Who do you take golf advice from?

[TheDIYGolfer]

I just read Rotella's new book, How Champions Think: In Sports and in Life, and absolutely loved it!  It really got me thinking about my thought patterns off of the golf course.  

One of the topics in the book talked about swing coaches, and how to find someone you know is good to listen to.  I thought this was the best part of the book, because it made me realize how many sources I was trying to improve my golf game from!  I have a swing coach, but was constantly going on YouTube for instruction as well.  I found that the mixed theories are extremely harmful to a golf game.  Definitely been playing better by sticking to what my swing coach tells me, and politely ignoring any other volunteered instruction (unless of course it deals with something other than the actual golf swing). 

Just thought it would be cool to hear from everyone where they get their golf instruction from?

Also, for a little bit more discussion, I pose this question:  Do you think that Tiger Woods would have reached 18 major championships by now had he stuck with ONE swing coach for his entire professional career (a.k.a. Butch Harmon)?

[Patch]

I have a 30 page pocket note book I have been adding golf notes to for the past 40+/- years. Some of the notes come from various instruction books, and other notes are about stuff I have learned about "my own golf swing" during those years. That book is where most, if not all my golf advice comes from these days. Yes every once in while I pick up on some tid bit, and add it to my notes. Right now I am working on a notebook on the greens where I play most of my golf now. I plan on joining their senior league in the near future, and plan on winning a tournament or two. 

I have been on golf forums for a long time. Way back when Tiger was with Harmon, and winning everything, a lot a posters were saying that Harmon's swing teachings would eventually break Woods down physically. Specifically they said his back and knees could not endure the stress that Harmon's swing put on Woods for the long haul. Quite a few folks laughed this off as wishful thinking from "Tiger haters". Fast forward to now . So no, I don't think Tiger would have 18+ majors now if he had stayed with Harmon.....for physical reasons. On the other hand, if he had started and stayed with say, Haney, then perhaps he might have won more majors with a less aggressive, stressful  swing. Who knows. It's all speculation.

Some might say that 7i (?) upside his head might have stopped him from winning more majors by now. Again it's all speculation.    

[Mike Boatright]

I take advice from the best of the best and less teachers.. Instruction from Greg Norman,Jack Nicklaus,Tom Watson Tiger woods etc.. They offer little tid bits that always make sense and of course it's great because they have careers to back it up.

 

''Those who can't do try to teach''

[Mr. Desmond]

I take advice from the best of the best and less teachers.. Instruction from Greg Norman,Jack Nicklaus,Tom Watson Tiger woods etc.. They offer little tid bits that always make sense and of course it's great because they have careers to back it up.

 

''Those who can't do try to teach''

How about for you "Those Who Don't Know Should Listen and Learn"

None of the guys you cited are instructors. When I was a newbie, I also read their books. Didn't get me anywhere other than if a pro wrote a book on the short game or course management. Jack had some decent tidbits, but that was 40-50 years ago. Instruction changes, the game changes, equipment changes, technology changes. If you don't change, you get left behind.

I go to a guy who was a touring pro and teaches PGA Tour Pros.

Edited October 12, 2015 by Mr. Desmond

[Scotsclaff]

I have taken a couple of tips off my friends who are low handicappers and they seem to have worked.

One tip regarding bunker shots,keeping my weight on my left side.(I'm a right hander)

And a totally new grip which cured my slice.

[Mike Boatright]

hmm to each his own.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIXjPMYjLPk&list=PLHJx7UHuWgYGil9iiE60x3zPaLjnHAZwk

How about for you "Those Who Don't Know Should Listen and Learn"

None of the guys you cited are instructors. When I was a newbie, I also read their books. Didn't get me anywhere other than if a pro wrote a book on the short game or course management. Jack had some decent tidbits, but that was 40-50 years ago. Instruction changes, the game changes, equipment changes, technology changes. If you don't change, you get left behind.

I go to a guy who was a touring pro and teaches PGA Tour Pros.

Great but your still a 9 handicap how long have you  been playing? 

[garush34]

I used to see a pro and only took my instruction from him. Everything was great and I was happy with where my swing was going. I tried to stay away from looking on the net, books, magazines ect. for swing tips except for when I knew I was looking for a certain aspect to work on.

But I had a bad experience with a club fitter that works out of the pros shop. I went to get a new shaft for my driver and instead of being fit for the shaft he fit me for a new driver. I advised that I wasn't looking to upgrade driver just the shaft. He advised that the one I had was no good for me and that I needed something else. The fitter was recommended to me by my pro. It left a bad taste in my mouth so to speak, and I know its not really the pros fault but I feel a little conned into trying to buy a new driver. I did get a new one in the end, not from there but else where after trying a few out and finding one I liked and a less than half the cost.

I am now not sure whether to go back to him for lessons or look else where. I do like the guy and he has got me to a better place with my swing, but in the back of my mind there is that wee bit of doubt.  I have got a few tips from the MySwing thread which have been really helpful.

In regards to other aspects of the game, mental side etc. I will generally look online or in books as I feel that this area is subjective and I would rather have chance to look over it time and again, instead of just having one session a time.

[boogielicious]

I just read Rotella's new book, How Champions Think: In Sports and in Life, and absolutely loved it!  It really got me thinking about my thought patterns off of the golf course.  

One of the topics in the book talked about swing coaches, and how to find someone you know is good to listen to.  I thought this was the best part of the book, because it made me realize how many sources I was trying to improve my golf game from!  I have a swing coach, but was constantly going on YouTube for instruction as well.  I found that the mixed theories are extremely harmful to a golf game.  Definitely been playing better by sticking to what my swing coach tells me, and politely ignoring any other volunteered instruction (unless of course it deals with something other than the actual golf swing). 

