Golf lesson

Coaching rates can be all over the map.  It all depends what the market will bear for the coach in question based on his/her reputation and what club they work at.

It's been a long time since I had a lesson, but I do know that the coach that I used is currently charging $75 for a lesson.  He works at an executive length course and deals mostly with recreational players, although he does have a history of coaching a couple of high level juniors over the years.  I liked his methods because he works with what you have versus some coaches that are intent on reinventing the wheel.  That might be fine for a yound player with a lot of upside, but not so good IMO for an older established player with lower potential.

I think that it's important that you have an idea of what you want to accomplish, the more specific the better so that the coach can tailer the lesson plan to the student.

Don't try and do too much all at once.  It's a process.  Having achievable goals is important and be realistic about them.  Good luck!

there seems to be a standard rate for PGA professionals, $50 for 30 minutes. At least in this area.

The one thing to keep in mind is that you may feel uncomfortable with your swing, since they may change your grip, club position, and stance. You will usually play worse after a lesson...for a while...until the changes become integrated and comfortable. Keep an open mind and also know that sometimes they may only correct one part for now...until that is going well and then they will transition to another part of the swing (depending on what your issues and goals are).

One thing I will highly recommend is that you VIDEO your entire lesson. You want to be able to SEE exactly what your doing when you start out and see exactly what the instructor is having you do to correct anything in your game. The video will allow YOU to SEE what the instructor is seeing, so you will be able to better understand what he or she is trying to correct. It will also allow you to GO BACK and wathc your entire lesson again at a later time, so you can see what you need to work on agian. It's almost like getting extra lessons for free if you use the video and watch your lesson again as needed.

As for the first lesson, I would recommend that you start at ground ZERO. Have the instructor show you HOW to setup to the ball and how to grip the club so you start off with good basics. IF you start your lesson with good solid fundementals you will have a solid base to build on and it will only get better as you go.

Cac,  a couple thoughts....

1) What's the season like for you there this time of year? if it's about to be winter and you'll have little time/conditions to practice the swing changes, you mighrt want to wait till spring.  But if that's not and issue, and you can work on new stuff over the off season, great!  Do it

2) That rate seems normal.  Sort of varies depending on where you go but that's not unreasonable.  Look at lesson packages..usuallly there's a discount for mulitple lessons.  My best rates are with Golf Galaxy and buying a 6 pack lesson .. $33/lesson but the plus is I pre-pay, getting a Golf Galaxy gift card, which I can use for $33 lessons OR any golf galaxy purchases. 

3) I would have a plan.  If you're taking only 1 lesson, then I'd either go in with your current weakness (driver control, distance, ball striking) or I'd go in and like Don suggests, make some swings and let him tell you what he sees.  If you're going to take multiple lessons, then you could start with making some swings, get his feedback of your top 3or 4 issues, and if you agree, then pick one and start some lessons to work through each of those.  As Aimee says, IT WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.  So the off-season is a good time from that stand point to fix flaws and be ready by the Spring. 

4) I agree, pick someone that gives you a video recap of your swings and lessons.  I've never had someone give me a 45 minute video of the whole lesson but I usually get a 3-6 minute recap with their view points and fixes.

But have fun with it.

CAC...the Ebay listing does not indicate what he offers for the lesson (agenda, plan).

If you want to learn how to hit the ball longer with the driver, he may help. If you want to be a better overall golfer, he's likely not the best option. Most of the "long drive" champions don't have the overall game at the same level. If you hit the ball 20 yards further off the tee but don't improve the scoring parts of the game, you don't improve as a golfer.

The best value i've seen in terms of lessons is for a scoring package.  It's offered by an old time pro at a local course to me.  It's a three lesson package that focuses on short game, putting and course management.  One of the lessons is a playing lesson with the pro.

I think that's the one area where everyone can benefit and show an improvement in scoring as a result.

Hard to beat the cost for a full day lesson. While this lesson may not be exactly what you need, it could go a long ways to improving your driver play and that can't hurt too much. And he mentions free overnight stay if you need it. so that's a bonus.

It is  agood price for an all day lesson but I tend to agree with Aimee, I'd want to know what we are working on.   Just hitting drive all day would clearly tire you out pretty quick, so I'd want to see some of that, but also some of the other aspects of the game like chipping, course management, etc.  But I agree with Aimee, long drive guys tend to not be super skilled in the other areas of the game, at least not as good as they have the long ball skills

Cac, what part of the game gives you the most struggle?  is it distance off the tee?   or other areas like ball striking, etc?   might be useful to grade your game and figureout what's costing you the most strokes and work on that area first.

Well Good Luck Cac..I hope it works out for you.  Wear a Go-Pro camera and record your session for later re-viewing!  Ha!

If you do pick up that 10 MPH of club speed you are looking for, you will gain more than just 20 more yards, more like 30 to 40 more yards is more like it. I would also think that if he teaches you how to swing your drver faster, your iron speed should go up as well and that could give you a good bit more carry yards with all your irons to go with your longer tee shots. As Scott just said and as I told you in my first reply to this lesson idea. Be sure to VIDEO you lesson so you can go back later to help remember all of what you learn and to SEE what you are doing that helps with your swing.