Just had a lesson and got my doubts - thoughts appreciated

Hi there

I am coming back into the game after an enforced 10 year lay off. I'm playing off 7 at the moment but looking to get that down big time this year through a lot of hard work, practise and playing.

As part of that, I knew my swing was out of shape so I thought i would book a series of lessons with a local pro.

So I had my first lesson - got the video analysis and sure enough - some horrendous faults mainly due to taking the club way too much on the inside and then accentuating this flattness on the downsing which results in me having to over use my hands to get the club back on track.

Ok - diagnosis clear!

He then showed me a couple of moves I needed to 'feel' in my swing, basically to increase the height of my plane and get my upper body working more on the downsing instead of my hands and lower body.

However, he didn't actually give me any specific drills - just told me to practise these 'feelings'.

My question is whether I should expect to receive specific drills? I practise a lot and want to improve and thought that specific drills would be important because I could be practising these movements but what I feel and what actually occurs sometimes (in my experience) are different.

Do you think I am asking too much? What sort of methods do other pro's/teachers use?

I'll give a pro 3/4 lessons before evaluating him. Sometimes the early communication is off/sometimes he's on a step-by-step plan/sometime's I'm not hearing what he's saying....and sometimes he's having an off day.

If you decide to change, it won't take much for your new pro to get you on his plan.

Some teachers are feel oriented, (Jim Flick comes to mind) and some are mechanics or position oriented

(Jim Hardy).

I think it is up to you as to what kind of "method" you prefer.

Myself, i have been more of a "position" learner because my interpretation of what i'm feeling is not as

accurate as trying to repeat a position in my golf swing.

If your current teacher's method does not fit your learning style, you shouldnt have any trouble finding one

who does.

A good instructor should have the ability to identify the most effective way the student is going to learn...

1. Kinesethetic - Feel Through Drills

2. Visual - See Through Pictures/Video

3. Verbal - Explain Verbally

Most golfers will find most success with Kinesthetic / Visual combination, however, everyone learns differently...

I need to go back and read what you posted, but my initial reaction was you simply got a Verbal lesson...

Here's an example of a Kinesthetic drill for you...Ask your instructor if this might be beneficial for what the two of you are working on...

Get into your posture and get your rear end about a foot away from a wall, so the wall is directly behind you...Take practice swings, slowly back, don't allow the clubhead to strike the wall...It will be forced to work up vs. too much around your body...

You might try and ask first. There are many ways this game can be taught and not all things work the same for different people.

Mike has a good drill for you to try.

Here's an example of a Kinesthetic drill for you...Ask your instructor if this might be beneficial for what the two of you are working on...

 

 

 

Get into your posture and get your rear end about a foot away from a wall, so the wall is directly behind you...Take practice swings, slowly back, don't allow the clubhead to strike the wall...It will be forced to work up vs. too much around your body...

Thanks Mike, will give it a shot.

I'm going to give the pro a few lessons to see how we get on before reavaluating.

Hey Slugsy,

Like I said above, talk to the instructor about the drill I mentioned first...You need to be able to communicate well with your instructor...Explain your concerns and need for 'kinesthetic' drills...Good luck!