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Question for THP'ers about Golf Lessons

c0ncept

c0ncept

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Hey everyone!

I was looking to get a little feedback about an idea I have. As a few of you know I have been working on becoming a golf instructor and I want to know what you guys would think of a few things as well as have a few questions answered.

1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality)
2. Do you like hitting balls on the range?
3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do?
4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game)
5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour?

I have a very simple view on golf and the swing and I think that there is only so much an instructor can do sometimes. The last swing coach I worked with cost $120 an hour and would basically record one swing and give one thing to work on that session but didn't really do anything else. I chose him because I liked his personality and was impressed that he had worked with winners on all the tours. It got to the point where I just stopped going because I didn't feel like I was really doing anything and it was cheaper to just go play.

So I got to thinking what about playing lessons? I can teach a person all of the same things as on the range but I figured it would be more entertaining and I could also teach things like short game, putting, and most importantly course management. In order to do this with my coach it would be $400...plus greens fees. My coach played for free so not only did this give him a chance to play but it did not cost him anything really and was probably better than giving a normal lesson.

And after all of that it leads me to this question:

Would you be interested in playing lessons and how much would you pay? For 18 and for 9 holes (basically 4 hours/2 hours of lesson time but would not include greens fee)

Thanks,

Andrew
 
I've never had a lesson but am looking into them now. Price is key for me, and I'm paying $30 for 45 minutes. I do like the idea of playing lessons, but $120 + green fees seems high and I probably wouldn't pay that. As for a specialized teacher, I would do that if 1 part of my game was struggling.
 
Are you going to get certified or trained. Or are you just going to call yourself an instructor and charge for it.
 
Tadashi70 said:
Are you going to get certified or trained. Or are you just going to call yourself an instructor and charge for it.
Click to expand...

I am studying now for being PGA certified as well as working on SPI Certification (have to be a teacher first) but I also am looking at other certification programs like USGTF and Plane Truth
 
c0ncept said:
I am studying now for being PGA certified as well as working on SPI Certification (have to be a teacher first) but I also am looking at other certification programs like USGTF and Plane Truth
Click to expand...
PM me, I have to tidbits for you
 
1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality) assuming the instructor is PGA certified I would go for personality, location then price. Need to gel and I'd like it to be convenient.


2. Do you like hitting balls on the range? I don't mind I prefer grass but they're hard to come by up here.


3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do?
I haven't had that experience with the instructor that I tried, but he didn't get me any tips that would improve my game or any drills and his suggestion was building my swing from the ground up, which I didn't like at all.


4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game)
I would work with one depending on what I need to work on and how much it would revolutionize my game.


5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour?

the going rate here is about $50 per half hour
 
1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price)
initially I found my instructor/coach by a recommendation of a couple people. One was a student of his, and the other was a gentleman I spoke with at the US Open at Olympic. His personality was a consideration, but only from the point that I wanted to make sure there wasn't a clash.
2. Do you like hitting balls on the range? I do enjoy working on my swing at a range.
3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do? Typically I understand, but converting that into a body movement is a different story
4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized. If were talking Dave Pelz, I would if I could afford it yes, but not on a normal basis no. However if specialized also means an SPI coach then yes, I have done that.
5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour? Not exactly sure, I'm enrolled at Golftec and it's an annual fee for lessons and practice time.

Would you be interested in playing lessons and how much would you pay? For 18 and for 9 holes (basically 4 hours/2 hours of lesson time but would not include greens fee)
I'd probably enjoy a playing lesson, but the price you stated is pretty steep. Andif I were paying for a playing lesson, I would expect the greens fees to be included.
 
For the playing lesson rates I was honestly thinking around 100$ for 18 and 50$ for 9 holes. Is that too much? The reason I did not include greens fees is I figured that I would also have to travel to the person's course.
 
I have a lot of confidence in anybody with a PGA Class A certification. I don't ever go into a lesson and say, "make me better." I ask to work on something specific. Fairway bunkers, 40 yard pitches. Less hook. More fade. Etc. I pay $75 a less in the summer. If I don't know what they're saying, I tell them and ask questions to clarify for my own good. Playing lessons would be interesting. But I would only do one or two a season. Range sessions make more sense to me for what I'm trying to do.
 
I like the idea of playing lessons, but in truth I think there are only so many things you can teach on the course. The actual "lessons" can't add up to 4 1/2 hours, and how much time can be spent if there are groups behind you waiting to hit?

I think individual lessons on the range would be more beneficial to me. I'd pay $50/$60 per hour.
 
I'm not doubting or anything, I'd love a playing lesson myself, but do you think there could be risk of slowing the course down when teaching while playing?
 
