What to work on during lessons?

[Dave]

I've signed-up for 5, hour long, lessons. I took the second one today, where we basically worked on the same thing we worked on during the first lesson, impact position.

I understand it's a basic ball striking foundation skill that must be acquired, but I don't want to "blow" all my lessons working the same drill.

Bunker play and putting come to mind as something else we can work on that should pay dividends.

Any other thoughts on a "stand alone" lesson or a lesson you may have taken that was particularly useful?

[iacas]

I've signed-up for 5, hour long, lessons. I took the second one today, where we basically worked on the same thing we worked on during the first lesson, impact position.

It sounds to me like you didn't really improve as much as he had hoped you would. Did you practice much between your first and your second lesson?

[Ron del Barrio]

Hi Dave,
Being a golf instructor I can tell you this much, when you hire a golf professional they work for you. I have seen this over and over again in my profession where the student gets frustrated with their lessons. First of all, I hope you take your time with a package of lessons. What I mean by that is, one should NEVER take a lesson and after that lesson is done, they book another appt. with their pro. In between each lesson you should take as much time as you need to work on the positions that you and your pro worked on. After YOU feel that you worked the positions or movements your pro wanted you to work on and you feel that you improved then you call the pro up to set up another appt. I have found that with my clients that they improve much faster when they ask too many questions and get the answers. Hopefully you are taking notes, video taping your lesson etc, so you can concentrate on the exact movements your pro wants you to work on. I would rather my clients not schedule their next lesson right after their last lesson ends. This way they can take their time and really own the positions that the pro wants them to work on. Another problem that I have seen in the 26 years that I have been teaching is, it is almost as if the student is worried about asking too many questions and or embarrassed to ask the pro for a different way to discribe the same position. There are a bunch of ways to roll a 6 in Vegas so there are many different ways to discribe a position. If you do not totally understand what your pro is saying then flat out tell him\her that you are not understanding or getting it. I am sure you have a good pro and I doubt he\she would get frustrated with those types of questions. I know I'm rambling on and on but being a instructor I feel your pain!!!!
Fairways and Greens,
Ron

[Dave]

Appreciate the replies.

As for improving as much as he'd hoped between lessons ...
I've been playing for 20 years with a bad swing and it's pretty "grooved" at this point. I went to the range several times and worked on what he asked me to, basically a 3 to 9 swing to try and get in a good impact position. And I did pretty well with it, but making a full swing just goes back to my old habits.

Going from not turning the hips on my downswing and leaving my hands behind the ball (the dreaded scoop), to leading with the hips, getting everything timed right, keeping my hands in front of the ball and making solid contact is just about a total tear-down of my old swing and it's tough.

So we basically went back to the same drill and my homework is to try and make slightly longer swings until contact gets worse, shorten the swing until it's solid and repeat.

If I don't go back for another lesson until I'm a solid ball striker one of us may be retired.

I appreciate the advise of not taking the lessons in rapid succession though Ron and I am trying to ask questions.