Quote:
Originally Posted by kvsmith59
I need to go back for some lessons. It's been years since I took them...only problem is it seems like everytime I've taken lessons, I play horribly for a few months afterwards....  |
This is a terrible thing to warn a golfer seeking improvement in his or her game. The reason why a golfer's swing regresses immediately after making changes is because the golf swing is pure muscle memory. During a lesson, especially one given to someone who has been playing for some time on their own, a PGA Professional will suggest changes for that person's habitual swing. The flaws in the person's swing are bad habits and it takes time for the new changes to become muscle memory. You have to keep consciously practicing your new changes for them to translate into effective game improvement.
I have a feeling that for those few months that your swing regressed, you did not spend enough time on a range applying those recommendations to your swing. My guess is that you played round after round and tried to make swing changes on the fly. Then after poor play, you disregarded the changes and went back to your own, habitual swing.
Look at Paddy Harrington. He won three majors and decided to address a small flaw in his swing. He took almost a year to successfully break bad habits and institute new ones. Find an interview of him now and he is very glad that he did it and I would not be surprised to find another shiny cup on his mantle in 2k10.
Give your PGA Professional a chance and take your lumps on the range, not the course.
Cheers!