Private Club Golf Pros

[Sickman]

Are pros at private clubs generally willing to work with non-members? Don't mean to offend anyone, but I don't have much confidence in the nearby driving-range pros.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I learned from a range pro..with very good results. Ive been playing less than 3 years and through my work with him I break 80 often. Ive even shot in the 60's three times. Dont assume range pros are always incompetent. I find them to be more personable and accessable. That guy at the country club could be just as bad of a teacher than a range pro or anyone else.

[hurley9192]

they probably would be, but it would have to be on the side. Typically, they are better pros if they got into a private club setting.

I want to though how a 10.1 handicap guy breaks 80 regularly and has shot in the 60's 3 times. Look out for him in a net event!

[DavidFehertysBike]

they probably would be, but it would have to be on the side. Typically, they are better pros if they got into a private club setting.

This is my first year with a handicap...

I havent played all that well this season so far.. low score of 78. But I was the bomb diggity last year!!

[Bump-n-MI]

I want to though how a 10.1 handicap guy breaks 80 regularly and has shot in the 60's 3 times. Look out for him in a net event!

Ditto that

[DavidFehertysBike]

Im no sandbagger. That handicap is legit based on how ive played since april 15.

[Guest]

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[sonicblue]

Im no sandbagger. That handicap is legit based on how ive played since april 15.

AFAIK, your handicap should not be "this year," it's a cumulative measure. Cutting out your rounds from last year is skirting the "best 10 out of 20" dictum. Tough toodles if you're rusty from the winter layoff. ;)

[Cizzle]

Ringer, the guy who did youtube videos and posted here, worked at a small, cheap nine hole golf course. I've practiced there because they have grass. So I guess not all of those cheap range instructors are bad. But then again when I was there and some lady was getting a lesson, this other instructor sounded like he had no idea what he was talking about and kept telling her to swing her arms.... So it depends, before you start taking lessons definitely meet your instructor and have a conversation.

[DavidFehertysBike]

AFAIK, your handicap should not be "this year," it's a cumulative measure. Cutting out your rounds from last year is skirting the "best 10 out of 20" dictum. Tough toodles if you're rusty from the winter layoff. ;)

I wasnt in the system last year. This is my first year with a handicap.

[Shindig]

So it depends, before you start taking lessons definitely meet your instructor and have a conversation.

For any instructor, try to observe a lesson first if you can. Don't try to apply that lesson to you - it's probably fit for someone else. But you'll be able to see how they teach and what they do or don't do.

I observed two lessons from the instructor I work with before my first lesson. One was a single-digit handicap player, going over draws, fades, and trajectory shots. The other was a six-year old girl, swinging a club for the first time. I was amazed how quickly he was able to switch gears and how he didn't overload *either* with technical information, yet got both to be swinging quite well. And then I'm at some ranges where I see an instructor (usually one without a PGA symbol on their sandwich board) opening the same instructional book for each student.

[MrKadash]

Are pros at private clubs generally willing to work with non-members? Don't mean to offend anyone, but I don't have much confidence in the nearby driving-range pros.

Do your homework. Check prices for lessons, get to know the playing and teaching background of the guy/girl, ask someone on the range if they have ever had lessons with that particular person, etc. A lot of times the driving range "pro" is a certified class A professional with an extensive teaching background.

In my experience with private pros if the club doesn't frown on outsiders using the private driving range then they will work with you. Other times the private membership takes up most of the pros time so it doesn't matter anyway. Then again, the only public facility I ever worked at also had the best teaching professional by far. Many guys don't want to deal with the private politicking nonsense so they stay in the driving range public facility route. I wouldn't rule out the driving range manager just because it's not a posh posh operation.