OT: Golf lessons- any value?

[tentoes4rings]

I didn't start playing until my late 20's and my biggest problem was adapting a lifelong baseball swing into a golf swing. Before I took lessons I bought something called "the orange whip". It's a golf swing tool and costs about $100. Well worth the money in my opinion. Teaches basic technique and tempo.

Shop #1 Golf Swing Trainer | Orange Whip Golf And Fitness

Shop all-access swing training - golf's #1 swing products & program. Discover the original orange whip swing trainer with a patented, counterbalanced system.

orangewhipgolf.com

Ha. I’ve had the same issue for 15 years with bad habits from a baseball swing. I also picked up an Orange Whio recently, good training tool.

 

[XLCenterFan]

Never had one. Just play play play. I’ve shaved like 30 strokes off my game since I started with this approach.

 

[uconnfan68]

Need to find a teacher that you can believe in. Took me 2 tries, but when I believed in his method, and practiced and played a lot, my game went from bogey golf to single digit handicap in 10 months. It was the right way for me.

 

[DonaldDraper]

Crazy that OP has played poorly for 30 years without lessons. Lessons should guide your practice. While they can help on their own, typically you’ll want 3-1 practice to lessons. Don’t just set aside time for the lessons, set aside time to put the lessons into your muscle memory. The 6 session thingy mentioned is great, and practice in between.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Need to find a teacher that you can believe in. Took me 2 tries, but when I believed in his method, and practiced and played a lot, my game went from bogey golf to single digit handicap in 10 months. It was the right way for me.

Fantastic, congratulations.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I think lessons can definitely help, but working on course management / decision-making can probably have bigger immediate impacts for someone at the bogey-golf level.

If you are just starting off and are somewhat athletic, a few lessons can get you in to high 90's relatively quickly. Shave another 10 strokes and that gets you in to bogey golf.
Most of the stuff I've seen for "course management" for newer golfers involves two things- knowing how far they hit their clubs most of the time and learning to suck it up and take a bogey.
First one is for distance control. 150 yard shot to a front pin with water or bunker guarding the pin is different shot than 150 yards to a back pin. First shot requires hitting the ball close to 150 on the fly or else you put a big number in to play. Second shot you can hit 135-140 and let it work towards that back of the green. Also learning not to short side yourself for greenside chips or hit to the away side of a hazard.
Second scenario of just make bogey and move on includes chipping back out to fairway after a wayward tee shot, chipping well over a greenside hazard and leaving much further distance instead of trying low probability shots which just clear the hazard, etc.
Finally, unless your are a single digit handicapper, 90% of the time aim for middle of the green and make your 2-putts. Two putting every hole puts you even par for the round with the flat stick.

 

[uconnfan68]

If you are just starting off and are somewhat athletic, a few lessons can get you in to high 90's relatively quickly. Shave another 10 strokes and that gets you in to bogey golf.
Most of the stuff I've seen for "course management" for newer golfers involves two things- knowing how far they hit their clubs most of the time and learning to suck it up and take a bogey.
First one is for distance control. 150 yard shot to a front pin with water or bunker guarding the pin is different shot than 150 yards to a back pin. First shot requires hitting the ball close to 150 on the fly or else you put a big number in to play. Second shot you can hit 135-140 and let it work towards that back of the green. Also learning not to short side yourself for greenside chips or hit to the away side of a hazard.
Second scenario of just make bogey and move on includes chipping back out to fairway after a wayward tee shot, chipping well over a greenside hazard and leaving much further distance instead of trying low probability shots which just clear the hazard, etc.
Finally, unless your are a single digit handicapper, 90% of the time aim for middle of the green and make your 2-putts. Two putting every hole puts you even par for the round with the flat stick.

Even Jack said just aim for the middle... let your opponent make the mistakes.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Even Jack said just aim for the middle... let your opponent make the mistakes.

It's an obvious thing.

I brought up that point because I was playing a few weeks ago with a good friend who struggles to break 100. We were somewhere in the middle of the round and I was helping him out with his iron shot to the pin. I told him aim for the middle because there is a ridge and the middle will trickle the ball to the back right where the pin was located. Instead he flares one right in to a water hazard. He told me he knows he isn't good but when he's in the fairway he likes to go for broke and try to go pin hunting. I had to remind him the purpose of pin hunting is to have the ball end up near the cup not necessarily to land the ball near the pin (Especially true for lower swing speeds who can't spin the ball on purpose).

