Playing with a pro

[Newbie Collection Agency]

Has anyone had the opportunity to play a round with a teaching pro? Am wondering if this is available anywhere--without paying for four hours of private instruction. Lessons in the practice facility were great in the beginning, but now I need some 'real life' help. It would also be great to play in a foursome with others of similar ability.

[Rafcin]

  orangecoed said:

...Lessons in the practice facility were great in the beginning, but now I need some 'real life' help...

Please don't take it the wrong way, but if your handicap is really around 36 I think there is plenty you can address on the range first. Once you have good hold on your swing play on a course and see if you can transfer the practice swings into the real life scenario. After a few months, once you find out that from a flat lie in a fairway you can hit +/- 10 yds from your target - start looking at the "other" situations. Identify the conditions causing you the most trouble (sand, rough, uneven lies) and try to get a few lessons on this specific situations. If you're lucky enough and your practice facility has all these - great. If not - most of the teaching pro's offer 2hr "playing" lessons, that should not break your wallet...

I personally NEVER give or take swing advice/instructions during a round. This is the worst thing one can do IMHO.

[AK-Edge]

I have gone out and played with a few teaching pros before. But it wasnt really a formal lesson. Once in a while they would give me a tip or something but nothing to major.

[Peter_in_Atl]

You practice at the range. On the course, you apply what you've learned. If you're shooting over 100, you need more range time. One thing you can do while on the course, is figure out where you are adding strokes. If your scorecard has diagrams of the hole, mark where hit the ball. Can you put 2 shots together and make the green in regulation? If not, a pro on the course isn't going to help more than putting in the time at the range.

Practice with a purpose. When on the range, pick a target. Shoot for it. Every time you swing the club, do it for a reason.

Are you 3 and 4 putting? You'd be amazed how they add up. Do you practice putting? Count the number of putts on each hole. How many times do you get to a par 4 in 3 shots and then 3 putt? Think about it, 3 shots with 3 different clubs(driver, iron, wedge) and 3 shots with the same club(putter). Which one is in need of more work? Which one, when used properly will help lower that score?

There's more but this will give you a start. Good luck.

[rckymtnglfr]

  orangecoed said:

Has anyone had the opportunity to play a round with a teaching pro? Am wondering if this is available anywhere--without paying for four hours of private instruction. Lessons in the practice facility were great in the beginning, but now I need some 'real life' help. It would also be great to play in a foursome with others of similar ability.

Have to agree with the other posts. Once you get below 100 or even 90, then a playing lesson might be appropriate. What you will typically get out of the playing lesson will be course management i.e. when not to hit driver, playing safe to the green, things you can't see on the range. Practice, practice and practice some more. It can get tiring but that is the only way to improve.

[kiwidave]

I've played a round with my coach before. He lives about 3 hours up the road and comes down to my club once every 3 weeks for the day. He invited me up for the day, even got me on the resort for free. It just cost me a few tasty beverages in the 19th. Best part I beat him. Granted he gave me 7 shot's but I've never let him live it down.
My game has improved since that round, I think because he now has a greater insight into my game.

[cireyamel]

I've played with a couple of touring pros. Worth the cost to a charity.

Just to watch 18 holes of "not trying too hard" and one "check your alignment."

If you're 30+, though, don't waste your time. Buy some lessons.

cy

[mediaguru]

I've played many a round with a teaching pro. Not in a lesson, but in competition. Some pros are better teachers than golfers. Some are amazing.

[iacas]

  mediaguru said:

I've played many a round with a teaching pro. Not in a lesson, but in competition. Some pros are better teachers than golfers. Some are amazing.

It's amazing how bad some pros are at playing.

Our assistant pro, I'm not sure how he passed the PAT!

[Jim]

I paid for a series of lessons. The last lesson is a 9 hole playing round.

Unfortunately, I haven't got this round in yet and that was supposed to be in March hehe. The pro's schedule changed and we were snowed and rained out three times before the schedule change. I have been struggling big time, but finally had a good round yesterday, so maybe it's not as bad as I thought...funny game.

I asked about playing lessons at another course and they do the same 9 hole playing lesson at the end of a series. So, it's apparently common here.

I also used to play every now and then with my teaching pro just for fun. I was unemployed then and could play any time, so he would call me when he could play 18. We were just playing for fun and he didn't try to give me a lesson during the rounds...just an occasional pointer.