Another "looking for instructor" thread

[fersman4]

I live in the southeast of the Denver metro area. Been playing 14 years pretty much self-taught. Current index is 16.5. It's been down to 12.5 18 months ago but I didn't play much last year. The courses around here have outdoor ranges, and I don't think any of them use video analysis. And I'm sorry, I don't feel comfortable asking any these questions: http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/the_instructor_quiz_nine_questions_youve_gotta_ask . Besides, golf instructor has been a profession for, well decades before I was born, and the "old" answers to the linked questions hasn't stopped those instructors from helping people get better at golf.

There is a nearby course (Murphy Creek) that has terrific practice facilities. And they have a few instructors. At the moment I'm leaning toward calling up the pro shop and just making an appointment. Well, what are my other options?

[Golfingdad]

I wouldn't feel comfortable asking a stranger all of those questions either because I'd be afraid that they'd come across a little "accusatory." But, remember, it is your golf game and your money. If you want to avoid the questions and the worry that would come with not getting them answered, the easy solution is to make sure you find a 5sk instructor. Can't find one nearby? Find one here: thegolfevolution.com (evolvr online instruction)

[fersman4]

Sorry to say there are no 5sk instructors near me, at least according to Google. As for online instruction, I learn best, and faster, with immediate feedback. No use going to the range thinking I'm doing what the "online instructors" are telling me I need to do, only to find several hours later that I wasn't even close.

[tristanhilton85]

Originally Posted by fersman4

I live in the southeast of the Denver metro area. Been playing 14 years pretty much self-taught. Current index is 16.5. It's been down to 12.5 18 months ago but I didn't play much last year. The courses around here have outdoor ranges, and I don't think any of them use video analysis. And I'm sorry, I don't feel comfortable asking any these questions: http://thesandtrap.com/b/playing_tips/the_instructor_quiz_nine_questions_youve_gotta_ask. Besides, golf instructor has been a profession for, well decades before I was born, and the "old" answers to the linked questions hasn't stopped those instructors from helping people get better at golf.

There is a nearby course (Murphy Creek) that has terrific practice facilities. And they have a few instructors. At the moment I'm leaning toward calling up the pro shop and just making an appointment. Well, what are my other options?

I understand that you don't feel comfortable asking those questions, but they will help you figure out if the guy is a quality instructor or not. And some of the "old" answers to those questions have stopped those instructors from helping people get better at golf. Take question one for example; if your instructor can't answer that then it'll be very hard for him to figure out what you are doing at impact that leads to the miss you want to eliminate. The bottom line is that it is your hard earned money that you are spending and you have the right to make sure that you get the most bang for your buck.

I know that you kind of shot down the online option, but evolvr really is a great service and one you maybe should reconsider. Their students get better and they do it quickly.

Outside of sitting down and talking to potential instructors and asking those questions or going through evolvr, it's just a gamble. You may get lucky and find a great instructor that knows his stuff and gets you better quick, or you may end up with one of the many poor instructors out there and just throw your money away.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by fersman4

Sorry to say there are no 5sk instructors near me, at least according to Google. As for online instruction, I learn best, and faster, with immediate feedback. No use going to the range thinking I'm doing what the "online instructors" are telling me I need to do, only to find several hours later that I wasn't even close.

That's perfectly understandable.  However, if you are not willing to ask potential instructors those questions, and aren't willing/able to find an instructor that you know already knows the correct answer to those questions, then you are running the risk of picking a crappy instructor.

I mean, what good is immediate feedback if the feedback is wrong?  Know what I mean?  Doesn't mean that all non 5sk/evolvr instructors are bad, but unless you are willing to talk with them beforehand, how are you going to know?

Just FYI, I am an evolvr student.  Started sometime last year (August maybe??) and immediately started hitting the ball better.  Handicap started dropping in January and hasn't stopped. :)  Was 10 and is 7.7 now, and still trending down.  Just sayin' ...

[fersman4]

Well you all have given me something to think about. It used to be the case that if you wanted to get a qualified instructor, you needed to find a PGA Professional. Now it seems that's not good enough anymore?

I'm still not sure what to do about question nine. That is to say, I don't know who around here would use video. As far as I can tell all the instructors around here instruct on golf course driving ranges, and I've never seen any recording equipment. And what about the launch monitors and all those new gadgets that measure spin and angle of attack and stuff? That seems like indoor tools. I'm starting to wonder in Denver is a "golf instruction desert".

[tristanhilton85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fersman4

Well you all have given me something to think about. It used to be the case that if you wanted to get a qualified instructor, you needed to find a PGA Professional. Now it seems that's not good enough anymore?

Just because somebody is a "PGA Professional" doesn't mean that they are a quality instructor. Some are, some aren't. And there are some guys, like mvmac (Mike) who are great instructors but not a PGA Professional. That's why things like that instructor quiz are helpful, because you get to see whether or not your guy actually knows his stuff or not.

Quote:

I'm still not sure what to do about question nine. That is to say, I don't know who around here would use video. As far as I can tell all the instructors around here instruct on golf course driving ranges, and I've never seen any recording equipment. And what about the launch monitors and all those new gadgets that measure spin and angle of attack and stuff? That seems like indoor tools. I'm starting to wonder in Denver is a "golf instruction desert".

I'm sure that somebody around there uses video, it's not really all that uncommon and doesn't take a huge setup. There are a lot of small cameras that shoot video that works great for the golf swing and while a tripod is nice, it's not a must so they could be using it and you just not notice.

[Golfingdad]

Originally Posted by fersman4

Well you all have given me something to think about. It used to be the case that if you wanted to get a qualified instructor, you needed to find a PGA Professional. Now it seems that's not good enough anymore?

I'm still not sure what to do about question nine. That is to say, I don't know who around here would use video. As far as I can tell all the instructors around here instruct on golf course driving ranges, and I've never seen any recording equipment. And what about the launch monitors and all those new gadgets that measure spin and angle of attack and stuff? That seems like indoor tools. I'm starting to wonder in Denver is a "golf instruction desert".

Again, I'll say I agree with you about the questions.  Call me a wimp or whatever, but I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them either.  They're not interview questions, they're test questions.  But you should at least interview them in some way, shape, or form.  Ask them for qualifications, ask them for their philosophy, and maybe you can determine from that.

Or, worst case, sign up for one lesson only and go home and research whether or not that info seems solid.