Most of the teaching is done in between shots while waiting to hit

Tap Tap Taparoo
 
1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality)
Convenience, price and compatibility with the instructor.

2. Do you like hitting balls on the range?
yes


3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do?
Not really.


4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game)
Yes


5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour?
the lessons have always been part of a series where the per session rate was less if you bought a bigger package. I want to say my last series was like $50-$60 per session.

Re re the playing lessons...my experience has been you only move to these when the swing fundamentals are pretty well engrained. I've never seen an instructor take a person out for a playing lesson without the person having a pretty good handle on things; the playing lesson isn't about swing, but instead about course management and strategy. Also, I've never paid for greens fees for my playing lesson, they were just included in the fee (and I got a lot more time at no extra cost on the playing lessons). FWIW, I've never played the course during one of these lessons, the pro just drove around until we found an open spot on the course and played the hole.
 
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1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality)

All of the above. I picked my teacher based on a few recommendations. He has won Teacher of the Year for our state and has coached a lot of players who are very successful in college and on tour.

2. Do you like hitting balls on the range?

I did until I started having back problems.

3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do?

Sure. I would just communicate that I didn't understand so he would try a different method to help me understand.

4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game)

Maybe but I think I would prefer to work with someone who would cover all bases.

5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour?

I paid $80-90 per hour but we often went over the time limit at no extra charge. I had play lessons and there was never an extra charge although I think I was given a big break there.

I've also had lessons with pros that charged $30-35 per hour, including the same rate for play lessons. An hour is an hour on or off the course. Luckily I never had to pay green fees no matter where I took the lesson.

Good luck to you!
 
I know for me personally, I really only trust the opinion of a PGA Teaching Professional. I doubt I would ever seek serious advice on any part of my game from anyone that has not been certified as an instructor with the exception being someone like Dave Stockton. I know this may not matter to many, but it does to me.

I had my first lesson in the early 1970's and my last late last season, all with the same PGA Professional. He has been charging $25 for a half hour for as long as I can remember and he charges nothing to anyone 18 and under.
 
1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality)
Qualifications and Personality top my list.

2. Do you like hitting balls on the range?
I prefer having my lessons on the range. Seeing the ball flight in person is more telling than a computer telling me it launched 14 degrees and was 15 yards right of target. I have a hard time visualizing what that is.

3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do?
On occasion. Most teachers pick up on that and change the way they are trying to communicate the idea until it clicks.

4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game)
As for working with a specialist, it would have to be someone with incredible qualifications in that area. One thing I am currently looking for is a TPI instructor. I can't seem to find any in my area.

5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour?
Lessons in my area are $50 for a half hour.

Would you be interested in playing lessons and how much would you pay? For 18 and for 9 holes (basically 4 hours/2 hours of lesson time but would not include greens fee)
Playing lessons are great if you can get out with your coach. I think 9 holes would be plenty. 18 would just be too much information to digest. I was comped a playing lesson by our head pro last year, and I feel like it was a great experience. I actually think the rates your are proposing are pretty low for the playing lesson. Keep in mind, time is money. What is YOUR time worth. You will be spending 2 hours out with a student. This is time that you cannot spend with another student generating income. Be fair to your customer and yourself. - Side note, my club pro actually set the new course record during a playing lesson last year. He didn't even know it until his student told him where he sat with 2 holes to go.

Hope this helps.
 
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c0ncept said:
Hey everyone!

I was looking to get a little feedback about an idea I have. As a few of you know I have been working on becoming a golf instructor and I want to know what you guys would think of a few things as well as have a few questions answered.

I have a very simple view on golf and the swing and I think that there is only so much an instructor can do sometimes. The last swing coach I worked with cost $120 an hour and would basically record one swing and give one thing to work on that session but didn't really do anything else. I chose him because I liked his personality and was impressed that he had worked with winners on all the tours. It got to the point where I just stopped going because I didn't feel like I was really doing anything and it was cheaper to just go play.

So I got to thinking what about playing lessons? I can teach a person all of the same things as on the range but I figured it would be more entertaining and I could also teach things like short game, putting, and most importantly course management. In order to do this with my coach it would be $400...plus greens fees. My coach played for free so not only did this give him a chance to play but it did not cost him anything really and was probably better than giving a normal lesson.

And after all of that it leads me to this question:

Would you be interested in playing lessons and how much would you pay? For 18 and for 9 holes (basically 4 hours/2 hours of lesson time but would not include greens fee)

Thanks,

Andrew
Click to expand...
1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality) My wife actually picked my coach. She got me a couple of lessons with Ron for Father's Day last year, and I really liked working with him.

