Is Golf instruction all salesmanship??

[mcflog]

What I guess I'm saying is are golfers the most gullible people in the world. I know there are 1000 ways to skin a cat, but how do you find the 1 way that works best for you. All these instructors whether they have their own forum or dvd or book or whatever, make it sound like their right. Everybody can't be right can they. I mean anybody that has access to a pro with diligent effort can usually get to some level of proficiency regardless, but is there really an easier way. Is there a superior method or is it all smoke and mirrors. How does someone wade thru it all. ?? Without an instructor over your shoulder how can you sort it all out and find your personal "the way".

On a side note anybody "to watch" for at the Cliffs tourney this week. Would love to witness the application of what is being (for lack of a better word) preached. Thx

[mrodock]

Only through study can one discern which is the better method. Most of us have studied enough that we know the guy that teaches at the local driving range that broke 90 for the first time in his life last year is not the person to listen to, even if he is likable and a great salesman as it were. It becomes more difficult once the teachers can do what they say, hit the ball well, and their students are able to do the same (provided the students absorb and apply). At this point it may help to have adequate knowledge of physics and biomechanics. I am convinced that having a knowledge of the Golfing Machine can help one immensely in discerning the quality of an instructor. If someone didn't put their focus on the three imperatives I would think they are wasting my time and money (assuming I am not already doing them). Further, if their swing model seems to have unnecessary complications I would question the practicality of their model. Personally, I want a swing model that is complicated enough that it contains what is necessary, and nothing more. Bobbing and swaying, 3 plane shifts, no extensor action, low hands at address, losing the spine angle into impact are things that put even more emphasis on timing in my opinion. Let's put it this way, I want my swing to look more like Moe Norman's than Jim Furyk's.

A person must also consider their priorities. If you want to hit the ball extremely long with little regard for accuracy work with a long drive instructor that has gotten results with a variety of students and has an intelligible philosophy.

I think there are all sorts of people that are every bit as gullible as golfers, take for instance the people that are willing to buy natural herbs that don't have any peer-reviewed journal articles written about them, etc.

If you want to be good at something you have to make it a study, you can't leave it to chance (Anthony Robbins). And as many have said, you get out of if what you put into it. Either that or we can all find the friendliest golf pro around and hope for the best.

[Martee]

I think there is a great deal of marketing. And yes golfer's seem to be willing to do just about anything to get lower scores, of course the last thing the golfer will do is take lessons, buying equipment, books, videos, training aids seem to come before instruction.

Golfers seem to be a more DIY (Do It Yourself) mentality than they are for a structured approach. And there is nothing wrong with this, more than likely it may take a life time to achieve....

I believe that most golf instructors that you find locally have good intentions. Now do they have the knowledge?

As far as what is right for your swing, well you need to identify an instructor that will work on your swing, not just try 'his method'.

It really comes down to getting the club to the ball that will produce a good shot, how, well there are many ways.

Also a golf stroke does not make a golf game. I see a lot of good golf strokes, but they don't know how to play and score.

[neil]

What I guess I'm saying is are golfers the most gullible people in the world. I know there are 1000 ways to skin a cat, but how do you find the 1 way that works best for you. All these instructors whether they have their own forum or dvd or book or whatever, make it sound like their right. Everybody can't be right can they. I mean anybody that has access to a pro with diligent effort can usually get to some level of proficiency regardless, but is there really an easier way. Is there a superior method or is it all smoke and mirrors. How does someone wade thru it all. ?? Without an instructor over your shoulder how can you sort it all out and find your personal "the way".

On a side note anybody "to watch" for at the Cliffs tourney this week. Would love to witness the application of what is being (for lack of a better word) preached. Thx

There does not seem to be a "selling" theme to this site .
Only GIVING.

[mcflog]

There does not seem to be a "selling" theme to this site .
Only GIVING.

Oh I agree, And the original post was probably ill worded. I guess what I'm after is something (gut feeling or otherwise) that points me on a path I can get on and stay on. I don't have access to an AI or any instructor for that matter that I feel really gets it and I just am tired of the struggle. I call it the 3 day golf swing. You get a feel that allows you to get the ball around the golf course and by the 3rd day it feels normal and you can't do it anymore. So you start the search over. It sucks but I've kept the handi tween 3 and 7 that way for 3 years. I know what I'm capable of and its a whole lot more than what I'm doing.

