Golf lesson concern

[Brian W]

So I developed the shanks a few weeks ago and it really can put a hamper on having fun playing a round.  The following round it came back but only for a couple shots.  I couldn't for the life of me figure out but it seems to start with a half shot or pitch with one of my wedges.  After the round that was better, I caught them again.  After that round, I decided to get a couple lessons.  I know it wont be fixed in an hour but I figured I could at least get some feedback by looking at video of my swing and get more consistent ball striking.  There is a guy right by my house that has been instructing for 30 years so I figured I would give him a shot.  

I did the lesson and things he was telling me didn't seem right.  He had a lot of head movement from back to front but not up and down.  I was able to understand what he was instructing me to do and why but I think it goes against everything I have learned here, which is a lot and basically my only instruction thus far.  I have paid him for 3 lessons total and have 2 more left.  I was wondering what the etiquette is for instructors.  I mean, I have paid him and I do not want to go straight in and tell him I dont agree with his teachings but I was thinking maybe he is accentuating the movement to get my shoulders to move correctly or something.  Is it wrong to ask him to send me the video?

Any input on lessons would be awesome.  Thanks 

[newtogolf]

I've had my fair share of poor instructors.  If you feel that his instruction isn't correct or is inconsistent with what you have seen here share your concerns with him ask him to explain why he's having you work on the things he is.  If he gets defensive or doesn't explain to your satisfaction his reasoning, request a refund for the remaining lessons and find a new instructor.  

[Groucho Valentine]

It could be your initial instruction is at the root of your issue, too. Have a diolouge with the new instructor and give him a chance. 

[Brian W]

27 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

I've had my fair share of poor instructors.  If you feel that his instruction isn't correct or is inconsistent with what you have seen here share your concerns with him ask him to explain why he's having you work on the things he is.  If he gets defensive or doesn't explain to your satisfaction his reasoning, request a refund for the remaining lessons and find a new instructor.  

that is the route I was thinking I would take, I just didn't know if requesting a refund would be something instructors do as a rule.  I am more than willing to give him a chance but I do not feel like I am a complete beginner and my swing shouldn't have to be erased and start from scratch.  I know there is obviously a lot to work on but if he is trying to change everything that has gotten me this far, I think I will need someone new.  Also, if I feel like he is teaching me something that is incorrect, I will have to ask him why

19 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

It could be your initial instruction is at the root of your issue, too. Have a diolouge with the new instructor and give him a chance. 

what do you mean, initial instruction is at the root of my issue?

[Groucho Valentine]

10 minutes ago, Brian W said:

that is the route I was thinking I would take, I just didn't know if requesting a refund would be something instructors do as a rule.  I am more than willing to give him a chance but I do not feel like I am a complete beginner and my swing shouldn't have to be erased and start from scratch.  I know there is obviously a lot to work on but if he is trying to change everything that has gotten me this far, I think I will need someone new.  Also, if I feel like he is teaching me something that is incorrect, I will have to ask him why

what do you mean, initial instruction is at the root of my issue?

Maybe the first teaching you mentioned you got here that the new guy is contradicting now is was the cause of your shakiness all along? 

[Brian W]

9 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

Maybe the first teaching you mentioned you got here that the new guy is contradicting now is was the cause of your shakiness all along? 

I mean, it could be but I have improved my average score from over 100 to mid 80's from instruction here including uploaded swings, general questions and conversation and LSW book.  It could be something as little as grip but as big as any of the 5 keys.  My biggest concern is the head movement from back to front

[DaveP043]

2 hours ago, Brian W said:

I mean, it could be but I have improved my average score from over 100 to mid 80's from instruction here including uploaded swings, general questions and conversation and LSW book.  It could be something as little as grip but as big as any of the 5 keys.  My biggest concern is the head movement from back to front

I don't think anyone here can evaluate how good (or bad) the instruction you're getting is, without seeing your swing.  I've read plenty of good instruction here that asks a player to "overdo" the correction in order to ingrain a new feeling.  If your current instructor is doing the same thing for you,  even if it "feels" wrong right now, its quite possible he's doing the right thing.  As the others have said, you should discuss it with him.  Its certainly appropriate for you to want to understand not only what he wants you to do, but why.  If you find out he can't explain it, or wants to teach you the "only right way" to swing, you may want to look elsewhere.  

[Rainmaker]

I'm not sure if I totally get it . .he was telling you to move your head around during your swing?  I can see telling you not to worry if it does . .but telling you to do it sounds odd.  But maybe he has a reason - if he's asking you to move your head - ask him why.  

I've only had 2 instructors.  Both hit the ball awesome so they knew that much.  The first guy, though, had "his" way of teaching and, if it didn't make sense to me, too bad for me.  The second and current guy is able to explain the same thing in different ways in case the first (or second or third) idea doesn't "take".  

So if I ever change instructors again, that's what I'll be looking for.  I don't mind if I leave my lesson unable to contact the ball, lol . .but I don't want to leave confused about what I'm supposed to be doing.  And that doesn't necessarily mean I have to know the detailed reasoning behind everything all the time . .but I have to "believe" it's going to help. 

Edited July 11, 2016 by Rainmaker

[Brian W]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I don't think anyone here can evaluate how good (or bad) the instruction you're getting is, without seeing your swing.  I've read plenty of good instruction here that asks a player to "overdo" the correction in order to ingrain a new feeling.  If your current instructor is doing the same thing for you,  even if it "feels" wrong right now, its quite possible he's doing the right thing.  As the others have said, you should discuss it with him.  Its certainly appropriate for you to want to understand not only what he wants you to do, but why.  If you find out he can't explain it, or wants to teach you the "only right way" to swing, you may want to look elsewhere.  

