What to look for in a pro?

[DublinMeUp]

After reading the "What would you do if you had it all to do over" thread i noticed nearly every sub 5 handicapper said they'd of got lessons from the very start.

So that's what I'm gonna do, I was just wondering if there is anything in particular to look out for when choosing a pro to give me a better chance of a good fit from the get go.

Cheers

Gav

[mvmac]

That they understand the ball flight laws.  What controls the initial direction of the ball, face angle or path direction?  Path is incorrect.

[Harmonious]

Find someone who is interested in your improvement, not just someone who teaches a certain "method" and expects you to fit into his cookie cutter.  How does he relate with you, does he explain things well, is he a good listener who responds to your questions?

Don't hesitate to ask him questions about his teachings. He should be willing to give you some names of other students that he works with. See what they think of him.

[DublinMeUp]

So its kinda trial and error? like i may have to have a few sessions with different people just to find out which suits?

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by DublinMeUp

So its kinda trial and error? like i may have to have a few sessions with different people just to find out which suits?

I am assuming, of course, that you are not seeking Butch Harmon or someone that expensive, but a local pro who works out of a golf shop or range.

Before committing to any lessons, just have a talk with the guy.  Tell him a little about your game, and see what he says about how he would approach teaching you. A 15 minute conversation should give you a pretty good impression as to whether he would be a good fit.  Only after you feel he can help your game should you commit to lessons.

And it may turn out that you aren't getting what you need out of your lessons.  If that turns out to be the case, don't be afraid to look for another pro.  It's your money, after all.

[DublinMeUp]

Correct Harmonious, looking for a club pro to get me started down the right path and teach me the fundamentals before i get a chance to adopt bad habits etc. Then hopefully build on that.

[JetFan1983]

Originally Posted by DublinMeUp

I was just wondering if there is anything in particular to look out for when choosing a pro....

This is an article I suggest you check out sometime. It's called " The Instructor Quiz: Nine Questions You've Gotta Ask. "

Originally Posted by mvmac

That they understand the ball flight laws.  What controls the initial direction of the ball, face angle or path direction?  Path is incorrect.

^^^^ This.

Originally Posted by Harmonious

Find someone who is interested in your improvement, not just someone who teaches a certain "method" and expects you to fit into his cookie cutter.

Examples please? Because a lot of great teachers have a method. They're called long term plans. The fact is, all the great players do similar things. And all the bad players do similar things. The physics and geometry of the game are the same for everyone. It's extremely helpful for the golfer to understand the basic physics and geometry of the game and then conforming to them. If that's fitting into a cookie cutter, then I want to bake me some cookies.

[bogey joe]

I agree with the cookie cutter reply.  I am a former pga and teaching pro.  Though I rarely......., very rarely, teach anymore I am helping my brother who has recently taken up the game as a serious player.  My brother is a large man and frankly not capable of making the same moves I make during the golf swing.  So we have to build him a stance, posture, hand position, and swing that allows him to work with what he has and around his belly.  We have had to try countless combinations of them all until it finally clicked with him.  We are all built differently and gifted differently mentally and physically so look for a pro who will work with what you have to work with and a pro that encourages you to constantly experiment, with his teaching in mind of course, on your own.

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by JetFan1983

Examples please? Because a lot of great teachers have a method. They're called long term plans. The fact is, all the great players do similar things. And all the bad players do similar things. The physics and geometry of the game are the same for everyone. It's extremely helpful for the golfer to understand the basic physics and geometry of the game and then conforming to them. If that's fitting into a cookie cutter, then I want to bake me some cookies.

No examples, as that is off topic to the OP's original request.

[JetFan1983]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

No examples, as that is off topic to the OP's original request.

Sure it is

[smpear]

If you are thinking about a certain instructor, watch him teach one of his lessons. See if his personality is what you like. I like someone who will listen to me and have it be a two way street. Sometimes it seems the instructor will make a quick decision about what is wrong without much (or ignoring) of your input. Also how does the instructor communicate? I think the very good instructors not only know what is wrong but also know how to communicate it effectively to you. i.e. does he just keep telling you the same thing in the same way? Or does he find different ways to get it across to you?

Good Luck.

[robinoso]

I haven't found one I like, because I don't think the few I've seen are really interested in helping "me".  I believe they are just trying to fill their books...which I get...but don't "sell" me.  You helping me see progress in my game will sell me.  Not your comments that I should be shooting in the 70s, because that is absurd.

[WUTiger]

So that's what I'm gonna do, I was just wondering if there is anything in particular to look out for when choosing a pro to give me a better chance of a good fit from the get go.

If you're just starting out, you personally don't know what you want in a pro. Best advice is to talk to friends who are decent golfers and get suggestions for a pro. Or, take a golf clinic and see which of the pros you "connect" with.

First, specify your personal goals. Some golfers just want help in decreasing their slice, or topping the ball frequently. Other golfers want to build a decent overall swing.* Find a pro who supports your goals.

• Good golf pros have foundation swing principles which they will try to mesh with your personal body build and physical assets. If you take some lessons, and follow up with reasonable practice and play, and don't improve, it's time to switch pros. ( Caution: If you never practice and play between lessons, you won't improve.)
• You need to get along personally with the pro. Years ago I had two lessons from a pro I found very interesting in his approach to golf. Still use some of his short-game tips. But, he always seemed irritated and short-tempered with me. I quietly switched to someone else after a couple of lessons.
• Good teaching pros help you learn. I've seen a couple of retired high school teachers - one a physics teacher - who are very good at working with beginners. Neither has a PGA card, but they both have single-digit HDCP games and have several successful students. You also have former assistant club pros with PGA cards, but their daytime job is laying carpet or selling cars, and they will miss lesson appointments and don't seem to remember what you did in the last lesson.
• A good pro will give you a quick update tip between lessons. Don't expect him to drop everything and give you an free lesson, but the good ones don't mind questions if you have hit a glitch in your post-lesson improvement.

---------------------------

*Note: In a golf mag article, Tom Watson cautioned about focusing all your improvement time into building a super swing. A solid swing, he said, takes years to build. In the short run, improving your short game can cut off strokes more quickly.

[tristanhilton85]

Originally Posted by JetFan1983

This is an article I suggest you check out sometime. It's called "The Instructor Quiz: Nine Questions You've Gotta Ask."

I agree with this.