FAQs
Do I need to have/wear GOLF-SHOES to take lessons?
The short answer is YES, sort-of. Although wearing GOLF-shoes is preferrable, you just can’t wear RUNNING shoes to play golf. The reason is, RUNNING shoes provide NO LATERAL SUPPORT. Running-shoes are great for moving and shifting your weight FORWARD. However, other sports shoes might suffice until your golf-swing technique gets good enough that you really need GOLF shoes. You could get away with wearing CROSS-TRAINING shoes or TENNIS-shoes.
Are private lessons worth it?
It depends. Not only does it depend on WHO you take lessons from, but it also depends if you’re going to perform the DRILLS to ingrain the correct golf-swing technique. To find the best instructor, check on the REVIEWS the instructor has from previous golf-students. Also, if you’re serious about getting better and finding the best golf instructor, INTERVIEW the instructor. Ask the instructor if you can meet for 10 or 15 minutes and talk about her/his teaching style, what teaching philosophy and swing method approach does s/he apply with his/her golfing students.
Should I choose a golf-instructor that is a teaching member of the PGA?
The short answer is, NOT REALLY. It does not matter whether the golf-instructor you choose is, or is not, a teaching member of the PGA. To become a non-Tour player, teaching member of the PGA, the person must pass multiple tests, most of them have to do with topics such as Managing or Marketing golf-courses; managing/marketing golf pro-shops; managing a fleet of golf-carts, golf-club re-gripping and repair etc. A very small section of the course curriculum is focused on INSTRUCTION.
How much should I expect to pay for golf-lessons?
Very good instructors across the country can charge all the way up to $2,500. There are some instructors in San Diego that charge very little. Some as low as $40 or $50. However, just like many other things, you get what you pay for. Golf-instructors that are very good at what they do and are in high demand, can (and should) charge more for the lessons they give. An important questions is, how much is it worth to you, to get good at golf, as quickly as possible? As long as you choose the correct golf-instructor, you work well with him, and you improve quickly, making an investment in getting better at golf, makes sense.
How many lessons does it take to get good at golf?
It depends. It depends on the instructor you choose; how coordinated the golfer is; how long have you been playing before you start taking lessons; how often you perform the drills assigned to you; do you have somewhat current equipment, and how often you practice? Assuming you’ve never played golf before, you choose the correct instructor and perform the drills and practice assigned to you, 10 to 12 golf-lessons should cover just about every aspect of the game and give you all the tools you need. With respect to “getting good”, that depends on how often you practice your drills at home in order to ingrain the correct technique.
Are custom fitted golf-clubs worth it?
Unless you’re uniquely tall or short, NO. If you’re an average height man/woman, golf-clubs ‘off-the-rack’ should be fine for you. Additionally, if/when you buy PING golf-clubs, you get custom fitted for FREE. However, even after getting ‘custom’ fitted, likely clubs off the rack will suffice. That being said, if you’re a male golfer taller than 6’ or shorter than 5’7” or a female taller than 5’7” or shorter than 5’2” it may be worth it to get ‘custom’ fitted.