Lessons: Golftec or the Local Courses?

Hey Everyone!

So as some of you know, I am  newbie golfer.  I am 26, so I kind of got into the game late but am happy with how fast my game has progressed.  Two months ago I was shooting honest 170s and now I am in the honest low 120s.  My goal for my first year is to break 100.

I feel really good with my iron play and putting, but my chipping and getting off the tee is horrendous.  I have a straight right push that is just ridiculous when teed up.  I can get somewhat straight with my 3 wood, but my driver?  Forget it.  My driver and 3 wood also don't "feel right" when I swing it, so I would like to get a driver fitting to see what flex I should be using.  I would also like to take my game to the next level, and I am sure getting lessons would make everything easier.  I would rather spend my money on the course and be outside, but I want to break 100 even more haha.

I have checked out Golftec and they are, what I consider, really expensive.  Like over $1,000 for there most basic lessons package which is about a month of lessons, once every other week.  If I want to get in depth, then I am looking closer to $2,000!  On the other hand, a few local courses offer private one on one lessons from 40-50 bucks a half hour...

So what are your opinions?  In the long run, is Golftec the better answer?  Or should I just spend a couple hundred bucks at a local course?  The other issue I have is time, and the local course lessons would be a lot better for me because I work a crazy schedule.

Hi.  This is just one guy's opinion.  I did golftec from Jan-Jun of 2013.  When I started my index was 27, when I ended with them it was 19 and my best round had gone from 98 to 85.  I stopped going because my wife was pregnant and I had other things going on.

I thought golftec was great....or rather the teacher I had combined with the technology was great.  If the teach sucks then I am sure the whole experience will suck.  What I liked about it was instant feedback and the fact that I was indoors and not watching the ball.  I could see that my measureables improved even if I hit it crappy.  I think I paid 1100 for something like 12 half our lessons.  I don't think that's too bad, as it also included a club fitting.  For me the indoor aspect was better than being on the range.  In the lessons I took my irons got much better, though I never worked with him on my driver and for me getting off the tee is still a massive weakness.

I would also say don't worry about your clubs until you have a swing that is consistent and repeatable.  At this point your swing will be way different 6 months from now and clubs you fit today may not fit then.

Go read up on the 5 swing keys as well as a few other key instructional books (Hogan's lessons, etc). That way you can build a basic swing without spending a bunch of money. Then I would bring in a local instructor who can build on the fundamentals you've established instead of completely building a swing from the ground up. Of course, if you train your fundamentals improperly you may have more work ahead of you than when you started so be careful.

If I were you, I would ask, and do some research on Local PGA teaching pros. If you have friends that have taken lessons, ask for referrals. Also ask around at your local pro shop, not golfsmith or big box golf stores. Then interview any prospective teachers, you need to get along with them, and Believe in what they teach, then do as they instruct you. IMHO, a local pro is a more personalized way to learn, if he or she happens to be at your local course, all the better.

Then again you can always post a swing video here in the Members Swing forum, and subscribe to online lessons from evolver on here.

There are about 6 local courses here that all have PGA teachers.  All of my friends are mainly self taught and all shoot in the mid 80s.  My two friends that have had lessons all went to Golftec.  Ironically enough, they shoot higher than my self taught friends...go figure.

This is exactly what I am afraid of moving forward with teaching myself.  I fear I will make some big mistakes that will really slow down my progress moving forward.