Getting a lesson for the first time... tips?

[kool-aid]

I'm getting my first ever lesson this weekend after 20+ years of playing, and I'd like to make sure I get the most out of it.

 

Do I warm up beforehand?

How do I best remember details about any adjustments the instructor makes to grip/setup/etc or specifics on drills I'm given to do? Do I bring a notebook? Video the whole thing? Something else?

What works for you?

[Chunkitgood]

Umh, abandon your preconceptions?

[getitdaily]

Your dad never had the birds and bees talk with you, huh? Don't be nervous big guy, it'll all work out just fine.

[GolfTurkey]

My thoughts:

--Warm up but not to the point of being tired.

 

--A small notebook and pencil works to remember the important points.

 

--Be a good student and LISTEN to the instructor. I'm always amazed at how many people want to do all the talking during lessons.

[umamimami]

overall, do an honest reflection on how you learn best. If you think you’d benefit from being able to record the lesson in some way then make sure your teacher is cool with that and do so. For me - I Take notes when I must, audio is better, and I find video to be the best. The goal is to create the best way that you think you can learn from. 
 

if you’re able to learn and recall instruction without recording it - power to ya, go for it. If not, then be honest about that and make sure you get the recording you think you’d be best served by.

 

If you opt for video,  I wouldn’t sweat the camera angle, just make sure you’re able to access the lesson in some way (mental or audio/visual/written) that you think will best serve you.

 

lastly, don’t try and be different because you want to impress. Honesty will teach you more than false impressions could. Get into the place you find yourself on the course on a daily basis. No point in swinging out of your shoes in a lesson if you don’t do that on the course, there’s also no point to being timid and safe during a lesson if you aren’t timid and safe on the course. 
 

All in all, be yourself and make a recording of it, in whatever format you think will best serve you.

 

 

Edited September 13, 2023 by umamimami

[goaliedad30]

Warm up a little, but not too much. And focus that warmup on simply making solid contact with shorter clubs -- wedges, short irons. Depending upon the goal of your lesson, you're highly likely to spend most or all of it with a 7 or 8 iron in your hand.

 

If the instructor says something you don't understand - ASK! Listen lots, but listen actively. If the concept being explained doesn't make sense, don't just nod your head and move on.  You want clarity so you know how to work on your own.

 

Lastly, I'm a big fan of walking away with one or two practice plans / drills that I can focus on to help ingrain the learning from the lesson.

 

Enjoy!

 

[TexasTurf]

If you aren't immediately hitting it much better within the first few minutes and they are selling you on video and positions, move on. Sadly, that eliminates 95% of instructors but at least you only have to statistically try about 19 more times to find the right one. 

[Rdailey9108]

Don't expect to suddenly get better after one lesson. A good instructor should put you on the right path to improve but it's gonna take more than one lesson or one range lesson to improve. 

[Supr3m3]

- Get there 10-15 min early to warm up a little bit 

- Its going to feel unnatural at times because your instructor is trying to help you break 20 years of bad habits. It will take time and you may shank a lot of balls during your lesson. Just remember this is part of the process.

- If someone is coming with you, see if they can take notes and videos for you. If you’re going by yourself, my instructor had me send an email with a recap of everything we went through, and he would email me back to correct any misunderstandings or add on. See if your instructor will be willing to do that.

- Be open minded. This may include the fact that your instructor just isn’t a good fit for you.

[Nels55]

What is the goal for the lesson?  Are you simply curious to find out what the pro will tell you?  Perhaps you are simply hoping for a tip or two to help you play a bit better?  Or maybe you want to undertake a program involving a number of lessons to improve your game?  Building a better motion will likely take a lot of time and lot of dedicated practice.