If money were no object, what golf instructor would you go to in the southeast US?

[mjedwards409]

Brief history - 39 now, was scratch when I was 17, got a college scholarship, picked up some awful habits when I was 20 after a series of bad coaching, and have been a 9/10 hcp ever since. The only goal I have in golf anymore is to play the way I know I can play. I don’t care if I’m competing  in the County Am or playing 9 holes by myself the way I know I can play. 
 
Specifically, I picked up an awful habit of having a super steep transition and for 20 years have never been able to get rid of it. I’ve tried literally ….everything. 

At this stage of life I’ve been extremely fortunate financially and I’ve decided I’ll put aside whatever funds necessary to play good golf again. If money were no object, what instructor would you go to in the southeast US?

 

I know this sounds silly, so please move on if this isn’t your cup of tea.  I’ve been working on this game my whole life, and I feel like I’ve lost 20 years of enjoyment, and I’ve got a few good years left to play like I know I can play.

Edited June 12 by mjedwards409

[MonteScheinblum]

AMG in Orlando or Mark Blackburn in Birmingham.

[getitdaily]

5 hours ago, MonteScheinblum said:

AMG in Orlando or Mark Blackburn in Birmingham.

Just to note...AMG in Orlando, you want Shaun or mike.

 

If money weren't an object...I'd throw Claude Harmon in there, if you can get in his calendar. 

[GoGoErky]

AMG 

[mjedwards409]

Thanks all! The AMG idea is attractive because of the Gears system they use. I’ve heard a lot of folks say to stick with Shaun and Mike, but from looking at their site it seems like those two only do full day or multi day clinics and Nick does the shorter (1-2 hour) lessons? Anyone know if that’s accurate?

[GoGoErky]

2 minutes ago, mjedwards409 said:

Thanks all! The AMG idea is attractive because of the Gears system they use. I’ve heard a lot of folks say to stick with Shaun and Mike, but from looking at their site it seems like those two only do full day or multi day clinics and Nick does the shorter (1-2 hour) lessons? Anyone know if that’s accurate?

Thats correct. But since money isn’t an objective the half and full day is what you want 

[mjedwards409]

23 minutes ago, GoGoErky said:

Thats correct. But since money isn’t an objective the half and full day is what you want 

Got it!  No worries, was just making sure i didnt miss anything.  

 

Is going with Nick really that much less in quality if he's also using Gears? I only ask because of scheduling purposes - not cost.  Shaun/Mike arent available until late August from what it looks like and would love to start working on things this summer.

[getitdaily]

6 minutes ago, mjedwards409 said:

 

Got it!  No worries, was just making sure i didnt miss anything.  

 

Is going with Nick really that much less in quality if he's also using Gears? I only ask because of scheduling purposes - not cost.  Shaun/Mike arent available until late August from what it looks like and would love to start working on things this summer.

Yes. Nick is a good guy and he's knowledgeable (i did a force plates session with him) but he's not on the level...

 

Go with Shaun or mike.

[GoGoErky]

16 minutes ago, mjedwards409 said:

 

Got it!  No worries, was just making sure i didnt miss anything.  

 

Is going with Nick really that much less in quality if he's also using Gears? I only ask because of scheduling purposes - not cost.  Shaun/Mike arent available until late August from what it looks like and would love to start working on things this summer.

I don’t think you can go wrong with Nick. But yeah Shaun and Mike have a long wait time. 
 

It was similar with trying to get fit by Ian at TXG. More expensive and limited schedule availability 

[getitdaily]

24 minutes ago, mjedwards409 said:

 

Got it!  No worries, was just making sure i didnt miss anything.  

 

Is going with Nick really that much less in quality if he's also using Gears? I only ask because of scheduling purposes - not cost.  Shaun/Mike arent available until late August from what it looks like and would love to start working on things this summer.

Unless it's changed in the last year, lessons with gears/force plates are only available with Shaun or mike.

 

 

[getitdaily]

Sean Foley is in Orlando too. I can get you his number. Not even sure where he teaches out of tho...

[CSagan]

Chase Duncan in NC. 

[betarhoalphadelta]

2 hours ago, mjedwards409 said:

 

Is going with Nick really that much less in quality if he's also using Gears? I only ask because of scheduling purposes - not cost.  Shaun/Mike arent available until late August from what it looks like and would love to start working on things this summer.

 

I don't know if they do this, but it might be worth scheduling for August and inquiring whether they maintain a cancellation list / waitlist... You might get lucky and get in with them earlier. 

 

And it might not be a lot of harm in trying to get in with Nick first if you want to start sooner, while STILL having that August appointment with Shaun/Mike to go more in depth. I'm sure if you get on Gears you'll get a better idea of what you're currently doing and may be able to make interim progress...

 

[AtomicJoe]

I would tell you but I'm going to need you to tell me how I can also be extremely fortunate financially. lol 

 

If money were no object why limit yourself to just the southeast? 

[moehogan]

Bradley Hughes in Greenville, SC

 

[mjedwards409]

50 minutes ago, AtomicJoe said:

I would tell you but I'm going to need you to tell me how I can also be extremely fortunate financially. lol 

 

If money were no object why limit yourself to just the southeast? 

I have a good paying job and have gotten some good promotions over the past few years. My wife/kids and I also live a humble existence. (Used cars paid off, middle of the road house with 2.1% interest rate.) We aren’t rich by any means so money is SOME object but I finally have gotten so fed up Im either going to open wallet up and fix it once and for all, or take up pickleball lol.

 

As far as Southeast, I travel throughout the SE for work constantly and I figured there was enough talent around here to start there. 🙂

Edited June 12 by mjedwards409

[mjedwards409]

Just now, moehogan said:

Bradley Hughes in Greenville, SC

 

Oooh good call I live in Greenville. I had forgotten about him.

[otto6457]

This is just my rather average opinion but here goes.

 

I've taken lessons from a few Top 100 instructors.  They were all good and I learned something from every one of them. But they weren't life changing.  My game didn't suddenly emerge from the darkness and into the light of stellar ball striking.  In fact, some lessons I got were the opposite of what I had received from another Top 100 instructor.  

 

I finally figured out that I was chasing the wrong thing.

 

I have been with my current teacher since 2009.  I found a guy that I was willing to commit 100% of my game to.  But most importantly for me, a teacher I could see consistently and where my progress, or lack of progress, could be evaluated and solutions discussed, and a consistent plan could be implemented.  I made a conscious and continuing commitment to ONLY hearing one voice in my head about what "I" need to be working on for my swing.  My teacher is an 18 hour round trip drive from my house.  So it's not easy.  But being that far away means I have to be serious about my practice and about the time I get to spend with him.  I go down 3-4 times a year and I work my derriere off.  He is brutally honest with me, and he has high expectations for what I can do. He has made me a better player and I would like to think, a better person.  Because of that, he has become one of my very best friends over all of these years.  I am a very lucky man.  

 

In my heart of hearts I don't believe there is anything more damaging for a golfer, that truly wants to get as good as they can be, to be watching endless YouTube videos from dozens of "TOP" instructors, and trying to build a golf swing from so much conflicting noise and click bait titles.  Giving equal weight to all of the golf swing instruction out there is madness.

 

So, long winded story aside.  Don't seek the loudest or flashiest name in instruction just because they are the one's you hear about the most.  Great marketing doesn't make them a great fit for your goals.  Find the teachers that get it done quietly and consistently.  The teachers that have great youth programs, rising college players, top amateur players, and some talented pros.  Don't put too much value on a guy that brags about the PGA Tour player he may have given a lesson to.  PGA Tour players are incredibly talented, are already in the top 1% of players on the planet, and unless that teacher got that player as a kid, a PGA Tour pro will hit the ball pretty well on their worst days.

 

Find a teacher you can form a long term relationship with, and one with that shares your goals,  Commit to a long term journey, ignore the outside noise, and put in the work.  If after a year or two, you don't feel like you are making the progress you think you should be making, sit down with that teacher and discuss it.  If you both don't share the same vision, shake his hand, thank him for all the help, and do it all over again.  

 

my 2 cents. your mileage may vary.

Edited June 12 by otto6457
word not allowed used.

[Nickc]

Nobody opting for Monte or Iacas or are they too cheap!😁

(No offense meant & apologies, too many beers on a hot afternoon and shouldn't be posting)

 

For me (apart from the above 2 ) it would be Pete Cowen...like to be left a bit dazed and  confused.

Edited June 12 by Nickc

[getitdaily]

28 minutes ago, Nickc said:

Nobody opting for Monte or Iacas or are they too cheap!😁

(No offense meant & apologies, too many beers on a hot afternoon and shouldn't be posting)

 

For me (apart from the above 2 ) it would be Pete Cowen...like to be left a bit dazed and  confused.

Put the phone down, boozer.

 

OP said southeastern US...Pete Cowan is...well, you're drunk.

[mjedwards409]

3 hours ago, Nickc said:

Nobody opting for Monte or Iacas or are they too cheap!😁

(No offense meant & apologies, too many beers on a hot afternoon and shouldn't be posting)

 

For me (apart from the above 2 ) it would be Pete Cowen...like to be left a bit dazed and  confused.

I’ve done the remote lesson with monte before. It was great, and I learned a lot. But this bad habit is 20 years engrained…I really want to find someone I can consistently see in person. 

[mjedwards409]

Booked Bradley Hughes in Greenville. Excited to see if I can stick with someone and make some progress!

[moehogan]

5 hours ago, mjedwards409 said:

Booked Bradley Hughes in Greenville. Excited to see if I can stick with someone and make some progress!

Great, I hope it’s a good fit!