Embarrassed to be seen taking lesson?

[PlaidJacket]

I golfing pal of mine is desperate to improve his game. He's witnessed the improvement I've been able to accomplish over the last couple of years and wants some of it for himself. He's been on and off regarding actually finding someone to take a lesson from. My instructor isn't taking new "students" at this time. So anyway, my buddy told me the other day he is signed up for his first session. He is going to see a Pro over in a neighboring town. I asked why as there are others right here at home. He replied that he didn't want anyone he knew to see him taking a lesson. Good grief man!! I take all my lessons right out in front for the whole world to see. Who gives a flip?

 

I was wondering if any of you guys are held back from improving our game because you don't want to be seen taking "a lesson". There's no shame in talking lessons. In fact the real shame might be not seeking out good instruction. Tour pros take instruction on a continuous basis. To not take at least an occasional lesson because someone you know might see you is silly IMO.

[GolfJunkie302]

I, for the most part, don't take lessons just because of the cost. If I did take lessons, however, I would not be embarrassed in the slightest. Tour players all have swing coaches — they take lessons too! I know a kid who has a +2 index because he took lessons. I can safely say that there is nothing at all embarrassing about a +2 index...

 

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[cnosil]

Probably a personality trait thing. My guess is that he isn't really embarrassed by the thought of taking lessons but by the fact that people may give him a hard time about not being able to do something by himself. Of course those giving him a hard time are the people that take mulligans, foot wedges, and gimmies from everywhere and then tell you that they made par.

 

Golf is hard and there is no shame seeking out help.

[bullldog]

NO not at all. To me that's silly

Edit to add: I'd even would join in a group lesson for beginners.. Learning/knowledge should never be embarrassing

[McaseyM]

no qualm at all, i told people when i took lessons. Also, beginner lessons are great just to get back to basics. Training aids are great, as is youtube, but actually having someone that knows what they're doing give you specific things.

 

My last 2 club fittings involved lessons wrapped into them, which was awesome. The driver fitting 2.5 years ago, The fitter wouldn't even try me on anything until we got my swing under more control with a grip adjustment and straightening out my ball flight on my own club first. 

[Kenny B]

Last year then teaching pro at my course had group lessons on Friday nights at 5:30pm.  The groups varied every 6 weeks.  He told my wife and I that starting the next Friday night, he was teaching beginning couples and specifically how they should get along when trying to help each other.  My wife and I called it "Friday Nite Fights!"     So, that Friday night my wife and I played 9 holes, finishing on #9 which is right next to the practice putting green.  As we walked to our cart, my wife yelled out to me for everyone to hear; "I want a divorce!!"  The pro just laughed.

 

I've had lessons in front of everyone at the club, and there are times I felt embarrassed but when you are changing anything in the golf swing, you will hit bad shots.  Your friend needs to recognize and accept that.  I suspect the feeling is more to the point that people he knows see him take lessons and he is afraid that if he doesn't improve, people will think he wasted his money.  Going to another town is probably not a bad idea, especially if he shows improvement.  Cut him some slack.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I have no shame in people seeing me.   The wise words of a caddie at Whistling Straits many years ago still resonate with me, when I told him I was a bit nervous having a caddie for being such a higher handicap.

 

He said in the most sincere way, "Just relax.  I've seen a lot better than you, and I've seen a whole lot worst than you.  So nothing you do out there is going to either impress me or make me break out laughing.  Just relax play your game and enjoy the day"   I've remembered those words many times in the years since. 

[jaskanski]

I take lessons. As PlaidJacket correctly said, some of the greatest player in the world do the same thing, so why wouldn't you too?

Let's just think about something for a minute - a lot of folks buy equipment and such and call it an "investment", yet some months or maybe even weeks later the same equipment has lost most of it's initial value and will certainly be largely forgotten about in years to come.

But on the other hand, lessons (or "knowledge" as I like to refer to it) will last a lifetime and translate to just about every piece of equipment you'll ever own. It will never lose any value if you learn from it. Not a bad "investment" if you ask me, especially when it leads to better scores and more enjoyable golf.

I guess the only folks who should be embarrassed are those who waste their money on (wrong) equipment and never get any better as a result or never learn anything along the way. 

[tony@CIC]

Embarrassed to admit you want to get better? What's up with that - we have men's group lessons and it's filled with low to high handicappers.

 

 

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[Golfspy_CG2]

I guess maybe part of his concern is not the fact that people will think poorly of him for taking lessons.  But perhaps as we have all experienced, while taking the lessons and working on a drill for the first or even second or third time, we will hit some god awful shots that go any which direction and may get the attention of others nearby, and if they haven't ever taken a lesson they may not realize what's going on, and think, "that poor guy is horrible, nothing is going to help him"   

 

Again, certainly I've been there and I don't give that any thought, as to what others will think. I'm pretty good at blocking out all surrounding things and trying to focus on what the instructor is conveying to me.   But possibly he is concerned about that aspect of it.   Which again, he shouldn't be   a good instructor will tell him, you're going to hit some horrible shots, we're not concerned about the result, just the actual motion. 

