swing. Trying to achieve that pulled it all together and ensured I was swinging on a more upright plane. This is also why I like working with a pro who knows my swing and my game really well. He isn't trying to change too much just get me using what I have better.

The evidence that I am doing it right though is always in the ball flight. If it goes from being rubbish to being good then I assume I am.

I understand what you saying though, and maybe at your level the improvements would be much more marginal and any changes within much tighter tolerances than for me.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The evidence that I am doing it right though is always in the ball flight. If it goes from being rubbish to being good then I assume I am.

Exactly. My swing isn't or ever going to be textbook but as long as I can see improvement and the ball is doing what I want it's all that matters. I can tell quickly after a lesson if I've got it, usually a few balls into my next range session. Is the ball flying as it was under the gaze of the teaching pro? If so then I've got the change. If not, keep drilling it.

 

[Robobum]

Exactly. My swing isn't or ever going to be textbook but as long as I can see improvement and the ball is doing what I want it's all that matters. I can tell quickly after a lesson if I've got it, usually a few balls into my next range session. Is the ball flying as it was under the gaze of the teaching pro? If so then I've got the change. If not, keep drilling it.

What's a textbook swing?
Is there such a thing?

I could hit 50 balls each with a slightly different swing and see a nice flight and result....but which one of them has the pro just spent an hour trying to get me to do? God knows unless someone is watching me or I'm filming myself and checking it constantly

 

[3565]

Lessons for me are to improve my swing, motion, ball striking and understand when it goes wrong how to correct it. But also to learn from the professional certain shots to be a more accomplished player and be able to produce them shots when needed.

 

[garyinderry]

Those who have "never had a lesson" are, I'm guessing, just talking about paying a PGA Pro for a lesson.
Many of them are conveniently forgetting the countless occasions where they've been given guidance and swing advice from family and fellow players.
Some of this advice (a large percentage for those lucky enough to know and play with better golfers) will be of a very high standard.

I have nightly lessons from a range of world class professionals on youtube.

 

[swanny32]

2 so far but there are a few weeks left of the year, I have 3 in the book with my pro and my partner and I are sitting on top of the Winter league standings at the moment so I think a lesson may be had in the next week or two to try and eradicate this viscous snap hook I seem to develop at times.