I just want to figure out how to build my own "machine" so to speak. I look at Ted and I think I can do that. (or at least an acceptable facsimile there of, I think I've got Ted by just a few inches ) I spent about 4 hrs yesterday hitting chips and little pitches reviewing clips and posts from this site and was pleased. Laser crisp little shots (now to slowly build it to a full swing is the challenge) The address routine clip helped a lot.

Like I said I'm gonna have to do this by myself for the most part.And nothing good is easy, but with a lot of hard work, I'm starting to believe that going this road will be the easiest for me to be able to monitor on my own. I'm tired of grasping at straws and being gullible and my own worst enemy. Just want for once to make the right decision about something.

[exgolfpro]

nice post. I know how you feel. I am a scratch golfer and have been for a few years. I don't do a lot of practicing, tending to play much more than practicing. But, I too, have grown tired of the search. I feel I have 2-4 more strokes to improve, but don't know how to go about it. I live in an area that is AI deprived and I don't have the money to get to see Lynn or any of the top notch guys on this website. So, I search.....for a feel, a thought, something that will get me around the course. Such is my golfing existance. I like hanging out here and reading the posts, but don't feel I can really apply much of this stuff without the help of someone who can say "yes, that is right" or "no, do it this way".

[mrodock]

nice post. I know how you feel. I am a scratch golfer and have been for a few years. I don't do a lot of practicing, tending to play much more than practicing. But, I too, have grown tired of the search. I feel I have 2-4 more strokes to improve, but don't know how to go about it. I live in an area that is AI deprived and I don't have the money to get to see Lynn or any of the top notch guys on this website. So, I search.....for a feel, a thought, something that will get me around the course. Such is my golfing existance. I like hanging out here and reading the posts, but don't feel I can really apply much of this stuff without the help of someone who can say "yes, that is right" or "no, do it this way".

What about sending video to someone you trust? This seems like a much more valid option than working with someone you don't trust. It may not be as good as seeing them live, but it beats the hell out of toiling away for another 5 years and not reaching your potential and continuing to try to find the "tip" that is going to get you where you need to be. Also, if you don't have a good video camera I think it is half the solution.

[mcflog]

What about sending video to someone you trust? This seems like a much more valid option than working with someone you don't trust. It may not be as good as seeing them live, but it beats the hell out of toiling away for another 5 years and not reaching your potential and continuing to try to find the "tip" that is going to get you where you need to be. Also, if you don't have a good video camera I think it is half the solution.

Only problem there is


a) you have to have a good camera.

b) you have to have an instructor you trust who does video lessons and from what I've seen there not cheap.

c) where with a live lesson they can tell you if your making the proper adjustment right then, you would probably have to send another video to confirm that your interpreting their instruction properly. So you probably could have spent the money to see someone to begin with.


Rich mans game, the rest of us have to do just do the best we can.

[mrodock]

Only problem there is


a) you have to have a good camera.

b) you have to have an instructor you trust who does video lessons and from what I've seen there not cheap.

c) where with a live lesson they can tell you if your making the proper adjustment right then, you would probably have to send another video to confirm that your interpreting their instruction properly. So you probably could have spent the money to see someone to begin with.


Rich mans game, the rest of us have to do just do the best we can.

a) you can borrow a camera, if you are desperate enough you can make it happen

b) if you can't find an instructor you trust more than yourself, you either know a helluva lot or haven't looked hard enough

c) you determine a budget and spend accordingly. If you can afford 1 lesson a year then work your tail off on the couple things the instructor gave you and go from there. Whether you work with an instructor or not, you have to have a program. Something like the Bertholy method could give someone unwilling to spend money on instruction a way to avoid the "tip" merry-go-round. Otherwise find 3 or 4 drills that you think will correct your fault, work on them consistently and practice your grip and set-up weekly. Can't go far wrong in that way either.

[neil]

mcflog,
Buy the book if you don't already have it.
Study this site ,especially the archives.
Post questions -the AI's on this site are very generous.
Ideally I would recommend an hour with Lynn or Ted.

As for the sales question,TGM as taught by this site ,will only help-probably A LOT.
I am very fortunate to have had the resources to attend several sessions/schools with Lynn,Ted ,VJ and Jeff.Knowing what I know now I would do anything for A 1 OR 2 HOUR LESSON -just to get started on TGM.It would make the journey that much shorter.
However,if you can't do the latter but can afford the first 3 above you will not be succumbing to mere hype .
Good luck