Golf Lessons - Do they really help ??

[hal]

I've actually got some time to play golf now that I'm semi-retired. I've been thinking about taking some golf lessons from one of the local pros. Has anyone else ever taken lessons? If so, were they worth the money spent? Also, they offer both group and private lessons. Big difference in price. Which do you think is better (price verses results) ?

[Babaloo]

yes

correct the bad before they become habits

i didn't take lessons

[bufante]

Without a doubt...lessons are good!

[Mikey]

I took them and my game has not been the same since.....If I had to do it over again would not take them......Have not played at all this year and hope the next time I play I forget everything I was taught......And I want my money back......

[sideways]

If you've been golfing for some time, the lessons could be tough, those bad habits are pretty engained. If your a newer golfer who hasn't developed all the bad skills, then absolutely.

[sctx]

I've never taken a lesson other than some free pointers from a pro at the driving range that liked my swing, but I started when I was 15 and everything was easy back then. Definitely check into lessons, but make sure you pay the extra $$$ for a qualified pro. There are alot of teaching pros that couldn't shoot par to save their ass. I'd say at least get some basic instruction as far as correct grip, alignment, correct positioning of your feet and ball in relation to the type of club. Most learning golfers stand with their feet to far apart and have a baseball type grip, this lead to an arm based swing and a slice instead of a back/leg based swing and a straight shot.... it can also lead to a very sore back since a wide stance prevents you from turning back and thru the swing properly.
Ideally, you should be able to stand with your feet together and hit an iron shot almost as far as with a normal stance

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by sctx

I've never taken a lesson other than some free pointers from a pro at the driving range that liked my swing, but I started when I was 15 and everything was easy back then. Definitely check into lessons, but make sure you pay the extra $$$ for a qualified pro. There are alot of teaching pros that couldn't shoot par to save their ass. I'd say at least get some basic instruction as far as correct grip, alignment, correct positioning of your feet and ball in relation to the type of club. Most learning golfers stand with their feet to far apart and have a baseball type grip, this lead to an arm based swing and a slice instead of a back/leg based swing and a straight shot.... it can also lead to a very sore back since a wide stance prevents you from turning back and thru the swing properly.
Ideally, you should be able to stand with your feet together and hit an iron shot almost as far as with a normal stance

Well considering you only need your two iron and a putter to play......

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Mikey

I took them and my game has not been the same since.....

you need to come down to Austin and play a couple rounds, there's no reason for you not to be hitting drives at least as far as my 2 iron:p

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by sideways

If you've been golfing for some time, the lessons could be tough, those bad habits are pretty engained. If your a newer golfer who hasn't developed all the bad skills, then absolutely.

Ditto this.
I was new to golf when I took a few lessons about 5 years ago, it helped immensely. I didn't have a clue about stance or technique, and there are lots of good tips he taught me. It was a small group of 4 people, I wouldn't want a much bigger group than that.
The best tip I ever got though was one from a GF....it was "When addressing the ball, always keep your head down, like you are giving a ___ ___."

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Rissask

The best tip I ever got though was one from a GF....it was "When addressing the ball, always keep your head down, like you are giving a ___ ___."

I don't recommend playing golf on your knees

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by sctx

I don't recommend playing golf on your knees

Yeah, that would really bugger up your back. (That tip was just for the ladies! :p )

[vike57]

I tried to take lessons and all it did was screw me up. I went right back to my old swing and I play to an 11 handicap......thats good enough for me. I just wasn't comfortable in the swing they were teaching me......It may have helped me in the long run,but I ran out of patience to keep trying to hit that way.

[B Kromm]

Hal, get the lessons. I had played for 5 or 6 years before I took lessons. The changes that were made added 20 yards to everything and gave some control to the "big stick".

The challenge is to find a pro that is willing to work with what ya got not mould you into his image of what you should be. There was a time when all the pros taught basically one swing. Didn't matter what your body type was. That is when you can end up like Mikey..... by that I mean frustrated

One of my co-workers took lessons this spring for the first time and saw some amazing results. The challenge for him now is to take the progress on the course. We are playing in an office tournament on Friday. I tink I'll start getting into his "kitchen" just before we tee off. No sense in getting him worked up too early

"So, after your lessons, are you breathing in or out at the top?"

Like he doesn't have enough to think about.

Enjoy the game

B

[realzed]

Originally Posted by hal

I've actually got some time to play golf now that I'm semi-retired. I've been thinking about taking some golf lessons from one of the local pros. Has anyone else ever taken lessons? If so, were they worth the money spent? Also, they offer both group and private lessons. Big difference in price. Which do you think is better (price verses results) ?

Whether you're an experienced golfer or not - lessons will benefit anyone assuming a couple of things...
(a) That you will actually stand on the practice range and follow any lesson advice given without just going out and thrashing away for 18 or more holes as soon as the lesson is finished and expect a sudden improvement. Muscles need to be trained to do something different or in a different way and the only way to do that is to be repetitive without adding actual playing worries into the fray. Don't expect instant results - it way take a week or so of regular practice using a new stance, grip, or swing to actually change a bad habit and produce results.
(b) Find someone to take lessons from that reasonably mimics your size and or swing style - no sense trying to mold yourself a swing of a Tiger Woods if you are 5'2" and not built like him. Someone who is well over six foot tall and very flexible trying to explain or show someone much shorter (and has a lot to swing around - if you know what I mean) how to do things is mostly just a waste of time in my opinion.
(c) Also many people are the type that need to have a change in their game shown by example and demonstrated to them by a Pro - verses other learners who can affect a change just by have their swing and address analyzed and following verbal directions to correct problems with their game. The later type might do just as well by picking up a book on proper methods and going out to try to change or improve things on their own. IMHO - Randy

[hal]

Originally Posted by realzed

Whether you're an experienced golfer or not - lessons will benefit anyone assuming a couple of things...

(b) Find someone to take lessons from that reasonably mimics your size and or swing style - no sense trying to mold yourself a swing of a Tiger Woods if you are 5'2" and not built like him. Someone who is well over six foot tall and very flexible trying to explain or show someone much shorter (and has a lot to swing around - if you know what I mean) how to do things is mostly just a waste of time in my opinion.
IMHO - Randy

Great tip - that really makes sense.