Conference 7.286::golf

    You say your not interested in lessons yet.  I have been playing for
    four years now.  I bought new clubs, new shoes, alot of green fees, and
    even have a few golf instructional videos.  The best money I ever spent
    in the game of golf was just ONE video taped lesson.  It's the best
    money I ever spent.
    
    To bad it took me four years to get my first lesson.  Just something to
    think about.
    
    Regardless of what your decision is, just remember this, enjoy the game
    of golf, no matter how high your score is, or how many times you duff,
    hook, slice etc.
    
    bob
    

    Having fun is the real key, IMO - BUT, how much fun can you have
    hitting grounders ? I'd say take a lesson ASAP - then just enjoy
    applying what you learned. It doesn't matter how good you get, but
    without some help, the game is VERY tough indeed.
    
    When I used to teach, I really enjoyed helping beginners, and I'm sure
    there are a lot of Pro's out there that do as well. A suggestion -
    before you take your first (perhaps only) lesson, have someone who
    knows the game help you with your grip and stance. It will save you
    time and money, because you can bet that the first thing any good Pro
    will do for a beginner is check grip & stance. Plus, it's a pain in the
    neck to teach those things, and the pupil generally feels uncomfortable
    and gets frustrated. Get used to good fundamentals before you take the
    lesson. At the end of the lesson, ask the Pro to review only the most
    important things - and write 'em down for future reference.
    
    --Jack

Re: -.1

>    At the end of the lesson, ask the Pro to review only the most
>    important things - and write 'em down for future reference.

Jack,

    That's good advice.  When I went a Golf Digest school they gave out
    little notebooks to take notes.  Since then I've written down summaries
    from lessons I've taken (& little truths I've picked up from videos or
    reading.)  Some of my best rounds have come on the heals of reviewing
    my notes.  Over time you will find that there are themes.  It helps you
    start the spring off faster if you are concious about what your normal
    problems are and work to avoid them.  The last lesson I took a few weeks
    ago (just went in for a tune up) was fun.  The pro went over everything
    that was ok, mentioned a couple of minor improvements, & then we started
    on trying to find some more distance.

Larry

    
    I wouldn't say that lessons are must. I've never taken a lesson in my
    life. I'm not a great golfer, but not too bad. I'm currently at a 14
    USGA HDCP for 18. My wife never took a lesson either, and her first
    year playing golf, she shot a 45 for 9 holes at Amherst CC. The best
    golfer I've ever played with has a 3 USGA HDCP for 18, and he's never
    taken a golf lesson either.
    
    Mike

    It ain't the Only way, it's just the EASIEST way. Maybe if you took a
    lesson, you'd be a 10...
    
    --Jack

    
      Bad habits are easily bred, hard to detect, and difficult to correct.
     Having another set of professional eyes looking at your swing is the
     best way to improve.
    
      Having said that, I don't take any lessons either, but it's because
     I'm too cheap and stubborn.  8^}
    
    -rick

    Warning DANGER DANGER...
    
    Lessons are not the cure all...
    
    You must be willing and able to increase your practice time to make
    lessons work.
    
    You must find a teacher that is not teaching a particular method that
    may not fit your game/physical characteristics.
    
    You must understand the basics so that after the teacher is removed,
    your game does not collapse around the he/she left void.
    
    You must be willing to use the lessons on the course...no matter the
    score...or your lessons will never become a part of your game.
    
    Set goals (plateaus ) you would like to reach so you can associate an
    improvement with the lessons.  I went from a 24 to a 19 after my
    lessons.   I went from a 19 to an 8 after playing for a year with what
    the lessons had taught me.  I am now having great fun at an 11 and
    enjoy trying to "work the ball" and create shots for the situation.  I
    don't practice, seldom warm-up and usually have to take a few holes to
    see what swing is working that day.  At least the lessons gave me the
    knowledge to fiddle and enjow at the same time.
    
    NOT ALL LESSONS ARE GOOD LESSONS.  This will be something you have to
    make your mind up on, after the lessons are over.  
    
    I am thinking of taking focused lessons now...SHort Game, Putting.
    
    SCD 
    
    

    
>    Lessons are not the cure all...

        No, but they are a cure some, and can give the beginner some answers
        to why things are.  Show a beginner the proper grip, have them try
        it and then wait for the moaning and groaning and the inevitable 
        "Why!? This is so &^@%*@ing uncomfortable you %$^$& !".
    
>    You must be willing and able to increase your practice time to make
>    lessons work.

        Very true, but a good teaching pro will provide you with tips on
        how to make the best use of your practice time.  Go to a driving
        range and watch how 95% of the players start the session off. They
        immediately pull out the driver and let it rip instead of starting
        off with smooth rythmic short irons.  They will also teach you 
        useful practice drills (See Walta's note in the Backswing/Takeaway
        topic # mumble mumble)
    
>    You must find a teacher that is not teaching a particular method that
>    may not fit your game/physical characteristics.

