Too much instruction?

[Billy33]

I get golf lessions about once every week or two, but I can't help but watch the golf channel and the lessions they give. Do you think by watching the golf channel's instructional stuff is bad for my game due to getting lessions somewhere else. I am wondering because not everyone does things the same. Thanks

[sean_miller]

Wasn't sure if this was going to be a rant about "too much instruction" or an ode "to much instruction".


I'd say focus on the face to face lessons and watch TGC for entertainment.

[Fontaine]

I think watching that instructional stuff is good for learning more about the golf swing in general. And entertainment off course. Just don't try to apply everything on your own swing.

[Zeph]

Depends what you pick up and how you process the information. I read and watch a lot of instruction, but that doesn't mean I pick up on all of it. It's really about what you want to believe and trust. I've made up my mind on a lot of things, how the swing work and what I should work on. So reading or watching a tip on how to do the opposite doesn't affect me when working on it. I quickly discard a lot of the tips and drills because I don't believe they are correct.

[TourSpoon]

Stick to the live instruction and if you watch TGC recognize that what they are teaching may not apply to you or even what you are working on. TGC has some really good stuff, but if I applied everything that I learned on the 12 Days segments, I probably couldn't hit a ball. Gary Player gave the best tip...don't be a victim of paralysis by analysis.

[WUTiger]

I find face-to-face with video analysis is the best way to build the swing.

Also, lessons/swing tips without practice are a losing plan (your lessons "once every week or two..."). You need time to practice the swing improvements and use them during play. I don't get much from a lesson if a don't go out and practice a couple of times in the days immediately following the lesson. I won't schedule a lesson if I can't work in some practice time later that week.

Danger of watching TGC or picking swing fixes up from the golf mags: This tidbids may have you doing things which conflict with the swing triggers your pro is developing for you. In fact, beginners who are taking lessons should probably stay away from this ST Instruction forum until their swing starts to stabilize.

Swing tips that involve shot strategy or specialty shots sometimes help me, but I avoid most of the rest.

[cbrian]

I stay away from it... not because I get overwhelmed, but mainly because I find it annoying. So much of the stuff out there is just flat out wrong. And if its not wrong there is a really strong chance its a tip expressed in a feeling. Feelings are good and all, but without explaining the reality of what you are attempting to accomplish, it can be very dangerous.

And I'm not saying that taking a lesson from someone would necessarily be drastically different, but at least they have to look at your swing first.