How Long Should 1 Golf Lesson Last..

[Slappy9]

Just like the title how long should a golf lesson last...1/2 hour, 1 hour ,3 hours..

I ask this because when the snow melts I will be taking some more lessons, with a new instructor...

I like my current instructor and the on-course instructions but his lessons are on a par 3 course only. Yes this has made my Short game pretty solid by my long irons and woods have suffered...My driver especially, I have the distance (on average 270yds) but if lucky I hit  2 out of 5 fairways (wicked slice)..

Now I have 4 choices,

1. Good golf pro, 3 - half hour classes at the driving range - $100 ( this teacher improved one of my playing partners swing alot)

2. The Best Instructor In N.J. David Glenz- 1 hour class with computer anaylsis - $200

3. One of the instructors at the Glenz Academy - 1 hour class with computer anaylsis $150  ( 1 of the Intsructors is Top 100 in the country and another is ranked #2 in the state)

4. At the Glenz Academy  - a 3 hour Full Swing class or just Driver class computer anaylsis and video of before and after -  $225

Should I take one long class, three short ones, or pay alittle extra and take the 1 hour lesson twice.

Any advice helps but any instuctor that can chime in would be much appreciated!!

Im not sure what makes the best lessons (teacher/ time/price/computers/video)

What do you think is my best options?

[iacas]

Whatever you do, you have to make sure that the personalities are a good fit and you get personalized, unique instruction that benefits you and gives you feelings and things to work on.

I consider video analysis ("computer" stuff) a must, and am going so far as to build software for ourselves because V1 sucks so bad... but maybe that doesn't matter to you.

FWIW our rates are about half of what they charge and we're some of the priciest in our area. We're a good value because our students actually improve, but every market is different, and $200 may be a great value if you improve... but that's your call to make. I will point out that if you commit to six lessons with the one guy that's $200 he may be willing to do the six at an even $1k or something. You'll be committed and he'll know he doesn't have to give you some sort of quick fix (we don't do that regardless of the person we teach, but some instructors do if they think they'll never see the guy again).

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Slappy9

Just like the title how long should a golf lesson last...1/2 hour, 1 hour ,3 hours..

I ask this because when the snow melts I will be taking some more lessons, with a new instructor...

Any advice helps but any instuctor that can chime in would be much appreciated!!

Im not sure what makes the best lessons (teacher/ time/price/computers/video)

What do you think is my best options?

I'm not an instructor (obviously) but did take lessons that allowed me to improve (become more consistent). I considered getting another lesson package this winter, but want to save my money for a season's pass somewhere and attend a shortgame clinic (same instructor) in the spring.

I'd suggest a 3-4 lesson package (~ 45 minutes per lesson). Day one should be him getting familiar with your swing and getting an honest picture of where you want to go in the game. Single digits? Scratch? Just finishing a round with one sleeve of balls?

It's the followup lessons, and rounds on the course,  where you find out if you've spent wisely.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by Slappy9

Just like the title how long should a golf lesson last...1/2 hour, 1 hour ,3 hours..

I ask this because when the snow melts I will be taking some more lessons, with a new instructor...

I like my current instructor and the on-course instructions but his lessons are on a par 3 course only. Yes this has made my Short game pretty solid by my long irons and woods have suffered...My driver especially, I have the distance (on average 270yds) but if lucky I hit  2 out of 5 fairways (wicked slice)..

Now I have 4 choices,

1. Good golf pro, 3 - half hour classes at the driving range - $100 ( this teacher improved one of my playing partners swing alot)

2. The Best Instructor In N.J. David Glenz- 1 hour class with computer anaylsis - $200

3. One of the instructors at the Glenz Academy - 1 hour class with computer anaylsis $150  ( 1 of the Intsructors is Top 100 in the country and another is ranked #2 in the state)

4. At the Glenz Academy  - a 3 hour Full Swing class or just Driver class computer anaylsis and video of before and after -  $225

Should I take one long class, three short ones, or pay alittle extra and take the 1 hour lesson twice.

Any advice helps but any instuctor that can chime in would be much appreciated!!

Im not sure what makes the best lessons (teacher/ time/price/computers/video)

What do you think is my best options?

I agree with iacas, those prices are very high but if you improve then it is money well spent. I've noticed this in Spain, a lot of instructors have bought expensive cameras, software and other training aids but have doubled their prices to cover these expenses. My philosophy is that all those things are simply tools for a lesson and the lesson price should stay the same. Many people have stopped taking lessons and instructors cry bemoaning the economic crisis, but I think the truth is closer to home. If they maintained a reasonable price per hour (50 Euros), gave a little more (I send a e-mail after the lesson with what we went over, drills to do or their swing analysed if videoed) and stopped looking at their watches throughout the lesson, most of the students they'd lost would come back.

To answer your question, a lesson should be between 30-45 mins in order to maintain concentration levels and reduce the risk of trying to do too much at one time. A student can only handle 1-2 new instructions per lesson and it is vital they get them down before moving on.

Before choosing an instructor, sit down and have a coffee with him and go over everything with him: your objectives, his swing philosophy, his way of teaching etc. Even ask him for Development Program based on your objectives. I do this for my students even if they don't ask for it or only want one lesson. I base their Development Program on their potential and what they can achieve if they play/practice a little more.

