Finding a Coach

[iacas]

I'd like to find an instructor. I've never taken a golf lesson - I'm self-taught (to a 3 to 5 handicap), but I'd like to get more consistent and make my swing a little more compact.

I have access to five or six local coaches (one of which is the pro at my home course), and I don't think I want to spend $300 to find the best of the bunch.

Do you have a swing coach/instructor? How did you find him? Did you interview them first, or get a general sense? I've heard that the right instructor will "just click" and the bad ones are flat out a waste of time. How did you avoid wasting your time (and the instructor's)?

JC, perhaps you can answer this question.

[Ben]

To answer the question on how did/would I find an instructor... Well, that certainly is tough isn't it. I guess it really does come down to trial and error. Maybe ask friends who play, and your home courses' pro on who they think may be good for your style?

Personally, I only had one instructor, when I was a junior and just starting out. Took about 7 lessons. From there I tuned myself through plenty of playing time. Now a days the only instruction that I get is through my Ben Hogan's Power Golf (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671729055/qid=1105558988/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/102-4183296-4508953) book. Might as well take advice from a known authority on the swing. At least that's what I think. I spend a lot of time swinging in my apartment at night, using mirrors, trying to get the swing I invision as being good, fluid. Had a great practice sessions last night while I was watching some Master's highlights on TGC.

The mastering of your swing comes down to you. The fact that you are self taught, and playing to between a 3 and 5, why screw around with an instructor? Sounds like you are your own best instructor. Maybe try the instructional book that your favorite touring pro published. See their thoughts and ideas on the swing and try to adapt them to you. (Like I do with Hogan) Set up some video cameras.

[skrumple]

I found my coach just my word of mouth. my friends go there and he has dropped me from a 17 to a 7 handicap in under a year.

[pahonix]

I found my current coach by accident, really. I was taking a 6-week course at the local muni with about 20 people in the group. One week, I couldn't make it to the regularly scheduled class, so the guy teaching the class told me I could come one day later, but it was another guy teaching that class. Went to the other class and never looked back. This guy is awesome, at least for my level of play.