| You have been playing golf for some time, perhaps | | | | Tip #2 |
| even for years. You have achieved a fairly consistent | | | | Jot down on a piece of paper exactly what it is that |
| swing. Your handicap is probably between 12 and 20 | | | | the Pro suggested to you to improve your swing. Ask |
| but you are not able to get it any lower. You seem to | | | | the Pro if your understanding of the suggestion is |
| have reached a plateau. Finally, you decide to take a | | | | exactly as the Pro suggested. Make certain that you |
| lesson from your local Professional. What should you | | | | and your Pro are in agreement. |
| expect? Is there anything you could or should do | | | | Tip #3 |
| before the lesson? | | | | You now must remind yourself that it has taken you |
| Here is what you must ponder? You have come a | | | | as much time as you have been playing golf to have |
| long way. You learned the basics of the game, the | | | | acquired this incorrect aspect of your swing that the |
| grip, stance, posture, alignment, backswing and | | | | Pro suggested you must change. Improper muscle |
| downswing. You recognize that golf is not an easy | | | | memory has set in. To improve your swing in |
| game. You understand that the golf swing has "many | | | | accordance with the Pro's advice, you must develop |
| moving parts." So in a 45 to 60 minute lesson you | | | | the new muscle memory required for the desired |
| cannot expect the pro to diagnose and correct all of | | | | movement. Such requires repetition. To get the most |
| those "moving parts." | | | | benefit from your lesson, review your notes and |
| Tip #1 | | | | practice the movement as frequently as you can. Do |
| The first thing for you to do is to analyze your game | | | | not change any other part of your swing. It is best to |
| or your swing and try to identify one part that is giving | | | | perform short periods of practice than to practice for |
| you the most difficulty. Are you pleased with the way | | | | an extended session. |
| you are driving the ball off the tee? Are your fairway | | | | You MUST practice that new movement until you are |
| woods or hybrids causing you the most difficulty? | | | | able to execute it unconsciously. That is when muscle |
| How about your short irons? Pitching? Chipping? | | | | memory has taken over the movement. If and when |
| Perhaps you're putting? Whatever, try to identify that | | | | you can perform the suggestion, you are ready for |
| part wherein you seek improvement and let the Pro | | | | your next lesson. If you don't practice that new |
| know that you want to focus in that area. | | | | movement, you will have wasted your lesson. Should |
| The Pro will ask you to grab a club, warm up and take | | | | you decide to continue your lessons and you can |
| a few swings. Unless your basics are totally incorrect, | | | | demonstrate that you can perform the suggested |
| the Pro will begin to zero in on the aspect you | | | | movement, your Pro will be able to give you useful |
| identified. Hopefully the Pro will be able to identify your | | | | critique or suggest your next lesson. Your swing and |
| problem. The Pro will suggest that you execute a | | | | game will continue to improve. |
| different and hopefully the correct movement to fix | | | | Maintain a positive attitude about your swing and your |
| your problem and improve your swing. The Pro will ask | | | | game. Remember that "golf is NOT a game of |
| you to continue practicing this new movement until s | | | | perfect." As Tiger Woods reminds us, his swing is a |
| he feels that you can do it on your own. | | | | constant work in progress. |