[TourSpoon]

I also suggest a series...that way you will have time to incoporate a concept and then go back to check on your progress.  A one shot deal for three hours would be too much for me to comprehend especially on just the full swing.  A 3 hour clinic on many facets of the game would be fine, but in the context you presented would be overwhelming.

I found a guy that I have been working with that is an old-timer and I have taken many lessons with him over the last 6 months.  The first thing we did before we started was to talk for 5-10 minutes on my experience and what my goals would be.  He gives me a little bit to work on each time (30-45 minutes) and then I go and see him 2-3 weeks later.  I now see him every 4-6 weeks to keep it sharp.  Being a "regular" has its advantages and has allowed me to get solid instruction to make incremental progress to achieve my goals.

[WUTiger]

Definitely go with the video swing analysis. That way, you can review the before-after shots of your swing before you practice, or go out and play.

And, finding a good personality mesh with the teaching pro is important. I took three lessons from one guy over an 18-month period, and his short-game lesson was one of the best I ever had. But, he was always a snippy and sarcastic.

For lesson length, half hour to 45 minutes is good for one session. Also, many pros don't "punch a time clock" during the lesson. They'll stretch it out a little, especially if you "did your homework" since the last lesson.

[Slappy9]

Thanks for the feed back guys I value your opinions.  I might have to do more research for Teaching Pros in my area that will do a lessons package (like 3 or 4 - half hour,  45 minute lessons) that has video swing anaylsis.  It just seems in my area its one or the other.

[The_Pharaoh]

Also, pick a Golf Instructor that works close to where you live or work so it's not a drag to go for the lesson or at a club/driving range where you play/practice regularly. In this way, you'll also pick up some free coaching as any Golf Instructor worth his salt will be looking out for you and check in to see how you are getting on with the changes.

Originally Posted by Slappy9

Thanks for the feed back guys I value your opinions.  I might have to do more research for Teaching Pros in my area that will do a lessons package (like 3 or 4 - half hour,  45 minute lessons) that has video swing anaylsis.  It just seems in my area its one or the other.

[iacas]

Also, this list should help: http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/the_instructor_quiz_nine_questions_youve_gotta_ask .

[walk18]

Try to talk to people who have had lessons from him, or ask your friends who they went to and if they liked their instructor. Always nice to hear a few testimonials, I think. I know that didn't directly answer your question, but that's my advice :)

[TourSpoon]

The only thing my current instructor does not do is the video analysis.  I did have a friend that used this with me before at a Top Named Instructor's school and while it was effective, I found that my new instructor's methods are more based on feel and work better for me.  With the feeling the golf swing school of thought, I am more inclined to be able to recreate the feeling than I was from video.  Now, every now and then I will video my swing, but it is not something that my instructor has to do.  In fact, it is about the only thing on the list that we haven't hit on, with the biggest concept that I had to work on was the circular arc (#4 on the list).  This was the first thing that he picked up on and he has got me to understand and feel this concept like no one else ever has.  My biggest swing error under pressure was the lifting of the arms with the dipping of the shoulders instead of turning.  But, in fairness, I will have the video on the next time I see him.

Oh, and I find that the more that I practice and come prepared, the more time he spends with me.  I have found that most golf pros get excited when their students are making progress.  They work with so many people that don't commit, or have the physical ability, that when they get a serious student that does the homework, they really appreciate it.

[2bGood]

I used to think the lessons needed to be long and you needed to pound lots of balls, but I got new pro this year and my first lesson he shows up at the tee with 20 balls . The lesson was 15minutes and one of the best lessons I ever had. He charges by the hour so we ended up having three more lessons that went for 20-30minutes that month. Each lesson we only made small adjustments, did a bit a of video came back and made a few more small tweaks. He knows where he is trying to get my swing to, but unlike other pro's he not giving me all the information at once, but slowly working me towards it. It been 6 months now and about 4 hours of lessons broken into about 10 sessions. The video shows a huge change but I barley noticed it as I was making it.

I am not sure to many pro's would be willing to work this way as it is not the best way to make money, but it sure has been a fit for me.

[nevets88]

I've done all the OPs options and also had lessons at the Glenz Academy (not with David G, but with the guy who is in the NYTimes golf blog videos, Brian (can't remember the last name but he was pretty good)) and my preference is 1 to 1.5 hours divided into show instructor swing, watch video, work on improvement.

A long session is what I'd go for first, but economically unfeasible for me at least and 1/2 hour, you can get something done, but feels rushed.

Right now, I'm sticking with a SnT instructor in Jersey as he is most effective  and staggered lessons works best for me, you can't do it all at once.

1.5 hours every 2-3-4 weeks.

The Glenz facility is a good place to practice and learn, have fun.

[Chicago Lefty]

As everyone else said, all of the prices seem high.  An hour around here runs in the 100-125 dollar range.

Beyond that though, I almost feel that unless you are working on more than one type of shot (full swing, chipping, putting), a full hour is overkill.  You can only work on one thing at a time, and you should be able to cover that in 30 minutes.  If you work on the same thing for an hour, you're basically paying him to watch you hit balls for 45 minutes.