Best DFW area instructors

[RoyalMustang]

Hi all,

 

I'm at a point where I'd like to get an instructor. I had lessons (3-4 a year) over the past 3 years as I was getting into the sport (hadn't picked up a club since 8th grade and now I'm mid 40s). But although he is a great beginner instructor, I stopped getting much out of the lessons; he wasn't good enough to understand my body and physical issues that largely determine what I can do with a golf club. I'm looking for someone a bit more advanced who can drill down on the "why" instead of just telling me what I "should" be doing, regardless if I'm actually capable of doing it or not. My swing can be adapted but I'm 10th percentile in flexiblity all across my body. I'm the guy you don't want to have sitting in your row on a crowded plane as when I try to move or take my jacket off, I end   up invariably hitting someone in the face because my arms don't go up and they don't go back. 

 

I've got good strength and lower leg drive (averaged 304 last night off the tee, hit 6/7 fairways on a warm evening) but my swing has not translated to decent iron play. I can no longer hit a green from 150 to save my life, and my wedges have lost all spin. 

 

My swing has changed a lot: my wife is a TPI level 3 certified Medical instructor and also has a Power 2 certificatoin. We've mostly worked on balance and flexiblity for golf and building power, which is why my distance and accuracy have gotten so good off the tee over the past year. We'll probably start a strength regimen soon, see if I can get a bit more yardage, especially as I sit at a computer most of the day and my exercise consists of walking 9 holes. But she isn't an instructor, just a medical professional, and can't diagnose swings, much less rebuild habits, with the refinement I likely need at this level to actually capitalize on my solid tee play. 

 

A TPI certed instructor (level 3 or higher) would be great; there are a few in DFW but certifications only tell you so much. No different than having MD by someone's name doesn't mean that you should select them to do your back surgery. I'd love a great recommendation. Thanks! 

  

[gs1184]

My golf teacher is Robert McMillan at Irving Country Club. Fantastic teacher, fantastic person.

[560ti]

On 6/14/2024 at 10:53 AM, gs1184 said:

My golf teacher is Robert McMillan at Irving Country Club. Fantastic teacher, fantastic person.

Good choice. The head teaching pro at my local country club who still competes (almost made the cut to play in the US open) uses McMillan as his main coach. 

 

On 6/13/2024 at 1:16 PM, RoyalMustang said:

A TPI certed instructor (level 3 or higher) would be great; there are a few in DFW but certifications only tell you so much. No different than having MD by someone's name doesn't mean that you should select them to do your back surgery. I'd love a great recommendation. Thanks! 

  

If you're only in the 10th percentile for flexibility than any TPI certified pro will most likely fail you on majority of the screening test and then just offer basic exercises/drills till you improve. If anything, someone whose level 3 could potentially have way less experience dealing with someone like you so they might at least starting out not be much more helpful than someone with a lower certification

 

I'm currently TPI certified and in the process of transitioning back into the fitness industry and we see this very often. Trainers or pros with flashy graduate school degrees and advanced certifications but in reality, a lot of the advanced aspects they know don't really transition to use normal folks.

 

Not saying they are worst or can't be better but just something to take into consideration. For example, if I was 50lbs overweight I'd rather go to my local gym trainer who deals with 10 clients like me a month then spend 3x the price to go to the head strength and conditioning coach at the local college who spends most of her time doing advanced weightlifting and high interval sprints. 

 

I know with you already having great power and a low handicap it's not as extreme but the lower flexibility will 100% be a priority especially when trying to dial in those low to mid irons. 

 

 

Edited June 15, 2024 by 560ti

[RoyalMustang]

On 6/15/2024 at 3:46 PM, 560ti said:

Good choice. The head teaching pro at my local country club who still competes (almost made the cut to play in the US open) uses McMillan as his main coach. 

 

If you're only in the 10th percentile for flexibility than any TPI certified pro will most likely fail you on majority of the screening test and then just offer basic exercises/drills till you improve. If anything, someone whose level 3 could potentially have way less experience dealing with someone like you so they might at least starting out not be much more helpful than someone with a lower certification

 

I'm currently TPI certified and in the process of transitioning back into the fitness industry and we see this very often. Trainers or pros with flashy graduate school degrees and advanced certifications but in reality, a lot of the advanced aspects they know don't really transition to use normal folks.

 

Not saying they are worst or can't be better but just something to take into consideration. For example, if I was 50lbs overweight I'd rather go to my local gym trainer who deals with 10 clients like me a month then spend 3x the price to go to the head strength and conditioning coach at the local college who spends most of her time doing advanced weightlifting and high interval sprints. 

 

I know with you already having great power and a low handicap it's not as extreme but the lower flexibility will 100% be a priority especially when trying to dial in those low to mid irons. 

 

 

 

Yeah, we are trying to address the flexiblity issues in-house here. I'm hoping to realize those gains to start "rebuilding" my swing. Lots of bad habits from when I started; my hip and back flexiblity has gone from probably 2nd percentile to 30th percentile, so there's that!