I was hoping that is what he was trying to get across.  If I overdo it, I can start to understand what he is looking for 

38 minutes ago, Rainmaker said:

I'm not sure if I totally get it . .he was telling you to move your head around during your swing?  I can see telling you not to worry if it does . .but telling you to do it sounds odd.  But maybe he has a reason - if he's asking you to move your head - ask him why.  

I've only had 2 instructors.  Both hit the ball awesome so they knew that much.  The first guy, though, had "his" way of teaching and, if it didn't make sense to me, too bad for me.  The second and current guy is able to explain the same thing in different ways in case the first (or second or third) idea doesn't "take".  

So if I ever change instructors again, that's what I'll be looking for.  I don't mind if I leave my lesson unable to contact the ball, lol . .but I don't want to leave confused about what I'm supposed to be doing.  And that doesn't necessarily mean I have to know the detailed reasoning behind everything all the time . .but I have to "believe" it's going to help. 

I think you are right, I am just looking for some explanation on what he is trying to accomplish from these things he has me doing.  If he cannot explain why in a way i can understand, I should look elsewhere.  He did cycle through some different ideas one how to get me to do this but it all seemed way over the top.

I am currently asking him to send me the video he took and maybe I can upload it here.  He is asking to take the club back and move almost my whole body back with my head going with it while my shoulders and hips rotate.  I am all for the rotation but I do not want my head to move that much.  When I was watching him do it, it was almost like his head was centered to the ball and as went back his head was almost over is back foot

[Brian W]

I have uploaded my swings before the lesson in the caddie and side views

[gregsandiego]

16 hours ago, Brian W said:

So I developed the shanks a few weeks ago and it really can put a hamper on having fun playing a round.  The following round it came back but only for a couple shots.  I couldn't for the life of me figure out but it seems to start with a half shot or pitch with one of my wedges.  After the round that was better, I caught them again.  After that round, I decided to get a couple lessons.  I know it wont be fixed in an hour but I figured I could at least get some feedback by looking at video of my swing and get more consistent ball striking.  There is a guy right by my house that has been instructing for 30 years so I figured I would give him a shot.  

I did the lesson and things he was telling me didn't seem right.  He had a lot of head movement from back to front but not up and down.  I was able to understand what he was instructing me to do and why but I think it goes against everything I have learned here, which is a lot and basically my only instruction thus far.  I have paid him for 3 lessons total and have 2 more left.  I was wondering what the etiquette is for instructors.  I mean, I have paid him and I do not want to go straight in and tell him I dont agree with his teachings but I was thinking maybe he is accentuating the movement to get my shoulders to move correctly or something.  Is it wrong to ask him to send me the video?

Any input on lessons would be awesome.  Thanks 

As far as the pay etiquette goes, most the guys I've seen offer a discounted intro lesson. I think that makes it less awkward if it doesn't work out. But I'd say if you don't feel comfortable for any reason to call if off. You shouldn't probably leave lesson #1 feeling totally confused about the plan.

 

9 hours ago, Brian W said:

 

.  I am all for the rotation but I do not want my head to move that much.  When I was watching him do it, it was almost like his head was centered to the ball and as went back his head was almost over is back foot

That sounds really weird.

[Brian W]

6 hours ago, gregsandiego said:

As far as the pay etiquette goes, most the guys I've seen offer a discounted intro lesson. I think that makes it less awkward if it doesn't work out. But I'd say if you don't feel comfortable for any reason to call if off. You shouldn't probably leave lesson #1 feeling totally confused about the plan.

Well, the saving grace here is that I am not totally confused about the plan, I just dont know how much I agree with it.  He has given me the videos that I uploaded and I am going to speak with him before the next lesson to give him a chance.  He has a website and it looks as if he is legit so its not a complete loss.  Maybe there is a method to what he is trying to get me to do with my swing

[gregsandiego]

24 minutes ago, Brian W said:

Well, the saving grace here is that I am not totally confused about the plan, I just dont know how much I agree with it.  He has given me the videos that I uploaded and I am going to speak with him before the next lesson to give him a chance.  He has a website and it looks as if he is legit so its not a complete loss.  Maybe there is a method to what he is trying to get me to do with my swing

What certifications does he have if any?

I think I could start advertising golf lessons if I wanted. Legally that is. 

[iacas]

11 minutes ago, gregsandiego said:

What certifications does he have if any?

I think I could start advertising golf lessons if I wanted. Legally that is. 

You could. Certifications don't tell you much.

[Brian W]

31 minutes ago, gregsandiego said:

What certifications does he have if any?

I think I could start advertising golf lessons if I wanted. Legally that is. 

Im not sure if I should post a link to his site here or not.  All I can really see on the site is that he was a Ping national and regional fitter of the year but that has nothing to do with the lessons 

[gregsandiego]

20 minutes ago, iacas said:

You could. Certifications don't tell you much.

Even a PGA one? That is what I usually look for,.

Our local guy has been doing it for years. I relied mostly on word of mouth.

 

1 minute ago, Brian W said:

Im not sure if I should post a link to his site here or not.  All I can really see on the site is that he was a Ping national and regional fitter of the year but that has nothing to do with the lessons 

Based on your ambiguity at this point, I'd say no. Wouldn't be fair.

[iacas]

4 minutes ago, gregsandiego said:

Even a PGA one? That is what I usually look for,.

Our local guy has been doing it for years. I relied mostly on word of mouth.

The PGA has taught me nothing about instruction. In fact I actively teach a few things differently than I was advised.

[gregsandiego]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

The PGA has taught me nothing about instruction. In fact I actively teach a few things differently than I was advised.

Nothing? What does it take to get the PGA certificate?