Nearly every golfer who picks up a club and gets hooked on the game is on an unending quest to get better. The desire to continually learn and improve is a shared goal no matter a golfer’s age or stage in the game. It’s equally true for beginners, high- and mid-handicappers, elite competitive amateurs, and everyone in between.
Even the best golfers in the world try to get better. They know the most effective way to get the results they want is to seek knowledge from respected teachers. You, too, can benefit from golf lessons. If you watched the recent Masters, or just about any professional golf tournament for that matter, when the camera pans to the practice area and focuses on players warming up, you likely noticed nearly all of them had their swing coach close by for guidance and encouragement.
For all those looking to elevate their game this season, follow the lead of the world’s top players and take some lessons. No matter what part of your game needs improvement or what your goals are, PGA Golf Professionals across Texas are uniquely qualified to help you on your golf journey.
Below are some tips to help you get started on the right path, as well as how to get the most out of your lessons.
Select a teacher who is close to where you live or work. If you have to drive a long way to take your lessons, you might not stay with it. Use the TGA Member Club Directory to check out the facilities in your area to find an instructor near you.
Every teacher has a different skillset and personality, much like every golfer. Some teachers are more about feel and visualization, while others are technical and analytical. Both methods and philosophies work equally well, but you’ll likely respond best to someone you’ll enjoy spending time with and who matches your learning style. Arranging a brief Q&A session beforehand with a potential instructor either in person or on the phone can help determine if he or she is the right fit for you.
It can be extremely helpful and more efficient if you arrive at your lesson knowing what you would like to accomplish and can communicate that with your teacher. If you have specific goals or have a constant mishit that you’d like to correct, it can help your instructor get to the issue more directly and structure the lesson time much more efficiently.
Don’t hesitate to speak up during your lessons. If you don’t understand a new concept or need clarification about something, ask questions and get some feedback. The most effective lessons are when there is two-way communication throughout.
When you’ve finished your lesson, write down what you learned along with any swing drills the teacher assigned. Use it as a reference guide for when you’re working on your game and to track your progress between sessions.
The sooner you can get practicing what you learned during a lesson, the better. Do it immediately after your session if you can. Work on the drills that your instructor gave you to cement how to do them right. It’s not easy to make swing changes, but with some stick-to-itiveness and quality time on the practice range your game will get better, faster.
Every golf journey is unique, but, at some point, we all get off track or hit a plateau we can’t seem to get over. That’s why it’s so important to get a helping hand from time to time. Taking lessons from a PGA Professional can help you improve your skills and become much more consistent, which means you will get even more enjoyment out of the game.