Golf lessons are one of the best ways to improve a player’s game. Some golfers are determined to up their game and will do so at any cost, whilst others enjoy golf as a fun hobby.
Golf lessons are not compulsory. In fact, only 15% of golfers take up lessons.
In this article, I break down the different categories of golfers and how many lessons each one should take. But let’s first take a look at the three fundamentals of golf.
The Three Fundamentals of Golf
Fundamental One
Your ability to control the bottom of the swing almost 100% of the time.
Fundamental Two
Your ability to have a consistent start line and control the curve of the ball.
Fundamental Three
Your ability to have enough power or distance to play the golf course.
How many golf lessons should I take?
If you are a beginner golfer you should take three to five lessons. It’s important to spread the lessons out, so you have enough time to practice between the lessons and get better.
If you are an experienced golfer, you should first assess your goals and then sign up for ongoing lessons that will help you achieve your goals.
Let’s take a look at the different golfer categories, the number of lessons each one requires, and the pros and cons of lessons for each category.
Beginner Golfer
Ideally, a beginner golfer should sign up for three to five lessons. Most places will offer you a package deal which will help you save money. The tough part when signing up for lessons is selecting the right instructor.
The upside is that because you are a beginner, most golf instructors will be able to help set you in the right direction.
The advantage of taking golf lessons as a beginner is that it will ensure that you have a good motion in your golf swing. You will get an insight into grip, stance, and posture when golfing.
Your golf lessons will help expand your knowledge of the golf swing. There are golfers who play like pros with a strong grip or weak grip and open stance or closed stance. There are so many other variations which you will learn.
At this stage when you leave your lesson, you should have improved at striking the ball.
The only real con of golf lessons as a beginner is if your instructor has not helped you improve at the end of your lesson.
This drill will help you with Fundamental Two:
- Set an alignment stick anywhere between 6 to 10 feet in front of you at the driving range.
- Hit 10 golf balls and aim to start the ball right of the target line.
- Check how many golf balls start to the right and if they over curve the target line.
- Continue practising this drill until you can get a minimum of 7 golf balls to start to the right and check how many curves back towards the target.
This drill is bound to decrease your handicap and help you score better.
20 Handicap and above
The amount of lessons you need at this stage depends on your goals and how long you have been playing golf.
If you play golf a handful of times a year, and you are content scoring in the 90s and 100s, then there’s no need for golf lessons.
But, if you are looking to dedicate more time to the game, improve your golf skills, and strike some scores in the low 80s then taking a lesson per month will help.
The most important thing is to practice between your lessons and work on what you have learnt. If you are lucky, your instructor will give you one or two drills that will help you improve.
The advantage of taking golf lessons at this level is that almost any instructor can help you play better. The key is your practice between lessons. Keep your goals in mind and review the three golf fundamentals.
The problem with taking lessons at this point is that the new methods and drills may result in an implementation drop. But just persevere and continue practising your drills.
If you want to get better at the game faster and decrease your scores, then practice your short game. The majority of golfers want to practice their full swing all the time, whereas most shots in the game occur inside 100 yards. It’s important to work on both your short game and full swing.
A little tip: work on Overspeed training. This will help you train to swing faster. This training method only takes 10 to 15 minutes per session, and you can practice every few days. It requires three swing sticks of different weights, two that weigh less than your average driver and one that weighs more.
10 to 19 Handicap
You get so close to scoring in the 70s but just can’t seem to find what’s missing. You should track some data to see where you are losing shots. Once your assessment is completed, look for specific help in one of these areas. I suggest you work with your instructor at least once a month.
The advantage of taking lessons at this point is that you recognise your weaknesses. You are also probably stronger in one area, so continue building on that strength while working on becoming a complete player by getting help in your weak area.
The con at this stage is that you need to find the right instructor. Most instructors prefer to go through their standard lessons. You need to find someone that genuinely cares about your game and wants to help you improve.
If you are not too bad at striking the ball and you have a high-level short game, you can shoot in the 70s consistently.
9 Handicap and below
This category is an extensive range of golfers. But it can be narrowed down depending on how determined you are on getting better. If you are at this point, look for the best help out there. You need to find a top instructor who is willing to help you improve your game.
The advantage of taking lessons here is that you have found an instructor you can rely on to help you strategically improve your swing and game.
The major con at this point is that the wrong instructor can destroy your game. You need to very carefully find the right instructor for you.
At this point you need to determine your golfing goals and whether you have access to high-level instructors.
How often should I take golf lessons?
This depends on how much you play.
If you play golf a few times a week, then a lesson once a week will be helpful. If you play golf only once a week then taking a lesson once or twice a month is good enough.
How much should I practice between golf lessons?
You should practice at least two to four times in between golf lessons. If you are able to practice and play golf more often, then you can increase the number of times you practice as well as the number of lessons you take.
How much do golf lessons cost?
Golf lessons cost an average of $25 to $60 for a 30 or 45-minute lesson. Hourly lessons cost anywhere between $75 to $100.
Are golf lessons worth it?
Yes, they are definitely worth it!
Lessons are vital for beginners who are trying to learn the basics. They help lay a solid foundation for a great golf swing.
The most important thing is finding a quality instructor to learn from. If you don’t then it’s not worth your time and money.
Are online golf lessons worth it?
In this day and age, with high-speed cameras, there are plenty of ways to take online golf lessons.
The pro of online lessons is that it gives you access to top-quality instructors around the world. It may cost a bit more, but it’s definitely worth it.
Are golf clinics helpful?
A golf clinic differs from private lessons, as it usually entails one instructor teaching several students at once. Most golf clinics have one instructor for every five or six golfers.
Clinics are a great option if you are on a budget. They are much cheaper than private golf lessons.
Another advantage of clinics is that you get to meet other new golfers.
Golf clinics have specific topics of learning. So you can focus on the areas you need help at an affordable price.
The only disadvantage of a golf clinic is that you don’t get that one-on-one attention and assistance.
Conclusion
There is no specific number of how many golf lessons you should take to get good at golf. It varies from one person to another.
But on average you will need three to five lessons to be prepared for the golf course.
You can take golf lessons to learn new skills or take your game to the next level
