Instruction
You need a golf coach, not a golf instructor
The key to lower scores is easier than you think.
Every golfer wants to improve, but most of those golfers are uncertain as to how they can do it. That’s why they spend thousands of dollars on training aids, instructional DVD’s and new golf equipment each year in hopes of lowering their scores. As you might have heard, it’s not working. According to the National Golf Foundation, there were 26.1 million golfers in 2010, in 2011 that number dropped to 25.7 million and the most recently released data from 2012 shows there are now only 25.3 million. You can see the slow decline.
If you find yourself always buying the latest technology or purchasing the latest golf instruction DVD on late night television, you need to rethink that strategy immediately! The secret to lowering your scores is to find a program that will help you do so. All over the country there are many talented golf coaches (who are not always golf instructors, by the way) who have developed improvement plans to help a golfer achieve their goals and aspirations.
The objective of being a coach instead of an instructor is to simply coach! The biggest difference between an instructor and a coach is that coaches develop game plans, work on all areas of the game, talk strategy, effective practice routines, improve focus and assist golfers on a permanent basis, among other things. These coaching plans are monthly-to-yearly developments targeted toward serious golfers who want to make lasting changes. That’s why the golf instructor will not always be your ticket to improvement. Most of them charge hourly rates, and it can be hard to know which instructors are just teaching the basics of golf and which instructors have fully dedicated themselves to helping golfers improve.
Ready to start? I’ve listed four important benchmarks to assist you below.
Research: Use your contacts as well as online searching to find highly skilled coaches in your area.
Contact: Reach out to 3-to-5 of these golf coaches and set up a meeting to discuss options.
Interview: Treat the meeting as an interview. You are the one hiring, remember! Ask a lot of questions including: experience, philosophies, programs offered and testimonials from previous students.
Assess: Put all information gathered together and decide which golf coach will be the right fit for you!
I recommend that when going through your final assessment of candidates you ask yourself a few questions.
- Will I be able to develop a strong relationship with this coach?
- Does this coach have my best intentions in mind?
- Does this coach offer a player development program that meets my criteria?
- Are supervised practice programs in place? This is very important.
- Can this coach offer on course coaching including: strategy, course management, routine assistance, basic mental coaching, etc.
5 keys to look for in a program
No. 1 — Technical: An obvious one here. Most golfers need some sort of technical assistance in all areas of their games from full swing down to the short game.
No. 2 — Strategy: I believe this is one of the easiest and most important keys for immediate improvement. One should understand how to strategically play a golf course, club selection, green reading, etc.
No. 3 — Mental: A basic knowledge of how to help one with the mental aspect of the game is extremely important. Basics include: breathing techniques, pre- and post-shot routines and positive self talk.
No. 4 — Fitness: Coaches should have at least a basic understanding of the body and how to place a golfer through a basic screening to see what their capabilities are. Understanding golf specific stretching and work out programs is also a huge plus to look for in a coach.
No. 5– Supervised Practice: This part of the program is huge and certainly something you should try and find in a program. Supervised practice is typically offered on a weekly or monthly basis in a group setting with the coach present. Here you will learn how to practice effectively.
Almost all professionals on the PGA and LPGA tours have coaches to assist them along the way. They see these coaches on a permanent basis and many travel with the professionals week to week when on the road. If the best players in the world are using someone to lean on why aren’t you? If you’re serious about lowering your scores, begin your journey to improvement today!
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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JohnnyWalker
Oct 16, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Hi Bill, could you explain the following philosophy I saw on your twitter: Increased gas=added power? Is this a “coach” term? Just trying to add a few yards. Thanks Johnny W.
Bill Schmedes III
Oct 16, 2014 at 9:11 pm
Yes, ground breaking information that could change the game. Follow me on twitter and I may let you in on it:)
Anon
Sep 29, 2014 at 1:53 pm
I recognize the range in the first photo! Disney’s Palm Course! I had a lot of good days working there!
Anon
Sep 29, 2014 at 1:54 pm
Well it’s the seconds photo.
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 29, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Anon, your close but its not Disney. That’s our old facility Bishops Gate Golf Club in northwest Orlando!
marcel
Sep 26, 2014 at 2:53 am
AAA+ golf coach and gym is all you need. I am 5’9 so hardly tall guy. I drive 280-300 yards, 4i 202 yards with Bridgestone j38 PX 6.0. Gym (3-4 times per week) and golf coach every few months to fix the issues. My longest drive so far at 370 yards… clubs are secondary to your technique and balanced physique.
DB
Sep 23, 2014 at 11:08 pm
Really great article. I’m in San Antonio, and have had some lessons in the area. However, I’m always a bit, shall I say… let down? They all seem to be instruction based, and want me to pay $100/hour for lessons. And of course they recommend 2-3 sessions per month. And it seems like each lesson is just them trying to focus on me doing one particular thing. And between instructors this is often a different thing. I play off a 5, and think I have a decent eye for the swing and for working on my own swing.
Honestly if I’m going to pay for lessons, I prefer having a lesson with an online instructor where I at least agree with their swing theories and concepts.
