Is it worth it getting a lesson?

[James_Black]

Currently I play with a draw but maybe 4-6 times a round I'll hit a fade which screws up the hole because I normally play down the right-hand side of the hole.

I'm on a hot-streak right now and I'm worried if getting a lesson will mess up my swing.
Should I bother getting a lesson to fix it?

[Boyder]

Taking a lesson now and then is NEVER a bad idea! Whether it's to fix something or just to reinforce what you're already doing.

[Dub]

Hot streaks are the reason I avoided lessons many times. I understand your dilema.

Maybe you could find an instructor who is open minded to just helping you make a small tweak that will avoid that errant shot shape.

Be upfront with them and fully explain your situation first.

Good luck.

[James_Black]

Hot streaks are the reason I avoided lessons many times. I understand your dilema.

I'll ask him to point out other problems too so that I can fix them on the range another time I think

Boyder: True, but it's annoying when you go from shooting mid 80's and then having to spend a few weeks ironing out thee creases in your swing shooting in the 90's-100's

[WUTiger]

If you're working on your game, you might want to have one particular teaching pro dialed in to help you when you need it.

You need to find someone who can help you develop your strengths and overcome weaknesses, not someone who tries to force everyone into the same swing "package." All golfers need to do certain things to have a good swing - proper alignment, don't overswing, initiate efficient downswing. A good pro can help you do these things in your swing , one that matches your build and physical assets.

Basically, find a pro who works with you, not against you.

Also - schedule your lessons so you can practice in the following days and ingrain the learning. Doesn't have to be 200 balls a day. A small bucket every other day can do wonders.

[Danny Noonan]

I've been taking solo lessons with the pro for over a year now. I've taken about 15 to 20 strokes off my game. Maybe I'm a slow learner. Or maybe its that aside from 2 hours with the pro each month, I might get one round in.

The pro and I usually go play a few holes. Sometimes we play the hole, but oftentimes, he puts me in difficult situations so I can work on getting out of them.

For instance, lately we have worked on fairway bunkers (who really gets to practice that?) and downhill bunker lies around the green, things like that. How to handle potentially disastrous situations.

I'll probably do lessons for life. I can afford it, it gets me out there, and I'm always learning new things. Plus, because I'm a consistent student, I get lots of perks at the course.

On a side note, my 6 year old daughter just started lessons with a pro last week. She will go weekly. After two lessons, she is loving it.

[blackxpress]

If you're playing to a 21 Hcp, this is a no-brainer. In fact, even the pros take lessons. They develop swing flaws that need to be corrected from time to time. The fact that you're hitting a fade when you don't want to indicates a flaw in your swing. You can either try to correct it yourself (very frustrating exercise in futility?) or you can go to a pro and get it fixed. Tiger says he'll return to competitive golf eventually. How much you want to bet he'll spend some time with a swing coach before he tees it up the first time? If it's good enough for Tiger it ought to be a must for a 21 Hcp.

[James_Black]

If you're playing to a 21 Hcp, this is a no-brainer. In fact, even the pros take lessons. They develop swing flaws that need to be corrected from time to time. The fact that you're hitting a fade when you don't want to indicates a flaw in your swing. You can either try to correct it yourself (very frustrating exercise in futility?) or you can go to a pro and get it fixed. Tiger says he'll return to competitive golf eventually. How much you want to bet he'll spend some time with a swing coach before he tees it up the first time? If it's good enough for Tiger it ought to be a must for a 21 Hcp.

I'm shooting around 15-13 over lately and I think I can shoot 10 over pretty soon.

if I get a lesson there's a chance that it'll mess up my swing like it's done before. That's my problem. the fade only happens a few times a round, if it was happening more I'd get the lesson straight away.

[Rusty Shackleford]

The best lesson there is for someone who is not a pro: Stay around the practice green for over 2 hours every day. You can hit dink shots all around the course, barely 70%, and shoot lower than you are right now.

[WALRUS]

The best lesson there is for someone who is not a pro: Stay around the practice green for over 2 hours every day. You can hit dink shots all around the course, barely 70%, and shoot lower than you are right now.

as founder of the "dink" shot i would have to agree

[mlf16507]

Currently I play with a draw but maybe 4-6 times a round I'll hit a fade which screws up the hole because I normally play down the right-hand side of the hole.

Looking at your last 5 scores, I want you on my side with that handicap index of 21( Unless you are playing a short,treeless course with no water,bunkers or OB with a slope rating of 55). Your handicap if you are playing an average course(slope 113), will become around 15,5 or so! As a teaching golf professional for over 35 years, I would start seeking out someone to help your short game. You will lower your scores faster and therefore enjoy golf more.

How many yards of draw do you play? When you hit your fade how far right does it go? If you are adverse to taking lessons as I think you are,get some alignment sticks and practice swing down your target line. If you ever get to the USA,come to Erie,PA and the 1st lesson is on me. Mike French Scenic Heights GC

[James_Black]

Looking at your last 5 scores, I want you on my side with that handicap index of 21( Unless you are playing a short,treeless course with no water,bunkers or OB with a slope rating of 55). Your handicap if you are playing an average course(slope 113), will become around 15,5 or so! As a teaching golf professional for over 35 years, I would start seeking out someone to help your short game. You will lower your scores faster and therefore enjoy golf more.

I start hit around a 10 yard draw, enough for it to start on the right side and come back in.

I hit only a very small fade but I aim right to let my draw curl back in so the ball is normally on the edge of OB. My putting is only average, I wouldn't make too many 1 putts but the ball is lipping-out or stopping just past the hole.

[Robato]

Its totally worth it to get lessons!
To be able to learn more ways to fix a swing,
or glean some wisdom from another fan of the game.
Think of it like an oil change or something.

But, even Jack Nicklaus said that he would never see his swing coach during the season,
so that shows how important it is to keep to your game and your confidence.

Lessons dont have to be like a complete overhaul.
If you explain that most of the time the ball is doing what you like,
and that you just want to learn how to improve or safeguard against those errors,
I'm sure the pro could offer tons of help.
And knowing why things are happening is more peace of mind.