OT: Golf lessons- any value?

[Caronimo]

Forget about hitting it far, play from appropriate tee box. Practice putting and chipping. Most people get destroyed around the green. Lessons are always good, as long as the instructor is competent.

I agree with this. I started out the year scoring 86 and 82 and now find myself 5-10 strokes worse. Driver and irons inconsistent but if you can chip and putt there is no way you can't play bogey golf or close to it.

 

[Chin Diesel]

So, yesterday I took my first lesson in 3-4 years.
Just haven't been able to hit driver off the tee with any consistency. High flares one hole, snap hooks the next. An occasional 100 yard topper.
Worst of it was I didn't know what parts of the swing were off- set up, grip, back swing, whatever.
So, did a 30 min lesson. Pro used the alignment sticks, gave me a target and had me address the ball. Said my stance was good, ball positioning good and grip was good.
After two swings, both of which were high faded flares, he stopped me and had me take the club back to the top of my back swing. He repositioned my wrists because I was overrating in my attempt to get club parallel to the ground. Had me unhinge and stop at about 1030-1100 position. I hit a few good drives and could definitely feel a difference in what I was doing on top of my swing (you can't see what your doing because it's behind your ear). That was good.
After a few more swings and still some inconsistency, he gave me some hints on clearing my hips to better allow my trail hand to release through the impact zone. Results got better again.
Final piece of advice was a bit more forward press on my lead arm at address.
Four pieces of advice in 30 minutes all of which I could see or feel differently than what I had been doing.

1. More forward press at address.
2. Don't overhinge wrist at top of backswing
3. Clear hips
4. Release trail arm through strike zone.

End result is about what I want- 245-260 yards and about a 1/3-1/2 fairway cut. With a bit more confidence I can get swing speed up a bit more and get to 260-270.

Going back this morning for a follow up to see how good the muscle memory was from yesterday.

All in all felt good. We didn't do any video, I'm not worried about launch angle, spin rate or other stuff.

 

[Greathusky]

So, yesterday I took my first lesson in 3-4 years.
Just haven't been able to hit driver off the tee with any consistency. High flares one hole, snap hooks the next. An occasional 100 yard topper.
Worst of it was I didn't know what parts of the swing were off- set up, grip, back swing, whatever.
So, did a 30 min lesson. Pro used the alignment sticks, gave me a target and had me address the ball. Said my stance was good, ball positioning good and grip was good.
After two swings, both of which were high faded flares, he stopped me and had me take the club back to the top of my back swing. He repositioned my wrists because I was overrating in my attempt to get club parallel to the ground. Had me unhinge and stop at about 1030-1100 position. I hit a few good drives and could definitely feel a difference in what I was doing on top of my swing (you can't see what your doing because it's behind your ear). That was good.
After a few more swings and still some inconsistency, he gave me some hints on clearing my hips to better allow my trail hand to release through the impact zone. Results got better again.
Final piece of advice was a bit more forward press on my lead arm at address.
Four pieces of advice in 30 minutes all of which I could see or feel differently than what I had been doing.

1. More forward press at address.
2. Don't overhinge wrist at top of backswing
3. Clear hips
4. Release trail arm through strike zone.

End result is about what I want- 245-260 yards and about a 1/3-1/2 fairway cut. With a bit more confidence I can get swing speed up a bit more and get to 260-270.

Going back this morning for a follow up to see how good the muscle memory was from yesterday.

All in all felt good. We didn't do any video, I'm not worried about launch angle, spin rate or other stuff.

I am looking to take some lessons next year after my shoulder surgery is done in November.

Who is the pro?

 

[Chin Diesel]

I am looking to take some lessons next year after my shoulder surgery is done in November.

Who is the pro?

I'm in far western panhandle of Florida. Not sure if you want to travel that far for a lesson. If you do, let me know.

 

[Chin Diesel]

So, yesterday I took my first lesson in 3-4 years.
Just haven't been able to hit driver off the tee with any consistency. High flares one hole, snap hooks the next. An occasional 100 yard topper.
Worst of it was I didn't know what parts of the swing were off- set up, grip, back swing, whatever.
So, did a 30 min lesson. Pro used the alignment sticks, gave me a target and had me address the ball. Said my stance was good, ball positioning good and grip was good.
After two swings, both of which were high faded flares, he stopped me and had me take the club back to the top of my back swing. He repositioned my wrists because I was overrating in my attempt to get club parallel to the ground. Had me unhinge and stop at about 1030-1100 position. I hit a few good drives and could definitely feel a difference in what I was doing on top of my swing (you can't see what your doing because it's behind your ear). That was good.
After a few more swings and still some inconsistency, he gave me some hints on clearing my hips to better allow my trail hand to release through the impact zone. Results got better again.
Final piece of advice was a bit more forward press on my lead arm at address.
Four pieces of advice in 30 minutes all of which I could see or feel differently than what I had been doing.

1. More forward press at address.
2. Don't overhinge wrist at top of backswing
3. Clear hips
4. Release trail arm through strike zone.

End result is about what I want- 245-260 yards and about a 1/3-1/2 fairway cut. With a bit more confidence I can get swing speed up a bit more and get to 260-270.

Going back this morning for a follow up to see how good the muscle memory was from yesterday.

All in all felt good. We didn't do any video, I'm not worried about launch angle, spin rate or other stuff.

So, had round 2 lesson Saturday morning. Wanted to see what I retained and also wanted to double down on getting muscle memory with new parts of swing. Lesson went well. Towards end we worked on my driving iron and some pitch shots.

Played in a mini tourney Saturday afternoon at local country club. A friend who is a member is moving so he hosted a going away tourney.
I consider myself a 12 handicapper and shot an 84. Happy for a few reasons. Went first 13 holes on shooting 4 or 5. Drives were okay. Wasn't getting distance I want but every ball was in play. Big difference. Still can feel back side lagging through swing zone. Once I get the back leg firing through impact zone I really think I'll like what I can do.

18th hole is a beauty of a Par 3 on backside of clubhouse overlooking a bay. Wind was coming off the bay and you can see the flap blowing right to left. Hit a great 8-iron about 155 to the center leaving a 20' birdie putt. Ran it by the edge and stayed pissed off enough to lip out par putt. 3 jack for a bogey.

 

[huskyrob1]

Hi, I'm a mediocre golfer at best despite playing for 30 years. Basically, all parts of my game suck- can't seem to hit two good shots in a row, and for me a bogey is a good score with some occasional pars.
If anyone has taken golf lessons, what was the most valuable tip or improvement to your game?
It kills me to swing so hard at the ball & even when I make clean contact, it never goes as far as I expect. How do the pros do it? They don't even swing hard.
By the way, I saw a YouTube video that made sense and I'm trying to do this- here is the link

Roll your wrists as you swing down toward the ball, this is especially important on drives, and keep your right elbow tucked in on your back swing.

 

[LIuconn]

Don’t take blind tips on a message board. See a pga pro

 

[Greathusky]

I'm in far western panhandle of Florida. Not sure if you want to travel that far for a lesson. If you do, let me know.

Yep a little bit too far from CT!