Why You Don't Get Better After Lessons (Video)

[iacas]

My notes as I work through the video:

Assumes Good Instruction
This video assumes that the instructor is competent and that you're getting decent to good to great instruction. There are a lot of not-so-good instructors out there. This video doesn't apply to those situations.

Be Prepared at the Start of the Lesson
Get there 30-45 minutes early and go through a good warmup. Share information on what kinds of shots you're seeing, what clubs are giving you trouble, injury history or limitations, etc. Do not presume to share the fixes — that's why you're there for a lesson — just share what you're seeing and doing and feeling.

Do Not Rapid Fire Balls
Hit a shot. Absorb what you can learn about that shot from the video, coach feedback, GEARS, launch monitor… etc. Detach the immediate results from what you "just did."

Go Slow
No notes here - go slowly. If you're working on your backswing, continue at a slow pace and finish the swing. Don't just reset and then "try" to do that thing again at nearly your regular speed.

Understand that It Will Take Months
It's going to take months, often, to show up on the golf course. Players constantly under-estimate this time. And that's months if you are pretty good about working on it well. (Some things are faster - ball position, grip, etc.).

Seriously, Go Slowly
I once faked a guy out by making a swing so slowly (about 25% speed) that it looked like it was recorded and being played back in slow motion. He said "wow, that's an incredible change." But it was regular speed video… I was just going at 1/4 speed. (He couldn't see that the ball went about 15 yards only.)

Use Feedback
Lots and lots of feedback. Cameras especially. Ball feedback some.

Take Notes
It's your lesson, so take charge of it in terms of writing down what you need to write down. The coach will often do this too, but they don't know what thoughts are going on in your head. Write it down. Ask to record a video on your phone.

Stay in Contact
Reach out to your coach between lessons. Sometimes this may be an extra charge… but often a coach wants to hear from you a little bit between lessons.