The 1 mistake amateurs make earlier than their first golf lesson

It wasn’t till I took this job at GOLF final yr that I received my first-ever golf lesson — and, to be trustworthy, I didn’t know what to anticipate.

Primarily based in Seattle, I made the hour-long trek down to Chambers Bay to satisfy up with GOLF Top 100 Teacher Brian Mogg, who was going to work with me over a four-hour window. However I had no thought what the plan was going to be.

Was it full swing drills? Was it swing evaluation? Was it solely placing and the brief recreation? Was he lastly going to assist me repair that power slice off the tee?

Because it turned out, it was the entire above and changed into a full day (and an exhausting one at that) of hitting balls and making an attempt to course of all types of recent data.

Whereas it was a bit intimidating to be working with a high instructor like Mogg, it was greater than useful. However one of many issues I informed myself on the drive down was a easy reminder: Have zero expectations.

Certain, my objective is to interrupt 80, however that wasn’t going to immediately occur instantly after my first-ever golf lesson. And whereas setting expectations in life is often a very good factor, on the subject of golf, understanding that it’s a protracted recreation is essential to maintain your sanity.

However was this the suitable strategy? Is there one thing I ought to’ve come ready with to maximise my first lesson?

This received me enthusiastic about common mistakes that mid-handicappers like myself would possibly make main as much as a golf lesson. So I reached out to a buddy of mine, golf instructor Jackson Koert, to share a few of issues he usually sees from amateurs previous to working with a golf coach for the primary time.

Keep away from this frequent mistake previous to your first golf lesson

“It doesn’t matter what your objective is in your golf journey, if you go to your first-ever golf lesson, all the time go together with a plan,” Koert says. “Too many instances, a participant investing each money and time into bettering reveals up with out a plan for what and the way they should get higher.”

In keeping with Koert, the plan doesn’t should be something complicated. As a substitute, it may be so simple as telling the golf instructor traits in your recreation — like continuously lacking fairways together with your driver or chronically 3-putting.

“My favourite plans are ones primarily based on information and statistics,” Koert provides. “Issues like strokes gained in sure areas of the sport are all the time useful, as are notes from scorecards during which you notice which membership, shot, or scenario, prices you a stroke. Each methods will assist you to rank which space of your recreation wants probably the most enchancment.”

As soon as a instructor like Koert understands a particular space to concentrate on, he’s then in a position to present a sensible plan to assist enhance your recreation. However simply approaching him (or any golf instructor) with the objective of wanting to enhance is simply too broad to essentially outline what components of your recreation want probably the most work.

The second half that Koert focuses on with first-time college students is apply availability — as in, how a lot time can a pupil decide to the brand new enchancment plan?

“Speaking a sensible plan of apply for your self after the lesson is huge,” he provides. “Are you able to apply on a regular basis, or as soon as per week? Or would you somewhat play greater than you apply and sip a number of chilly drinks blended in?

“Your private plan should take into accounts the way you’re going to switch the work to the golf course. Ideally, it’s best to by no means stroll away from a lesson feeling like you’ve got a brand new swing or six issues to work on.”

Whereas everybody’s objective is to shoot decrease, Koert is fast to remind amateurs that it’s going to take time to see progress. That’s why figuring out the problem(s), formulating a plan, after which committing to that plan is essential — as a result of it permits for suggestions and documenting progress.

“A very good plan is one that gives suggestions on any variations from earlier than to after. This helps you monitor if issues are bettering or remaining stagnant,” Koert says. “Ideally, that begins with contact, then strikes to start out strains, then curvature, and lastly consistency.”

Lastly, Koert reminds gamers to mood expectations when shifting from a golf lesson to the golf course, as studying new expertise takes time to adapt to.

“There’s approach extra that goes into taking pictures decrease scores than seeing your outdated and new swing, getting a pat on the again, and venturing out onto the golf course anticipating to shoot low,” he says. “If doable, have your new coach comply with you on the course for a taking part in lesson. This helps them see you in efficiency mode, which permits them extra alternatives to enhance different facets of your recreation — like course administration.”

So if you’re going in your first golf lesson, go in with an open thoughts, a plan for getting assist in the areas you want probably the most work, after which make a dedication primarily based in your apply availability. By doing so, you’ll finally see faster and lasting outcomes!

Jackson Koert is the Director of Instruction at Atlantic Seashore Nation Membership.

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Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor