Top 100 teachers

[zenchili]

I've been considering going to a top 100 teacher,but I want to know what their success rate is with real people.

Have you studied with Haney, Butch Harmon, Rick Smith, Mac O'Grady, etc? Have you improved? Or did you get worse? Did they make you better?

[Jcp907]

I am taking lessons from Matt Wilkes at the Mike Bender Academy (top 10 ranked...I think Ranked #1 this year). I am learning a ton and making substantial changes, quickly (In only three lessons so far). I learned very bad habits from a different instructor, at a different facility, just over a year ago and correcting these issues (that were to compensate for an over the top swing) is one of the things that I am working on.

In my opinion, it's well worth it and I am improving faster than I would have elsewhere. I am convinced of that!

[thrasher]

I'm taking lessons from a top 100 currently, and he is absolutely awesome...but the other guy I see who is not a top 100 knows just as much and gets me to the same changes much more quickly, and at a much lower rate. The key with instructors is to find someone who teaches in a style that you like!

[AspiringGolfPro]

Hell, that's a tough question to answer. I have recently had quite a substantial experience with one of the Top guys, although not the very top.
In my opinion this kinda pros (like second row of the TOP guys) have a lot of clients, a lot of work and are very knowledgeable. Thus, if you are already a really good player and need to fix some minor faults in your game (which can be just barely seen by other less qualified guys), then it is a great idea to go to one of those. It is also a great idea of you are in a very good shape and a very fast learner, that is you can groove new things very fast.
If you are just yet another hacker (like me) who wants to improve his game I'd suggest something else. As you may understand it is really difficult to make an average person make the correct golf swing and it takes a lot of attention and teaching imagination from your pro. That is what the TOP guys can't give you simply because they don't have enough time or\and desire.
Again if you plan to spend $100 000 - 300 000 on your lessons you can get one of the greatest men in the industry to work with you and you'll definitely feel the difference.

To sum it up - unless you're very reach or very talented or a very good player I'd look for somebody who can and want to dedicate a lot of time to you and try to establish a very good and trustful relationship with him. This is the only thing left for most of us! All the above said is very much IMO.

[Jcp907]

  ApiringGolfPro said:

Again if you plan to spend $100 000 - 300 000 on your lessons you can get one of the greatest men in the industry to work with you and you'll definitely feel the difference.

I am paying 80.00 per lesson-same price as the past instructor that had me making compensations, instead of learning the proper technique. I was clear that I wanted to know the proper technique. I have been taking this game seriously for just over a year and half and shoot in the 80s on a course rated at 69-70/120-125. I have been athletic in the past, although, life has added some pounds. I have had two knee operations, one was last year. I am 38, married, 3 kids, but I do spend a lot of time on practice and don't have an issue arguing with the wife...lol, no, she is very understanding. At any rate, I don't believe you need to be very rich or talented to benefit greatly from a top 100 instructor's faciltiy and taking lessons from an apprentice.

[Jcp907]

  thrasher said:

I'm taking lessons from a top 100 currently, and he is absolutely awesome...but the other guy I see who is not a top 100 knows just as much and gets me to the same changes much more quickly, and at a much lower rate. The key with instructors is to find someone who teaches in a style that

I definitely agree that the chemistry between you and the instructor is important! I have been lucky to find that in my current instructor.

[deronsizemore]

There are a lot of instructors out there. I admit that it would be really cool to take a lesson from Butch Harmon or Hank Haney, but honestly, they likely won't teach you anything different than someone that charges 1/4 of what they charge. I know a lot of those "top" guys charge thousands and hour and some won't even see you on an hourly basis; they only will take you on a minimum half day which could run $12,000 +. Seems like I remember reading that Leadbetter was around $12k for a half day. The real difference between those guys is that they were in the right place at the right time I think and at one point or another someone they taught made it big therefore others wanted to take lessons from them as well. It's all about finding someone you like and someone that teaches at a pace that's good for you and is able to get their point across in a way that you understand it and incorporate it into your own swing. This could be the guy charging $30 and hour or it could be the guy charging $300 per hour. I've seen several pros in the area, two are listed as the top two in the state and the others aren't even listed at all. I've gotten comfortable with one guy that charges $35 per hour as he's a good guy, teaches in a way I can understand and I know he's a good player himself as he played college golf and has taught guys that played on the Hooters tour, etc.

[Steve Keeler]

I've been lucky to get instruction from a few of the Top 100 instructors (some past, some current). And at one time I wanted to become one myself. But to answer your question I think that if you really want to improve your game, and money is not a problem, then by all means go! But remember, it will take some serious effort to improve your game. You should have pre-set goals and explain them to the professional you choose.
When I was younger I went to DeDe Owens, and in college I saw Todd Anderson (pre top 100). While I worked at Cantigny I watched Jim Flick give personal one on one instruction. I could list more, but that would be redundant...All those that are Top 100 have an unbelievable ability to break down the golf swing, and that is why they are recognized by their peers. I also want to say (as many of the other posters have in this thread) there are amazing golf professionals that are not Nationally ranked. I suggest that you try someone local. CT has some great players and teachers. I'm from Chicago and we have about 30+ pros that really know their stuff.
In the end you need to find a professional that can help you achieve your goals. If you want or need a Top 100 instructor to do that then I recommend the Sea Island Golf Learning Center located in St.Simons Ga. They have 4 of the top 100 Golf Teachers and the facility is top notch! The course is fantastic and the food...well I'm biased, I lived on the island for 4 months of the year when Chicago winter's sent me south.

[zenchili]

Interesting responses. It seems that some people think it's worth it and others don't. It also seems that it depends on your level. If you're already an excellent player, a top 100 instructor could be great for diagnosing flaws other instructors can't see. But that if you're not at that level, you're better off learning from lesser known teachers (who may be great teachers, they just don't have the fame).

I didn't realize some of those guys charge up to 12k for a half day. Wow!

I'm concerned that some of these guys might want to revamp my swing to fit their method. Has anyone experienced that?

I'd love to go to Sea Island some time. The facility does look and sound amazing.

[deronsizemore]

  zenchili said:

I'm concerned that some of these guys might want to revamp my swing to fit their method. Has anyone experienced that?

Depends on your swing. If your swing is fundamentally sound and you have a good swing, any pro you go to will likely make small adjustments here or there. But, if you're fundamentals are bad and your swing is all over the place, you can probalby expect a complete revamp. That's really what you're paying them for after all. It wouldn't be worth your time and money or even possible for them to help you without revamping your swing if it's bad. If you have a bogey golfer's swing, nothing that pro can do or tell you will fix that if you're not willing to change your swing.

Note: Just making general statements. Obviously I have no idea what you swing like.

[westcyderydin]

ive been reading up on some Don Trahan stuff and i like his methods, but i wouldnt be able to pay to take lessons or anything. but i really recommend checking him out.

[goblue107501]

A few years ago I took some lessons from a top 100 (Golf Magazine ranking) instructor. He is highly regarded in the area and for good reason. The thing that most impressed me was his ability to break down my swing in a matter of minutes. At my first lesson he shot video of me hitting a few balls. We went inside, loaded it on the computer, and took a look. Within 30 minutes of me arriving, he knew what was wrong, how to fix it, showed me what I was doing wrong, and told me the plan on how we were going to fix it. After that it was all pretty easy. He taught, I listened, and tried to do what he told me to. After 7-8 sessions I had it figured out. All for only $50 an hour.