When it comes improving your golf game, seeking advice from a qualified pro is your only option. (Chris Baldwin/WorldGolf.com)

The truth about golf lessons: Take it from a pro, not a buddy on the course

By Les Miller,
Contributor

As a golfer, the key to improving your game is practicing the things a golf professional can teach you, not what your golf buddies say.

When I see a golfer, whether a beginner or a good player, taking advice from other golfers, I see someone who is destined for trouble. The absolute worst thing a golfer can do is take swing advice from another golfer, because these players do not understand how to teach the game. Granted some are good players, but generally that does not equate to a good teacher of the game.

An example of this is my friend Steve. He is a really bad golfer who tries to help everyone with their swing. Much to my amazement, many other golfers actually listen to him. During a recent round of golf one member of our group, Craig, was having a particularly bad day. He was severely hooking every shot and the more he tried to correct it, the worse it became. As a former golf professional, I could see his problem, but I know from experience you don't try to correct someone's swing during the round. After the round I was going to take him to the range to give him a few pointers, and then suggest he take some lessons from the pro.

Alas, that was before Steve decided to come to his rescue.

Steve started with his famous one liner, "why don't you practice for two weeks and then quit?" He then said, "Seriously, I see what your problem is, it's your grip."

This is coming from a man who grips the club as poorly as anyone I have ever seen, and I've seen them all. So for the next few holes Steve worked on helping poor Craig improve his grip. (By now you can image how our friend was doing). As Craig became more and more upset, Steve tried to get him to relax by being funny, with lines like, "Why don't you take up tennis? The racket's much bigger than a golf club head so you have a much better chance of making solid contact."

I thought this one would send Craig over the edge, but through it all he endured.

After the round, I told Craig to see Mark, the club professional, for a few lessons. I assured him that in no time he would be on the road to improvement. Six weeks have passed since the beginning of this saga and now Craig's golf game is steadily improving, so much so that a few days ago he shot his best score of the year. He often says how Mark has a way with making him feel at ease and his instruction is simple and easy to understand.

That's what a good golf professional can do for all golfers.

By the way our friend Steve is now asking Craig for help with his swing. Some people never learn.

September 4, 2008

Les Miller is longtime Golf Writers of America member who has written golf instruction for several newspapers and golf publications. His many years of experience as a golf professional, director of product development and tour relations for several major golf companies gives him a unique background that helps golfers increase their enjoyment of the game.