To get a lesson or not get a lesson...

[wtodd]

First off, I'll start off by saying I'm 33, a 10.2 handicap, and have never had a lesson in my life. My papa put a club in my hand when I was 2 and that's when my sickness started. I say all that to get to my question.

 

I play golf 8 months out of the year (the other 4, I'm chasing whitetail deer). Normally, it takes me 2-3 weeks of hard practice to get the "kinks" worked out then I go to playing my normal golf. Between work and family, I normally get 2 range sessions and 1 round a week. My ultimate goal in this game is to be a constant single digit handicap, which is why in the past few weeks I've thought about seeing a local PGA pro to get something I've never had in my life, a lesson.

 

I've been self taught by my papa all my life (unfortunately he passed away in 2015). What scares me about lessons is I'm afraid I'm going to be told I've been doing it wrong forever and then have to totally reconstruct everything. On the other hand, I like the idea of a train eye looking at what I'm doing and saying hey that looks good but let's kinda tweak this or that.

 

So, fellow wrxers, am I just over analyzing everything? Should I just continue digging it out of the dirt like always? Are lessons really that helpful? Any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Golfjack]

Not all coaches ask you to redo your swing, and you are a 8 handicap so your swing is pretty decent. I'd say it's OK to struggle with changes (everyone does, even pros). If you want to get better, you gotta give a little (struggle) to get a little (better swing).

[BrianMcG]

Post your swing. You can get some pretty good advice here. It can at least get you started.

[SunkTheBirdie]

What scares me about lessons is I'm afraid I'm going to be told I've been doing it wrong forever and then have to totally reconstruct everything.

tell them that.

[toophewbirdies]

According to this thread starter :http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1446576-teaching-pros-are-mostly-a-fraud/,

 

A big FAT November Oscar!!

[bladehunter]

I Would be very cautious. If an instructor asked me to rebuild and start over I would run . Not walk . Away. ! If you enjoy the game and play to a 10 with no outside help you likely are a visual learner who could tune himself up. Most of improvement in this game for good players or bad is simply solid fundamentals ( grip , posture , alignment ) and hours and hours of repetition ( practice ). No need to pay someone for any of that .

 

edited to say ..... I agree and meant the same as below... a good instructor will NOT look to rebuild you , but will polish what you have . If you seek instruction be very involved in the lesson and tell himor her where you want to get to and if youre uncomfortable with a change say so sooner than later..

[Sean2]

A good instructor won't completely tear down your swing. He will work with you in small increments. And it's not like you have to irrevocably giving up your current swing if you get a lesson(s).

[Hawkeye77]

Teacher isn't going to go anywhere you don't let him or her. Do some research, talk to some people in the area, evaluate the info and available options and make a decision. One lesson won't ruin anything. If it's not for you, don't go back.

[cwglum]

Agree with other posts here, let the instructor know what you're looking for and how much time you have to apply. They should prescribe fixes accordingly.

 

After all that, try to listen more than speak at the lesson. Not everything will make sense at the time, just take it for what it is and work on your fixes as time allows. If you take a series of lessons, space them out a few weeks in between.

[Ghost of Snead]

First off, I'll start off by saying I'm 33, a 10.2 handicap, and have never had a lesson in my life. My papa put a club in my hand when I was 2 and that's when my sickness started. I say all that to get to my question.

 

I play golf 8 months out of the year (the other 4, I'm chasing whitetail deer). Normally, it takes me 2-3 weeks of hard practice to get the "kinks" worked out then I go to playing my normal golf. Between work and family, I normally get 2 range sessions and 1 round a week. My ultimate goal in this game is to be a constant single digit handicap, which is why in the past few weeks I've thought about seeing a local PGA pro to get something I've never had in my life, a lesson.

 

I've been self taught by my papa all my life (unfortunately he passed away in 2015). What scares me about lessons is I'm afraid I'm going to be told I've been doing it wrong forever and then have to totally reconstruct everything. On the other hand, I like the idea of a train eye looking at what I'm doing and saying hey that looks good but let's kinda tweak this or that.

 

So, fellow wrxers, am I just over analyzing everything? Should I just continue digging it out of the dirt like always? Are lessons really that helpful? Any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Get an online lesson from one of the established pros here and ignore all random tips on the internet.