[MGoBlue100]

I admittedly have resisted taking lessons because of the time and cost involved (I don't belong to a club currently) but also because I'm concerned to find someone who will "teach" without trying to completely change my swing.  It's probably more of a phobia than a truth, but at this point I'm not willing to spend a year (or two) making a swing change that will take me from 13 to maybe 8 or 9.

What I would LOVE to do, and if I could convince my buddies I would do it in a second, is go to a short game school.  (Especially if they transport us to the range on a short bus... )  Maybe Pelz or Utley or someone similar.  I feel like I would gain more in my game at this point from that than a swing adjustment.  Doesn't mean I'm correct...

[PlaidJacket]

Now that I'm an expert** on lessons - coaching - instruction here again is what I like to suggest. MGo... I'd bet if you started taking some lessons you'd see improvement almost immediately. I didn't go through a so-called Swing Change. I didn't want to and made that clear from my first lesson. Although my swing did change.... it was over about a 1-2 year period. It was so gradual I didn't really notice it other ball striking improvement. And all the while my game/scores/hcp improved. From my first lesson! I had the time and money to do things my way and at my pace. Best investment I've ever made in golf.

 

** Not really an expert. Just a professional golf forum yapper.

[cksurfdude]

Huh .. I kinda have the opposite reaction:

 

(..think of that Rob Schneider office worker voice..)

 

"Look at me .. I'm hangin' with the Pro"

or "Check this shot .. I'm playin' with the big boyz"

or even "Look at me .. I'm gettin' better at golf .. makin' the chip shots" ...

[djahubes]

I've been as low as a 4. I got there by taking lessons.

 

 

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[L.I. Rich]

I am a proponent of lessons and fittings - going out on a limb there I know. Where I sometimes sabotage myself in the outcome is that I just don't make the time to practice what I've been taught. In season, I'm a once a week player with all of the demands on my time, so I can't dedicate an hour or two extra per week practicing.

 

I'm grateful for for the time I get on the course, it's a real pressure safety valve for me, and I enjoy myself no matter how I struggle. An aside - that's how I avoid acting like an a$$ when I hit bad shots; I just remind myself that I should be grateful for the time on the course, the company, to be in a position to afford my membership, etc. When I do get to practice what I learn in a lesson, I do improve, when I don't, I make many of the same errors, but I know what I'm doing wrong! :-)

[L.I. Rich]

I also wanted to say that I long ago lost any embarrassment regarding my golf game. It just is what it is fellas.

[PMookie]

Nnnnnope. Heck, I tell guys to come with me! Being embarrassed by taking lessons speaks to a lot more than just his golf game....

 

 

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[djahubes]

I also wanted to say that I long ago lost any embarrassment regarding my golf game. It just is what it is fellas.

With you 100%. I have no time to practice and get out maybe once a week with the baby at home. That said, I'm playing to a solid 9.0 and winning money. Much rather kick it around getting 11 shots than works my my butt off and getting killed by the high HCs. A lot more fun with minimal stress!! The only time I would ever be embarrassed is if it took me longer than 4.15 to play, but that's on another thread!!

 

 

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[Flipper554]

I rarely take lessons but I have never given a second thought. If someone is judging me because of it then that is their problem. Nothing wrong with trying to improve.

[Big money]

I'm the one who was embarrassed my first lesson

 

Here is a 5 iron from that day. And even had two that were under 80 yards in the

 

And here was the last lesson before exiting with shoulder issues 2 weeks ago

 

Was so Nervous duffing infront of the pro and others.Was glad he actually stopped me.He immediately was noticing my frustration.told me “we will fix this”.And fix it he did.If I can do it, your friend can do it

[tony@CIC]

Nice results Big Money!

 

 

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[ole gray]

My home course has a teaching center which is adjacent to the driving range and on the left side where golfers on the range are facing away from the center.  Students who are taking lessons there sometimes hit out of the center which has a bay with large garage door that opens up to the range.   This is ran by a professional instructor and our course pro does not teach out of there.  He takes students to the opposite end of the range and gives one on one lessons where there is no one watching and the student can focus on the task. 

 

Personally I think this is a good option if there are facilities that are available.  Some folks become nervous under observation and instead of focusing on their lesson, they worry about goofing up.  If possible find a place you can have peace and see if your coach will accomodate. 

[Kanoito]

Lol wtf?

That guy got issues.

Pros take lessons, where's the shame?

[HardcoreLooper]

I admittedly have resisted taking lessons because of the time and cost involved (I don't belong to a club currently) but also because I'm concerned to find someone who will "teach" without trying to completely change my swing. It's probably more of a phobia than a truth, but at this point I'm not willing to spend a year (or two) making a swing change that will take me from 13 to maybe 8 or 9.

What I would LOVE to do, and if I could convince my buddies I would do it in a second, is go to a short game school. (Especially if they transport us to the range on a short bus... ) Maybe Pelz or Utley or someone similar. I feel like I would gain more in my game at this point from that than a swing adjustment. Doesn't mean I'm correct...

MGo - This is a very good point. I would recommend that you talk to any potential instructor and let them know what you're looking for. If you're looking to improve upon what you have, rather than burn it all to the ground and start over, they'll appreciate knowing it. A really good instructor will be able to work with this. They want you to be successful. Because when you're successful, they're successful.

 

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