which golf pro for lessons?

[bam1bam1]

Hi all,

I am planning to take some lessons in the very near future and not being a member of a club I am unsure what approach to take to finding the right pro - none of my playing partners have ever taken lessons (which is clear from the standard of my group!)

There are several clubs close to where I live which boast pro's but how can I tell who will be best for me? Clearly speaking with the relveant individuals will give me a feel for them (and I need to find someone who I find personable) but it would be nice to independently verify qualification levels and experience - is this possible? What should I be looking out for?

If anyone has any recommendations for mid-beds/luton it would also be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Aztecs27]

As far as I'm aware, a qualified PGA Professional is a qualified PGA Professional. The only variance you might have is if yo get a lesson with an "assistant pro", which will be cheaper, but they will typically have less experience as they'll probably still be completing their qualifications.

I'm sure I have this completely wrong, and someone will be along shortly to correct me

Like you say, go and have a word with them all and see which one you warm to most. I'm sure you'll find someone who suits.

Also, keep an eye on the prices they're all charging for lessons.

 

[G1BB0]

you are spot on. I use an assistant pro but not based on price, it is the fact I get on well with him and find his methods and manner of teaching very good.

Luckily he was the 1st one I checked out however, like when I was learning to drive if I didnt like the instructor I would change.

I used N1 Golf which is a national company, their website has links to local coaches to you. 19.95 for an assessment session inc video of swing then I pay £35 an hr for 1 on 1 tuition.

http://www.n1golf.com/

worth a check to see if theres one local to you

 

[ScienceBoy]

I have heard rave reviews about this new coach in the US.

It is a pity they are not doing anything for us in the UK. If we had more teaching pros of that quality offering their services the average club golfer would be queuing up to take lessons!

Hottest new US teaching pro

 

[G1BB0]

you wouldnt learn much tho

 

[ScienceBoy]

Im sure you could learn all about:

• Good posture
  
  How to swing
  
  Holing out

 

[BROOKIE]

my local driving range is run by Pete Cowan,a nice bloke,and
number 1 coach,so he'd be the one for me..

 

[haplesshacker]

The PGA qualification Pros have might be the same, but how they teach is another matter.

It's the same in sailing, there are good ones and not so good ones.

For me the criteria is, are they interested to start off with or is it just another £20 in their pocket, do they provide a lesson plan after evaluation of where you're at now, do they use video, are they willing to look at the suitability of your clubs, and your yardage gaps, are they willing to have ad hoc chats about how you're getting on. And most importantly do you like the manner in which they teach, ie, humour, knowledgeable and honest.

I've not found a PGA that gets close to any of the above, with the exception of possibly our very own Bobmac and his approach on here, which I like.

I've always been a little sceptical of well meaning friends, simply because of my involvement as a sailing instructor, but I have to hand it to James. He'd done his research on my swing, and had me hitting better than any lessons I've ever had with a Pro. Despite me being a bad student!

It would be fair to say that he'd probably analysed my swing in more detail than any pro had ever done.

I apologise for not having any direct recommendations in your area for you.

 

[Imurg]

Have to agree with Hapless. Although all PGA Pros will have qualified and will basically work the same way, there will be differences in the way they teach the same thing. Most will have their own ways, drills and methods that will differ slightly to produce the same result.
The secret is to find a teacher that you can understand and communicate with. If they're spouting on about doing this and that and you have to stop them every 20 seconds to explain it again then they may not be right for you. It's a trial and error thing.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The simplest way is to talk to a few. Ask them about how they prefer to teach. Are they someone that uses a lot of gadgets to help make the point or do they have a simpler approach. They are all supposedly meant to adapt to the pupil but in my experience some have a set way and prefer to stick with it.

I wouldn't go on price either. I've had lessons with some top end teaching pros and come away with very little and had some assistant pros teach me and found it a great help. Once you've found one that you like and more importantly get on with and he is able to get you to understand what he is trying to do then try and stick with him. The more he gets to know you, your game and your swing the more he can personalise his lesson to your needs

 

[JustOne]

I've always been a little sceptical of well meaning friends, simply because of my involvement as a sailing instructor, but I have to hand it to James. He'd done his research on my swing, and had me hitting better than any lessons I've ever had with a Pro. Despite me being a bad student!

Bad? You're doing yourself a disservice.

I thought you were excellent.

 

[viscount17]

firstly welcome, hope you'll stick around.

to some extent it is inevitably trial and error - see if they offer introductory lessons (some do for around £10), then see how you get on with them, all of hapless' points, can they communicate in ways you understand. Will they teach you or their agenda - not everyone fits the same mould.
My first pro was an assistant, though well qualified in his own right and a former playing pro. He has a very 'soft' manner and is just a very gentle man, which perhaps explains why he's so good at coaching kids, but it didn't work for me so i told my next one that he could shout if he felt it was neede, I wasn't going to run away. It's not easy.

 

[GB72]

Have to agree, it is not easy finding a pro that you get on with and suits you, not sure I have found one yet. The previous pro I used seems to keen on stripping everything away and giving you the perfect swing which was too much in one go. I know a couple of people who have taken ages to get back to some semblance of normality after lessons with him. My last lessons were with an assistant pro and whilst he made corrections in lessons, he never really gave me any drills to work with after. Problem is, if you have 3 teaching pros at your club, how do you ditch one in favour of another without offending. May look to some lessons at another club.

 

[need_my_wedge]

I'm a member of Leighton Buzzard, both Maurice and Will are great guys and good coaches. I've had good sessions with both over the last couple of years, and they are always willing to offer help and advice at any time.