Get Lessons!!

[anotherday]

I have lurked a lot of the online forums reading for the next greatest tip that I would apply to my slapped together golf game. In every forum there are a handful of people that say "Get Lessons!" and I just ignored them all. I plucked out something I thought i could apply to my game, took it to the range, then shanked away on the course.

Like most people that play golf I was finding that my game was going from bad to horrible. With 100 different thoughts going through my mind when I swung I was taking divots the size of my forearm and making myself look silly.

Recently I came back from Vegas with more money than expected and decided that I should put it towards lessons. Yesterday was my first lesson where I told the pro that I was concerned with proper alignment and consistency. He put me on video and showed me what I was doing wrong. By the end of the 30 minute session I was hitting to the back of the range (Actually surprised him).

So I thought this might have just been a good golf day for me as I was already swinging decently during warm-up. So i took it through an 18 hole test today. I had far more clean golf shots that were aimed right down the pipe or were shaped towards my target. The problem with this is that now that I'm hitting the ball so well, I'm launching shots 10-20 yards further than before. Time to hit the range to find the new distances I suppose.

For anyone searching this forum or any others for quick fix-it tips, the one that will pay off the very most is this: find yourself a good PGA Professional and let him/her set you on the right path.

I had to hang around the range to watch different pro's styles and I hate to say that my local So Cal range had more pro's on cell phones during lessons than not. I found the guy that seemed most dedicated to what he did. It also didn't hurt that he was the head professional at the course.

Happy hunting.

(Just scrolled up to see how long this is. Wow, no one will ever read it.)

[mtsalmela80]

For me half the fun is figuring out things/improving on my own. If I never go pro, oh well. It wasnt meant to be. Being an 18 after one year playing the game is good enough right now.

[he4dhuntr]

I read it!! :D

I totally agree and this is why I'm really happy with my decision to start off my golfing adventure with lessons. I went into yesterday's lesson with a wicked slice and after some video review and minor tweaking I'm hitting the ball further and straighter than ever! I definitely think lessons are a great way to go, but I also see the other end of the spectrum. I learned to snowboard (much less technical than golf I'd say) without lessons and it was fun teaching myself. I'll probably be taking quite a few less lessons next summer though and start working more on my own to tweak my game. Taping yourself is really helpful I think (regardless of lessons).

Good to hear that you're liking your improvement! I think that's one of the reasons golf is so addicting, because the improvement is so apparent and in your face.

Cheers,

[Leftygolfer]

I think it is almost impossible to get better without one of two things, a video camera or a teacher who you trust preferable both. I have improved mostly on my own but in doing that I have habits that aren't good. When I'm not playing a ton like I did I have a hard time controling the ball. Right now I am searching for an answer to my poor play without either of those things and it has been hard. I have a good range session or round, then it seems to go away. I have a period of hitting the ball good, then not so much. It is frustrating to me since I really don't know what I do differently. All I know is one day, I can control the ball, get around every green in regulation, play well, score. Then 3 days later, I can't hit a good iron shot to save my life, make bad decisions, and seem to can't hole anything. I would love to get lessons or video tape myself, but right now isn't a good time for that b/c of employement situation and money. I know if I could come up with some money, go to a clinic or buy a series of lessons I could figure out what I do well and not so much but I can't.

[Alohaed]

There is nothing like a good lesson. In another post, I asked about finding a pro. My irons shots are either right or left, horrible. I found a pga pro Saturday morning. Stopped in a LI Golf Course and asked about their lessons prices. I brought my clubs just incase a lesson was available. It was. A one hour $110 lesson was the best money ever spent. And all it entailed was fixing my grip, stance and swing plane. WOW!! I played 18 yesterday morning and 85% of my irons shots were straight dead on and long. My brother and I were playing with 2 newbies who were holding everyone up and we were reprimanded by the ranger for taking too long. I felt rushed, tensed up and for awhile my irons play was all screwed up. Anyway.... not only did I hit all but 1 of the "par 3" greens, I actually pared 2 of them. I rarely hit any greens before, let alone never, in the 12 years playing golf, made par. Now I have to take a lesson for my driver and 3 wood. I always hit them straight and long, yet I tried this new adjustment for them and sliced everything. Now realizing that it is not the same swing plane. AND I am still having some trouble with my hybrids. But a 1/2 hour lesson next time and I should be good. Like everyong in this thread agrees. TAKE A LESSON . Not to mention that my beautiful, fitted, MX-200s are finally paying off. And I now understand the "like buttah" feeling after hitting the ball.

[bwell]

I want lessons bad, but I have a baby on the way so it might have to wait till next year.

