Poll - please answer - Lessons

[Ken_A]

I take lessons, probably every 2 1/2 weeks to help me on track.
Lessons have really helped me but when I have asked around no one else other than ladies and juniors seem to take lessons.
Almost every post here tells some one to take lessons.

 

[johng]

When I first started playing I had lesson after lesson after lesson. This got me to a certain standard from which i never improved, 22-24 h'cap.
A few years ago i lost a huge ammount of weight which completely affected and changed my swing. i had a few lesson to learn how to adapt and this got me to 18 h'cap. After that I had a good long think about my golf and fekt that for all the lessons and knwoledge I had i should be able to play better than I was. I concentrated more on the emotional and psychological aspect of my golf and the swing and sonce then I am down to 13.5.

Recently had to have a few putting lessons as this is quite simply the worst part of my game. When i get this sorted my h'cap will fall again.

I will also have a quick check with the pro through winter to check all the basics and forunatley play occassionally with a couple of 1 + 2 h'cappers who give me some pointers.

 

[TonyN]

I had a course of about 6 lessons at the beginning of summer. I have more than enough to think about for the winter and at the moment when things go wrong, I know why, so i can work on those problems my self.

Once I am happy I have grooved all 6 lessons in solidly, I may seek further help and then try to advance my game.

Or if I start to struggle and I dont know why, I will go see my pro.

 

[USER1999]

I can't answer your poll, because there is no answer of plain no. Lessons aren't just for kids and ladies, but for everyone keen to improve their game.

When I started, I came down from 18 to 12 fairly quickly. I then got stuck, and went and had a course of 6 lessons. I stopped having lessons as my major swing fault is looking for the ball before I have hit it. I figured if I could cure this, I would have more lessons, as until this is fixed I am wasting my money.

I still haven't fixed it, 20 years on.

Luckily I am a natural ball striker, and also very self analytical, such that given time, I can sort my own swing problems out (except not staying behind the shot).

 

[TWM]

I became ill in February and could not play for a couple of months. My recovery has been slow and my golf has been pathetic. I started a course of lessons a couple of weeks ago and found it very difficult to follow the pro's instructions at first. Final lesson is next Monday and, judging by today's performance at the seniors rollup, my improvement is only marginal. However I know from previous experience that lessons are essential for me.

 

[Imurg]

Answered No but lessons are not just for Youngsters and the ladies. they are for anyone who is going to benefit from them. I am 98% self-taught apart from a free 30 minute session when I first joined the club in 1993. I've never felt the need for any more and at best I was playing off 8. Yes I suppose I could have been off lower if I had had the time to practice the changes the pro would almost certainly have made. I'm not a pro who can spend hours taking the club back a little further on the inside or whatever. I practice - if something's not right I can work out what is wrong and put it right.

Don't get me wrong, lessons are great for the right people. I've got myself to a reasonable standard and to be honest I'd rather spend the money going to play somewhere nice than giving it to the pro.

 

[Parmo]

Answered No but lessons are not just for Youngsters and the ladies. they are for anyone who is going to benefit from them. I am 98% self-taught apart from a free 30 minute session when I first joined the club in 1993. I've never felt the need for any more and at best I was playing off 8. Yes I suppose I could have been off lower if I had had the time to practice the changes the pro would almost certainly have made. I'm not a pro who can spend hours taking the club back a little further on the inside or whatever. I practice - if something's not right I can work out what is wrong and put it right.

Don't get me wrong, lessons are great for the right people. I've got myself to a reasonable standard and to be honest I'd rather spend the money going to play somewhere nice than giving it to the pro.

I am the same as Imurg, well not the 8 hcp, but soon enough.

I play with a guy who has a lession every other week and to be honest, he has not improved one bit in the 10months I play with him. The pro he goes to must be bad, the fella I play with clubs are reg shaft and has a swing like he is trying to take off its that fast, yet the pro has not mentioned he needs stiff shafts

 

[Wildrover]

I book a course of 6 with our pro then go and see him every now and then to check me over and see what else I can work on. Had one last night as it happens and worked on shaping the ball. When the course of 6 is up I'll book another.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I remodelled my swing last year with a local pro at the driving range near me. When I rejoined Ascot last year I started at 20 but after the pro had done his stuff I got down to 12 and won several competitions along the way (plus several 2nd and 3rds). He moved to Theale (2 junctions down the motorway) last Autumn and I stopped going. As a result my game over the Winter and early part of the year was rubbish.

I tried another pro but couldn't get on with his teaching style so went to see my club pro (had heard differing opinions about him hence my initial reluctance). We are now working on a couple of major issues but it is a work in progress and showing signs of fruition.

I don't go any set number of times per month but I practice a lot both at the practice ground at the club or the range if it is wet and I have got to know when there is a swing problem and to some extent what it is so I'm beginning to self correct. I now only go to my pro if a) the problem isn't responding to my efforts, b) I lose the key swing feelings or c) a particular part of my game (e.g. driving) suddenly falls apart.