Just thought it would be cool to hear from everyone where they get their golf instruction from?

Also, for a little bit more discussion, I pose this question:  Do you think that Tiger Woods would have reached 18 major championships by now had he stuck with ONE swing coach for his entire professional career (a.k.a. Butch Harmon)?

I did a lot of searching early on. But I settled on Evolvr lessons and posting in My Swing thread. There is a lot of confusing information out there that may be right, but is poorly presented or the pro says one thing but does another. If you just went through one calendar year of Golf Digest, you would find many instances where one article contradicts another. So it is dangerous to your progress to read it without some skepticism.

There are a few good books out there too.

hmm to each his own.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIXjPMYjLPk&list=PLHJx7UHuWgYGil9iiE60x3zPaLjnHAZwk

Great but your still a 9 handicap how long have you  been playing? 

He's been playing a long time. Many of us happen to agree with him. I've read all those books and enjoyed them, but most of what the player said they did was actually not the case when other studied their actual swings with video. 

[nevets88]

It's complicated. All I know for sure, is that there are very few who actually know what they're talking about and a lot who speak w/false authority.

And given the information revolution, the internet, social media, it pains me how much confusion there is out there.

Edited October 12, 2015 by nevets88

[caniac6]

I will ask the pros at my course an occasional question. Other than that, I try to figure it out by myself. 

[RussUK]

I often ask the guys here for advise. Other than that its a call to my Uncle. he's been playing since he was 10 (69 now)  so i trust his imput 100%

[Mr. Desmond]

hmm to each his own.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIXjPMYjLPk&list=PLHJx7UHuWgYGil9iiE60x3zPaLjnHAZwk

Great but your still a 9 handicap how long have you  been playing? 

If you had open heart surgery, a frozen right shoulder, and a bad knee, were changing your swing, and wanted to play 6500-6800 yard courses at age 60, you might be a 9 hc. lol

But the problem is I need to play more. I practice a lot on the range -- had terrible habits pre-surgery, and post-surgery the speed was down to mid-70's. It takes a while to get rid of 20 years of accumulated garbage, get the flexibility and strength back, get the right pieces fitted together, play, figure out what is not working, drill, play, repeat. I hope to play more and practice less this year. But I may need knee surgery... oh well.

[Mike Boatright]

If you had open heart surgery, a frozen right shoulder, and a bad knee, were changing your swing, and wanted to play 6500-6800 yard courses at age 60, you might be a 9 hc. lol

But the problem is I need to play more. I practice a lot on the range -- had terrible habits pre-surgery, and post-surgery the speed was down to mid-70's. It takes a while to get rid of 20 years of accumulated garbage, get the flexibility and strength back, get the right pieces fitted together, play, figure out what is not working, drill, play, repeat. I hope to play more and practice less this year. But I may need knee surgery... oh well.

 

Oh your picture says your a hot model golfer

[Mr. Desmond]

 

 

Oh your picture says your a hot model golfer

Some of us insert avatars that are mildly amusing or attractive ... look at the text below it

[SteveH]

I took a few lessons last spring that corrected my swing path, as well a little bunker instruction. Other than that I read books, magazines, watch shows and watch online. Then I practice, practice, practice. I have a good friend who got me to start golfing about 6 years ago, he is a low single digit and has helped me a lot but he has a few bad habits that I don't like so don't copy. He has a very good short game and keeps telling me I shouldn't have a 60' wedge and he would never use one. When I took lessons the pro thought I had a the right clubs for my game and had me use the 60 in nearly all bunkers. I think part of the problem with my friends advice is that he is very set in his ways, as he has golfed for about 50 years. Most of the people I play with are better golfers, I prefer that but I get lots of conflicting advice and have to just focus on my own game as it sometimes gets me thinking too much and I have to re-group. 

[baw1]

I ponder this question often as well. I see a swing coach regularly and his feedback trumps whatever else I take in (certainly on the fundamentals). However, I am also constantly reading and watching all things golf (Golf Channel, YouTube, this forum, various books..).

From a practical standpoint, there are a lot of skills and scenarios in golf. Seeing a Pro for 45 mins every couple of weeks is just not enough to cover everything. As an example, I watched & studied Phil Mickelson’s video instruction on the short game (ala hinge and hold). After practicing this and adding to my tool set, my short game improved significantly.

Ultimately, I think we learn from multiple sources and experiences.

[TheDIYGolfer]

I take advice from the best of the best and less teachers.. Instruction from Greg Norman,Jack Nicklaus,Tom Watson Tiger woods etc.. They offer little tid bits that always make sense and of course it's great because they have careers to back it up.

 

''Those who can't do try to teach''

Love this!  I learned this game from all of those guys so I totally agree!  Thanks to YouTube you can watch professional golf clinics for days from these guys!

[TheDIYGolfer]

I ponder this question often as well. I see a swing coach regularly and his feedback trumps whatever else I take in (certainly on the fundamentals). However, I am also constantly reading and watching all things golf (Golf Channel, YouTube, this forum, various books..).

From a practical standpoint, there are a lot of skills and scenarios in golf. Seeing a Pro for 45 mins every couple of weeks is just not enough to cover everything. As an example, I watched & studied Phil Mickelson’s video instruction on the short game (ala hinge and hold). After practicing this and adding to my tool set, my short game improved significantly.

Ultimately, I think we learn from multiple sources and experiences.

 

Definitely agree!  Unless you are Jack Nicklaus who had Jack Grout standing by his side every day growing up as a kid, you need to reach out to other places to learn.  I'm a huge advocate of YouTube and books personally, but watched my fair share of Golf Channel when I was just starting out.  

Now, I feel like I've got a solid base of knowledge as a culmination of all the sources.  Definitely still have lots to learn though, which is why this game is so addicting!