How much did lessons help you?

[BigMikey]

Sorry I didn't answer your question... but I don't think it can be directly answered.

Here's something that will really help your game and your HDCP:
1) Keep stats either after the round or digitally via electronic scoring / gps applications.
2) Really sit down after a round the same day or next while it is fresh and really evaluate your game.
- Oh, I had 44 putts on 18 holes
- I couldn't hit a fairway to save my life
- Count your flubs, fat shots etc...
- Count your penalties.
3) Identify which portion of your game will give you a lower score and set a goal.
- No more than 3 holes with 3 putts, spend some time reading greens and practicing putting / chipping
- Use a 3W / 5W instead of driver if you can hit more fairways or swing at 75% so that your FIR % goes up.
- Play smart, aim away from trouble , lay up more even if it gives you bogeys.

A friend told me a couple of years ago I went for every green....even over trouble with 200 - 230 yards to go. I took a hard look at those holes and had +2's to +4's on those holes. I took his advice and layed up even If I would have to 1 putt for par. That alone took 10 - 15 strokes off my handicap because it nearly eliminated penalties (OOB / Water) and difficult sand shots. Even though I had more +1's. My stats in +1's and par's went up and now I usually never go past +2's.
BTW - That 10 - 15 strokes happened within the next 2-3 rounds of play. (I went from a 36 HDCP to 20 HDCP in 08)

I use lessons to clean up specific areas of my game and now I'm a legit 10 - 16 HDCP.
I take a regular lesson every 1 - 2 months as a checkup:
1) Checking my swing on iron shots to check / verify my mechanics.
2) Working on the ability to draw and fade at will. (I play the fade and sometimes when I try and draw, it goes bone straight)
3) Driving accuracy.
4) Hitting approach shots closer to the pin and below the hole.

It all sounds obvious, but statistically that's what will get me to scratch.

IMHO - Playing smart and practicing what statistically matters most to your game will do more for you than lessons. This assumes on average you can make solid contact with the ball. Use those lessons on things you need help on... (Putting, driving accuracy, sand play.)

[themightytimmah]

Night and day. I went from shooting nearly a double par everytime to bogey/double bogey golf in a couple of months. I figure one more season of lessons and I'll finally look like a golfer out there.