[Petunia Sprinkle]

If your 'papa' taught you, then you're not really self-taught (I only make that point because some of us are the belligerently self-taught who'd rather die than listen to anyone else). So, you're open to being instructed.

 

My regular Sunday partner went to a pro for two lessons. The pro changed his grip and his alignment, but not his swing. It helped him quite a bit. This was one of those sample packages at the par 3/driving range we play at. You might try some sample lessons to see what various teachers have to offer.

 

Btw, have you analyzed your game to see if there are any areas in which you're consistently losing shots?

[TB07]

First off, I'll start off by saying I'm 33, a 10.2 handicap, and have never had a lesson in my life. My papa put a club in my hand when I was 2 and that's when my sickness started. I say all that to get to my question.

 

I play golf 8 months out of the year (the other 4, I'm chasing whitetail deer). Normally, it takes me 2-3 weeks of hard practice to get the "kinks" worked out then I go to playing my normal golf. Between work and family, I normally get 2 range sessions and 1 round a week. My ultimate goal in this game is to be a constant single digit handicap, which is why in the past few weeks I've thought about seeing a local PGA pro to get something I've never had in my life, a lesson.

 

I've been self taught by my papa all my life (unfortunately he passed away in 2015). What scares me about lessons is I'm afraid I'm going to be told I've been doing it wrong forever and then have to totally reconstruct everything. On the other hand, I like the idea of a train eye looking at what I'm doing and saying hey that looks good but let's kinda tweak this or that.

 

So, fellow wrxers, am I just over analyzing everything? Should I just continue digging it out of the dirt like always? Are lessons really that helpful? Any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Only helpful if you want to change and put in the time and effort to change your motor pattern. If that's not what you want don't take lessons.

[dap]

If your 'papa' taught you, then you're not really self-taught (I only make that point because some of us are the belligerently self-taught who'd rather die than listen to anyone else). So, you're open to being instructed.

 

My regular Sunday partner went to a pro for two lessons. The pro changed his grip and his alignment, but not his swing. It helped him quite a bit. This was one of those sample packages at the par 3/driving range we play at. You might try some sample lessons to see what various teachers have to offer.

 

Btw, have you analyzed your game to see if there are any areas in which you're consistently losing shots?

He had 2 lessons to change grip and alignment?? What was the instructor doing for the remaining 1 hour and 50 minutes??

[Petunia Sprinkle]

If your 'papa' taught you, then you're not really self-taught (I only make that point because some of us are the belligerently self-taught who'd rather die than listen to anyone else). So, you're open to being instructed.

 

My regular Sunday partner went to a pro for two lessons. The pro changed his grip and his alignment, but not his swing. It helped him quite a bit. This was one of those sample packages at the par 3/driving range we play at. You might try some sample lessons to see what various teachers have to offer.

 

Btw, have you analyzed your game to see if there are any areas in which you're consistently losing shots?

He had 2 lessons to change grip and alignment?? What was the instructor doing for the remaining 1 hour and 50 minutes??

 

I have no idea how long the lessons were. But, even though his grip has gravitated back to what it always was, the fact he got him to change two things in only two lessons is somewhat miraculous.

[wtodd]

If your 'papa' taught you, then you're not really self-taught (I only make that point because some of us are the belligerently self-taught who'd rather die than listen to anyone else). So, you're open to being instructed.

 

You have a point. Only difference is I had no choice but to listen to him lol. Wouldn't change one damn minute of it!

[augustgolf]

Where are you located?

[wtodd]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I'm gonna seek out a local PGA pro and take a lesson, but let him know what I'm looking to get out of it. Besides, for some odd reason after this layoff I've developed a ridiculous over the top so at least he can get his monies worth.

I've just always loved the whole "dig it out of the dirt" philosophy, yet I'm kinda intrigued to see what someone with more knowledge than I thinks about something I've spent my life working on. So, let's give it a try.

 

Where are you located?

 

New Ellenton

[augustgolf]

Best of luck as you work to improve!