        The method teachers usually work only with the more advanced players.
        A beginner should ask around and find teachers that specifically
        cater to the beginning golfer and one that focuses on the fundamentals
        (grip,stance,address).  There are plenty of these type of teachers
        around.  Also, I hear group lessons are an inexpensive, fun and good 
        way of starting to learn the game.
    
>    You must understand the basics so that after the teacher is removed,
>    your game does not collapse around the he/she left void.

        A good teacher will emphasize the basics and provide you with practice
        drills so you can return to the basics in case your swing goes awry.
    
>    You must be willing to use the lessons on the course...no matter the
>    score...or your lessons will never become a part of your game.

       I'd vote for an intermediate work session on the practice range before
       implementing what you have learned in a lesson on the course.  Time
       on the course should be devoted to course management not swing
       management.
    
>    Set goals (plateaus ) you would like to reach so you can associate an
>    improvement with the lessons.  I went from a 24 to a 19 after my

       Excellent advice!  Setting goals is the only true measure as to whether
       a lesson has worked.  If you aren't reaching your goals, you need to
       either change teachers, communicate your goals better to your teacher,
       or take up tennis (just kidding on that last one).

>    enjoy trying to "work the ball" and create shots for the situation.  I
>    don't practice, seldom warm-up and usually have to take a few holes to
>    see what swing is working that day.  At least the lessons gave me the

       You are the exception to the rule.  Most players I know need the 
       practice to maintain their games.  And most definitely players
       that I know need the warm-ups to get their old and aching muscles
       ready for that first tee.  No names. ;^)
    
>    NOT ALL LESSONS ARE GOOD LESSONS.  This will be something you have to
>    make your mind up on, after the lessons are over.  

       But most of them are good if you are a beginner!  Again, asking around
       will find you the best teachers in your area.

>    I am thinking of taking focused lessons now...SHort Game, Putting.

        This is a good idea for someone who has played the game for awhile
        and can recognize where aspects of their game need improvement.
        Probably isn't a great idea for someone just starting out.
    
>    Warning DANGER DANGER...

        Dr. Smith ... Dr. Smith... Will....Penny... never mind    8^)
    
   All the above is IMHO of course.

-rick    
    

> And most definitely players that I know need the warm-ups to get their 
> old and aching muscles ready for that first tee.  No names. ;^)
   
 	Rick:  I HOPE you are not referring to last weeks debacle @ Shaker :-)

    
     A bit paranoid there Mike?  I was referring to my old and feeble
    friends.  You are young and feeble.   Many grins. 
    
    -rick_who_is_old_feeble_*and*_senile

    Some good advice in here.  I want to state my key criteria in selecting
    the Pro to give you lessons.  Look for one that caters to beginners is
    a good idea, but make certain that the Pro is like you.  Physical size,
    age, gender, physical condition of the teacher should be the same as
    the student, particularly if you are over or under "normal" in any
    respect.  This way, they will understand your particular problems and
    relate the solution more effectively to you.  My wife took her first
    lessons from a young man, about 6' tall, 180 lbs., excellent physical
    condition and he was working with her to hit the ball 250 yards.  She
    is an over 40 female, 110lbs, 5'6" tall, with little development of
    hands and arms - long hits for her are 180 yds, but look out for her
    short game.  What turned her around was a woman pro of 50, about 5'3",
    120 lbs. who knew my wife couldn't pound the long ball and didn't have
    time or desire to practice 2 hours per day when not in the weight room
    developing upper body strength.  You get my point I hope.
    
    Big Mac
    

    Exactly ...
    Mac is right.  Same experience for me.  My first lessons (probably
    beginner...but I had played quite a bit and had a grasp of most of the
    basics)  a series of 6 really helped me understand the swing, the grip,
    and the feel.  The pro even suggested I buy a set of clubs that were
    tour blades and play with them....get this....because they would give
    me the feedback necessary to make corrections....while the perimeter
    weighted clubs would mask the bad hits and minimize the feedback.  Boy,
    was he right.  I played with tour blades for a few years and once I
    felt comfy with the new swing(s) I switched to my Prima's.
    
    The second lesson was from a friend of a friend.   Golf Machine method,
    flat swing, flat left wrist, bent right all the little tricks...awful,
    because he never took into account my years of baseball and racquetball
    that make me very hands oriented.  While the first lessons taught me to
    use parts of the body, the second did nothing for me.  I think you need
    to explain to a pro what your game, practice and playing style are and
    your goals...i.e. a repeatable swing, a picture perfect swing or a
    propensity to hit the ball in the general direction.  From this he/she
    should be able to help you out.  
    
    SCD

    Gee, I wonder if this beginner ever found someone willing to play?
    After all, that was the intent of the note! 
    
    Where do you play, when do you play?
    
    Always ready to play.....
    
    rt

    Gosh everyone, I am sorry.  I didn't mean to change the intent of this
    note in the beginning.  Did the beginner of this note find someone
    willing to play?
    
    bob