I really like the idea of a “coach” to lend an eye when needed, but to help with the entire game in mind. I’d definitely be interested in finding something like this in SA if the price was reasonable.
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 24, 2014 at 11:19 am
DB, Thanks for your comments! Its very important that you believe in the “theories and concepts” the coach will be teaching. That’s where the interview process comes into play. This is one of the most important parts. Do your research and then interview a few coaches in your area. This will allow both parties to be on the same page and develop a game plan together on how to move forward. You defiantly want to make sure you find a coach that offers supervised practice sessions in between lessons as well.
Justin
Sep 23, 2014 at 1:01 am
Know of any golf coaches in Northern California?
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 24, 2014 at 11:14 am
Justin, Where in Northern Cal are you located?
Justin
Oct 2, 2014 at 2:55 pm
sorry for the late reply, im located in San Jose
Bryan
Sep 22, 2014 at 10:56 am
Bill,
Firstly, GREAT article. I live in South Dakota, and I find that most of the instructors I’ve occasionally worked with are of the instructor mold. (Which is fine for 96% of the golfers honestly)
But, then there’s the rest of us! Those that take time to post on this site, and read the classifieds of this site like the bible!
I was hoping to get your feedback or thoughts on the Rotary Golf principals? I like their approach to instruction and I like the monthly video analysis that you can get.
I don’t like getting analysis from different instructors on the site however.
I’d love to here your opinion of Rotary Golf if you wouldn’t mind?
Thanks
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 22, 2014 at 8:27 pm
Bryan, thanks you for the nice comments. To be honest I don’t know enough about the rotary golf model that chuck teaches. I understand he does a monthly subscription program with drills. Typically I wouldn’t suggest a player to go this route but if you enjoy the material and you feel its helping you become a better golfer that’s all that matters. I believe seeing a coach numerous times on a monthly basis can be much more beneficial because of the feedback you receive. Not sure where you are located in S. Dakota, but Todd Kolb is great in the Sioux Falls area if thats near you.
Bryan
Sep 23, 2014 at 12:20 pm
That’s good to know! I’ll look him up. Thanks for responding
Roy striper
Sep 20, 2014 at 9:39 pm
I just don’t see the value for me or most amateurs quite frankly. Sure for perhaps hs guys or college players aspiring for a pro career. I’m a mid single digit handicap player. I am what I am. I take a lesson now and then mostly for a new set of eyes and to tweak something. I don’t need nor care to have any one teach me breathing techniques or attempt to be a psychologist. Me and the guys I play with are very competitive and have blast out there. Afterwards we settle our bets, drink a beer and go home. It’s really a simple game you see.
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 20, 2014 at 11:07 pm
Roy, thanks for the comments. Great to hear your happy with your game and enjoy playing the game. I would disagree with your statement regarding the value to most amateur golfers. I’m surrounded by these players on a daily basis and they are always looking for a way to improve their ball flight, lower their scores, beat their friends more consistently, and just increase their overall enjoyment. 99% just don’t understand where to start. That’s why coaching programs are important for those that are looking to improve.
Chi
Sep 20, 2014 at 7:45 pm
who would you recommend down here in Miami, FL as a coach?
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 20, 2014 at 11:10 pm
Chi, I don’t know any of the coaches in Miami well enough to give you a good answer. I’ve heard good things about Chris Toulson. Let me know if you ever want to make the trip up to Orlando!
Jason
Sep 20, 2014 at 10:11 am
I’m a Golftec client and think it does a great job at all of the items in the checklist here. Although, the cost of Golftec can be fairly expensive, nothing compares to the value it provides.
Tom
Sep 20, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Golftec does a great job teaching you how to hit a 6 iron in a net. Does your instructor teach stack and tilt?
Andrew DeMille
Sep 19, 2014 at 5:44 pm
Love the article… love the “coaching” model. That’s why we built http://www.edufii.com. To make sure the right people and information for development is accessible and coachable wherever you are. Thanks so much for the thoughtful write Bill! Our industry is primed and ready for more “Coaches”… and lower handicaps.
steve
Sep 19, 2014 at 9:39 pm
scam
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 20, 2014 at 9:00 am
Would you like to elaborate steve?
Andrew DeMille
Sep 22, 2014 at 5:01 pm
For the record, I’m proud to say top Coaches and Athletes in 60+ countries use Edufii to stay connected and get better faster from anywhere at all times.
John Mclane
Sep 19, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Golf lessons are to expensive. Only aspiring professionals or elite amateurs trying to invest in their game to try and get a college scholarship will invest the money to get a coach that puts in the time and effort this article talks about. I disagree 100% with this article. You do not need a coach, instructor, an entourage or babysitter. Information is all over the internet, books, DVD series. A disciplined person can still dig it out of the dirt especially with video aids. I took myself from a 30 handicap to a 4 learning and working hard trying to add the right elements in my swing. Besides, not all instructors still understand ball flight laws, i was just watching Michael Breed show how to hit a draw on the golf channel. . . aim the face at the target and swing along the foot line to start the ball. I hardly think that incorrect advice is worth $200 an hour and he is not the only instructor that still teaches off of principles assumed by the games best before technology. Im not saying you can’t make progress with an instructor i just disagree to the necessity of one to make progress. The only person that has your best interest at heart is yourself.
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 19, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Thanks for the comment John. Happy to hear you were able to teach yourself down to a 4 handicap. That’s incredible! Unfortunately you are in the 1 percentile. If it were that easy the national scoring average would have improved over the last 3 decades, it hasn’t. Information may be all over the internet, but if you aren’t capable of implementing it, or don’t have feedback it doesn’t really matter. Real vs. Feel are not the same. I would also say that many dedicated golf coaches out there care just as much about your performance and improvement as you do, because at the end of the day if you aren’t improving we aren’t making a living. Thanks
Scott Hogan
Sep 19, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Great article Bill, Most coaches I know, myself included have gone to the coaching model to help alleviate the cost of the traditional golf instruction. Coaching over instruction leads to faster improvement, more fun, and less cost for the students for the time they are getting. Win win win!
steve
Sep 19, 2014 at 9:44 pm
First they need to understand that golf instruction is not one size fits all. And yeah sure they want to make their living but is profitable for them to you keep asking for help year after year.
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 20, 2014 at 9:04 am
Correct Steve, it’s not a one size fits all, and we make a living largely because we able to develop players and create great relationships leading to continued business either from the player, family, or friends of that golfer. That gets us business year after year. Not typical golf instruction
Jimmy Tudeski
Sep 19, 2014 at 11:57 pm
What do you mean by coaching leads to faster improvement and is cheaper. I guess I don’t fully understand the difference between a coach and an instructor.
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 20, 2014 at 9:08 am
Think of coaching as a monthly gym membership. You pay the monthly rate and are guaranteed the ability to use or do certain things based on the plan you choose. Depending on the coach this can be much more cost effective for the player when comparing it to the golf instructors model of one lesson at a time. Coaching programs are typically set up to allow you a certain amount of lessons during the month, supervised practices, use of technology, use of fitness equipment, on course coaching ect. Obviously it varies on the coach, their facility, and what they can offer but that’s just an example.
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 20, 2014 at 9:01 am
100% Scott
Jason
Sep 20, 2014 at 10:15 am
I agree. You can “dig it out of the dirt”. Howver, using the trained eye of a coach will drastically reduce the hours needed to make a lasting change to your game. Feel definitely isn’t real. When a player feels like they are making a big swing change, they are most likely swinging in the exact same way as before.
John Mclane
Sep 20, 2014 at 3:48 pm
I’m not saying that lessons are bad, finding the RIGHT coach that actually knows what they are talking about and is affordable for that student are a rare find but if one finds them they can shortcut all the work I have gone through. I believe any amateur through hard work going about their improvement plan intelligently and diligently can coach themself to break 80. That shouldn’t sound rediculous after all Hogan said something very similar 60 years ago in his “5 lessons.”That doesn’t mean they don’t solicate advice or take a lesson when getting stuck to help master a piece of the puzzle they are trying to integrate. I just think a lot of golfers can be more self reliant, however the closer that golfer gets to their scoring barrier the more the small, sometimes overlooked details matter and the greater the need for a coach or instructor may arise. With all the correct scientifically proven information, training aids, and video based practice a player can still be their best coach. To help make FEEL REAL I suggest working with video, preferably live, and training aids to help integrate an element. I purchased practice time at a local GolfTec using their live video system which really helped accelerate my swing changes.
Rodan
Sep 29, 2014 at 8:20 am
Bill, John never said it was “easy”, he said he worked hard to find the information and working what he learned into his swing. The reason the national scoring average has not improved over the last 30 years has nothing to do with not having coaches, it is simply most golfers do not put the amount of time into their game that it appears John has.
Coaches can help, but for a recreational golfer the question is, “Is it worth the cost?”
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 29, 2014 at 4:56 pm
Thanks for commenting Rodan. Of course it’s not easy, but I would disagree with your theory on why national SA hasn’t gone down. A golfer doesn’t need a large amount of time to work on their games to improve, instead they need to train smart, problem is they don’t know how to practice or what they should be working on when training. That’s where a coach comes in
Tom Stickney II
Sep 19, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Coaches are rare find, but well worth the search!
Jimmy Tudeski
Sep 20, 2014 at 1:52 pm
How would your pricing vary from your instructional rate to a coaching rate and what would be the differences you would offer a student for traditional instruction versus coaching Mr. Stickney?
Ne26
Sep 19, 2014 at 2:20 pm
Would love to look into getting a golf coach! Any suggestions for someone living on the north shore of Massachusetts?
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 19, 2014 at 8:43 pm
Steve Hancock at GolfTEC in Danvers is great. Look him up and let him know I said hello!
Wai
Sep 19, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Any recommendations on golf coaches in the phoenix scottsdale area?
Bill Schmedes III
Sep 19, 2014 at 8:39 pm
I would recommend Scott Sacket I believe he is still at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale. Good Luck!
Scott Hogan
Sep 19, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Also could recommend Mark Atchison at Superstition Mountain.
Ryan
Oct 17, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Mark is a snowbird that migrates from central Iowa to Phoenix every fall. He is my golf coach in Iowa, and I could not recommend him more!