When are you Over Coached

[JonMA1]

I think this is the best example of what I was trying to get across with this thread. So of the things that we all learn about the golf swing. Some things may not be what fits for our personal swings. Everyones is different.

Agreed - as long as we take personal responsibility for the results.

If I'm choosing what I want to apply and what I don't, then I own the results. I've never blamed an instructor for my poor results because it's a two-way street. A good instructor and a good student will likely result in a good golf swing/game.

The three attributes Mike and Erik listed above that define a good instructor apply to the student.

1. We have to be good communicators, meaning we listen and comprehend.

2. We have to work on the one priority before moving on to the next.

3. And we should become skilled at learning, applying and remembering the technical knowledge that's being shared.

Having said that, I think I fall short sometimes. I'd like to think I work hard but chances are, somewhere in the process I'm too lazy to make all the sacrifices necessary to become better.

[Sacman]

I agree. I try to get in about a half hour of swings after work everyday. I am lucky that I like next to a golf course that has a large area where people hit balls. I stick to hitting 5 irons and down. So I'm not paying for range balls everyday. When I started doing this I improved my accuracy so much this year. Prior to my boy being born and waiting for him to be born I was shooting in the 70's on a regular basis.

I would love to see coaching on the course more. Strategizing is so important. I don't think the normal joe schmo spends enough time on this.

[iacas]

I think this is the best example of what I was trying to get across with this thread. So of the things that we all learn about the golf swing. Some things may not be what fits for our personal swings. Everyones is different.

I don't agree.

That guy was just a bad instructor.

[JonMA1]

I don't agree.

That guy was just a bad instructor.

If this is regarding my instructor, he could have done some things better but with all due respect, I don't think he was bad.

And in all fairness, if hired to fix my swing you would likely want to change most of it - any coach would. I'm not being modest or self-deprecating but it's made up of a series of band-aid fixes and goes against almost everyones idea of the right way to swing a club. Even I can see that.

The difference is that you'd probably start by fixing the single most problematic part before moving on to the second most problematic one.

This guy at least gave a #%$^ about his profession and his student which is more than I can say about the guy I worked with 2 years ago.

[billchao]

The difference is that you'd probably start by fixing the single most problematic part before moving on to the second most problematic one.

That difference is significantly important. An instructor can't give you four or five things to work on and have a realistic expectation of you successfully doing it all. One (or two, if similar) thing at a time gives us the best chance as students to improve. Plus, a lot of things are related in the golf swing, so by having a student work on one thing, it may fix other flaws for free, so to speak. I don't know this guy obviously, but from the way you described him, he seems knowledgeable. But being knowledgeable is not the same as being a good instructor.

[JonMA1]

That difference is significantly important. An instructor can't give you four or five things to work on and have a realistic expectation of you successfully doing it all. One (or two, if similar) thing at a time gives us the best chance as students to improve.

Plus, a lot of things are related in the golf swing, so by having a student work on one thing, it may fix other flaws for free, so to speak.

I don't know this guy obviously, but from the way you described him, he seems knowledgeable. But being knowledgeable is not the same as being a good instructor.

I agree with you that it's significant. And I can think of exactly 5 things that, if mastered one at a time, would help fix a lot of flaws.

The Evolvr guys are world-class in my opinion. To expect that level of knowledge, experience and skill from a younger local pro is a bit much.

In addition, I came in for one lesson - not a series of ten, five or even three. When he saw me take a few swings, it was probably like he'd witnessed a train wreck. How do you think he should have approached it? In the end, he was able to communicate some useful information so I feel like he did a reasonably good job under the circumstances.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by billchao

That difference is significantly important. An instructor can't give you four or five things to work on and have a realistic expectation of you successfully doing it all. One (or two, if similar) thing at a time gives us the best chance as students to improve.

Yup.

The Evolvr guys are world-class in my opinion. To expect that level of knowledge, experience and skill from a younger local pro is a bit much.

The evolvr guys are young. I'm not super far into golf instruction myself.

In addition, I came in for one lesson - not a series of ten, five or even three. When he saw me take a few swings, it was probably like he'd witnessed a train wreck. How do you think he should have approached it? In the end, he was able to communicate some useful information so I feel like he did a reasonably good job under the circumstances.

I don't. Not from any of your descriptions.

Sorry.

One of the things that separate bad and average instructors from good to great ones is their ability to prioritize. Your guy didn't seem to do much of that at all.

[JonMA1]

I don't. Not from any of your descriptions.

Sorry.

One of the things that separate bad and average instructors from good to great ones is their ability to prioritize. Your guy didn't seem to do much of that at all.

Erik,

You've probably played golf most of your life, taught hundreds(?) of students with great results, had countless conversations with other pros about teaching techniques, and golf instruction is your livelihood.

I've played for about 3 years, taken lessons from exactly two instructors and golf is a hobby to me (a far too serious one but a hobby none the less).

My point being that my opinion doesn't hold much water compared to yours. But our definition of "bad" obviously differs. From my perspective and with the only experience I have to reference (which was really, really bad) I can't agree with you.

Sorry.

[mvmac]

You've probably played golf most of your life, taught hundreds(?) of students with great results, had countless conversations with other pros about teaching techniques, and golf instruction is your livelihood.

I know it may sound pretty negative but most instructors are not good. They don't understand basic cause and effect, don't know how to prioritize and a good number of them don't care about learning more.

Erik is also the Director of Instructor Development for 5SK, so he is doing his part (and a great one too) of helping instructors get better.

[JonMA1]

I know it may sound pretty negative but most instructors are not good. They don't understand basic cause and effect, don't know how to prioritize and a good number of them don't care about learning more.

Erik is also the Director of Instructor Development for 5SK, so he is doing his part (and a great one too) of helping instructors get better.

Understood and thank you both for the feedback. Sorry if I hijacked the thread.