The value of golf lessons

The first thing I did when I started playing golf some 26 years ago was make a critical error in judgment.

I thought I could learn the golf swing from a book. It all went downhill from there.

I would spend hours on the course hitting balls badly and loudly cursing the golf gods.

My results in the course were not better.

Not knowing what I was doing wrong, I just bought another book, and when video instructions became popular, I started buying instructional tapes as well. Same result: a complete LACK of results.

And so I wasted many years playing bad golf when, if I had done one thing, I could have been playing good golf.

What is that “unique thing”? Take lessons. Now, to be clear, I took lessons, about 3 over 20 years. It’s a testament to the true addictive powers of golf that I stuck with the game all that time…

What I’m talking about now is taking a series of lessons. From the same teaching pro. Don’t make the mistake of jumping from one teacher to another. It’s the same waste of money as buying one book or trick after another. Stay with a teacher. Learn his style and let his teacher know his swing.

I have learned that lessons with a good teaching professional are worth their weight in gold. And I’m sure many of you will agree.

If you are new to the game, TAKE LESSONS. If you are a long time gamer, TAKE LESSONS. If professionals continue to pay big money to big-name instructors, what more proof does a hacker need?

How do you find a teacher? I learned about my swing instructor, Mark Greenwood, Director of Swing Machine Golf Canada through the woman who is now my wife (see ladies? There may be a reward!).

So word of mouth is one way. Calling the local golf association (PGA, etc.) and asking for a recommendation is another method. You can search online or check the yellow pages. Ask your golf friends.

And when you find that teacher, how can you know if he or she is worth the money? Because of how well they explain and demonstrate and how easily you absorb their methods. It is not enough to simply accept that they have a certification credential of some kind. That just means they took the course and passed the exam.

A good teaching professional is one who communicates effectively and works with his swing and his body.

Another sign of a committed teacher is how much time he spends with you, his student, and client. Most teachers charge by the half hour or by the hour. If they go over allotted time with you to make sure you’re “getting it” and don’t charge you for “overtime” then you’ve found your instructor!

Now you are putting your money to good use! Get out there and practice those fundamentals!