2. Do you like hitting balls on the range? Yes. Could do it almost forever.

3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do? Occasionally, but not often. He doesn't often use a lot of technical jargon, and he's -- not simplistic, but certainly doesn't try to overcomplicate the swing. Being "laid off at the top" isn't something he's going to worry about unless it affects the impact position, for example. With that being said, some of that depends on your level of athletics and skill to begin with. 75% of my work with my coach has had little to do with the swing itself, and more to do with address, grip, posture, and setting up the swing. My first lesson with Ron he said he just has to put the parts in the right place to where how I turned through the downswing results in square contact. So if you don't already understand how to put the pieces in order to swing through the ball, I could see having trouble understanding a lot, or successfully processing it.

4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game) When about 10 strokes more fall off my handicap, yeah, I could see wanting to work with a short game coach and really understand the different shots that are available, or really working with someone on reading greens.

5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour? I've been paying $50 for 45 minutes, but I always tried to be the last lesson Ron taught on Saturday, so in tended to run much closer to an hour.
 
1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality)
- I live in the middle of nowhere. My closest teaching pro is 37 minutes away. The next closest would be over an hour. So location is a big part of it, but thankfully, my biggest factor is personality/teaching style. When I get lessons from my closest pro, it just clicks with me faster than with other pros I have received lessons from.
2. Do you like hitting balls on the range?
- yes, among other things, when I'm working on a swing change, its much quicker to be on the range than out on the course in my opinion.
3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do?
- with my closest pro, no. I have had issues with other pros though.
4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game)
- Yes. Although I get my full swing lessons from the head pro, I'm considering short game lessons from the assistant pro. Sure, it's cheaper. But I've played with the assistant pro before and watched him around the practice greens. His short game is amazing.
5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour?
- I wish I could look that up, but their stupid website has been down forever. I know I had a set of 3 lessons for either $100 or $120. I think the lessons are listed at 30 minutes, so whatever that calculates out to be. In reality, he'll spend up to an hour with you if he isn't booked up and you still need the help. Another reason I like that pro, he cares about me and my swing. If I get the fix in 10 minutes, he'll still hang out for the other 20 minutes, even if it's just to chit chat while I hit balls. And then if I do something wrong, he's still there to correct me.

As for on the course playing lessons, I believe my head pro offers like, 3 holes of on course instruction for a fairly reasonable fee. It's nothing I've considered, but then, I don't consider course management to be an issue, and I don't struggle too much with taking my range game to the course.

~Rock
 
My answer is threes part. I look at concept and my opinion on it, teaching philiosophies and their track record with better players and finally...pricing

If you can touch base on these and just do quick fixes but show some longevity I think you can charge a little bit more. Until then, I think you have to have a lower price point to be successful and have repeat customers.
 
1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality) 1) Location 2) Price 3)Personality
2. Do you like hitting balls on the range? Kind of!
3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do? Yes, it usually takes a while for it to sink in
4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game) Absolutely
5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour? ~$50

Would you be interested in playing lessons and how much would you pay? For 18 and for 9 holes (basically 4 hours/2 hours of lesson time but would not include greens fee) $100/9 holes, with green fee included
 
1. What drives you to pick a teacher to work with? (Qualifications, Location, Price, Personality)

All of the above are considerations for me. Price is probably less important; if they're well qualified, it's someone I can trust and I'm able to completely understand what he or she is teaching me and why, I'm able to ignore price and possibly location. So personality, then qualifications, then location, then price are the priority of considerations for me.

2. Do you like hitting balls on the range?

Ideally, yes. But I don't have an issue with staying indoors for lessons.

3. Do you ever have trouble understanding what your teacher is trying to tell you to do?

No, which is the reason I stay with him. He keeps it very simple.

4. Would you work with a "specialized" teacher? (for example a person who specialized in short game)

Yes.

5. If you don't mind me asking what do you pay for lessons per hour?

I think it's $50 for about 45 minutes. I buy the lessons in bulk though, so the price goes down a little.

Would you be interested in playing lessons and how much would you pay? For 18 and for 9 holes (basically 4 hours/2 hours of lesson time but would not include greens fee)

Yes. You encounter a variety of shots, lies and situations on a course, so it'd be nice to have a teacher provide insight while actually out on the course.

Generally, I continue to use my teacher because I have confidence in him. He shows me what I'm doing wrong on video, shows me how to correct it and what drills I should be working on to groove the correction, then e mails me a video outlining everything we discussed during the lesson, complete with my swings and what I should be working on, along with any questions I had. Every lesson I learn something that has helped me improve.
 
Hey Andrew, re cost...I just paid $315 for a package of four lessons. The lessons tend to be about an hour long. Hope that helps.
 
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