[Alohaed]

hey bwell, congrats! But even a 1/2 hour lesson, for maybe between $35 - $60, depending on where you live, is worth it anyway.

[Shripe]

I'm looking for lessons as well, but I'm not quite sure I have the money for more than just one or two (though I'm sure they'd help). I'm trying to save a little money up to not only get the wedge set I'm looking at but also a 4-lesson pack for $175 (normally $240) at the range/course I usually go to.

[bwell]

hey bwell, congrats! But even a 1/2 hour lesson, for maybe between $35 - $60, depending on where you live, is worth it anyway.

True, my in-laws live on a couse and the owner said he would give me lessons for 15 bucks and just play with me, and help me along the way. I think the next time I am there I will take him up on his offer. The course is in a small town, and it has no driving range so I dont know how just playing with me would help but for 15 bucks why not right?

[Tiger]

Myself is guitar teacher, I know the huge differece having lessons or not having lessons. It is all a matter of time, you eventrully figure it out if you smart enogh. But take you forever if no one tells you whats the trick.

Anyways, I want to know how much does lessons usually cost. I am paying $60 per hour for the head-of-pros at the biggest golf club in town. I thought it is really cheap. So I basiclly see him every week for an hour. And I started this season with a Max Handicup (130+), now I am a 100. It is not even 3 month.

[Alohaed]

That is a great price. Here on LI/NYC, it can be between $55 and $60 for 1/2 hr to $100 to $110 an hour for a private one on one. And if the hour is video, it's $125. That's another thing I need.... guitar lessons, although I don't have much time to practice anyway. But I have a very nice 2005 red, Standar Strat my ex-wife got me, sitting in it's case. I only toyed with it a few times.

[anotherday]

I understand the "figure it out myself" point of view and I tried it out for just over a year. I was actually doing well just transitioning from other sports I've played. The problem I was running into was that at the end of my "good rounds" I would ask myself whether or not I could repeat that performance again and the answer was usually no. The decision to take lessons wasn't to show me that I could hit good shots, I already knew I could, it was to show me what I was doing to hit those shots. This helped me repeat it on the course.

I took my brand new swing to a course I've never been to and a relatively new course all together (Dos Lagos - Corona, CA -- Beautiful course!). My lowest round since I officially picked up a set of clubs in April 2009 was 115. My last round was over 130 on a Links course that just demolished me (Rustic Canyon - Moorpark, CA). Overall, before my lesson.. if I shot in the 120's I was happy. A low 120 score was a good day for me and was actually my realistic goal for most courses. With this new swing and going off of no warm-up - due to no driving range - I shot a 98. At the turn I had a 17 and 20 stroke lead on the other two in my group and finished the round up 23 and 22 on them.

Before, if I had one shot for birdie or par a round I would be happy. Now I'm looking at birdie much more and pars are sometimes a bitter consolation. I give up shots in my approach but not nearly as much as I have before. And I recorded only three 3-putts.

My local pro is charging $50 for 30 mins or $200 for five 30 min lessons. I have 4 more to go. Can't wait.

[timastyle]

My local pro is charging $50 for 30 mins or $200 for five 30 min lessons. I have 4 more to go. Can't wait.

Where are you getting your lessons in so cal and who's the pro? I've been looking for one and I think I've narrowed it down to one, but never hurts to have multiple options.

[Bullitt5339]

Congratulations to you. After my first lesson, I tried to take it to the course, and overthought everything, and shot 10 shots worse than my index. Couldn't hit the ball to save my life with an iron. I had a major swing flaw though, and I'm trying to correct it, so there's just too much to think about right now until I get the muscle memory. Tons of range time for me in the next week, followed by another lesson on Friday.

[jallen100]

I have gone to a couple swing analysis's and they have helped me improve but they are only 10 min sessions that are free usually. So I signed up for lessons that start the first week of August. Its the best deal ever. 8 lessons, 1 1hour lesson a week for 8 weeks. 169.00 with free follow up lessons for life.
http://www.guaranteedgolf.com/

[anotherday]

I have gone to a couple swing analysis's and they have helped me improve but they are only 10 min sessions that are free usually. So I signed up for lessons that start the first week of August. Its the best deal ever. 8 lessons, 1 1hour lesson a week for 8 weeks. 169.00 with free follow up lessons for life.

That's a lot for a little... sounds great. You should be able to get a lot of good tips. Make sure you write down what you learned at the end of the session so you can go back to it if you ever find yourself straying.

[BriarsTragedy]

There is NO better way to learn than lessons from someone whos job is to teach you how to golf. Yes, we all know you can learn a lot from your friends, golfers online, watching videos, practice, etc. But nothing compares to a professional showing you, then making you do exactly what you need to do. GET LESSONS