Have you heard of the 20-Hour Rule? It says it takes at least 20 hours to become reasonably competent at something. Of course, 20 hours is not enough to become a golf pro, but a golf instructor could help.
Golf is considered a complex sport. Players need precision, mental skills, and plenty of physicality. They also need explicit instruction on the rules and etiquette.
But there's no easy way to find a golf coach -- simple, but not easy. Selecting golf instructors is like choosing anyone else to provide a service, you need to find someone who best works with you.
Finding a competent golf instructor might not be easy, but we have a guide to make it a little less complicated. Below are expert tips to get the best golf lessons.
What to Look for in a Good Golf Instructor
A good golf instructor will have two qualities: one pertains to golf, and the other is what you could expect from good teachers. For example, your golf instructor should have a great personality.
Ideally, they'll be polite and engaging, and they'll also take time to get to know you. You should feel comfortable around them—getting along with your golfing coach shouldn't feel like work.
A good teacher knows how to impart information without boring their student. Golf has plenty of rules, which many say is part of the appeal.
Self-discipline and motivation are important when learning any new skill. However, complex subjects can become disengaging if not communicated properly.
It isn't necessarily your instructor's job to offer discipline. But they can help make the duller parts of learning a new skill more engaging.
They're Well-Informed
Your instructor should be able to give golf coaching tips as easily as breathing. They should know far more about the game than you.
Your instructor should be confident, but not arrogant, in their skills. If you feel like they have a handle on teaching you, you can expect they'll be able to help your game.
Here are three basic ways to tell whether your instructor can help you:
- They speak confidently
- They're sure of their instruction
- They can hit a golf shot
These tips may sound simple, but "fake it until you make it" exists for a reason. That said, you can falsify confidence, but not golfing skills. Watch for all three to ensure you've found a genuine golf pro.
They're Willing to Adjust to Your Needs
Once your golf instructor is done with you, they have other students to teach. They must adjust to each one walking up to their hitting station, regardless of whether they have a bad back or an unconventional grip.
A true golf pro can change alongside their students to teach them. Some instructors only taught one swing.
They'll show you their chosen swing and tell you this was the best way to play. From there, you were expected to learn this one technique.
It didn't matter what their students' circumstances were; there was only one swing to learn. This is not the proper way to teach anything, much less golf.
A great golf instructor can teach various swings and shots and can adjust their teaching to suit anyone who wants to learn.
They Can Adapt to Different Learning Styles
Do you learn better visually or auditorially? A golf pro will ask how you learn best. It takes time to find out the best way to learn golf. However, many people improve their game once they find their learning style.
They Have Great Listening Skills
Your instructor will talk a lot to give you golf training advice, sounds obvious, right? There's a difference between speaking to help and doing it to hear yourself talk.
Unfortunately, many instructors like to hear themselves talk. An excellent golf instructor will ask you questions and listen to you.
For example, they may ask what areas of your game bother you or how adding new moves to your swing feels. The instructor will want to know these things so they can better teach you.
They have to listen and comprehend to get the information. You don't want a teacher fighting you to have the last word.
They Have Good Communication Skills
Listening and comprehension are vital to any professional relationship -- and so are communication skills. Great communication begins during the booking process, where you're told:
- Where and what time to meet your instructor
- What to bring to your lesson
- What to expect from the lesson
You may not get much from the teacher if they can't relay basic information about the lesson. Communication should be concise and informative because it will increase the quality of your education.
They're Interested in Your Game
Remember how we spoke about motivation earlier? Your instructor's interest in your game can be a good motivation. Instructors who don't engage outside your practice sessions may not be a good fit.
But don't take advantage of a friendly, interested golf coach. If you need help with something, don't stalk them across the range. Sign up for another lesson if you want to learn from them again.
They're Willing to Use Technology
Golf launch monitors use radar technology to gather data on swings and flight. This includes trajectory, swing speed, launch angle, carry distance, shot shape, and spin rate information.
Why is all this relevant? Launch monitors can aid with overall performance. They can help golfers swing faster, hit the ball farther, and learn more about their game.
Instructors who ignore technology that makes learning easier won't be a good fit. Launch monitors alone won't make you better at golf, and you don't need to use them.
But they're still useful considerations your coach should at least bring up. If you want to use monitors and other technology, do some research. Find out whether your chosen instructor uses them.
They're Easy to Schedule Time With
Scheduling time has nothing to do with your would-be teacher's ability to instruct, but it's nice knowing they're easily accessible. For example, your local instructor may be booked for weeks straight.
You may find a great golf coach who only teaches on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Find a coach who has enough time to teach you and can help you work through your flaws.
It's also important to account for your schedule. Don't arrange a time with a teacher who only instructs on Tuesdays when you work that day.
That wastes your instructor's time, which they could be using to give golf training advice to others. Your schedules should intersect.
They Offer Proper Follow-Up
"Time's up" or "Lesson's over" isn't the greatest way to end a lesson. The best golf lessons will conclude with recaps and helpful tips. Some teachers may even record videos so you'll know what to work on.
A good follow-up isn't an abrupt add-on to the end of your lesson. It begins before your session concludes, so the lesson doesn't run over time, and you have enough time to absorb it.
Your instructor will give you a recap of what you've discussed. This is important because golfers may not remember the entire lesson.
Follow-up discussions are a quick refresher to ensure the most vital parts stick in your memory. Recaps show your golf instructor cares that you're absorbing the information and guides you when they aren't around.
Selecting Golf Instructors: What Not to Do
There are certain red flags to watch out for when searching for a golf instructor. These recommendations are useful whether you haven't settled on a coach or have found a teacher and are looking to change.
Here are tips on what not to do when choosing a coach:
- Don't pick an instructor simply because they're the most expensive
- Golf pros can charge a lot because they're professionals.
- However, that doesn't mean they can teach you specifically
- Don't choose an instructor wrapped up in stats and numbers
- Coaches must know how to explain what they're teaching
- Unexplained technical information can be a hindrance
- Don't choose "hard sell" golf instructors
- Good coaches don't need to push their services onto people
Here's how you know you've picked the right golf instructor:
- You look forward to your lessons
- You feel you're progressing with each lesson
- You feel like your teacher supports your journey to improve
- The instructor is easy to talk to and schedule time with
Finding the Right Golf Instructor for You
Finding the right golf instructor can be a long and involved process, but it doesn't have to be. Cypresswood Golf Club offers lessons for kids and adults.
Our experienced team leads the Learn to Play Golf Classes judgment-free to foster confidence among students. The groups are small enough so it's easy to absorb golf training advice.
The Learn to Play Golf Classes are spread over hour-long, five-weekly sessions. You'll learn different swings, strokes, and shots on our award-winning 36-hole course.
Don't let finding a golf coach hold you back. Contact us today to get started on the path to golf competency. Our team will address any questions or concerns you may have.