Would you trust any pro?

[timgolfy]

Would you trust any pro with your golf swing or game?

The default answer to most questions posted here is "see your pro". Call me a sceptic, but I wouldn't trust any random garage with my car, would trust very few people with my computer, and wouldn't trust any random dentist. Why trust a "pro" with my golf swing just because of the label "professional"?

 

[RGDave]

Would you trust any pro with your golf swing or game?

No. I've had some pointless lessons over the years. Probably nothing wrong with the pro, just how he gets across what needs to be done.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Hi Timbo

No I wouldnt use just any pro, I would talk to a few and see which one seemed the best in terms of what you want to get out of it, price and personal chemistry.

Once you have found a good one, keep the relationship going, its a 2 way thing.

I can recommend Kevin Wilson at the Berkhamsted Driving range.

Top bloke

Fragger

 

[jammydodger]

Like most things in life , you see someone for a job you require doing , if they perform as expected they get to keep your business. If they dont perform then they dont get your business , but you have to give people a go or how else do you know if theyre right for you.

Recommendations are fine but whats right for one persons swing/presonality is not for the next man. You just have to believe they are right for you until you find out otherwise.

 

[kinhell]

Our club pro tried to change my swing completely when I was trying to fix one problem. I went elsewhere and he identified it straight away. I hate pros that want to change your whole game rather than help you iron out a few flaws. I suppose changing your whole swing means you will spend a lot of money on lessons with them

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I wouldn't use my club pro. Nothing wrong with the way he teaches but it isn't the way I like to learn. I've used two pros (apart from a couple of freebie lessons at Sand Martins) since getting back into golf. I only moved to my current one because the first guy was having reconstructive surgery on his knee and then moved a fair distance away to set up a teaching school.

My guy is a very good quality teacher but gets things across in a way I understand and gives me drills that are easy to replicate and work with. I am a feel type of player and so need to feel where the club is rather than working on exact positions (mechanical) and he is great at getting me to feel when the swing is right and where the club is. I'm actually really happy and a personal best around Ascot of 75 (+5 gross) on Monday is vindication that the swing is in there.

 

[jasondransfieldgolf]

There is very few pros I would trust with my game. Someone that can read your personality is a must to start, in my opinion.

 

[kinhell]

a personal best around Ascot of 75 (+5 gross) on Monday is vindication that the swing is in there.

Shouts of Bandit can be heard all around Ascot.

 

[timgolfy]

There is very few pros I would trust with my game. Someone that can read your personality is a must to start, in my opinion.

I must admit, that's my (amateur) feeling. My pro was recommending moves completely contrary to my preferred method (RotarySwing.com), and we discussed this with me admitting that I would not follow everything he advised, but that it was useful to have other opinions and ideas. He is happy with that and so am I, and we get along very well.

 

[jasondransfieldgolf]

A few years ago, my coach suggested we get another coach (Pete Cowen) in to take a look at my swing and make sure everything was working along the right lines. Now that to me is a sign of a great coach if he can suggest seeing someone else, so the three of us spent about 4 hours on the range going through everything and it was great for both me and my coach.

 

[Losttheplot]

I only trust the ones I feel happy with. It's a personal thing. If you think the guy is a tit then you won't listen to him in the first place, then again if you like him as a person and think he talks sense you will listen to him.

I only trust 2 coaches on my swing now..... The others I have seen have been ok but I didn't feel they helped my swing enough.

 

[Matty]

Personally I'd say no. As stated above you, as an individual, have to get along with the pro in question, there has to be an understanding and rapport from very early on. But that doesn't mean that some pros are 'untrustworthy'.

 

[Mungoscorner]

I've never had a lesson except a complimentary lesson i got free with my first membership at the golf club i joined when i started playing.
I went from a total beginner to a 6 Handicapper in 16 months,with nothing more than pointers from golfing buddies and a little practice.My biggest improvements came as a result of watching and playing with better golfers.
I know of people who have a lesson every two weeks,and beat basket after basket of balls on the range,and have done for years,yet there game/swing never improves.
Imagine Jim Furyk turning up for a lesson if he was unknown,most pro's would tear his swing to pieces.
We are all built differently,and we all have different levels of suppleness,strength,athleticism,and hand eye co ordination,and the very same situation exists on any of the professional golf tours,proving that the "one swing fits all,single plane swing" etc etc is utter nonsense.The only thing that matters is what the clubface is doing at impact,everything before then is irrelevant.Most if not all of the greatest golfers,had swings that were riddled with imperfections,but they all managed to get the clubface square at impact,and/or played with a fade or draw.
Golf is probably one of the only sports where,due to the handicapping system,the better players don't win more often than the casual player who plays off a higher handicap.I certainly enjoyed my golf more when playing off a higher handicap,i won far more often,put less pressure on myself,and went home dissapointed far less often after competitions.As soon as my handicap got below 6,i found myself in "no mans land" i couldn't compete in handicap comps,and wasn't good enough to compete with scratch golfers in scratch strokeplay comps,although i could hold my own with most in matchplay.
I think most players,should ask themselves what they want from the game,and any pro worth his salt should ask the same before taking somebodies hard earned.At the end of the day,most of us play the game for "fun" and/or socialising,why beat ourselves up,and throw money at the game,in search of the impossible ??
Rant Over lol.

 

[RGDave]

Rant Over lol.

It was hardly a rant....more "well put" observations.

By the sounds of it you did incredibly well when you started and well done. But, I think lessons make a lot of sense to certain types of people. I honestly don't think I'd have slummed it "off" 24 for years on end and enjoyed it. I'm glad I invested time and energy in lessons and balls (at the range). Without it, I'd not have the memory of playing and winning some things, getting round some of this countries great courses without total embarrassment and having a hobby to enjoy. I got good at snooker without any help, just hard graft and hours everyday on my table. I'm sure I'd still be struggling to break 95 without some help with my swing.
I also want to enjoy playing once I retire (as in properly retire). Surely better to do that off something presentable than hacking it around never hitting a good shot?

 

[Smiffy]

My guy gives me drills that are easy to replicate and work with.

Errrmmm.....ok

 

[Soco11]

I've found a pro that doesn't try and re-build your swing to a robotic swing, instead he adjusts my swing to my strengths! Wouldn't go anywhere else now!

 

[ScienceBoy]

I have found a pro that speaks the same language, he is very technical and sciency and so am I. We get along great and he has worked wonders with my game!

It is definatly not a swing I would have thought I would end up playing with, feels very different to what comes naturally but the results speak for themselves and this new swing is fast becoming my natural swing.

Naturally I like to hook the ball, this was very limiting as I could not attack greens. My theoretical limit for a round was a much higher score than the swing I have now. I can now go up and over bunkers in front of greens with clubs above an 8 iron, which I could not previously.

I feel lucky I found the right guy first time round!