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How to Make Your First Golf Lesson Worthwhile – For the Intermediate Golfer

You have been playing golf for some time, perhaps even for years. You have achieved a fairly consistent swing. Your handicap is probably between 12 and 20 but you are not able to get it any lower. You seem to have reached a plateau. Finally, you decide to take a lesson from your local Professional. What should you expect? Is there anything you could or should do before the lesson?

Here is what you must ponder? You have come a long way. You learned the basics of the game, the grip, stance, posture, alignment, backswing and downswing. You recognize that golf is not an easy game. You understand that the golf swing has “many moving parts.” So in a 45 to 60 minute lesson you cannot expect the pro to diagnose and correct all of those “moving parts.”

Tip #1

The first thing for you to do is to analyze your game or your swing and try to identify one part that is giving you the most difficulty. Are you pleased with the way you are driving the ball off the tee? Are your fairway woods or hybrids causing you the most difficulty? How about your short irons? Pitching? Chipping? Perhaps you’re putting? Whatever, try to identify that part wherein you seek improvement and let the Pro know that you want to focus in that area.

The Pro will ask you to grab a club, warm up and take a few swings. Unless your basics are totally incorrect, the Pro will begin to zero in on the aspect you identified. Hopefully the Pro will be able to identify your problem. The Pro will suggest that you execute a different and hopefully the correct movement to fix your problem and improve your swing. The Pro will ask you to continue practicing this new movement until s/he feels that you can do it on your own.

Tip #2

Jot down on a piece of paper exactly what it is that the Pro suggested to you to improve your swing. Ask the Pro if your understanding of the suggestion is exactly as the Pro suggested. Make certain that you and your Pro are in agreement.

Tip #3

You now must remind yourself that it has taken you as much time as you have been playing golf to have acquired this incorrect aspect of your swing that the Pro suggested you must change. Improper muscle memory has set in. To improve your swing in accordance with the Pro’s advice, you must develop the new muscle memory required for the desired movement. Such requires repetition. To get the most benefit from your lesson, review your notes and practice the movement as frequently as you can. Do not change any other part of your swing. It is best to perform short periods of practice than to practice for an extended session.

You MUST practice that new movement until you are able to execute it unconsciously. That is when muscle memory has taken over the movement. If and when you can perform the suggestion, you are ready for your next lesson. If you don’t practice that new movement, you will have wasted your lesson. Should you decide to continue your lessons and you can demonstrate that you can perform the suggested movement, your Pro will be able to give you useful critique or suggest your next lesson. Your swing and game will continue to improve.

Maintain a positive attitude about your swing and your game. Remember that “golf is NOT a game of perfect.” As Tiger Woods reminds us, his swing is a constant work in progress.

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