Let the course work for you and your game. I'm a big fan of swing aggressively to a safe location.

 

[JohnFSilver]

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

Stop swinging so hard. It isn't baseball. The key is a smooth swing and correct contact. Think a pendulum. Easy swing with tremendous torque Is what you want. Muscling up will actually slow down your clubhead speed unless you are in synch. Many muscle guys try and accelerate the downswing with arms and it actually reduces club head speed and creates poor contact.

I would look at a pro. And see their easy swing. It looks easy, but is actually pretty violent.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Also. Lots of practice. And, if you aren't comfortable with putter and chipping you score will never improve.

Bogey golf is always my goal!

 

[AZHuskiePop]

For one example my old home course was loaded with sand traps.
A couple of lessons were devoted to playing out of the sand. Knowledge plus practice gave me confidence in sand play. The first time I broke 80 . I needed two different sand trap shots to par the 18th and shoot 79. Something impossible to do without lessons ,practice and confidence.

 

[tentoes4rings]

For one example my old home course was loaded with sand traps.
A couple of lessons were devoted to playing out of the sand. Knowledge plus practice gave me confidence in sand play. The first time I broke 80 . I needed two different sand trap shots to par the 18th and shoot 79. Something impossible to do without lessons ,practice and confidence.

I used to be good out of the sand, maybe because I had so much practice from landing there. This season I’ve avoided green side bunkers very well. The other day I missed my approach shot by 6 inches abc went from an eagle putt to an 8 because I literally couldn’t get out of the sand for five shots! I used to do the hit two inches behind the ball, splash a lot of sand approach but now feel lost. Any advice would be super welcome.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I used to be good out of the sand, maybe because I had so much practice from landing there. This season I’ve avoided green side bunkers very well. The other day I missed my approach shot by 6 inches abc went from an eagle putt to an 8 because I literally couldn’t get out of the sand for five shots! I used to do the hit two inches behind the ball, splash a lot of sand approach but now feel lost. Any advice would be super welcome.

Do you have newer clubs or wedges? There are so many options not just on club face angle but the angle on the sole for bounce. Are you chunking them or blading them? For the club chunks usually mean you are digging too deep whereas blading them means the club is bouncing off the sand and catching the ball too clean.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Do you have newer clubs or wedges? There are so many options not just on club face angle but the angle on the sole for bounce. Are you chunking them or blading them? For the club chunks usually mean you are digging too deep whereas blading them means the club is bouncing off the sand and catching the ball too clean.

Thanks. I have 56 and 60 degree Callaway Mack Daddy wedges, I forget off hand what the bounce is. The other day ball was just sticking in the sand, couldn’t get it out. I guess I can try opening up face more. I haven’t been in the sand often this year, just want to avoid coughing up an extra 3-5 strokes when I do.

 

[JohnFSilver]

I used to be good out of the sand, maybe because I had so much practice from landing there. This season I’ve avoided green side bunkers very well. The other day I missed my approach shot by 6 inches abc went from an eagle putt to an 8 because I literally couldn’t get out of the sand for five shots! I used to do the hit two inches behind the ball, splash a lot of sand approach but now feel lost. Any advice would be super welcome.

Since I suck, have had a lot of practice in the sand. I dont mind it unless It is buried or on the lip. I love taking a full swing out of the sand. Easy to control the ball.

 

[uconnfan68]

I used to be good out of the sand, maybe because I had so much practice from landing there. This season I’ve avoided green side bunkers very well. The other day I missed my approach shot by 6 inches abc went from an eagle putt to an 8 because I literally couldn’t get out of the sand for five shots! I used to do the hit two inches behind the ball, splash a lot of sand approach but now feel lost. Any advice would be super welcome.

More practice. Find places with different types of sand to really improve.

 

[NJHusky]

It's an obvious thing.

I told him aim for the middle because there is a ridge and the middle will trickle the ball to the back right where the pin was located. Instead he flares one right in to a water hazard. He told me he knows he isn't good but when he's in the fairway he likes to go for broke and try to go pin hunting. I had to remind him the purpose of pin hunting is to have the ball end up near the cup not necessarily to land the ball near the pin

Let the course work for you and your game. I'm a big fan of swing aggressively to a safe location.

Thought about this post when I was playing this am. Pin tucked behind the trap on right third of green. Played for the center/left. Good thing too as I hit it a bit fat but still got on the green. Had I gone pin hunting would have been in a very deep trap. Thx for the reminder.

