Taking lessons

[JimSomebody]

Had the first of three 30-minute lessons today (cost: $80 for the series). I haven't taken lessons since 1994, when I started golfing again after a 20-year layoff.

I haven't been playing badly (relative to my usual game). In fact, my year is off to a good start for me: three rounds in the 80s have dropped my 'cap from 16.5 to its current 15.9. This has encouraged me to see what I might be able to do if I actually had a clue out there.

Today I just hit 7-irons as the pro watched and gave me things to work on. My teacher is a young PGA Professional who's an assistant pro at my home course. He's a good communicator and his advice helped.

Now I have to practice, practice, practice!

[xnavyct]

I'll be interested in how it goes, Jim. My game is not as good as yours, I am investing in a package of six 45 minutes lessons later this summer. I've never had lessons so am anxious to see how much I will improve...

[pick-it-up]

Nice, Jim!

I had my first lesson ever a few weeks ago. It was my first of five and I can't believe how much that 1 hour lesson has helped.

My irons have been I'd say 50% better as a result of a small change I made in my swing.

If anyone is unsure about whether they should take a lesson or not.....DO IT - DO IT - DO IT!

[JimSomebody]

I'm guessing that, in my case anyway, I may take 1 step back before taking 2 steps forward. I want to develop an inside-to-out swing, so I have to unlearn some bad habits. When you've been doing the wrong thing for a long time, it starts to feel natural. Then when you start doing the right thing, it feels unnatural. The hardest part may be to not relapse to bad habits when I'm out on the course. Fortunately, I'm not playing this weekend, so maybe I can get two practice sessions in.

[pick-it-up]

Originally Posted by JimSomebody

I'm guessing that, in my case anyway, I may take 1 step back before taking 2 steps forward.

That is totally how I felt too. When I was working with the instructor, the changes he had me work on were resulting in shanks, tops and just ugly shots.

Felt like a real dork hitting 100 yard shanked 6-irons off of a tee with a beach ball between my legs!

I stayed at the driving range after the lesson. I wanted to use what I learned right away so that I didn't lose the feeling.

He gave me a few drills to do too and they've definitely made me more comfortable w/ the changes.

[JimSomebody]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

Felt like a real dork hitting 100 yard shanked 6-irons off of a tee with a beach ball between my legs!

I feel your pain. I was hitting 135-yard duck hooks with my 7-iron.
Actually, I didn't mind because it meant I was simply "overcooking" it.

I have to say, I'm a little concerned about my ability to achieve the kind of swing mechanics I'm trying for. That first move from the top of the backswing... I gotta quit "casting" (a.k.a. coming over the top), which is a move I'm afraid is etched into my muscle memory.

[pick-it-up]

Well, I don't know anything about your swing or your game but maybe you can gradually work on it. And just don't put it into "production" until you're comfortable with it.

[JimSomebody]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

Well, I don't know anything about your swing or your game...

Me either.

Seriously, that's good advice, to gradually work on it. But I'm thinking I might have to put it into production next time out (next weekend) regardless of whether I'm comfortable with it, unless I want to return to the assortment of offsetting errors that passes for my current swing, and thus undermine the new swing's emergence. If I'm duck-hooking 7-irons next Friday with my coworkers, I'll never hear the end of it! And I want to beat them so bad!

But enough about me. pick-it-up or anyone: How did your lessons turn out for you? Did they help?

[Bigvivec]

Originally Posted by JimSomebody

How did your lessons turn out for you? Did they help?

I am still looking for an instructor that I click with...I will typically go into a tailspin after seeing an instructor but at the same time will take something positive from the experience...

Dropped by my instructor...

...was my last experience and I am still in recovery from that...

[JimSomebody]

Thanks for the link to the "Dropped by my instructor" thread, BigV. I remember reading it shortly after joining GRW. All I can add is that instructors ought to follow the same advice that seems traceable to the writings of the ancient physician Hippocrates: Primum non nocere ("First, do no harm"). I used to be a teacher (not of golf, LOL); I always tried to be conscious of the effect my pronouncements might have on the self-image and subsequent performance of my students. You had a bad teacher, bud; I hope (and believe) you'll shake it off. You didn't fail. He failed you.

I mentioned the lessons I had when taking up the game again in 1994. It was a series of 5 lessons. The guy was a good analyst of my swing and he conveyed concepts adequately well. So no regrets about that. However, we didn't really like each other, so when I wanted a short-game lesson about a year later, I tried another pro that worked at the same facility (an indoor golf dome). I liked her a lot better (maybe because she looked like Kirstie Alley from her Cheers days ). She was very personable, but not as good at communicating concepts. So when I wanted more lessons, I went to a guy teaching out of a local Golf Galaxy store. PGA Professional (like the others) but I stopped after 1 lesson, partly because of time, but partly because he wasn't friendly. If he'd been personable (or at least had faked it that I wasn't just another slob he had to give a lesson to), I might have found the time for more lessons.

Anyway, the guy I just started with is personable and we had gotten to know each other a little just from seeing each other at my home course, where he works. So the relationship part of the equation seems OK. Next parts are whether he can identify and then convey good ideas for me, and then whether I can then acquire them.

For people thinking about taking lessons (which I believe is a good idea), I guess the important things are to find someone you like adequately well (if that part is important to you) who can (a) make good observations about your game and (b) convey concepts and tips to you in a way you can understand. And then (c) will keep your hopes alive as you go through the change process.

[Bigvivec]

Originally Posted by JimSomebody

For people thinking about taking lessons (which I believe is a good idea), I guess the important things are to find someone you like adequately well (if that part is important to you) who can (a) make good observations about your game and (b) convey concepts and tips to you in a way you can understand. And then (c) will keep your hopes alive as you go through the change process.

Good points all and I wouldn't want my poor experiences to disuade others...I won't be going for any lessons any time soon though...nor will I buy another magazine with swing destroying tips...

[JimSomebody]

Had an adequate practice session today. Worked mainly with 7-iron, trying to do the things required to give me an inside-to-out swing. A fade has been my customary shot shape for so long, that I wonder whether I can overcome ingrained habits. But I do want to try to develop a draw, so I'll give this a shot.

No bad duck hooks today, so that's a little progress. However, I did hit some overcooked draws. That's OK for now, I think. An interesting thing was this: The best shots I hit sounded different from my usual good shots. A short, crisp click. Maybe it was my imagination.

Have to say: At this early point in the process, it's scary. No guarantees I'll improve, or even stay the same as I was.

[pick-it-up]

Originally Posted by JimSomebody

Have to say: At this early point in the process, it's scary. No guarantees I'll improve, or even stay the same as I was.

Or it could be exciting.... the possibility of shaving a bunch of strokes from your hdcp!

PMA, brother Jim...PMA!

[JimSomebody]

Originally Posted by pick-it-up

PMA, brother Jim...PMA!

Yep, that's the truth.