[BenHoganSlam1953]

I've been to 2 CPGAs and 4 club pros - not one of them thought about reconstructing my swing. They would evaluate where I was at and together we would determine what my largest issue was at the time to get me going in a better direction. Myself, I been reconstructing my swing over the last 5 seasons and over the last 2 seasons I finally started moving forward because I changed my approach to just making little tweaks at a time (instead of looking for a quick fix from an article or video) and allow 3-4+ weeks for each little tweak to settle before assessing whether another is warranted. Be honest with the instructor as to what you want to work on. Only be wary if you feel the communication between the two of you is not clicking or their approach is not working for you. Myself, I prefer a more interactive approach hitting balls on a range while chatting, rather than in a simulator with excessive video analysis.

[bladehunter]

OP ...i see your a Gamecock.... youre already 1 step above the rest ! just saying.. good luck!

[endurancechiro]

I'm in a similar situation. I'm 32, athletic background, and 99% self taught. I've had 2 lessons in my life, the first one was a short game lesson that wrecked my game for about 6 months, I practiced the way he asked, did the drills, but ultimately his chipping and short game methods didn't match up well with my game.

The 2nd was much better, it was focused on woods and long irons, taught me some of the feels I need to be looking for when the train comes off the tracks. I got as low as a 5 hcp doing this. Since then, kiddos and starting a business have pushed golf to the background, so practice is a thing of the past and the hcp is back up around a 14, but at least I'm having fun.

It all comes down to your time outside of playing rounds, if you have the time to dedicate to building the feels and cementing a technique change then lessons are probably a good idea, if not, it's likely going to be a waste of time and money.

[wtodd]

Met with an instructor today. Showed him a video of my swing. Said I had a ton of good but seen a few things we could tweak to improve what I've already built. Talked about what I'm looking for. First lesson scheduled for next Tuesday.

[wtodd]

OP ...i see your a Gamecock.... youre already 1 step above the rest ! just saying.. good luck!

Amen brother! Forever to thee!

[wtodd]

Met with an instructor today. Showed him a video of my swing. Said I had a ton of good but seen a few things we could tweak to improve what I've already built. Talked about what I'm looking for. First lesson scheduled for next Tuesday.

 

That's a great start! FWIW, don't ever post a swing here. You will get some of the worst advice in the history of golf.

 

Lol now that's funny

[Scottie68]

Btw, have you analyzed your game to see if there are any areas in which you're consistently losing shots?

 

Highly suggest this, as it may tell you where you should focus (either on your own or with an instructor). Keep track of why you are not shooting par on every hole, and look for patterns.

[xflex]

the problem with this thread is the word "a lesson". If you think you're going to pay for one session and immediately improve you're kidding yourself. If you really want to get better you WILL have to make changes. They will feel weird and uncomfortable and they will UNDOUBTEDLY make you play worse at first. But if you want to improve you will have to go through that. Which means you'll also need multiple sessions and $$$

[BenHoganSlam1953]

Met with an instructor today. Showed him a video of my swing. Said I had a ton of good but seen a few things we could tweak to improve what I've already built. Talked about what I'm looking for. First lesson scheduled for next Tuesday.

 

That's a great start! FWIW, don't ever post a swing here. You will get some of the worst advice in the history of golf.

 

Lol now that's funny

 

Actually it is quite true in that without knowing what the ball did, making changes based on feedback from a video is a very deep, dark rabbit hole - once you fall in, you may never get back - so don't!

[mocokid]

much easier to re-build or tweak or adjust at 33, will take some time but well worth it.

better than trying at age 50+, like I am doing with slicefixer. It's doable but takes more time.

[taporsnap17]

Unless you're making something the pro sees as a egregious error, a good teacher won't try to make whole sale changes.

 

I asked my coach that in one of our first lessons and he was giving me a example of a guy that'd played for decades and got to about a 5 or so and just wanted to shave a few more strokes off so he went for his first lesson. This guy apparently set up very open but was just banging them down the range. He'd done the same thing forever so there was no way he was going to even try to change it so he worked in a few drills to minimise the misses/control the misses.

[vman]

A good coach is going to listen to your goals and then point you in the right direction to achieving them. This could just include short game, course management and minor adjustments, posture, alignment, etc.

If they use too much jargon and words you just don't understand, I'd just tell them to speak plain English and dumb it down a bit.