When Should You Take A Lesson?

[severian]

I'm a 13 handicap and really very pleased with where my game is right now.    I started playing two years ago.   Year 1 I think I broke 100 once.   Year 2, I was regularly in the 95-105 range, then I took a few lessons and really improved.    So far this year, I've lowered my handicap 5 strokes and I just posted my all time low score of 80 my last time out.    

That last round has me fantasizing about consistently shooting in the 70s.    What I'm worried about is that I feel like it took awhile to digest the lessons from last season.     I really don't want to entirely overhaul, but I would love to get more consistent.    

What do you guys think?

[Groucho Valentine]

Seeing a good instructor can put you on the path to being a 70's shooter, but you ultimately have to take what you're being taught and make it your own. Thats the only way I've seen players truly improve. The ones who just mechanically follow instruction always seem to get stuck in some weird feedback loop where they improve a little, but don't take a big next step. I think the fundamentals are key (alignment, posture, etc) 

 

[severian]

If you're in Jersey, have any recommendations for a good instructor?

[Shindig]

14 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

I think the fundamentals are key (alignment, posture, etc) 

 

I disagree that alignment and posture are even fundamentals -- they vary so widely among top players.  Shouldn't a fundamental be observable in at least a large portion of top players?

5 minutes ago, severian said:

If you're in Jersey, have any recommendations for a good instructor?

I'm not in Jersey, but do you care if you see them in person?  I've had great success going from a 19 to a 14 with Golf Evolution's evolvr (online lessons) and the trend is continuing downward. 

To actually answer the original question:  when you take a lesson, you'll get a priority piece to work on.  Work on that and, when you're performing it well, your instructor can move you to your next priority piece.  How long that takes depends on the piece and how often (and effectively) you practice.

[Groucho Valentine]

15 minutes ago, Shindig said:

I disagree that alignment and posture are even fundamentals -- they vary so widely among top players.  Shouldn't a fundamental be observable in at least a large portion of top players?

I'm not in Jersey, but do you care if you see them in person?  I've had great success going from a 19 to a 14 with Golf Evolution's evolvr (online lessons) and the trend is continuing downward. 

To actually answer the original question:  when you take a lesson, you'll get a priority piece to work on.  Work on that and, when you're performing it well, your instructor can move you to your next priority piece.  How long that takes depends on the piece and how often (and effectively) you practice.

They are. They're different to each persons body type. But you have to at align and stand over the ball correctly. 

24 minutes ago, severian said:

If you're in Jersey, have any recommendations for a good instructor?

I cant think of any in that general of question. I know some in north jersey, but mostly guys I've played with in tournaments. So i cant speak to their teaching methods. The instructor that gave me my first lessons lives in new york. I only see him once or twice a year for quick tune up.

[StefanUrkel]

When you have the urge to buy new clubs!