Golf Instructor Gives Extra Time

[stealthhwk]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place for this post. I did a search and it seemed like the best one. Anyways, I am the driving range yesterday, and by chance I set up by the instructors office. He was working with a guy on his wedge swing. The student had purchased a 1/2 hour lesson, and his time was almost up. Problem was the student was having a tough time absorbing what the teacher was trying to get across. Nothing new there I thought. I knew what the instructor was talking about, and it was sound instruction. When the student's 1/2 hour was up, he thanked the instructor for his time, and told him he would work on what he had been shown. At that point the instructor asked why he was leaving. "My time is up". The instructor then went on to tell the student that just because the 1/2 was up, that they could still keep going until the student got a better grasp of what was going on. Free of charge. This even though the instructor had another student in the wings. The other student must have known he would get the same treatment, and was fine with waiting. What a concept I thought, That a teacher that would take extra  time to work with a student.  After seeing this, I thought maybe I might meet with that instructor at a later date, and quiz him on his teaching priorities. (notice I didn't say "teaching methods)

If more golf instructors were like that, Id bet more people including myself might give lessons a shot.

[rkim291968]

Corollary to this is that the client adds up the extra minutes the instructor spent on him, multiply it by hourly rate, and pay him extra .    I wouldn't.   Others would.   I mean, really.

You guys will make a thread about anything.

You have not seen the other threads ....

[Big C]

Not me ... and for the exact reason @Patch spelled out in the OP:

Bingo.  My first thought would be "cool, this instructor seems to actually care about his student grasping what he's being taught."  What a novel concept.

And if I wasn't the student waiting, but was just overhearing, I'd also have the same positive feelings as Patch - and I think many others would as well:

As with many things in life, it would all come down to communication.

If I showed up at 9:55AM for my 10AM lesson and the instructor flagged me down to say.... "Hey, it's gonna be a few more mintues. I'm working with XYZ on a few last things, but I'll be with you as soon as I can." Hey man, no problem. Take your time. I'll be over here rolling putts.

On the other hand, if I showed up at 9:55 and hung around for 10-15 minutes with no acknowlegement from my instructor then, yeah, I'd probably be a little ticked.

[Abu3baid]

As with many things in life, it would all come down to communication. If I showed up at 9:55AM for my 10AM lesson and the instructor flagged me down to say.... "Hey, it's gonna be a few more mintues. I'm working with XYZ on a few last things, but I'll be with you as soon as I can." Hey man, no problem. Take your time. I'll be over here rolling putts. On the other hand, if I showed up at 9:55 and hung around for 10-15 minutes with no acknowlegement from my instructor then, yeah, I'd probably be a little ticked.

I agree, but what if I had a hard cut needed at 10:45 (when the lesson is over to go do something).. I usually would have the whole morning to my self if I am going for a lesson, but someone could reasonably bring up the point above. The last pro I went to was usually spending between 15-30 minutes extra on the hour lesson we had, but he never had anyone right after me! Great guy :)

[billchao]

I agree, but what if I had a hard cut needed at 10:45 (when the lesson is over to go do something)..

If that were the case, my suggestion would either be to tell the instructor as you are booking the lesson ahead of time and let him or her decide whether they can accommodate you, or just not take the lesson. The reasoning behind the latter is because running off to do something else isn't the best way to absorb a lesson IMO. It's good to have the extra time even to digest the information, keep practicing on your own, etc. Plus, if you as the student are watching the clock, you're distracted and not likely in the best frame of mind to learn, either.

[Kenny Lee]

Seems rude and unprofessional to leave the next guy waiting, and everyone else after that, unless there is an open spot, of course.

However, if I was next, and forced to wait an extra 10-15 minutes, I would be okay with it. But I don't work, and plan to stick around and practice after my lesson anyway.

Perhaps most people do the same, too.

[iacas]

I agree, but what if I had a hard cut needed at 10:45 (when the lesson is over to go do something).. I usually would have the whole morning to my self if I am going for a lesson, but someone could reasonably bring up the point above.

My lessons know not to book something right after because they usually or often get extra time (or take extra time to hit some extra balls, etc.).

[Dave2512]

My former instructor usually did practice group sessions with an hour between. Four students per session, everyone got 15 minutes one on one with 45 minutes of light interaction. He easily multitasked. I'd get 15 minutes of FlightScope with brief comments as he walked by. Others had more hands on direction with no monitor time. Loved it.