Thoughts on golf instruction - neighborhood driving ranges

[nevets88]

The teaching industry has seen a lot of changes in the past decade or so for the better, better info, tech and transparency, etc... but w/respect to your typical local driving range, usually those not attached to a private/semi-private, not so much. There's been enough time that this evolution in instruction has been happening that it should percolate to all instructors imho, but in my area, I just don't see it in instruction in neighborhood driving ranges.

Your local range, instructors are still doing what they did 20 years ago. Rarely see high speed video. Usually no video at all in crampy little stalls that don't allow for a face on view. Doubt any of them provide photos or a summary video post lesson using a swing analyzer. Or text back and forth w/questions post lesson. One of the ranges nearby underwent a major renovation, they have indoor rooms, they're not equipping them with Flightscope or Trackman, just your plain old simulator. Perhaps the simulators are accurate, have to wait for winter to see.

The tl;dr is, there seems to be no rising tide that lifts all boats in golf instruction, at least from my pov. You still have to look really hard to find just a decent instructor. What are your thoughts? If this isn't the case in your area, please tell otherwise.

[ZappyAd]

I think it probably depends on the range.  My local range can provide trackman lessons, fitting and yardage analysis.  There are also 2 larger teaching bays (probably 3 times as wide as a normal bay) that you can use for video of front on and behind the line views.  All the teaching pros use video (ranging from iPhones to tripod video cameras).  From what I've seen they are absolutely keeping up with the latest developments.

I guess though that some people just go to the range to hit balls and simply aren't interested in getting lessons there.  Maybe they are getting lessons at a course elsewhere or even over the internet or just working it out for themselves.  Probably the primary business of most ranges is to provide a space where lots of people can hit lots of balls easily.

[nevets88]

If it isn't apparent from my first post, my area, it's like The Dark Ages while the Renaissance is happening elsewhere. Maybe not looking hard enough. Maybe I'm stuck in Plato's golf cave.

[Jeremie Boop]

The local range I go to is where I got fitted for my clubs. He has a Flightscope that he uses while fitting and during instructions. Allows us to use it for testing and gapping. He does not do high speed video however, wish he did because that would be very handy.

[dkolo]

The local range I go to is where I got fitted for my clubs. He has a Flightscope that he uses while fitting and during instructions. Allows us to use it for testing and gapping. He does not do high speed video however, wish he did because that would be very handy.

I've only been to one range that even offered launch monitor with lessons, and then it was a ludicrously expensive add-on. Something like an extra $60 on top of the lesson and it specified that you only got 20 shots on it. As if they pay per reading or something. I actually had a regular lesson with the guy before he added the monitor and he videoed me with his iPhone, which, I guess, is something. (Not that I'm complaining too hard; guy turned my massive 200 yard slices into 275 yard straight shots withing about 10 minutes).

[Jeremie Boop]

I've only been to one range that even offered launch monitor with lessons, and then it was a ludicrously expensive add-on. Something like an extra $60 on top of the lesson and it specified that you only got 20 shots on it. As if they pay per reading or something. I actually had a regular lesson with the guy before he added the monitor and he videoed me with his iPhone, which, I guess, is something. (Not that I'm complaining too hard; guy turned my massive 200 yard slices into 275 yard straight shots withing about 10 minutes).

Interesting. I don't even think I've had to pay for the use of the Flightscope outside of the very first time. I believe it was something like 20 for 30 minutes or something like that. However, I'm there a lot and I've spent a lot of money so I'm sure that may not be the way it typically goes.