Lessons Question

**denver_nuggs_15** · December 6, 2008

I am currently a 14.1 handicap (didn't post the 83 I shot today yet or the 93 from last weekend). I am very tall at 6'4" and have relatively long arms. I am also athletic (varsity bball and vball) and young (just turned 18). I hit the ball straight usually but want more consistency and distance.

How much distance could I gain from lessons?

On the 2009 Goals thread, I said that I wanted to gain 10-15 yards with each iron plus 20 yards with the driver. I have only had one lesson in my golfing career of 3 years. Is this realistic?

(I hit my driver 250 average, 5 iron 175, 7 iron 155, and pitching wedge 120-125)

**PiKapp23** · December 7, 2008

How much distance you should gain is not really a valid question, simply because that is not what lessons are for. That is not to say you can not or will not gain distance (and the numbers you mention are possible). Lessons are intended to improve your game, or at least one specific part of your game. One thing most teachers will try to do is improve your swing to make it more efficient and improve ball striking - both of these things could increase distance. However, depending on your game, they may increase your 'effective' distance without increasing your 'real' distance. What I mean by that is you'll be able to hit the ball better, with more control so you'll end up in fairways and on greens more often and in better positions as well. A 300 yard drive does you no good if it leaves you in deep rough or behind a tree or something (of course a 300 yard drive straight down the middle is nice).

**ks8829** · December 7, 2008

a sound golf swing will help you make solid contact with allow you to hit the ball farther and add consistency.

The golf lesson will help you accelerate your learning curve towards a sound golf swing but you also need to think what causes your golf ball to do certain things so that you can make any adjustments yourself.

The fact that you can hit certain distance with your clubs indicated that you are on your way towards a sound golf swing.

I believe that you can easily hit an 8 iron 150 yards and your drives can be 260+, so to try to answer your questions a golf lesson would definetly help your game but you also need to ask the questions to yourself why does the golf ball react to a certain ball flight and what can I do to make the adjustment.

**oreodawg1** · December 9, 2008

Well the way I see it, a lesson can't hurt. If you don't like what they teach just don't do it. One thing that a coach showed me that made a huge difference is my grip. It sounds dumb, but just by him changing my grip I gained a ton of distance with all my clubs. Take a 1/2 hour lesson and see if you see any improvement.

**grantc79** · December 9, 2008

Well, I'm similar to you 6'5 with a basketball background.

I started playing for the first time in May and I have a carry distance of about 165 with my 7 iron and 145 with my pitching wedge.

But I have taken lessons from the top teacher in my state since day 1.

So to answer your question before you start developing bad habits that you have to unlearn, go get lessons.

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