Has YouTube made you better or worse?

[Shrek74]

9 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

This is where going it alone and using YouTube is bad.

flipping is a symptom and is actually necessary to hit the ball for those that do it. Same for early extension. Because of something else being done wrong in the swing the club is out of position. If you didn’t flip you would hit the ball or or miss it completely.

Similar to hip rotation. There are different things that can cause that. Such as hips moving too early in the swing, bad pressure shifts. So the poor hip rotation could be a fault or a symptom. Have to identify why it’s happening.

Similar with bad wrist angles. In the takeaway it could be a misunderstanding or not understanding at all how the wrists are supposed to work. In transition it’s either a fault because of same as the takeaway or a symptom of whats done in the takeaway.

This where it’s both good and bad. Both these channels are very good for instruction which is good and also rather than looking at the issues in the early quote following their drills as doing them over and over is where the focus should be as they will fix all the symptoms mentioned above.

the bad is that these two have different approaches to the swing and depending on what one is doing their drill could cause a problem the other was actually fixing. They have different philosophies on pressure shift and turn. They are similar in wrist set. They are somewhat different in the transition and downswing.

conflicting thoughts can delay progress when working on the swing

I guess it's a good thing I'm working with a swing coach locally who's helped fix my wrist angle at the top and who has helped ID my hip rotation as the main issue in my flipping and is helping me work on it.

[Middler]

I like YouTube and watch often, equipment reviews and tournaments, but NOT golf instruction videos AT ALL. Trying to fix your own golf swing is a fools errand IMO unless you're already capable of doing so without YouTube. You might pick up some useful little tricks, but nothing substantial. Most people I know that take on random golf tips from videos or other players don't seem to work out.

Edited April 16 by Middler

[Hosel_Rockets]

I think YouTube has been a huge help for my game, but only AFTER I have worked with a swing coach to better diagnose and understand where I need to improve. I've picked up a lot of useful tips to improve my short game, course management, and drills to tackle my issues.

The area where YouTube has helped me the most, however, is strength/conditioning/flexibility; I've found so many useful stretches, lifts, and exercises to help me stay more limber, and pick up ball speed.

 

[cburins]

8 hours ago, Hosel_Rockets said:

I think YouTube has been a huge help for my game, but only AFTER I have worked with a swing coach to better diagnose and understand where I need to improve. I've picked up a lot of useful tips to improve my short game, course management, and drills to tackle my issues.

The area where YouTube has helped me the most, however, is strength/conditioning/flexibility; I've found so many useful stretches, lifts, and exercises to help me stay more limber, and pick up ball speed.

 

I totally agree. I watched many youtube tutorials and golf coach channels, but it wasn't until I worked with a golf coach in person that I started to see change. I find youtube can be good for drills, but fixing your swing is much better in person. I think the feedback is what makes the difference. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

I think it has helped my knowledge overall, but not so much directly helped improve my game on course if that makes sense. 

[cnosil]

I know there is lots of debate about YouTube instruction, but I think if you can get better and I feel like through some YouTube instruction I have gotten better.   Short game has been my nemesis for a long time and I have been watching videos from Dan Grieve and Parker McLaughlin (ShortGameChef) and feel that they have helped my short game a significant amount over the last 6 months or so.   In the past I have spent considerable time with instructors attempting to fix my issues and while I got better, I feel like the YouTube videos and repeatedly watching them reinforced what was taught during my lessons.   

[ciaranmcg6]

A lot if it wouldn't try however Padraig Harrington's channel has helped. Particularly the videos on grip, chipping, pitching and driving. He has a lot of great insight and videos aren't too long or overly dramatic like others. I also like club testing channels formerly TXG.

 

[Richard Fahrney]

Yes. My favorite site is The Golf Sensei. The videos have many great nuggets of information to help your swing. The video covers swing tools, all facets of the game and information for all ages. 

[Borchuk]

I would say it has helped my game a lot, but not really for swing tips. Seeing the mentality of how better players get around the golf course is extremely valuable to me.

Also it has introduced me to some very fun drills to really be able to improve my game, and simulate better real round pressure. And introduced me to more golf strategy and mental coached, Decade golf + Bob Rotella is my current hybrid of staying in the right mindset and ensuring I have a workable plan on the course. 

[h2ohzrd]

When I did watch it totally messed me up trying new “fixes”.  Someone in this thread commented “why take swing fixes from someone who’s never seen your swing”.  So true. Only guy I’ll watch is Breed (but he talks too much ) and only for tips, not fixes, on what I’m working on with my instructor. 

[gross18]

I have watched so many YouTube videos many contradicting what other one's  have said. I find myself stood on a tee or over a ball with so many swing thoughts it's a wonder I can swing at all.  I find I play my best golf when I forget all the instruction and just hit the bloody ball.

