Travelling to the U.S.A. for Golf Lessons

[TundraToad]

have some questions

Hello

I am thinking about making a trip to the south west USA for some golf lessons in the new year. I am 47 and have been playing golf as long as I can remember. I bought the S&T book and have been impressed with what it has done to my game and want to take the next step. Questions I have are

1. I am not sure when to book the trip. Up here in Edmonton we are in the middle of winter. The ranges here won't open until the mid March if we are lucky and mid to the end of April if we are unlucky. Should I wait until we are open/nearly open before making the trip? This would allow me to practice everything I learn. I do have a small hitting net in the basement I can do maybe a 3/4 swing if that would be enough if I travelled eariler?

2. We had a great fall and everything was opened far later than normal. That being said other than short punch shots in the basement I haven't played in 2 months. Is going in totally rusty a bad idea? I would play a golf simulator a couple of times minimum.

3. I see the announcements from Dana, iTeach etc and they sound very interesting. I play to a 10 handicap and sometimes I think the classes are meant for the "better" golfer. I see Dana's announcement for the 2 day with Grant W and it looks great but I don't want to be the "slow" student. Any other golfers in my demographic have any feedback?

4. I also have a friend who is a beginner. He has taken at least 10 lessons locally and is totally not getting it even with lots of practice time. Some of the things they have him trying don't make sense to me but I don't interfere. Would a trip like this make any sense for him.

5. If I made the trip into a golf vacation would it be better to play a few rounds before so I am warmed up or after so I can groove things.

6. I practice about 6-8 hours and try to play a couple of rounds a week in our season. Am I wrong to think that I can get down to a 5 or 6 with the correct lessons? I practiced my short game lots last year and saw great improvements (Phil's short game DVD is awesome). This trip will be expensive for me, I don't expect miracles and know I have to put the time. Again anybody else have any feedback from a similiar experience?



Thanks :wave:

[67Bernie]

Hi Tundra,

I also live in Edmonton and last March went to a golf school in the Palm Springs area. I also worked hard on Stack and Tilt a couple of years ago, but abandoned it. I just could NOT get the driver or fairway woods working with S&T, and found this was by far the most common complaint of the method on various message boards. It worked great for the short irons though...

My general comments on golf schools (I've been to 3 in the USA) are to view them as a "learning vacation". They are fun, you learn, and by all means come a day or two earlier, play golf, and stay a day or two after the school and play more golf. But they are certainly NOT the most cost effective way to learn golf. The best and least expensive way is to find a very good local instructor and take a series of lessons over the year, perhaps one every 3 or 4 weeks. This will cost you far less than half of going to a winter golf school (flights, cost of school, lodging, etc) and give you a lot more improvement.

The problem with a golf school is even if they get you swinging perfectly (highly unlikely), you will add or subtract something from the swing over time once you get back home. The human being is wired this way. And since you are in Edmonton and your golf school will be in California, you are a long way from help. But with a really good local instructor this isn't a problem. When you add or subtract something from the swing as we all will, the local guy will pick up on it right away and correct it.

The problem is finding a really good local instructor. Sadly most instructors are at best "average". You ideally want someone who is so passionate about helping people learn golf that he/she would do if for free if he/she could. My sense is many/most here in Edmonton and probably everywhere else simply view it as "a job".

In terms of improvement I remember a Bob Rotella CD I listened to where he indicated a 6 stroke improvement in handicap in a year for a mid handicapper was "amazing". So since you are a 10, dropping to a 6 in a year is possible, but I think unlikely. Some have done it and more, but things really have to fall into place. PM me if you want some more comments/ideas.

[martinez]

I wouldn't worry about being the 'slow' student. Any teacher worth their salt can handle any level from beginner to tour player, and 10 HCP is closer the pointy end as far as ability.