My pro is pretty good and as he is often out working on his own game will stop and give me 5 minute refreshers or tips to work on so there isn't the need to book lessons in a regular timeframe

 

[Imurg]

Answered No but lessons are not just for Youngsters and the ladies. they are for anyone who is going to benefit from them. I am 98% self-taught apart from a free 30 minute session when I first joined the club in 1993. I've never felt the need for any more and at best I was playing off 8. Yes I suppose I could have been off lower if I had had the time to practice the changes the pro would almost certainly have made. I'm not a pro who can spend hours taking the club back a little further on the inside or whatever. I practice - if something's not right I can work out what is wrong and put it right.

Don't get me wrong, lessons are great for the right people. I've got myself to a reasonable standard and to be honest I'd rather spend the money going to play somewhere nice than giving it to the pro.

I am the same as Imurg, well not the 8 hcp, but soon enough.

I play with a guy who has a lession every other week and to be honest, he has not improved one bit in the 10months I play with him. The pro he goes to must be bad, the fella I play with clubs are reg shaft and has a swing like he is trying to take off its that fast, yet the pro has not mentioned he needs stiff shafts

Indeed that's another thing - if the pro isn't up to much you're wasting your money.

Also we have to understand that at some point we will reach the limit of our capabilities taking into account age, fitness, time etc etc. Some of you will have to accept that you may never get to an 18 handicap.. I know I'm not going to get to scratch..

 

[vig]

Had 4 lessons when I started again last year. Then another in Novemberf when I couldn't rid myself of a slice.

Would go again when I feel the need.
I do need a short game/putting lesson but never seem to find the time to fit one in.

I prefer to play the course than practice on the range (more relaxing and better exercise) If I go when it's quiet I play the first couple of holes so I can get clear of any following, then pull out half a dozen balls and play the same shot or variants from the same position until i either tire or people behind start to catch up.

 

[GB72]

Having just changed my teaching pro I am having lessons whenever I can. This has been frustrating recently due to having taken a few steps back but it is now starting to come together. Last 2 rounds have been my best ever.

 

[Basher]

Lessons are not just for Ladies and children!

Even top tour pro's receive instruction from coaches, Tiger being one of them!

I wouldn't say I've gone mad on having lessons but do feel the need to visit my local when things go Pete Tong. I'm ready to give him a call very soon as it happens!

 

[forefortheday]

Have one lesson a month on different areas of the game and hit the range 3 times a week during my lunch hour.

Started this year with a wild slice but have now started to hook the ball which ironically was my pros aim!

Sounds stupid but it means I'm doing something different, (Harvey Penick recommends it in his Little Red Book). It's not producing an improvement in my scores but I'm sticking with it as I'm also hitting the ball much further.Played 9 holes Tues night and went through the back of a 190 yard par 3 with a 5 iron, can hit my Cobra Baffler on the 200+ yard mark and my short irons are going much further.Even drawing the ball quite a bit.(Only need to learn how to chip and putt now!)

I enjoy the lessons I have as I can have a conversation with my pro and we have a laugh whilst I'm practising not everyone's cup of tea but it works for me.

Had 6 lessons from another pro who dissapeared for 10 minutes every lesson when I first started playing then had none couldn't improve so found my current pro and he's really helped me improve my swing.

 

[DCB]

lessons are the easy part it's getting to the 'unconciously competent' stage thats the problem. We don't put enough practice in to let any changes become second nature. we try, but we just cant get there.

I know. I'm in the middle of some drastic revamping at present. It's hard work. Hopefully it will all come together one day.

I stood one day during a lesson and was told 'thats the sound you want to hear' There is nothing else like the sound of a perfect strike. It really does make you want to try another few balls to get that sound and feeling again!

 

[Cernunnos]

Everyone should have at least one lesson in their golfing life & probablyt at least one or two a year, even if its just as a swing MOT.

I usued to have one a lesson per month & when I started I was actually seeing two golf coaches. (Probably not totally advisable tosee two coachesat the same time) So at the start I was getting 2 per month.

Though it soon dropped to 1 lesson per month & this year because I haven't been able to play much I've made a concious effort to make it every 2 months. Though this last month I has a half hour lesson with another coach to get a fresh set of eyes on my swing.

 

[OldWindy]

Lessons are a must to make sure you at the very least attempt to enjoy the game and glimpse some of your potential. Don't misunderstand me, there are plenty out there who can hit the ball well enough without instruction but I happen to think the game is too tough to ignore the advice of someone who knows what they're talking about.

Personally, I will take a lesson when I think I need correcting. Sometimes that can be quite often...

 

[level5s]

I have taken 1 at the start of the last 3 season with the great intention of working through the drills and going back after about 3 weeks for another. It has never happened though. I much prefer playing than going to the range and practicing.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I take a lesson as and when a fault creeps into my game so for example I had one 2 weeks ago because I was hooking everything- irons, woods the lot. I am however thinking of booking a block of short game lessons (never had one before so I am not sure) and taking one every 2 weeks to really try and make some progress.

 

[Junior]

Im not a natural player, and have to admit im a bit of a nut for lessons. I take quite a few in winter (every 2 weeks) but then maybe 1 every 5 weeks or so in summer. . . . if you can call it a summer nowadays