Let's play a game of What If...

[leezer99]

Topic 1: Let's say you have the opportunity to have your junior golfer work with any of the top coaches in the country. They just happen to live near you (either where you are now or you live where they coach), price isn't a concern and they seemingly get along. What coach do you pick and why?

 

Topic 2: Same scenario but there is a current hindrance that prevents you from working with that particular coach. Do you see another coach in the meantime and then switch once that hindrance is removed?

[kekoa]

Topic 1:

Butch Harmon. I'm not sure if that's even possible given his stable of PGA players, but he is who I would chose. Why? I like his philosophy of working with what the player brings and tuning it instead of re-building a swing. I also like the fact that he isn't a social media whore. I don't know a lot of coaches, but I also like what David Wood and Chris Mayson are doing.

 

Topic 2:

Depends what that hindrance is. But yes, I would go see another coach and who knows, things may just work out better with that new coach.

[CTgolf]

I think players should pick a coach who has a track record of delivering results consistent with the objectives of the junior golfer. If the aim is to be a professional tour player, then picking the coach that has helped talented young players take it to that level (not necessarily if they coach tour players AFTER they have already gotten to that level). For 90% of junior tournament players that objective should probably be to maximize playing at a competitive college level.

 

On the second point, I think coach hopping can be counterproductive and best to just wait until can get the guy you want, unless there is a major swing flaw or fundamental deficiency that needs to be addressed.

[tiger1873]

We live near a good number of top coaches. Most of them will teach juniors if they like what they see. We have seen a few.

 

Here is what we found using them. All of them are good for fundamentals and will help you understand how to play better. You will initially learn a lot and improvement will be great for the golfer. Once you have the basic fundamentals down there usefulness decreases probably after about a dozen lessons. In some cases your better off with someone who has worked under them because they are just as good and you save a lot money.

 

The difference I have seen is a top teacher just does not teach a swing or technique but actually teaches the golfer to understand their swing. Self awareness of what is happening is a big deal. Once that happens just practicing and playing is what makes improvement happen.

 

Some coaches are never ending lesson train and the costs add up. With a top coach you will probly spend about 3-5k initially and then lessons will taper off and you will see them much less. A good assistant will be about half that.