Should I?

[mr109]

Hi All,

I had some lessons last year when I started playing regularly last April.

This sorted my swing out (I think) and now I play good shots 50% of the time. My short game is good 40% of the time and I think my chipping technique is good even if the execution is not always there. This results in some high scores on individual holes which is forcing my handicap up (19 to 20).

In fact I think my technique is OK in general and my execution is the thing that lets me down.

Except that my putting lets me down and I intend to have a putting lesson....

So what is the question... Well should I go for a set of lessons or just the putting and practice some more.

The case for lessons is that maybe I am doing something wrong that is leading to inconsistency in long and short game.

The case against is that I think most of my problems are in my head and I need learn to relax and just play the shots.

I've been round this about 50 times and can't decide.

What would you do?

Al

Member at the Manor Golf Club, Staffs.
Playing off 20.

 

[Herbie]

Why not do both and stop getting hung up on your own idea of how well you play As you progress you will enjoy enlightenment after enlightenment in your play standard so just take lessons and practice and let it happen and just enjoy the results.

 

[RGDave]

Welcome Al, are you at Kingstone?

I would like to know a little more before wading (fully) in with my polarised view of everything!

But, on first read, I'd say go for a lesson, get an opinion and try the work your pro recommends. There are no rules to say you "have" to have lessons but 9/10 a Pro will spot something fairly easy to think about/practice and this normally leads to more consistency and in turn boosts your dedication to go and practice.

If the putting is really bad (what sort of things are causing the trouble?) I'd recommend a putting lesson possibly with a fitting as well. I swore I'd never go for a putting lesson (my putting was about average for my h'cap, I guess) but the mix of a fitting, a few things on the stroke and an improved grip has been INCREDIBLY successful.

If my long game was up to it's normal standard, I'd be banking on my chances of getting down from 11.5 to 9.4 just on the improvements in my putting. Three shots a game could do it for me!!! That's probably less chances of 3 putt, two more up n downs a game (the 5-10 footers) and a monster or two.

Spend a small investment on both and then see how it goes.

 

[Cernunnos]

Played the Manor @ Uttoxeter not long ago. Walked off unsure as to whether I enjoyed the course or not.

Nice layout apart from all the cutting across teeboxes to get to your own & even fairways that crossed over. Even though it was an interesting little corner of the course. Well quite spectacular, it did detract from the enjoyment somewhat & the inconvinience factor was very high.

With all the fairway & Tee box crossing it could get to be a real pain when the course is busy.

Greens were very nice if a bit small on some holes. My only real critisism was why on earth were the tee boxes as woolly as they were. I'd really hope this isn't how they normally would be, as it was one place I'd considered as somewhere to be a member. But really couldn't bring myself to do it due to the tee boxes & the inconvinience of crossing over holes to get to others.

It also looks as if some parts of the course must be prone to waterlogging at times. Does this happen?

 

[mr109]

HNJ - You're probably right. I know the feeling of letting it happen, and when I do things go well and I play well.

RGDave - Yes Kingstone. I think a putting lesson and another diagnostic lesson sound like a good idea. Just got to find a good pro now. Main problem with putting is missing the hole I haven't identified a particular miss although I think it would be fair to say I struggle with weight. Again I can feel when I'm going to hit a good putt, I'm just not getting that feeling often. The best way I can describe it is to say it feels like I've 'locked on'. If this happens I know I'll be close no matter how long the putt, if I don't I usually end up short or long enough to make the next putt tricky. I bet I 3 putt 8 times a round, 4 putt once and 2 putt the rest. Very occasionally I'll 1 putt.
My putting used to be good, whether I've raised my expectations and I'm as s%^t as ever or I have got worse I don't know.

Cernunnos - There is some crossing but I can honestly say I've never been bothered by it. Tee boxes tend to be a little woolly occasionally, I've noticed it, but again not enough to really get on my tips. The course does get wet in the winter and in very heavy rain the bottom holes are unplayable. For me the people I play with, the price, the fact that it's an interesting layout make up for some of the negatives. If I had bundles of cash it would only be the people that would keep me there.

If Cernunnos or anyone else fancies a knock feel free to get in touch.

Cheers

Al

 

[Cernunnos]

Hi "mr109". Would gladdly pop along at some stage, though at the moment I'm a bit brassic & need to watch the pennies & somehow I've got to make sure what little I have at my disposal is available for a little trip the missus & myself have had booked in Devon. I've got a couple of other rounds promissed to a few others who I've had to let down recently & who I prefusly appologise to again now.

Must say I thought the layout was interesting & I'd like to play the Manor when they've trimmed back the teeboxes to a more manacured state. It did seem doubly odd experiencing woolly tees when I played it, as there was sand provided to repair divots in the teeing ground. The club did seem very friendly I must say. Was very odd driving into what resembled a farmyard & then for it to open up into this golfclub carpark & a nice little clubhouse.

There again I never liked Morley Hayes when I first played it & it has become one of my local favorites. Though I need to play it again as they've made some quite major changes since last I've played it & I want to see what the changes are.

Yeah I think when the time is right I can think of at least a couple of other names to put together a 4 ball there quite easily.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My view would be to think about a block booking of lessons (budget allowing) of maybe 5 lessons. These normally work out cheaper than individual ones and were I doing it I'd go with this

1) A general swing review and looking at the basic (grip, alignment, stance and posture)
2) A more thorough lesson working on the main swing faults with drills to take away and practice
3) Short game lesson including pitching, chipping and bunkers
4) Putting lesson and short game review
5) Either a 9 hole playing lesson to learn about course management or a free lesson to work on either the full swing, or maybe focus on driving

 

[mr109]

I'm going to have a set of lessons, may start with putting though.

Cheers for the replies.

Al

 

[mr109]

Well I decided to go with a set of 8*50 minute lessons, + 9 holes on the course at Brocton Hall Golf Club.

Which will take me through to the end of the year, luckily I can pay for this monthly.

Thanks for advice gents.

Al