Swing change

[Orikoru]

Partly because it's a teaching exercise. Not everyone responds to the same style of teaching and although the Pro should be able to adapt, not everyone is going to walk away with the same progression or experience. So some will say they're brilliant and some will say they're rubbish.
I get it with driving. Some people soak it up and pass in weeks, some are like concrete and it's impossible to get through.
One says you're good, one doesn't.
Doesn't make you bad at your job.

You're right, but on Checkatrade the reviews are pretty heavily vetted to make sure there's nothing unfair on there, so it could be the same with this. Even the bad reviews would be useful as long as they add enough detail about why. With no detail supplied it would be no use, obviously.

 

[bobmac]

I've thought that. Why is there not a Checkatrade type website for golf pros? All you have now is trial and error and word of mouth. Could take people a lot of time and wasted expense to find the right pro.

Wouldn't it be the same as trying to find a good plumber or gas fitter or electrician?

 

[patricks148]

You're right, but on Checkatrade the reviews are pretty heavily vetted to make sure there's nothing unfair on there, so it could be the same with this. Even the bad reviews would be useful as long as they add enough detail about why. With no detail supplied it would be no use, obviously.

i wouldn't think its a fair comparison between teaching something and doing a set job like a plumber or electrician.
people are different and will reached differently unlike a light fitting or radiator

 

[Orikoru]

Wouldn't it be the same as trying to find a good plumber or gas fitter or electrician?

What?

i wouldn't think its a fair comparison between teaching something and doing a set job like a plumber or electrician.
people are different and will reached differently unlike a light fitting or radiator

I didn't mean it should be identical to Checkatrade. Obviously the criteria for feedback would be totally different. It would benefit the pros as well because they would put up a page where they can advertise themselves and what sort of thing they specialise in.

 

[Dibby]

Although I agree people learn differently, at the end of the day, the job of a golf pro is to improve peoples golf, and ultimately outcomes matter. It's no good if a guy is great, but his style doesn't match with 99% of the population, as unless he exclusively teaches tour pros, he is not useful as a teacher!

The only real difference between electricians, plumbers etc.. is that they can do a bad job, and hide their bodges under the floorboards, leaving something that looks respectable on the surface, unfortunately, golf pro cannot necessarily do this.

As for making swing changes, I think there are a few components to this.
One part is that ultimately the ball flight is all that matters. A swing can be as ugly as you like, but if it repeatedly provides decent impact conditions, then it's a good swing in my book
However that said, a new movement may ultimately provide better impact conditions, so firstly you have to know why you are making the change, is it style or substance?
Once you are sure in your mind the change is substance, then you need to understand what are the implications, and process you will go through. For example, if the initial change is to club face, in preparation for a path improvement next, you may be making good progress, but not see a good ballflight direction until the path change is implemented too.
Once you understand the process, concentrate on the movement. irrespective of ball flight. Interestingly, I think when people do this, the ball flight actually tends to get better, because they make a good move, instead of only making half a good move with an added compensation to try and modify the ball flight.
Finally, when the movement is ingrained, worry about ball flight, but as said, by this point, chances are the flight is already looking good.

Most people want quick results, don't take time to understand the process, and focus on immediate ballflight results, if you can get away from this, I think you will increase your chances of success.

 

[bobmac]

The point I was going to make was you don't need hit it off with your plumber but it helps a lot if you and your pro teach and learn the same way.

Pros know that people learn in different ways....audio, visual and kinesthetic.
They identify which way the person in front of them learns and should adapt their teaching method to suit the pupil.
But each pro also prefers to teach in 3 ways so if you like to learn by the visual method and your pro likes to demonstrate, bingo.
However, if you prefer to learn by the visual method and your pro likes to talk and explain things, you might not gel.

 

[abjectplop]

I've gone down the route of video lessons over the last year. Not everyone's cup of tea I'm sure but what has helped me immensely is having a full record of all previous lessons and swings on video.....that way it's been easy to film myself as I practice between lessons, compare, make sure I'm not falling into old habits, etc. Currently working on downswing and shallowing the shaft which I'm finding challenging but I use video regularly to check progress.

 

[HamiltonGuy]

i wouldn't think its a fair comparison between teaching something and doing a set job like a plumber or electrician.
people are different and will reached differently unlike a light fitting or radiator

I went to a guy once who when I asked him how I could get rid of a slice and try to play a draw he told me monty played a fade I should just accept it as it won’t change. I had a few lessons with another pro who very quickly gave me the understanding of what was behind draw/fade and I no longer slice though I don’t really draw it’s pretty neutral, if I needed to I could. Some guys are just going through the motions (same guy a pp went to and had an equally similar story)

 

[Scozzy]

I'm a "visual" learner and a practical guy so I want you to show me how then I'll learn to do it myself and I'll be fine. If you're on for the full bhuna rebuild with a pro I think the biggest thing is committing to the time required.If you have a busy home and work life and maybe need to travel out of your way for lessons/playing can you actually commit to the process fully and see the benefits with the time available? I'm sure we'd all be better players if we could just find the time.....

 

[Dando]

Not necessarily a swing change but I’ve been trying to play with a narrower stance the last few weeks.

 

[Depreston]

Posted about my last lesson on the one piece takeaway thread .... it’s an absolute battle and I can relapse on the course when the driver or long irons in my hand but I will get there ... if I’m not practicing at the range I’m getting the reps in the house

 

[clubchamp98]

I think You're right about enjoying the challenge I just need find someone I trust in to work with, spent the last 2 days looking at options in and around my area, think I'm nearly there with making a choice of who as I've decided to go ahead an do it now whilst I am still relatively at the start of my return to playing.

Fully expecting it to take a while and if it means writing of this golfing season to do it I'm fully accepting of that. I only live 10mins from my club, and work right near a range so opportunity to practice is always on hand and I will certainly put in the hours to do it.

It’s probably only one thing that needs changing .
This sets off a chain reaction in your swing that’s hard to see yourself.
I am sure a good pro would take on someone who wants to change for the better.
Good luck.