What's your take on GOLF LESSONS?

JustoneUK

Another cynical post! I think it is well proven that for the majority of beginners to get any semblance of a repeatable action they need help which in most cases will come from a PGA pro. When you learnt to drive a car didn't you have lessons?

I have a very good coach who has got me from 20 to 14 and I've had three stableford wins, a couple of medal victories and a number of top three finishes in that time. We're working on my short game at the moment and once I've got to grips with my chipping and putting feel that 10 or 11 is a realistic handicap.

If you are a beginner you aren't going to realise how crap your swing is anyway and those that already play the game and want to improve probably realise the swing isn't very good which is why they haven't improved. As for telling my mate he was aligned wrong on the course, I wouldn't dream of doing it. Its not the time or my place to do so and nor would I expect anyone to be giving me advice either.

If my mate was struggling and it was an obvious problem I'd mention it to him over a post match beer and offer my opinion but would add that he'd be better off getting our club pro to give his swing the once over.

As for pros being scared to tell someone their swing is rubbish, that made me laugh out loud. Its not exactly guaranteed to generate repeat business and most pros are savvy enough to position it in a much friendlier way. I'm sorry but a good coach can be a valuable asset for any golfer looking to make progress.
 
There are those who think they know?
There are those who dont listen?
There are those who listen but do not respond?
And there are pro's who may be good players and run a cool shop but are poor teachers.

I feel sorry for pro's who find themselves dealing with the first three. But although only a few, there are poor golf teachers out there.

How do you measure each value.
Obviously results are the best way, but if anyone being taught is in the first three listed I think its unlikely to see big improvements.

My own view is that if you are learning the game and dont get down to a single figure h/c within 5 yrs of regular play under instruction you are unlikely to ever get there.(I didn't say certain, I said unlikely!) also if you dont get there under your own steam in that time, again its unlikely.

The most sucessful in my view are those who have the time, the intelligence and the will to learn using multiple avenues of practice and learning, particularly the use of a very good teacher.

But you have to listen and you have to try.
 
That`s a good handicap to get down to if you have only a hand and an eye coordinated! Just think, if you had some lesson`s you could get your other hand and eye coordinated with the other`s and get down to single figures. :D Your right that cannot be taught, but a good pro will sort out your bad habit`s, and off 15 you must have a few! Unless of course you only do have one hand and one eye, then i really do apologize.
 
The only lesson I've ever had was a free 30 minute session when I first joined the club in '95. The pro took one look at my swing and told me to keep my left shoulder high in the backswing. 2 1/2 minutes worth... I've done it ever since.
Best handicap on my own was 8.1. Stopped playing for 5 years and restarted on 13. Now down to 10.
lessons are not for all but if you feel you need them then you'll get no arguement from me.

My problem with lessons of any sort is that you have to improve or you're wasting your time. What's the point in spending £30 a week on lessons to stay at 27.1 for the rest of your life? Save the money, accept your level and play for fun - you may play a blinder one day and win something.

I could possibly be playing off low single figures if I'd had as many lessons as some on here (no offence at all Guys!) but I've never really had the time or the inclination to put in the work needed to make lessons stick.
 
Golf lessons are most beneficial to my game and I believe to anyone's game. There's a great article in golf world by Buch Harmon on when you should make swing changes. http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2009/03/harmonrules

A few months ago i was suffering from a terrible slice with my driver. I was able to hit my irons up to 3 iron relatively straight flight probably with a hint of a fade (to be honest). I was really fustrated and went to my range and asked if I would be able to have a pro look at my swing to try a quick fix. However, he explained that there were a number of fundamental problems in my swing and recommended I practice a few new movements. Initially there was no improvement and I hit the ball all over the place. However, he explained that my body was adapting to the new move as years of bad habits needed to be erased.

After 2 lessons I noticed that the slice was still there but to a lesser degree and I noticed that my best shots were not improved but I had fewer bad shots and the bad ones were not as bad as before. I also gained more distance with my driver.

