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When should you take a golf lesson?


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1 member has voted

  1. 1. Golf lessons are:

    • Too expensive.
      7
    • Not worth the effort because I don't play enough.
      0
    • Not worth the effort because I know my bad tendencies already.
      0
    • Needed whenever you want to improve.
      28
    • Needed whenever you feel you have "lost" something.
      10
    • Needed whenever you need validation of your gifted play.
      1
    • Not worth the time; I barely have enough time to just get out and play.
      1


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I took a lesson this week for the first time in 40+ years (I am 49...basically self taught from Golf Digest).  The long and short of it...I have never hit my irons better, direction-distance-spin.  It only took a few moments for the instructor (Eric at Plum Creek GC, Castle Rock, CO) to identify several small errors/quirks.  He my swing was good overall...but I those several items combined to cause problems.  Within an hour, I was striping my irons.

I put my ego aside...and it will pay off.

What are your feelings about lessons?  When was the last time you took a  lesson?  What are your reasons to take one...or not?

I look forward to the replies!

Take care,

Michael

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I would probably not take a lesson now myself but if you are completely clueless or have no sense of your body position, take a lesson. I just don't have consistent problems so to fix one thing would not necessarily help my situation. I am better off taking video of my swing which is what I plan to do this year.

"My ball is on top of a rock in the hazard, do I get some sort of relief?"

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Originally Posted by Armygolfer4life

I am not clueless...and I took a lesson...and it helped a lot.


Well I guess that was misstated. I think if you have not studied the mechanics of the swing extensively or at all, take the lesson. If you don't feel like putting in the time to understand the golf swing, which is fine, a lesson is probably needed for those people.

"My ball is on top of a rock in the hazard, do I get some sort of relief?"

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I believe that most (all?) of the greatest golfers in the world work regularly with teachers (aka Swing Coaches).  I presume Tiger and Phil have put in at least a little bit of time studying the mechanics of the swing, and yet they seek professional help, and probably not just to validate their gifted play.

So... A lot of good golfers don't take lessons often or at all.  Some, I'm sure, can indeed sort of analyze their "issues" and sort them out for themselves to their satisfaction.  I guess "to their satisfaction" is the key there, if you're happy with your level of play more power to you!

A lot of pretty crappy golfers don't take lessons often or at all.  'Nuf said there...

I'm still a pretty crappy golfer, having just taken the game up again after more years than I like to contemplate too carefully.  But I AM getting better.  I've been working hard at it.  And I've been taking lessons that have really helped.  I have a long way to go, but I believe I will get to a level of play I am pleased with, and I don't mind being seen out on the range getting some instruction to get there.

So my answers to the poll:  "Needed when you want to improve." AND "Needed when you feel you have 'lost' something."  Obviously, if you don't feel you have 'lost' anything, or can find it again for yourself, and you don't really care to improve any more, you don't need to waste the money.

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Needed whenever you want to improve.  Its kind of hard to practice with a purpose if you dont know what you are doing wrong.  A good PGA pro can fix in minutes what might take you years, if not decades to figure out on your own.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

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Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

Well I guess that was misstated. I think if you have not studied the mechanics of the swing extensively or at all, take the lesson. If you don't feel like putting in the time to understand the golf swing, which is fine, a lesson is probably needed for those people.

Studying the golf swing is not enough.

I know of several good golf instructors (that still play) who regularly take lessons.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

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I don't understand all the questions lately about lessons.  Take them when YOU want too.

Whenever you plateau  on your game, ask yourself two questions.

Am I happy where I am at?  If yes, then you don't need lessons.

If the answer is no, and you haven't been able to improve farther on your own, seek lessons.

Jeff

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I think it's like justice Potter and his definition of porn. I can't describe when to take a lesson but when it's time for one I feel it.

Steve

Kill slow play. Allow walking. Reduce ineffective golf instruction. Use environmentally friendly course maintenance.

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Originally Posted by iacas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

Well I guess that was misstated. I think if you have not studied the mechanics of the swing extensively or at all, take the lesson. If you don't feel like putting in the time to understand the golf swing, which is fine, a lesson is probably needed for those people.

Studying the golf swing is not enough.

I know of several good golf instructors (that still play) who regularly take lessons.


I would they "take instruction". I would also say that a lot of guys who teach themselves use video camera as their coach. I know a coach/instructor is valuable and more valuable to some than others. Personally, I hit the ball far enough, know what I have to do to do that, and have no consistent issue so to go pay someone to fix a problem that could be there one round and gone the next, makes no sense to me. I still see the value in a lesson however. Just not with my situation.

"My ball is on top of a rock in the hazard, do I get some sort of relief?"

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Originally Posted by GaijinGolfer

Needed whenever you want to improve.  Its kind of hard to practice with a purpose if you dont know what you are doing wrong.  A good PGA pro can fix in minutes what might take you years, if not decades to figure out on your own.

That was the case for me.  I could beat balls but couldn't ascertain why so inconsistent.  Just a couple of adjustments (moved the ball a little more forward, ensure hands are forward at impact, alignment) and a slight forward press as a trigger did help immensely.  Now we are supposed to get another foot of snow...oh well.

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Not of the answers work for me. My answer is "right away, when you find someone who actually knows how to teach and understanding how a golf swing actually works"

no one nearby can do that, which is why I don't take lessons...

Driver: 10.5* callaway Razr Hawk Tour - 350 yards(usually into the wind, it can be windy here. at least 400 with a little wind behind me)

Hybrids: 2 and 3 callaway Hybrid razr tour (312 and 287 respectively)

Irons: 3i-10i callaway forged standard length(278, 263, 250, 235, 221, 213, 201, 190)

Wedges: callaway jaws cc 52* 12 approach, 56* 16 sand, 60* 13 lob (0-185)

Odyssey Black tour #9 putter(5 ft, i'm always at least within 5 feet on my approach shot)

I wonder who on this forum is a PGA tour pro, disguised as a normal player.. 

2013: play in the US amateur qualifier

 

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Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

Personally, I hit the ball far enough, know what I have to do to do that, and have no consistent issue so to go pay someone to fix a problem that could be there one round and gone the next, makes no sense to me. I still see the value in a lesson however. Just not with my situation.

I would think "needed whenever you want to improve" would be your choice then - sounds like you're happy with where your game is so that doesn't apply for you personally.

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Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

Personally, I hit the ball far enough, know what I have to do to do that, and have no consistent issue so to go pay someone to fix a problem that could be there one round and gone the next, makes no sense to me.

If you're happy shooting in the 90s or whatever, then that's fine. It's odd to me, but if it floats your boat, good.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

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"Don't be too proud to take lessons. I'm not." -- Jack Nicklaus.

Stretch.

"In the process of trial and error, our failed attempts are meant to destroy arrogance and provoke humility." -- Master Jin Kwon

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Why would one not want lessons unless its a time/money thing? I'm planning on some lessons this summer for sure. It can't hurt.

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I guess the honest answer is, it can hurt. There are many lousy instructors out there telling people things that will probably make them worse at golf. Caveat emptor.

Stretch.

"In the process of trial and error, our failed attempts are meant to destroy arrogance and provoke humility." -- Master Jin Kwon

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I would say to take lessons when you are comfortable to do so. I personally had a bad experience taking lessons and it caused me major problems with my game so I am very hesitant on getting more lessons, I would rather just fix it myself. I am probably one of the very few who have had issues getting lessons. If I had to do it over again I would most likely still get lessons but I would have educated myself a lot more on the golf swing before getting them.
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Note: This thread is 3697 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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