Ladies, tell me I am lying. Do not all husbands think they are an expert in ladies golf instruction? I have given literally thousands of ladies golf lessons and I always share this discussion very early in our teacher-student relationship. I tell them that they can forget everything that their husband has ever told them about golf instruction. Amazingly, I can see the tension roll out of their shoulders right away and in turn they relax.
Let me tell you the couple of “ladies golf lessons” you will hear from your husband and what to tell him to make him happy and let you practice and play golf!
Your hubby will say “keep your head down.” This is just ridiculous! Golf is an athletic motion which requires your head to move in order to maximize results.
Every time I hear an amateur say “keep your head down” I picture someone in a golf stance with a player with their chin on their chest. This picture does not make me think that the golfer is very comfortable or ready to make an athletic motion. This example might be more extreme than you would like to have; however, Annika Sorenstam has been shown for years of not “keeping her head down.” Until recently, she has been ranked the #1 female player in the world for several years.
While David Duval was also number one in the world, he had a very similar motion with releasing his head toward the target during impact. Attempting to keep your head still during the swing will often lead to other swing flaws such as a reverse pivot. A reverse pivot will lead to a loss of distance and direction.
Your hubby will say “keep your left arm straight.” Now along with the picture from above with the player with their chin on your chest as they set up to the golf ball and now add a stiff straight left arm. Wow! There is no way they look comfortable or athletic. Giving credit where credit is due. Your husband is half (or maybe a quarter) right and I will tell you why. The golf swing is no place for tension to reside. The way he wants you to achieve the goal is to use tension to make it happen. This is wrong.
When you use tension, your muscles tighten or shorten and this makes you find a new path to return to impact because your arm is shorter. During the golf swing your left arm should remain extended not straight. Many people think that this is a play on words however it is two different things.
Take a swing and stop when your left arm is parallel to the ground on the backswing. Put a “death grip” on the club. This is your husband’s “straight left arm.” Now start over and again stop when your left arm is parallel to the ground and actually feel the weight of the club. Now you are extended and more importantly relaxed.
Finally, your husband wants to give you all of this great golf instruction advice. Right? How can you make him happy after the round at home but yet be able to not feel hassled the rest of the practice session or round? You can do this with one very simple sentence.
After he gives you unsolicited advice, simply reply “Thank you. That is exactly what I have been working on.” It makes him feel important and typically ends or at least slows down his input. This simple sentence has worked many, many, many times and can work for you too!
Jay
I am a true beginner. Never held a golf club until last weekend. I want to start out right and not develop bad habits. I know some pros are not patient with true beginners who do not even know how to hold a club.
Alfred
I’ve been looking at getting some golf lessons, but I dont know if I should go for a certified intructor, which is cheaper, or go for the pro.
Clyde
I’ve never played before and I’m 14 so I don’t really have any nice clothes… It’s not at a course just i driving range and I would fell out of place showing up in like a t and short shorts with flip flops so I dont know what to do…
Miguel
Now, the best and last 2 simple & proven ways to improve your golf on the course. Finding out your “physical and mental limitations” is the first step towards a lifelong better game of golf. Once you find out what is keeping you (which is quite easy) from making that perfect swing, you can set up a game plan to improve it.
It may be a flexibility or a matter of adjustment or changes and even mental issues, or it may be a strength issue. But either way, you have got to find out what it is. Even veteran golfers are not spared from this. Is golf training program really works?
The most common issue (especially for the older golfer) is flexibility. Not being able to rotate your body fully on the backswing (this may even injure your back or spine) , creating that power and torque for maximum clubhead speed.
If your back swing is cut short, you may even LOSE yards on your drives! And I say again; no amount of lessons or hitting balls will make that any better. You have got to do specific golf stretches to improve this limitation.
Now on the other side of these limiting factors is strength, specific to golf. And one of the most common limitations is weak the back of the upper leg. The role of this is critical.
It allows you to maintain your golf posture throughout the swing and for 18 holes. It prevents undo strain on your lower back. And can give you a steady, comfortable position while putting.
If your hamstrings are weak, I can almost say with certainty, you have got some low-back pain or injury. This is prevalent in older golfers and even the younger ones too.
Back pain is the number reason to keep a golfer from playing his or her best. Have you ever walked off the course with your back in pain? I am sure at one time or another you have.
You cannot just enjoy this game of golf, if your hamstring is weak. So, is there a solution for this without injuring your back and up your golf level.
Now do you think hitting more balls or taking more lessons will improve this? I think you know the answer.
If you have a difficult time, “staying in your swing”, it most definitely could be your posture. In order to maintain the forward flex in your upper body (golf posture), your hamstring need to have optimal strength (and flexibility).
If not, your hamstring will send a message to your brain saying, “get out of this position, I cannot hold it any longer”. Do you think his has ever happened to you? Your mind will not obey you and starts to do some movements that you cannot simply control.
So working on the physical side of your game improvement may be the missing link. I can assuredly tell you with this approach, your game WILL improve.
I guess it is doing some stretching exercises before the golf and of course go to a medical professionals to certify that you are fit to “twist and turn” your lowerback. You do not want to injure during the game and even lose to your golf partners, do you?
