Golf is a game where it’s absolutely possible to become a self-taught player. But lessons with a coach can be valuable for those who want to lower their handicap or excel at the sport in friendly games.
The key thing is finding yourself a good pro you want to learn from. Paying for lessons would be a waste if your coach wasn’t helpful and an asset to your abilities.
If you don’t connect and commit to lessons with your coach, you’re wasting your time and money.
How Much Should Golf Lessons cost? How Many Should You Take?
The average 30-45 minute lesson cost is $25 – $60 or $75 – $100 per hour
You need to decide your end goal and how long you think it will take to achieve it.
Other things that can help you decide how much to spend:
- What is your budget – if it’s low then fewer, but good quality lessons would be best
- How serious are you? – are you able to commit to challenging yourself?
- How much time will you practice alone – because it will take practice to perfect the fundamentals and accessory skills learnt in lessons?
- Do you want to get better recreationally or perform at your highest level?
Beginners can greatly benefit from learning strong basic skills from a coach.
But even amateurs and more experienced players might be able to shave off shots on their game.
One quick way to improve is practising your chipping on the green. Many players struggle to chip the ball close enough to the hole so their putter can save par, but it can immediately take their game to the next level.
(PROS) – Reasons to Take Lessons
- You can truly learn about your golf swing
Your swing is the secret to reaching your potential as an enviable player on the course.
A couple of lessons can teach you how to correctly identify the proper ball flight needed for a shot and what adjustments to make to your swing to achieve it.
A good coach should immediately be advising you on your swing and how to improve it, so if they aren’t, they may be wasting your time. You should not need countless lessons to become a better player.
- You can fix the faults in your swing
The way you swing your club is a vital skill and asset to your golf game, but it may currently be your liability. You may swing to flat or to steep!
A local professional can show you the drills and tricks it will take to improve your game in just one focus area massively.
- You can learn what your strengths are
Ask for a lesson on the golf course so your instructor can help identify your strengths throughout the game. Then you can both make strategies that play to all your advantages and current skill level.
A 2 or 3hour lesson like this could be far more valuable to you if you don’t already know what areas of your game are faults and successes.
Being honest with your coach about what areas you struggle with currently can also put you on a fast track to success. Otherwise, anxious silence in the initial lessons could be violent on your budget in the end.
- Improve your basic understanding
The golfing basics ground and strengthen every player’s performance – both amateur and pro.
You need to be able to
- Have good aiming – hit the target ground of your shot, consistently
- Have a strong shot with enough distance – if you can shoot far, your score is going to be high as you play the course
- Have enough control over the curve of the ball flight. Your coach should be able to advise what grips, alignments and postures will improve your 3 game fundamentals
How often and How many golf lessons should you take?
Every beginner should take one or two golf lessons before hitting the golf course. There are basic rules and skills to know before you play on the golf course (this will help you avoid a clumsy first game with friends).
Golf is also the sport of business, and an embarrassing handicap is unlikely going to earn any business success or reputation.
Those who are regulars at the course several times a week could benefit from a lesson every week that will regularly improve a player. But if time is short, a lesson once or twice a month will still improve a player’s performance.
(CONS) – When Are Lessons Not Worth it?
- You have a ‘cheap’ coach
Sometimes, a lesser teacher cannot figure out what area of your play is faulting you, which can stall your improvement. Think: it’s better to have a couple of good expensive lessons than many bad cheap lessons – the latter will rob you slowly.
- Physical or medical problems are kept from the coaches
The state of your eyesight, hip, knee or back pain is something your coach should know. These issues may actually be the underlying cause of a recent slump in your golf game.
Being honest about your weaknesses can help you, and your coach better strategises your strengths.
- You haven’t told your coach they were unclear
It will slow progress if you’re still struggling with a certain drill or can’t remember their instructions during future practices and games. Again, honesty and openness will accelerate your golf game success.
- You never intended to make an effort after the lesson
Similar to when your teacher assigned homework in school and you didn’t complete it – it’s impossible to expect improvement after not putting in consistent individual effort and commitment.
Practising and playing after a lesson with your coach will be the only way to maintain your professional skills.
Don’t waste your time and money if you can’t practice and commit to the lessons.
