Lessons or Self Taught

[thenormankid]

Now I've been playing golf all summer very seriously. I was really introduced to golf last year but I just a set of clubs this summer and have been working to improve my game. I'm really grasping the game on my own and I see improvements every time I play. In a fairly short time I've seen my game go from a big time hacker and into a big student of the game. I know everyone recommends lessons but I wanted to know how many on the forum take lessons or are self taught players.

[CG031]

I was self taugh for two years...got down to about a 12 handicap, then just hit a road with my swing where I wasn't hitting much solid, AND, I couldn't get my handicap to drop...

So now I've been doing lessons for two weeks now...already seen a DRAMATIC improvement in my game, and my swing looks better.

[Minnesotagolfer]

Well I started self taught/dad teaching me. Now that I'm better I take some lessons on occasion, usually at the beginning of the season. Otherwise I play with a bunch of guys who are at my same level and we help each other.

[Leonardite]

Self taught. Been golfing for 10 years roughly. Currently 8.6 and playing as good as ever. However, if one day I hit a wall, I would consider lessons.

[kris]

Had a couple lessons in the beginning to get me on the right track, but I have predominantly taught myself.

[ks8829]

Having played golf for 24 years and I have had only 3 private lessons. I am self taught and I have been fortunate to have very good golfers give me tips while on the course.

If you are a beginner, I would recommend golf lesson from a pro and to play with very good golfers on a regular schedule.

My son is 13 years old and he has had about 50 - 60 group lessons since he was 7 years old.

[iacas]

100% self-taught, but I don't recommend it to anyone, ever.

[ITgolfHack]

It depends on what kind of person you are.

Some people take instruction very well and are able to make the kinds of changes that a pro will ask of them. They train, then they practice, then they play.

If you’re taking a lesson and you’re waiting for the instructor to show you the magic bullet that will suddenly fix your game, you’re not likely to get much out of it. These kinds to people take the training and then they immediately go out on the course and try to implement everything the pro taught them. After 4 or 5 disastrous holes they get discouraged and they slowly start letting their old habits slip back in, usually without even noticing it.

[Harold]

Twenty five some odd years ago I had a lesson or two during the high school summers I played. When I picked the game back up six years ago the only thing I could vaguely remember was the grip so I bought a few books on the fundamentals and started playing again. I learn by playing, practice, watching others and thinking about it. Some golf days it translates and other days it doesn't.

[ITgolfHack]

If you consider the VAST amount of golf information available on the internet, lessons are probably not required to play at a high level, but they will likely reduce the amount of time it takes to get there. You also have to know how to filter out the good info from the bad.

If you know what a good swing is supposed to look like, you can accomplish a lot with a decent video camera and a dry erase marker.

[Shindig]

I've taken about a dozen lessons, including a 9-hole playing session, since I began. Some of those have been full swing, others have been short game.

I've learned a few things from books - the most direct help came from Rotella and Utley. I'm not sure if that part is lessons or self-taught.

[b-squared]

When I first started playing golf, my dad was really the one who taught me all the basics. From when I knew I really liked the game and wanted to take my game to the next level, I was completely self-taught. Now, I'm in the CPGA Apprenticeship program working towards getting my Class "A" membership. After I get my membership will be the time when I'll choose to get a permanent coach and see what happens from there.

[FlopShotArtist]

Completely self taught. I don't go against getting lessons, as if needed I would get them, but right now I do it my way.

[tonyy]

Completely self taught. I don't go against getting lessons, as if needed I would get them, but right now I do it my way.

Same here. I've been coming along just fine without pro lessons. I'm sure later on I'll definitely take some lessons though.

[Craig Mac]

I had 5 or 6 lessons as a 12 year old from a driving range pro, but I wasn't in to golf then. Since I started playing again I have had 3 lessons in the last 12 years. The last two I would hardly call lessons though, more of 15 minute videotaped swing analysis indoors that in no way helped me after the fact. 1 good lesson with an Asst. Pro on the range at a private club about 11 years ago. So I guess my choice would have to be self taught for the most part. Need an option for a few lessons.

[MunkeyGolfer]

I started self taught but I am at a junction where I am getting ready to take lessons.

[GaijinGolfer]

Self taught. Although I have read a fair amount of golf tips in magazines, so its not as if I figured it out 100% on my own.
Although, if I ever reach the point when I feel like Im to the limit of how much I can improve on my own, I definetly would consider taking some lessons.
As it stands now, I get a little better every time I play, so I dont feel that Im to that point yet.

[nevets88]

Does it have to be either or? You were taught math at school, but you did some learning on your own, no?

I'm both lessons and self taught.