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Joined: 5/07/2008
Posts: 1
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Posted: May/12/2008 7:34 PM PST
First post here on Golflink, love the site.
I've been golfing for about 15 years now (started at 12). I used to play a lot when I was in high school, but when I left for college, it dropped to about 3-4 times a year. It's stayed that way until now when I finally have started to get my weekends back (no more military, long distance girlfriend moved in). I've already gone out a few times this year and I'm still shooting the same that I have been since I started (high 90s, low 100s). I've been thinking about taking lessons, but it seems like everywhere is offering them these days. From the local driving ranges, to golf stores, to the courses themselves. Since I don't have a fortune to spend on lessons, I'm wondering how I can figure out where to go without actually having to take a lesson first. Thanks in advance.
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Spokane WA, / Seattle WA,
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 252
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Posted: May/12/2008 10:00 PM PST
talk to the pro or the person giving the leasons see what his teching style is what is philospoy is and ask him how he would help you with what every you need help with does he listen well does he know how to teach one thing a few diffreant ways? so one hope this helps a little
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Cartersville, GA
Joined: 8/16/2007
Posts: 185
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Posted: May/17/2008 7:24 PM PST
PGA Tour Superstore. The one near me usually has 4 bays open for practice, the other 4 are used for lessons. Lessons there are $39.99 for 45 minutes and you can schedule at your convenience. My last one was back in the beginning of April. Your lesson is recorded and put on DVD for you to take with you. They also have at lease 3 performance practice areas that you can use for $19.95 per session. You're on your own in these but you get the use of the video here too. Do a search to see if there is one near you.
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san clemente
Joined: 1/14/2008
Posts: 333
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Posted: May/22/2008 9:01 PM PST
Group lessons are a great deal and if you like the instructor you can then move up to privates. For a better deal on lessons look for young or woman pros both work their butts off and often do a better job than some old sun dried guy with a long list of drinking buddies I mean students.
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Fredericksburg, VA., Honolulu, HI.
Joined: 5/03/2008
Posts: 44
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Posted: May/31/2008 7:17 AM PST
If you've been playing 3-4 time a year up to now, and unless you plan on investing a lot of practice time, the cost of private lessons probably won't make sense at this point.
I recommend investing in a good instruction book. Ben Hogan's "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf" can be bought for about $10 and is the best money you could ever spend on a golf book.
I'd recommend finding time to visit the driving range at least once for every time you play to help groove your swing. And, don't ignore your short game. At your level, chipping and putting will be the easiest and fastest way to shave strokes off your game. It's not the most fun practice, but it's the practice that will reap the most benefits. Making up some kind of game can take the tedium out of this type of practice. A practice partner for a little friendly competition on the practice green would be a good way to go too.
Some things you can work on in front of the TV or in the back yard would be pre-shot routine and set-up. These are, in my opinion, the most important things you can establish that will lead to solid golf. I do much of my best work in front of the TV!!!
1) Grip. Learn the right one and repeat it over and over again until it becomes the natural way you hold the club. After 40+ yrs. of golf I still keep a club in the living room and grip it and re-grip it over and over again while I watch TV.
2) Alignment. Learn what good alignment is and develop a step by step process that puts you in that position. Feet, knees, hips, shoulders, and posture are all critical so focus on these points. This process is one you want to take to the golf course and use on every shot you make so practice it over and over again.
These small things will make dramatic improvements in you game at a minimal investment of time and energy.
The last thing I can suggest is be wary of who you listen to. Almost every golfer has advice to offer. The problem is, most golfers aren't good instructors (even though they may think they are) and tend to recommend what works for them. Someone with a solid understanding of the golf game will be able to identify your needs and recommend things that will work for you. If you find someone that helps you consistently and who's advice produces results, stick with their advice and IGNORE all others.
Now get out there and hit some balls!
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Waterloo, Iowa
Joined: 1/04/2009
Posts: 2
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Posted: Jun/20/2009 1:03 AM PST
I also advise an instruction book. Ben Hogans five lessons is a timeless standby or you could look for "Swing like a Pro" which uses composite computer models of all the pro's swings to show you which aspects of the golf swing all pro's share. It gives proper foundation for grip, posture, ball position, backswing positions, and the all important transition move into the ball. Lessons will undoubtably cost you much more than a book and may be forgotten over time. The book is always there to refresh your mind about what you should be doing and only has a one time cost. Use a mirror to practice the fundamentals so you can get feedback. You could also use a video camera on a tripod if its available. I found these two things to give much more informative feedback than someone watching me hit balls.
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Joined: 7/27/2009
Posts: 7
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Posted: Aug/02/2009 8:03 PM PST
i've really learned a lot from instruction videos on youtube. they are free, and a lot of the instructors explain ver well. also, the golf channel is very helpful. these are all cheap ways. i look up what i want to work on, take it to the range and practice. i don't have the money for lessons, but i have drastically improved my game and am seeing continued improvement. try it.
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