There is no doubt. Getting your body to move just a little better will make a huge difference in your ability to make an optimal swing for 18 holes. So before you take that next golf lesson, take a look at your BODY first!
Edgar
There are many famous golf school like butch harmon, david leadbetter, dave pelz, etc… which will cost thousand for the 2-4 days school.
Meanwhile, they are many good teachers and get private lesson from them and cost much lower.
So, what is the real benefit to get lesson from famous golf school
Erik
You want to learn how to play the game of golf. Now the questions come flooding through your mind. Do I need to take golf lessons & instruction? How do I find a qualified golf instructor? How long should the lessons be and how often should I take them? What should we be working on in my golf lessons and instruction sessions and how long until I improve? Eventually you will discuss all aspects of the game with your instructor including the full swing, putting, short game, golf fitness, mental game and golf club fitting.
Let’s discuss the above questions.
Do I need to take golf lessons & instruction?
Technically no you do not have to take golf lessons & instruction. With this being said, it will take you longer to learn the game and could bring un-needed frustration to you. Especially as you begin to learn the game it is a good idea to take golf lessons & instruction.
Would you try to sky dive or ski without first having lessons or would you just try to figure it out? You will be able to learn the proper golf swing fundamentals from your golf instructor and this will give you a good foundation to build on as you learn to play the game.
How do I find a qualified golf instructor?
There are many ways to find a qualified golf instructor. It is a lot like finding a new doctor or accountant after re-locating to a new city. Ask your co-workers, friends and fellow golfing buddies for the experiences that they have had. You can locate a local golf instructor through PGA.com that is close to you. The PGA offers certifications in teaching and these instructors are few and far between. If you are close proximity to one you are lucky and should take that opportunity.
How long should the golf lessons & instruction session take and how often should I take them?
As you are starting with a new instructor, I would advise a 30 minute lesson. You will be receiving what will seem like a lot of information and will need to understand it all and digest it. This will take some time. How often you take them will depend on several factors such as: how much time you have to practice, how much you have to spend to learn the game and how much time you actually do practice.
I always suggest that if you go out and practice and it is horrible than go back. The information is clearly not understood by you or was not clearly explained by the instructor. I suggest taking a golf lesson & instruction session after you have been able to practice on your own twice.
What should we be working on in my golf lessons & instruction sessions and how long until I improve?
If you are an accomplished player you should have an idea of the weakest part of your game and start there. As a beginner, I would want my golf instructor to start with teaching me a putting stroke then a chip shot then a pitch shot and finally a full swing. Why this order? This order starts you closest to the hole and with a small stroke. As you become better you would go to the next step and learn a swing that is a little longer than the one before. This allows you to keep building on what you have learned.
The amount of time that it will take you to learn the game is the $64,000 question. The good news is that it mainly rests on your shoulders. You must consistently go to your golf lessons & instruction sessions as well as practicing in between sessions. In addition, it depends on if your goals are to just enjoy the game or to play the game at a high level.
Christian
Imagine the next time you join a discussion about how to shop for golf lessons. When you start sharing the fascinating golf lessons facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.
Before, it has been acclaimed as a game for those who can afford to buy the equipment needed. But as time goes by, golf has gradually gained mass recognition, as it becomes an affordable sport.
However, golf lessons remain to be very expensive. That’s why it is important to take into considerations the different factors that need to be mulled over before obtaining golf lessons.
Therefore, for those who would like to know how to shop for golf lessons in the market, here is a list of some tips that can be used:
1. Budget
Before a Tiger Wood wannabe enrolls into some golf lessons, he or she must first learn how to stick to the budget.
Golf lessons’ prices may vary and there are instances where other institutions price their golf lessons really high. So it’s better for a beginner to conform to his budget so that he will not be compelled to take the best and the most expensive golf lessons.
2. Know the preferences
It is important to consider one’s preference for golf lessons. For example, if an individual is very particular with the instructors, then, he or she should be prepared to prepare a bigger budget for it because skilled instructors usually offer expensive golf lessons.
3. Consider one’s goals and dedication to learn the game
You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about golf lessons. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.
Expensive golf lessons can really do amazement with one’s performance in the game. However, these things will only be put to waste if the concerned individual is not dedicated to do the lessons.
The important thing in golf lessons is to have one’s goals and dedication meet at a certain point.
4. Types of golf lessons
Golf lessons can either be private or those that are taught in golf schools. Both are advantageous to a golf wannabe. The only difference they make is with the length of time required to finish the lessons.
Private golf lessons entail a longer period than golf lessons taught in schools.
5. Shop around
Not all golf lesson providers are created equal. Hence, it is important for a person who wants to learn golf lessons to shop around first so that he will be able to compare one item from another.
Indeed, golf lessons can be very expensive. That’s why it is important to consider these factors so as to avoid any additional expenses.
Nevertheless, golf lessons can definitely help a person harness his or her skills when playing golf.
So now you know a little bit about how to shop for golf lessons. Even if you don’t know everything, you’ve done something worthwhile: you’ve expanded your knowledge.
Amber