Golf lessons do not necessarly lead to better scores on their own. I'm sure many of you have played golfers who score well with strange swings and banana-like ball flights. What they provide is a solid consistent swing technique so that 1) on the course or in competition you don't need to think about your swing 2) your straight ball flight provided the basis for more shotmaking potential (high, low, fade, draw)- if you have a consistent fade or draw you may not be able to bend the ball the other way. As a result you have more options on the course and can focus on course strategy and feel.

My average score has reduced from 20 to about 14 in about 5 weeks since. My lesson focus on all aspects of my game and I keep a note of where my weakeneses are and focus my lessons to that.
 
I had a lesson once, it was fun.

If I was starting again, aged 15, I would have loads.

Sadly, I am 43.
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What does that mean ?

That you are too old to have fun ?

That you are too old to get better ?

That you are too old to play golf ?

That you are too old ?

For me anyone who is good enough to be able to play golf without lessons, is dead lucky. To have that sort of natural skill must feel fantastic. But they will never be the best they possibly could. To get to the max, EVERYONE needs help.

But many many golfers don't want to put that much effort into the game.

I don't go to the max because I know my best still wont ever be that great. But I still need lessons because I want to get to the best I can do within my own limitations.

And I enjoy them. I enjoy the feeling of putting things right over a period of time. When I can't get that feeling of improvement, I stop with the lessons ( and let the bad habits sneak back up on me ).

But playing golf, for me, is about having fun. And I have less fun knowing I'm leaving loads of shots out on the course.
 
I booked up a course of 6 lessons at our local range.
First night the pro looked at my swing and said "I'd lay off it for a couple of weeks, and then give up altogether"...

Enough said
 
As for telling my mate he was aligned wrong on the course, I wouldn't dream of doing it. Its not the time or my place to do so and nor would I expect anyone to be giving me advice either.
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Homer
I was playing with a very good mate of mine (plays off 14) on Sunday, short par 3 and he played his shot to the green, but missed right (big time). He held his follow through position whilst the ball was in the air and I advised him not to move his feet, and just stand still. I laid a golf club down at his toes and when he stood back to look he could see that he was aiming so closed that he could not help but miss the green. He must have been aiming a good twenty feet or so to the right of target (he is right handed). Do you not think this was good "friendly" advice to a mate who's mistake was so glaringly obvious, it needed pointing out?
Despite my shortcomings on the golf course now and again, even I could see what he had done wrong, and he accepted and appreciated what I had shown him. He corrected his stance on the next par 3 and hit the green.
 
Hi,
Lesson are only worth the practice u are willing to put in after u have had them no point going for a lesson for 30 mins and not going to the range at least 6/7 times to work on what the pro has done with you before the next lesson the problem is that most people go for lesson and then go play with there old swing. Homer I thought u were a low single figure golfer in your youth how long did u give up for to come back at 20 and would u not have improved without the help of a pro by just getting back to playing regularly.
Mike
 
I have decent hand/eye co-ordination and have played a variety of sports over the years, to a fairly high level in one, I also have coaching qualifications in other sports.

I was able to put bat to ball so to speak relatively easily when I first picked up a set of clubs, but I had nothing like the consistency that is required to enable me to develope into a competent golfer without assistance and there is a long, long way to go yet of course.

My opinion, for what its worth, is that lessons from a qualified pro who is able to convey instructions effectively (baring in mind that they will see people of widely differing standards and ability) are invaluable.

I will continue to have regular lessons as my game developes, but that of course is my personal preference as to how I like to play sport - always have been inclined to be fiercely competetive, although that flaw is mellowing with age lol
 
I had a lesson once, it was fun.

If I was starting again, aged 15, I would have loads.

Sadly, I am 43.
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Murph,
I am 75 and recently finished a course of lessons with my club pro. When I am out on the course with him, I play a good game. When he is not present I play rubbish.
I guess I should be getting more lessons.... :o :o
 
I had a lesson once, it was fun.

If I was starting again, aged 15, I would have loads.

Sadly, I am 43.
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43? Jeez...and you still play?

If I was you I'd buy one of those big slippers that you put both feet in, get an electric reclining chair and matching cardigan with buttons and pockets and just relax.
Dream of the olden days :D

Personally, I'm off for 36 holes now......carrying

Bob (49)
 
Homer, For what it's worth I think everyone should see a pro and get lessons :) My question is rather whether you feel it's worthwhile when you see people having lessons or having had them in the past who then either don't practice, still do it wrong or have been shown something miniscule when the big problems in their swing have been overlooked.

