How often should you take lessons

Definitely differs for all individuals based on what all you want to change, how you and your pro like to work, how serious you are about your game (casual golfer or competitive event player), how disciplined you are about implementing changes. Couldn't begin to give you a "standard" answer. Do what feels right for you and good luck with the results.

Hi Brian,

As a full time coach and instructor, I'll share the advice that I give my players:

1. If working on developing your game over a period of time - 10 "touches" minimum between sessions. "Touches could be rounds played or practice sessions of at least an hour. The idea is to refine the skill you have decided to make your focus at the end of the initial lesson before moving on to new topics. I also recommend keeping a journal of your practice in order to avoid distractions to the best of your ability. There's a lot of information out there on the golf swing, it can be difficult to stay on task.


2. If the initial lesson is just a "one-off", quick fix type of thing, then I think it makes sense to do your own thing until you have trouble again. But honestly, if you're looking for help with your golf game, a single, one-off lesson isn't going to do much good. So often, the problem that catches your attention most of the time is rooted more deeply and can take some work to resolve in a more lasting way.


Good luck and play well,

-Ben

Ben that was very cool to hear the instructors point of view on this topic.

I had a course of lessons on long game, short game, bunkers, course management and putting and made notes. So whenever I start to have issues I start by referring to my notes because I find that it's usually a bad habit creaping back. If all fails I'll have another lesson. Rememer it's not just about hitting your irons well theres your short game as well, learning different types of shots and putting will make you become more consistent.
Enjoy

I think it depends on your ability to accept the knowledge transfer of the lesson. Certain aspects of the swing are easier to adapt than others. For example, I really struggle with the pitch shot of 20 to 50 yards. I find that by having my swing coach watch me helps to point out the immediate struggles I have. Each of us are different in how we respond to the new techniques. I would rather go more frequently and receive the benefit of more frequent sessions. Hope this helps.

For me I initially signed up for 10 lessons. The instructor and I scheduled them for 1 a week. Now, if I don't get a chance to get to the range much to work on the things we went over then I push my next lesson out a week. At the end of the 10 lessons we will see where I am at. It totally depends on what you are working on. I will more than likely take another set of lesson to strictly work on my short game. My putting and chipping need some improvement. My goal when all said and done is to break 80.

Great advice Ben.

I had a series of lessons and when coach finished with the lesson he gave me the blueprint. But this blueprint was only what he had worked on this day. He said when you get this down (muscle memory), then come back and we'd add the next piece of the puzzle. He said tooo many thoughts would only set us back instead of going forward.

Make sure your lessons are taped or informal can be sent to you, good luck.

I could not have said it better Ben. Really like what you wrote. Good stuff!

I play with a teaching pro, one to two days a week. So guess each time I play, I pick up a tip or two with my game. If that counts. He always watches me from the cart when I am warming up with comments, good and bad regarding my swing for the day. I am my own worst critic and usually know what the problem is, based on his teachings. He has been a real coach and lots of help. I refer him to lots of our pass holders and members of our men's league when asked about lessons. Has become a real friend and has helped me in many areas.

Taking lessons is sound advice and will benefit your game. Plus when taking lessons with a PGA instructor you can always tell your playing partners when they offer advice that you take lessons from XX who is a PGA instructor and I believe the P is for professional and that is who you listen to for advice.

Since golf is year round here in Miami, there's no particular time of year when I get set up before a season or anything like that. So, my lessons are pretty much based on the need to fix something. Unfortunately, I only get to play once a week on average anymore, so sometimes it's difficult to recognize a bad trend.

In the past 6 months though, I have had a series of about 8 lessons to develop a new swing following shoulder surgery. I now have a shorter backswing that is lengthening little by little, but my follow through is much shorter, sort of like a punch shot, with the full intention of protecting my right shoulder.

I doubt I could ever have come up with certain adjustments the pro suggested. It does have me thinking about how to maintain a swing as I heal further, so the domino effect might be a semi annual checkup from now into the future.

Hi Brian,

I would definitely say its down to the players ability.

I try to go once a month, keeps you accountable also!

I try to do it once every 3 months, as I keep finding faults to fix.

At 55 years old, I usually only take a lesson when I can identify a fault. Sometimes a lesson has filled my head with too many swing thoughts and not accomplished anything.