Is my golf pro trying to ruin my game???

[Joefree]

32 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

I would say thats really odd, then.  Ive seen plenty of players align open to their targets, but they are elite ball strikers that play controlled fades. Not beginners and high handicaps looking for instruction... If you're really confused with what he's teaching, id consider switching instructors. Its your money and time, you should be able to get something in return that you're comfortable with. 

Maybe he thinks I'm an elite ball striker in the making haha.

12 minutes ago, MRR said:

I suggest speaking with the pro about it first.  If it's the former, stick with it.  If it's the latter, move on.  Having dealt with many different people in the past; some want to know the "why" of everything while others are somehow confused to the point of backsliding when they get too much information.

My initial assumption was that he was gonna let me suffer for a while then tell me that if I now went back to my normal alignment I will hit on a better swing path (I do fight with a slightly out to in sp) but not the case, he seems to want me to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm heading for an early round tomorrow, if I run into him I will have a chat and see what he says. 

[RandallT]

53 minutes ago, shanksalot said:

Most of us are not professional golf instructors and all we can do is confuse you as well.

I agree with the above, only if he were soliciting advice on the swing specifically. In that case, we'd likely contradict the instructor somewhat, and he would be unsure which advice to heed. I think that's why we all respect the "my swing" threads when someone says they have an instructor.

Hopefully, he got some good info here from non-instructors (since some of us have faced a similar situation), and is in a better spot to make his decision. I think your last sentence summarizes what many said, and I agree with:

55 minutes ago, shanksalot said:

Either go talk to your pro or seek out someone else who you can relate to their teaching style. 

And hey, @Joefree, when you created your original post, do you remember if you did any copy/pasting while creating it? Did you happen to do it from a phone, or was it from a computer? I'm working on a theory with some of these malformed posts that may or may not hold any water.

[mvmac]

Is this just random advice he gives or something that's specific to your game? By themselves a lot of the advice isn't great but it's tough to judge taken out of context.

On 1/16/2017 at 10:42 AM, Joefree said:

having your body alignment aiming 10 yards left of target (for mid irons, 15 for longer clubs) and swing the club on the target line, sounds like a recipe for a slice too me?

Maybe not a slice but the intention in doing this would be to curve the ball to the right.

On 1/16/2017 at 10:42 AM, Joefree said:

transfering body weight towards target on the start of the back swing, seems to be fine for iron shots but not with a driver surely?

Is this a feel he prescribes for you? Or everyone?

Not actually what should happen but could be a feel that might work (more of a short term thing).

On 1/16/2017 at 10:42 AM, Joefree said:

-keeping your weight on your toes to the point your heels are just about touching the floor.

Again this seems like a feel thing. Generally not good advice. If you actually did this your head would fall forward and it would be tough to turn.

On 1/16/2017 at 10:42 AM, Joefree said:

-having ones head directly over the ball when using a driver and having your weight 50/50 rather than on the back foot with the head slightly behind the ball.

That doesn't even make sense. The head will always be "behind" the ball with a driver because the ball is teed a little in front of the left heel.

[Joefree]

26 minutes ago, mvmac said:

Is this just random advice he gives or something that's specific to your game? By themselves a lot of the advice isn't great but it's tough to judge taken out of context.

Actually, the first lesson I had was as a pair with a friend and he gave the same advice to both of us. We both have very different swings/swing faults. 

The only one you mentioned that was spasific to me and was  prescribed in a solo lesson was having my body open target.

 

[No Mulligans]

45 minutes ago, Joefree said:

Actually, the first lesson I had was as a pair with a friend and he gave the same advice to both of us. We both have very different swings/swing faults. 

 

Yikes!!! 

[rehmwa]

Yes, yes he is.  That's his job.

[Joefree]

I probably just need more expensive golf clubs haha. 

[Buckeyebowman]

8 hours ago, Joefree said:

Actually, the first lesson I had was as a pair with a friend and he gave the same advice to both of us. We both have very different swings/swing faults. 

The only one you mentioned that was spasific to me and was  prescribed in a solo lesson was having my body open target.

 

Oh, dude! That should have been your first clue!

Some guys have mentioned instructors exaggerating things in order to take their students away from a swing fault. Nobody is better at this than Hank Haney, in my estimation.

However, he will explain to the student what it is they're doing wrong, and why he's suggesting the remedy.

I saw a vid where he had a guy who was hitting quackers off the planet! This guys Driver clubhead was easily 3 foot "across the line"! Haney explained, and demonstrated, what the student was doing, and why his drive were duck hooking. He then instructed the student to make practice swings that "laid the club off". Haney made the guy make practice swing after swing trying to work him into a new swing shape.

Then, he teed up some balls and had the guy hit some drives, which turned out fairly well.

At the end of the lesson Haney told the guy that he never really got close to "laying the club off", which was verified by the video. The student was nonplussed, but that's the idea between "feel" vs "real".

All the student had done was reduce his amount of "across the line" from 3 feet to about 4 to 6 inches. As Haney explained to him, you can still hit a decent shot from there.

[Joefree]

Well I played around this morning, I've basically tried to take the things I like from his instruction and leave out the bits I didn't. 

I started off a mess as I've really been trying to stick to what I was taught, but as I shook off the bad habits my swing started to come together. Went around on 95 (5 over my handicap)  which if fine considering the start I had.

 

looking forward to my next game, hopfully my swing is on the mend.

[Joefree]

Sorry, 2 over my handicap. 

[Buckeyebowman]

On 1/18/2017 at 7:35 AM, Joefree said:

Sorry, 2 over my handicap. 

Well, that's even better isn't it?

[Lihu]

On 1/16/2017 at 10:42 AM, Joefree said:

-having ones head directly over the ball when using a driver and having your weight 50/50 rather than on the back foot with the head slightly behind the ball.

I'm trying to picture doing this, and can't even imagine how? Cut a foot off the shaft? 

 

BTW, @mvmac was my son's instructor, and mine, for a couple years with much success. You might consider revisiting what he asked and query your instructor?

[Joefree]

13 hours ago, Lihu said:

I'm trying to picture doing this, and can't even imagine how? Cut a foot off the shaft? 

 

BTW, @mvmac was my son's instructor, and mine, for a couple years with much success. You might consider revisiting what he asked and query your instructor?

I wish I could find a good instructor, I have shaken off the bad techniques I'd established from my recent tuition but I'm back to the original miss hits I was having before I started the lessons (the reason I had them). It's been a long emotional road to get right back to where I started, accept I now have way to many swing thoughts in my head I just feel like I can't find a repeatable swing anymore, it's draining me.

[iacas]

One priority piece.

There are a ton of shitty instructors out there. There are good coaches at Evolvr.com. Sign up.

[Joefree]

4 hours ago, iacas said:

One priority piece.

There are a ton of shitty instructors out there. There are good coaches at Evolvr.com. Sign up.

Thank you, I might give that a evolvr a go.