Attitude is the key to learning golf - especially with lessons. A good friend had a great lesson a couple of months back whilst I was sitting in. The teacher (and he's a VERY good one) made huge changes to his swing/posture/alignment/ball position/swing plane and he shanked/thinned almost every ball during the lesson - the key was that he was subsequently swinging properly but his body wasn't used to it. It seemed to him like what the pro was telling him was making him worse... he's now dropped from 12 to 9 :)

My gripe is that (as an example) I've seen people having lessons where their posture is so poor they are almost standing up straight yet the pro is tweaking their takeaway or follow through or moving their chin by 2 degrees?????

I don't feel like a cynic - on the contrary if my post makes people THINK about their attitude when they have a lesson then I hope it does some good. The key must be finding a pro that you like, teaches well and whom you feel will teach you the right things for your swing.


I was playing with a very good mate of mine (plays off 14) on Sunday, short par 3 and he played his shot to the green, but missed right (big time). He held his follow through position whilst the ball was in the air and I advised him not to move his feet, and just stand still. I laid a golf club down at his toes and when he stood back to look he could see that he was aiming so closed that he could not help but miss the green. He must have been aiming a good twenty feet or so to the right of target (he is right handed). Do you not think this was good "friendly" advice to a mate who's mistake was so glaringly obvious, it needed pointing out?
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We do that in our friendly games.... because we are FRIENDS :)
Also my mates often ask "how did that swing look?" or "where was the club at the top?" but I've recently taken to saying that I didn't see it. Seems to save any hassle. Of course in a serious match of any kind I wouldn't be looking at their swing anyway... or caring where the ball goes :D
 
What I mean by this, is that to change a swing I have had for 20 odd years is going to take more than a few lessons. It will also need a lot of practice, a lot of hard work, and a transitional period when I will play rubbish.

I do not believe a bit of a tweak will produce dividends, from the base starting point I am currently at.

Thus for me, with the limited amount of time and money I am willing to expend on the project, I do not believe lessons are the way forward.

I have tried to make swing changes before, and have found that in times of stress, the swing faults I think I have eliminated return all too frequently.

If, as I previously stated, I was starting from scratch, I would have lots of lessons, and not ingrain the rubbish swing I have now.

I think if I was to change to playing left handed, I could start again properly, but to do this right handed I can't see working. Way too many bad habits.

And yes, the lessons I had were fun. Why is that a problem? But it doesn't necessarily mean I want to repeat the experience. I like riding horses, but it wouldn't worry me if I never got on another one. Ditto for dancing.
 
When I first started to play I got down from 28 to 23 in 2 years without lessons.
Then I had lessons as a junior & went from 23 to 10 handicap in 2 years.
Stopped the lessons & golf for a few years, came back and played to 10 for a year.
This means to me I must be quite a natural golfer as I could just come back to it and do it well.
I've started having lessons again at the end of last year and have come down a shot already & am playing well within my handicap in most games.
I now need a putting lesson as, according to SS, my FIR & GIR stats are those of a 1 handicapper but my putting and short game stats are those of a 24 handicapper.
I will have those lessons as I believe they work.
A good pro can point out what is wrong and, more importantly, suggest how to put it right.
I used to have a flat swing, I didn't realise this but with help have steepended it and my strike has become more consistent. I used to leave my hips & shoulders open at address but didn't realise this, I have now closed it and hit the ball more square and, more often than not, where I was aiming.

So yes, lessons are a good thing!
 
I was low single figures. A culmination of a serious shoulder and back injury, not playing for over ten years and then only a few times a month and the fact that I got my membership rushed through and didn't have time between joining and putting my card in to practice.

I went from a society golfer (three times a year) back into full time club golfer. I put my cards in during a January in a force 8 one week, torrential rain the next and a gale the following. I knew I wasn't a 20 handicapper and promptly scooped several stablefords and medals to get cut down to 12. Last year I overpracticed and played crap all season to get back to 14
 
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