Choosing an instructor for a noobie.

[huskylawyer]

I took 2 hours of lesson about a month ago and it helped tremendously.   It was during a trip to Arizona, so I can't go to the same instructor.  I'd like to find someone local (in the Seattle area), but I have no idea where to start.   Yesterday, I was about to play solo, and this guy who was about to start said I could join him.   I told him, "I suck" and he just laughed and said, "no worries."    He actually happened to be an instructor at the course (Maplewood-South of Seattle).

He was a great golfer (scratch), and he gave me some decent tips for free (though he spoke in technical terms; sometimes I didn't understand and I just nodded and said, "ahh..yea, I get it..." lol).   He put on a thick sales pitch ("Dude...I can really help you.").  He is $60/hour.   I suppose I could just book an hour and see if I like him, but I'm wondering if I should put more thought into selecting an instructor.

Should I be looking for something specific when looking for an instructor?  Should the instructor be "certified" by a  certain organization?   Should I gravitate towards instructors that work at certain places? (public course, universities, private clubs?).   Is $60 a decent deal (In Arizona I paid $100 for the first hour and $80 for the second hour - he taught me and another person at the same time the basics of golf).

Any tips would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[Puttsalott]

I'm in the Yakima area and $60 and hour sounds pretty reasonable for a course in Seattle area.  I would try to find out if the instructor only teaches, his / her method or if they adapt what they know / teach to your abilities and swing.  I would be reluctant to work with an instructor how is very rigid and only teaches "one way".  We are all different in body make up, physical condition, flexibility, etc.  To say that one swing fits all doesn't seem realistic to me.

[newtogolf]

I think you want an instructor that you are comfortable with, and you feel is helping your game.  The instructor I went to last year was a great guy, and took me from having a horrible swing to something I can at least work with now.  I will probably switch instructors this year because I want to get more serious and I'm not sure my current one is interested in doing much more than helping newbies progress to the next level.

In terms of necessary qualifications Erik can answer those questions much better than I can.

[tristanhilton85]

There is an article on the main site (if I can find it, I'll edit and link to it) with 10 questions that you should ask a potential instructor to make sure that they are good.

[jamo]

Originally Posted by tristanhilton85

There is an article on the main site (if I can find it, I'll edit and link to it) with 10 questions that you should ask a potential instructor to make sure that they are good.

http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/the_instructor_quiz_nine_questions_youve_gotta_ask

[tristanhilton85]

Originally Posted by jamo

http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/the_instructor_quiz_nine_questions_youve_gotta_ask

Thanks, I never got around to it... and apparently it's nine questions, not ten.

[Brunogolf]

You should probably scale those 9 questions down to maybe 1 or 2 of them,  the 9th being the most relevant.  The only question that is really important is "Will the information help me the player score better?".  Then go from there,  the questions provided will probably only lead to wasted time fromt he instructor explaining his theory or method.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Brunogolf

You should probably scale those 9 questions down to maybe 1 or 2 of them,  the 9th being the most relevant.  The only question that is really important is "Will the information help me the player score better?".  Then go from there,  the questions provided will probably only lead to wasted time fromt he instructor explaining his theory or method.

Thanks for sharing your opinion. We disagree. Students should take care to make sure the instructor is knowledgeable and otherwise a good fit. They don't need to ask all of the questions. They're simply listed and the student is free to choose whichever questions they want to have answered. Some are important. Almost all can be answered in a short interview of a few minutes.

If you have comments on that article itself, please comment on the article, not on this thread. Thanks.

[WUTiger]

Quote:

...He put on a thick sales pitch ("Dude...I can really help you.").  He is $60/hour.   I suppose I could just book an hour and see if I like him, but I'm wondering if I should put more thought into selecting an instructor.

Should I be looking for something specific when looking for an instructor? ...

Finding a worthwhile golf instructor involves two things: technical mesh and personal mesh.

Several years ago moved back to a town I had lived in before. A local golf pro I had met the first time through was still there. He was more of a feel golfer, whereas I was (probably too much) a mechanic. I took a short-game lesson from him, which was great! But other lessons didn't work out very well. He just didn't feel comfortable with me for some reason, and during lesson #3 he was downright rude.

Good technical mesh, poor personal mesh. Putting personal second is odd... it's probably the most important part of continuing lessons - a good relationship. He got me to be more aware of feel, but I somehow irritated him. (I'm a college professor, go figure...)

Give it a shot for one lesson... I sense e-mail vibes that you like the guy. If that first full lesson is valuable, you've struck gold. Otherwise, move on.

[Brunogolf]

If the instructor feels he can help you then it may not be a bad investment to give it a go. Part of a good relationship is the instructor/pro wanting to see you get better.

[Johnnyooze]

Wassup from Bellingham! Well if you played a round with the guy and he seemed cool and you guys got along fine, i say go for it! 60/hr isnt bad.