[deadaimz]

YouTube has definitely improved my game. 

[Jean D]

Simple answer: no. Someone who has never seen my swing or know about my body mechanics can't teach me. YT is entertainment, not training.

[Hughesjosh]

I think YouTube has helped me get a better understanding of why things happen, like the impact of slopes but I don't use it for my swing as everybody is different.

[coupwcu]

I've used YouTube instructional videos and I've done lessons with a local PGA Pro as well. I did find the YouTube videos helpful as they gave me the base fundamentals of how the golf swing is supposed to work in general. Beforehand I had no clue that an out to in swing caused a slice or that you want to hit the ball first then ground for irons, etc.. 

My lessons with the PGA Pro did vastly improve my game more than YouTube videos. But I felt as if I had a better base knowledge during those lessons and got more out of them because of that. I guess sort of like reading the instruction manual first before having someone teach it to you.

[Todd1973]

Hell no! It brought me down a deep rabbit hole lol! Just watch the golf and NO lessons/ advise no matter how bad my golf is at the moment.

[MartinH]

It has definitely helped me with strength and flexibility for sure. At 65 I am in the best shape I can be thanks to many excellent stretching and strength channels. Yoga workouts are especially helpful. I particularly recommend  Dani Winks Flexibility, Boho Beautiful Yoga, DRVN Golf, and Hansen Fitness for Golf. I am +1 handicap so I don't watch many swing videos but I like Danny Maude, J Chown, and Padraig Harrington.

[BigbadJose]

I've been watching Rick Shiels' YouTube videos to fix my slice, and after spending a lot of time on the range, I've noticed an improvement. Although it still pops up occasionally, I managed to lower my scores from 110+ to high 90s over the last season. This is a result of working on my driver and trying to improve my iron striking.

[Rick Leiker]

I will watch videos on small swing tips. If I know I’m doing something wrong, I will look for ways to fix the problem. I also watch videos for the comedy in golf.

 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdvhrLSgTW5/?igsh=ZWI2YzEzYmMxYg==

[Ultima813]

It definitely has, especially after taking a 17 yr hiatus i come back to start learning the game again and there are so many terms and drills that ive never even heard of. Not to mention golftubers and club reviews. 100% a game changer. Literally

[SilverGolfer]

Overall, I would have to say yes YouTube has helped my game. Especially in the short game like chipping and putting. Where it falls short is being able to do the moves as the instructor is providing the information. I’m more of a hands-on learner and it’s hard to watch, the videos and then incorporate them out on the range. 

[Ronald Cain]

Marginaiiyl

[edkrisiak]

It has 100% helped me. Yes there is a lot of garbage out there. I have improved because of several UTubers like Eric Cogorno and The Golf Sensei. I even built my own training aide with flash lights.

Edited April 19 by edkrisiak
Spelling

[Fatshot]

I do go to YouTube for golf info, but not too regularly.  I don't usually bother with club reviews, but I do look at ClubMAKING info from a couple of different sources.   I also watch and rewatch Jim Venetos' videos, as I use his swing.   In the winter, when I'm really "starved" for golf, I'll watch highlights from famous tournaments, players, etc.

[dd1968]

I'm a golf equipment kinda of guy myself. Years of wasting money tinkering with equipment trying to figure out what works for my swing. I just can't buy equipment off the shelf and make it work for me. Growing up without launch monitors and club fitting I had to learn it myself. Channels like club champions (txg) and mygolfspy save me a lot of time and money narrowing down the equipment before trying stuff out. I don't really watch instructional videos but I'm sure some people get help with things from YouTube. Education with anything is a good thing.

[eddiex72]

I’ve had only two in house lessons from a professional in my life. I really should have had more. I may have improved sooner. However, yes, is the answer. My game has been built from YouTube and practice. The most impactful YouTube lessons have been by Eric Corgono golf. I watch, take notes, then go to an indoor or outdoor area to practice. Today I’m a single handicap. 

[Pep]

I have found some ways to work the ball. Still snow here waiting to give them a wack.

[Sonny Beach]

Yes,  I have been taking lessons from Padraig Harrington. There are advantages using Youtube for golf instructions. First of all there's no cost. There are many teaching Pros so there are many different explanations and drills you can choose from to accomplish the same goal. Doing that on Youtube makes sense because some instructors relate better than others. I've paid lots of money for lessons and never had an instructor explain the grip or demonstrate it so well. With a good explanation and demonstration you will do better than having someone  watch you and try to figure out what you're doing wrong. 

 

 

[Mtali1]

I don't know that I would say youtube, but Instagram videos give some great short golf tips.   @speedgolfrob is probably one of my favorites.  

[RickLit]

I watch several videos to find a solution to my game's missing pieces. It is a real mix and sometimes makes it worse. So, I limit myself to one or two people and try and mimic their style or solutions.