Welcome to GOLF’s Top 100 Teacher roundtable, where some of the best instructors in the business answer the game’s most perplexing questions. The goal? To help your game and lower your scores ASAP.
So you’ve decided you want to get serious about your game and booked a lesson with a pro. Great! But making the appointment is only the first step in your golf-improvement journey. If you really want to get better, you’ll also have to be a diligent student.
What’s the best way to be a good student during your lessons? We asked some of the game’s top teachers for their thoughts. Here’s what they had to say.
1. Listen
Listen and follow the game plan you and your teacher work on together. Know what you would like to focus on heading into your lesson. If you’re a beginner, the answer might be obvious. But if you’re a little more experienced, you might need to do a little more digging into your habits and stats to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Have an idea of what parts of your game need work, and then be ready to make the necessary changes your coach recommends. -Debbie Doniger, Glenarbor GC, Bedford Hills, N.Y.
2. Ask for homework
Ask the teacher for their teaching philosophy and what the goals for the teacher are for that student. Always ask “why” when a teacher says to do something, listening closely for good explanations that make sense or create the right blend of words and pictures. After the lessons, always ask what the homework assignment is and what will be the expectation for when the student comes back for the next lesson. -Brian Mogg, Waldorf Astoria GC, Orlando, Fla.
3. Communicate
Tell the instructor at the start of the session what you want to achieve in the session or coaching program, what strengths and weaknesses you have, your current swing thoughts, and any physical limitations. Communication is critical. If during the session you don’t understand something, ask for clarification. And at the end of the session if the coach doesn’t let you know how to follow up, ask that too. Ask as many questions as you can to get the most out of your session. -Tim Cooke, The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
4. Carry a notebook
A good student asks questions and listens well. Carry a note book at all times and write down what the coach taught you at each lesson. Then, do your homework before showing up to the next lesson. Feedback to the instructor is the most important part to development. The teacher then can keep on a track that matches you as a pupil. -Andrew Park, Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge, Winter Park, Fla.
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