Finding a Good
Instructor/Coach
The major reason it is difficult to find good golf
instruction today is that instructors/coaches are not ranked by results. The PGA, Golf Digest, no one does this. What we need is an “Angie’s List” for golf
professionals. This may be why eighty
percent of golfers don’t take lessons.
I’m sure it is at least a factor.
At this point word-of-mouth is all we have. If you are thinking of taking lessons, you
need to do some research before you pay your hard earned money to someone. The good ones will have no problem with
this. If they are offended by your
questions then move on. You would be
wasting your money with them anyway.
Here are a few points to consider before signing up with
someone:
·
If they try to sell you a package up front there
is a problem. If I haven’t worked with
someone at least once I have no idea how many lessons they will need. Packages are not bad unless you are being
asked to sign up for one initially.
·
If they do split screen video comparing your
swing to some tour player you need to ask for your money back. This is what I and my friends refer to as
“Let me show you how many ways your swing sucks” school of instruction.
·
The real red flag is do they teach a
method? Every instructor should have a
method of teaching but should never teach a method. It’s like saying “One size fits all”. No method fits everyone. People and golf swings are individual.
Here’s what to expect from a good instructor/coach on the
first lesson:
·
Introduction. Students are often intimidated
by PGA pros, so he or she should try setting the student at ease and developing
a rapport prior to the session. This leads to more effective communication
between the teacher and the student.
·
They will want background
information. This information includes: Previous golf and sports history;
previous injury history; simple movement screens to detect physical
limitations; occupation; previous instruction history; goals for golf.
·
They will want specific golf
information. This includes: examination of the golfer's equipment; ball flight
characteristics; determining how far the golfer hits each club; strengths and
weaknesses in the various aspects of golf; practice habits; motivation for
playing golf (i.e., competition vs. hobby vs. spouse activity, etc.);
motivation for taking golf lessons.
·
A good instructor will form a personal relationship with you and
be personally interested in your success.
The real art of instruction is figuring out what is integral
to each players swing and knowing that you should not try to change that.
You have to work around it and help them become the best they can be with the
swing they have. If you know someone who does this, please let me
know. I want to promote them to everyone.
There is good news though.
There is a growing number of instructors out there that will help you
simplify what you need to do and will help you maximize your swing and ability
– not remake your swing in their image of what it should like. It’s just difficult to find them because they
don’t get much publicity.
One
word of caution – if you try to go it alone, keep this in mind. If you Google golf instruction, golf tips,
how to fix a slice, etc. you will get a huge selection. One reason for this is people that
these people are in it for the money and not to actually help golfers. You are bombarded by emails and infomercials
telling you that if you buy this DVD or training aid, this book, etc. your game
will dramatically improve and each one is telling you a different secret. They have tour players and ex-tour players
swearing its some type of breakthrough.
I hate to tell you, but virtually all of them are all scams. Nobody has the secret because there is no
secret. They are simply trying to make
money off you regardless of what they tell you in their video. Anyone that appears on the first page of Google results has an ulterior motive or they wouldn’t go to that much trouble
to get that highly ranked.
If you have questions or would like to get in touch with me
just click on this link. You can also see some of my other writing at www.Golficity.com.
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