| There is little doubt that golf lessons from a PGA | | | | you can, read the book cover to cover, prior to your |
| professional or an experienced and qualified Instructor | | | | first lesson. It will take less time to read this |
| will improve the swing of almost any golfer. Such | | | | masterpiece then it would take time to drive to and |
| lessons will also reduce the amount of time that it will | | | | from the lesson center and spend your first hour with |
| take for any golfer to improve their swing. To ensure | | | | the instructor. You can be assured that the Pro |
| such improvement however, the golfer should be | | | | Instructor is well aware of Hogan's book and there is |
| serious about the game and not approach it as a | | | | an excellent chance that the Pro/Instructor uses it as a |
| onetime effort. It could be assumed, that if the golfer is | | | | basis for her/his lessons. The book is that highly |
| willing to spend anywhere from $30 to $100 per lesson | | | | regarded and utilized throughout the golfing world. |
| or more, that the golfer is serious. Such however is not | | | | This tip will save you the cost and time for at least |
| always the case. | | | | two lessons. If you are new to the game, the Pro |
| Tip #1 | | | | Instructor will start with your grip and posture, just as |
| Before taking the lesson, the beginner should ask a | | | | Mr. Hogan does. So now that you already know how |
| very basic question: Why am I taking this lesson? | | | | to grip a club and address the ball, the Pro/Instructor |
| Honest answers can range from: | | | | will simply be reinforcing that which you already know. |
| 1. My Mom wants me to take lessons and she is | | | | The reinforcement will help cement the learning points |
| paying for them. | | | | and you have saved yourself the time and money it |
| 2. My Dad wants me to become a golf pro. | | | | would have cost for you to learn these basics. |
| 3. I want to lose some weight and golf looks like a | | | | Tip #3 |
| good way to do so. | | | | Unless you have a "steel trap mind" it would benefit |
| 4. I need to get some exercise and golf is an option. | | | | you greatly if you were to take notes on the key |
| 5. I want to meet new people and I don't want to look | | | | points offered by the Pro/Instructor. It might even be |
| like I know nothing about the game. | | | | beneficial for you to bring with you, your copy of |
| 6. I don't want to make a fool of myself. | | | | Hogan's book. You can jot your notes in the book and |
| 7. Many other possible answers, too diverse and too | | | | you can earmark those pages or highlight the key |
| numerous to list. | | | | points within the book that the Pro/Instructor |
| Armed with an honest answer, the beginner should tell | | | | emphasizes. Do not hesitate to ask the Pro/Instructor |
| the Pro/Instructor up front, why s/he wants to take this | | | | exactly where or what in the book, is being |
| lesson. And the beginner should volunteer this | | | | emphasized. |
| information, even if the Pro/Instructor does not ask. | | | | Tip #4 |
| The reason is that when the Pro/Instructor has an idea | | | | Armed with what you remember from the lesson, |
| of the golfer's goal for the lesson or for golf, the Pro | | | | your notes and Hogan's book, it will add greatly to your |
| Instructor will tailor the lesson accordingly. | | | | first lesson if you now practice that which was |
| As an example, if your goal is simply to look like you | | | | offered. Short periods of practice, like ten minutes per |
| know a little about the game, the Pro/Instructor will | | | | day will prove to be more beneficial than one day of |
| walk you through the entire swing from grip to follow | | | | 60 minutes of practice. The consistent golf swing is |
| through so that you have some basic knowledge of | | | | one of muscle memory. Muscle memory takes many |
| the game. If, on the other hand, you want eventually to | | | | repetitions of the desired aspect of the swing to |
| become a golf Pro, the Pro/Instructor will spend | | | | become memorized and ultimately performed from |
| considerable time on the grip and the address, the | | | | the unconscious. |
| stance and posture, knowing that you will be back for | | | | Golf is not an easy game. And most professionals will |
| your next lesson and for reinforcement of the basic | | | | say that there is no such thing as a natural swing. In |
| but very important aspects of the swing. Whatever | | | | fact, many aspects of the swing require unnatural |
| your reason, you will get the most from this first lesson | | | | bodily movements. Thus, any practice of the key |
| by telling your Pro/instructor the motivation behind your | | | | points offered in your first lesson will pay large |
| lesson. | | | | dividends in the long run. Enjoy your lesson, go back |
| Tip #2 | | | | for more, do not expect perfection, and enjoy every |
| Regardless of why you are taking your first golf | | | | round you are able to play. As good as Tiger Woods |
| lesson, you will do yourself much good if you will spend | | | | is, he also says: his swing is "a constant work in |
| $10 and buy the paperback version of Ben Hogan's, | | | | progress. |
| Five Lessons, The Modern Fundamentals of Golf. If | | | | |