 

[tentoes4rings]

If you are just starting off and are somewhat athletic, a few lessons can get you in to high 90's relatively quickly. Shave another 10 strokes and that gets you in to bogey golf.
Most of the stuff I've seen for "course management" for newer golfers involves two things- knowing how far they hit their clubs most of the time and learning to suck it up and take a bogey.
First one is for distance control. 150 yard shot to a front pin with water or bunker guarding the pin is different shot than 150 yards to a back pin. First shot requires hitting the ball close to 150 on the fly or else you put a big number in to play. Second shot you can hit 135-140 and let it work towards that back of the green. Also learning not to short side yourself for greenside chips or hit to the away side of a hazard.
Second scenario of just make bogey and move on includes chipping back out to fairway after a wayward tee shot, chipping well over a greenside hazard and leaving much further distance instead of trying low probability shots which just clear the hazard, etc.
Finally, unless your are a single digit handicapper, 90% of the time aim for middle of the green and make your 2-putts. Two putting every hole puts you even par for the round with the flat stick.

I agree the two putt mentality is the way to go. Going for it can often lead to too much speed and a 3 putt or greater. Unless I stick it within 6 feet, I’m usually very content with a two putt. The key is building the rest of your game to the point that a two putt can still ensure a par or worst case, a bogey.

 

[NJHusky]

I didn't start playing until my late 20's and my biggest problem was adapting a lifelong baseball swing into a golf swing. Before I took lessons I bought something called "the orange whip". It's a golf swing tool and costs about $100. Well worth the money in my opinion. Teaches basic technique and tempo.

Shop #1 Golf Swing Trainer | Orange Whip Golf And Fitness

Shop all-access swing training - golf's #1 swing products & program. Discover the original orange whip swing trainer with a patented, counterbalanced system.

orangewhipgolf.com

Looked at the video. How does this help more than swinging a club?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Sometimes being an athlete does matter.

Jayson Tatum took up golf with the NBA shut down. Swing speed is 118 MPH.

"In a video Boisvert posted to Instagram, he claimed that Tatum hit a “bunt driver” 315 yards. Boisvert said Tatum has already eclipsed the average swing speed of PGA tour players: about 114 MPH.

“He makes half swings at 118 MPH,” Boisvert said. “But with a wingspan and the physics of it, he’s got a very, very long lever to create speed for him. So it doesn’t even look like he’s swinging and he’s swinging 118 MPH. So he’s well ahead of (the PGA Tour average) without even really going at it.”

For reference, a swing speed of 118 MPH off the tee would have ranked 38th among PGA Tour players during 2019. When he opens up the throttle a little bit more, Tatum can swing his club at a velocity even some of the PGA’s longest hitters don’t touch. Boisvert said that when he asked Tatum to hit one a little harder, he swung the club 125 MPH. That’s faster than Bubba Watson ever swung his driver throughout the 2019 season, according to the PGA Tour’s website. Tatum, like so many other golfers, needs to harness his swing, develop better tempo and consistency, and iron out what can be an overly inside-out swing plane. Still, he can already smack the ball when he gets a hold of it."

 

[Chin Diesel]

One other thing I would have a new golfer do as they start playing.....

Have them learn to hit a club 150 yards. Probably a 6 or 7 iron or a hybrid. Hit that off the tee and get the ball in play. Hit the second shot with same club. That gets you wihin 100 yards of the hole. Hit a chip up around green and two-putt. Take your 5 or maybe a 6 but learn about getting ball in play off the tee. Learn to hit your second shot towards the pin. Learn a partial shot. And then you putt.

Eventually get better and learn to hit 175 off the tee and 150-175 on second shot. That gives you a shorter chip/pitch towards the green. Probably much more enjoyable than topping tee shots 20 yards with a big driver or hooking or slicing in to deep rough, under trees, into hazards or OB. Learn how to get ball in play and progress towards the hole with every shot.

 

[NJHusky]

Sometimes being an athlete does matter.

Jayson Tatum took up golf with the NBA shut down. Swing speed is 118 MPH.

"In a video Boisvert posted to Instagram, he claimed that Tatum hit a “bunt driver” 315 yards. Boisvert said Tatum has already eclipsed the average swing speed of PGA tour players: about 114 MPH.

