For a beginner, is it best to take lessons in the early Spring vs Fall?

[Egoolps]

I'm certain I'll be taking lessons...whether from a Pro or GolfTec.

However, is there a certain time that is best?

I want to take them right now, but I was thinking it may be better to start them around February, that way when I'm done the season should be beginning (I live in Chicago, freezing until April).

Vets, what's your opinion? Thanks.

[Smallville]

If you aren't going to be playing regularly in the winter (I won't be, grrrrr), the I would wait until Spring to take your lessons. I would also spring for, at the minimum, Semi-Private lessons (my wife and I got 6, one-hour lessons for $400 total). After doing the semi-private lessons, I wouldn't want to do them with any more than 2 people, even though where I went, with three people, it costs $150 per person. One-on-one time is important. Group lessons can be had for a lot less but you are splitting an hour between around 10 people (that's 6 minutes per person). Individual lessons are best, but they are the most expensive.

[Dub]

You gotta take them when you can practice and play and evaluate your progress.



Where I live....the perfect time to do so is RIGHT NOW. I've got a coworker who is just getting into the game. He's signed up for a series of lessons and is working on his game. He gets the lesson on our courses driving range and can then take it to the course if he so chooses.

The reason I say now is that the courses are slow right now down here. I was able to play today and have nobody in front of me for the first 14 holes....nobody at all. This is the perfect time for a beginner to get our there and slap the rock around....just be mindful of groups behind you and waive them through when they appear.

Your locale & climate may inhibit you, though. Start lessons just before you can take it to the course.

Good luck.

[Doctorfro]

I wouldn't have a lesson in the late fall or early winter if I were going to be taking the winter off. Other than that, if you're going to play, get instruction.

[Wisconsin Golfer]

I live in WI. and it starting to get pretty cold here. I want to take lessons alot, however I am waiting till spring. My game is at a point where I think that lessons could improve my game alot. I am just worried that if I take them now, I may not remember everything in the spring.

[Sandy Sammy]

but I was thinking it may be better to start them around February, that way when I'm done the season should be beginning.

Better to start them now as when you are done the season starting 2010 should be beginning

. Seriously, work like mad through winter with GOOD STRUCTURED LESSONS, find the MOST TECHNICAL TEACHER YOU CAN POSSIBLY FIND, don't have lessons from anyone who can't tell you EXACTLY whats wrong and how to PUT IT RIGHT, hit the range big time during the winter and play on the course as much as possible. Should set you up nicely for next year. A point to note, having had lessons with poor instructors, reasonable instructors and a very good instructor there is a MASSIVE difference between the three .

[MPS67]

I would sign up for lessons at GolfTec now, if I were you.

The packages include indoor lessons & unlimited indoor practice, so it'll be 70°F all the time. Since you're a 30 handicapper, you'll have a lot Golftec can teach you. If you sign up for a six month term, for example, you'll get about 30 lessons. Take a lesson every week or two, practice a lot in between, and come spring time, you'll be ready to break 90.

[wachesawgolfer]

So much of good golf is in the posture, set up and core turn back on plane, these fundamentals can be learned anytime, anywhere and practiced regularly inside without a ball with just enough space to make a full turn back and a full length mirror. Winter is a great time to start the core flex and strength programs essential to good golf.

[headz51230]

I live in WI. and it starting to get pretty cold here. I want to take lessons alot, however I am waiting till spring. My game is at a point where I think that lessons could improve my game alot. I am just worried that if I take them now, I may not remember everything in the spring.

I sense an Indian summer!!

[Egoolps]

I would sign up for lessons at GolfTec now, if I were you.

What is your experience with golftec? On a scale of 1-10?

How much does the 6 month term cost? What are the other options in terms of # of lessons/cost? If you go to GolfTec when it's cold (like here in Chicago), how can you benefit/see your play improve if you can't get on a course?

[McGolf-Doggie]

What is your experience with golftec? On a scale of 1-10?

Find out if you have any heated driving ranges near you.

Heated ranges have helped me make good progress over the winter, working on what both my instructor has taught me and on what I've corrected myself. Ironically, this winter, I did much of the reworking of my address routine, balance, weight distribution, lower body stability, core rotation, shortened swing/not collapsing the left arm, swinging though an imagined ball, all in the living room with a 48 degree PW. Not having a ball there helped me concentrate on what the swing should be like, rather than the mistake I fall into sometimes of swinging too much AT the ball instead of more through it. Trips to both heated and non-heated ranges have been useful to check up on the progress. While New York isn't as cold as Chicago, there have been windows of opportunity here and there.