“He makes half swings at 118 MPH,” Boisvert said. “But with a wingspan and the physics of it, he’s got a very, very long lever to create speed for him. So it doesn’t even look like he’s swinging and he’s swinging 118 MPH. So he’s well ahead of (the PGA Tour average) without even really going at it.”

For reference, a swing speed of 118 MPH off the tee would have ranked 38th among PGA Tour players during 2019. When he opens up the throttle a little bit more, Tatum can swing his club at a velocity even some of the PGA’s longest hitters don’t touch. Boisvert said that when he asked Tatum to hit one a little harder, he swung the club 125 MPH. That’s faster than Bubba Watson ever swung his driver throughout the 2019 season, according to the PGA Tour’s website. Tatum, like so many other golfers, needs to harness his swing, develop better tempo and consistency, and iron out what can be an overly inside-out swing plane. Still, he can already smack the ball when he gets a hold of it."

Having great hand eye coordination and a long lever obviously helps but the key line IMO is "when he gets a hold of it". The guys on tour have that swing speed and hit the center of the driver almost every time.

 

[formerlurker]

Looked at the video. How does this help more than swinging a club?

The weight of the Orange ball at the end as well as the flexibility of the shaft force you to keep your hands in front of the club head to get that "whip" action at the bottom of your swing. Again, I used this to break myself from a lifetime of baseball muscle memory. At the time, I had no clue what a good golf swing felt like or how to duplicate it when I hit the ball well. This helped me a lot with that.

Still can't chip worth a damn!

 

[NJHusky]

The weight of the Orange ball at the end as well as the flexibility of the shaft force you to keep your hands in front of the club head to get that "whip" action at the bottom of your swing. Again, I used this to break myself from a lifetime of baseball muscle memory. At the time, I had no clue what a good golf swing felt like or how to duplicate it when I hit the ball well. This helped me a lot with that.

Still can't chip worth a damn!

Thx for the info.....I think hockey players have a much easier transition to a golf swing than baseball players.

 

[tentoes4rings]

Thx for the info.....I think hockey players have a much easier transition to a golf swing than baseball players.

Pitchers seem to adapt pretty easily, maybe because they don’t hit often. Smoltz for example is a phenomenal golfer.

 

[formerlurker]

Thx for the info.....I think hockey players have a much easier transition to a golf swing than baseball players.

I've got a buddy who played hockey his whole life and he picked the golf swing up almost immediately. It's ugly looking but he makes great contact and crushes the ball for a guy his size (maybe 5'8" 165lbs).

 

[uconnfan68]

I've got a buddy who played hockey his whole life and he picked the golf swing up almost immediately. It's ugly looking but he makes great contact and crushes the ball for a guy his size (maybe 5'8" 165lbs).

^^^ this... it's usually an ugly swing that goes pretty far. They are definitely competitors too.

 

[Conndog]

I am going to contact a local pro for lessons. I'll see if they do video of swing, it would be useful to see.
Goals are #1- improve consistency, which maybe involves getting swing fixed for its problems. Certainly will look at grip, stance, basic sequence, etc.
Goal #2- more distance/power if possible, not crucial but why not? I think I need to learn how to use leg power. I think my swing is primarily arms which is why I swing so hard but don't get results I think I should.

 

[uconnfan68]

I am going to contact a local pro for lessons. I'll see if they do video of swing, it would be useful to see.
Goals are #1- improve consistency, which maybe involves getting swing fixed for its problems. Certainly will look at grip, stance, basic sequence, etc.
Goal #2- more distance/power if possible, not crucial but why not? I think I need to learn how to use leg power. I think my swing is primarily arms which is why I swing so hard but don't get results I think I should.

Almost all use video now. Places that do club fitting will give you reams of info about the quality of your swing.
In my opinion, learning the basics (grip, stance, ball placement, and correct swing keys) from someone that can correct you during the lesson is critical. I read a book or two about the basics before I took lessons, but obviously the lessons helped more than the books. Good luck.

 

[NJHusky]

I am going to contact a local pro for lessons. I'll see if they do video of swing, it would be useful to see.
Goals are #1- improve consistency, which maybe involves getting swing fixed for its problems. Certainly will look at grip, stance, basic sequence, etc.
Goal #2- more distance/power if possible, not crucial but why not? I think I need to learn how to use leg power. I think my swing is primarily arms which is why I swing so hard but don't get results I think I should.

Smart move. It wasn't until my 3rd lesson that we started working on lower body at all. when you start using your legs you will notice a big difference. For me, it also minimized hitting behind the ball