Is there anything worse than ...

[GrumpyGolf]

... unsolicited advice on the range from the local teaching pro trying to drum up business?  Case in point, I was on the range working through my normal routine, 7 to 10 shots with each iron starting with my PW and working up through my 4 hybrid before moving on to the big guns.  If I am hitting well with a club 7 shots then move on, 10 shots for clubs not hitting well but no more than that.  It is my routine and it works for me.  First time at this particular range and was stretching  and taking a couple of warm up swings when the range "pro" who was trying to drum up business came over and asked if I knew the distances to the markers, told him it was my first time there and I didn't.  He then gave me the yardage and even pointed out that with the head wind there were playing about 10 to 15 yards longer.  I said thanks and she said if I needed anything just let him know.  Cool, thanks.  As I started back to warming up he then cam back and gave me his card and offered a discount for lessons if I wanted.  Thanks again, I will consider.  Now, I continued to get ready and he walked off.  I started hitting and was doing pretty well by my standards and sure enough the wind was costing about 10 yards from normal shot.  After 8 shots with my PW, I wiped down my club and put it away and got my 9 iron out for my next set.  Then I heard, "Your tempo is really good."  Thanks, yet again.  "BUT.... I noticed that you are not lifting your right foot enough on your follow though.  If you lift it further like the pros do, you would be able to gain more consistency and few more yards on your shots.  WE could work on that if you want."  NOW THAT WAS IN MY HEAD.  My 9 iron shots were not very good as I kept trying to lift my right foot.  Meanwhile, he then proceeded to stand about 15 yards away from me swishing an alignment rod back and forth talking about tempo to the woman two spots up from me trying to sell her lessons.  I had to stop on the range and move over to the putting and chi[ping area to regroup before I finished on the range.  Unsolicited advice from strangers is the worse. Trying to sell me a lesson is one thing but giving me a freebie that I did not ask for is not what I want.

[berkeleybob]

He should have just offered compliments and listened to see if you’d offer up things you struggle with. 

[cnosil]

I’ve never had a pro come up to me to offer lessons but I would hate it if they did and offered unsolicited advice.   After the first time I would probably just say that I was already working with a pro.    It’s a good opportunity to work on the mental aspect of the game and not let the advice influence what you are working on.  

[russtopherb]

I was ok with the trying to drum up business until the "you should do X like pros do" comment. That would have probably set me off. 

[Kenny B]

Good pros here are too busy to drum up new business.

We have a teaching pro at my course who I have known for years.  He is not an employee of our muni; he has his own business and an agreement with our club.  He has a stable of quality junior golfers. Occasionally, he will stop by while I'm worming up with pitch shots to the pitching green and chat.  The last time he pointed out several people on our range taking practice swings... "He's going to hit a weak slice"... "He's going to chunk the ball".  He's always right.  But he never goes up to them and solicits lessons, and he never says anything about my pitch shots... even though he probably could!  He posts flyers in the restrooms when he's giving "clinics".  

Reminds me of a  story.  Each summer he usually has a month-long clinic for couples... like every Thursday evening for 1-2 hours.  He gets good participation.  One year he had a clinic on "How to teach your spouse without getting into a fight".  My wife and I were playing 9 holes and were coming off #9; the putting green is just on the other side of the cart path from the #9 green.  He was giving putting lessons.  My wife said to me in a loud voice... "I want a divorce!!!"    Everyone looked at us; The pro was laughing!!

[berkeleybob]

13 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

Reminds me of a  story.  Each summer he usually has a month-long clinic for couples... like every Thursday evening for 1-2 hours. 

What a great way to have couples therapy.

[Golf2Much]

Sounds like your inquisitive pro didn't follow the a "Don't ask, don't tell" philosophy:  if I didn't ask for help, don't give it to me.  Or "speak when your spoken to" comes to mind.  That tip (I learned the hard way) was how my wife and I finally were able to play golf together.   Just like Sargent Shultz in "Hogan's Heros".....I see nothing, I say nothing!

[RollingGreens]

That’s pretty annoying. Especially not the advice you were looking for. It hurts that it messed with the rest of the range session. Sometimes I like to keep a pair of headphones in my bag for the range for these moments. Most of the time I don’t even play music, but no one else knows that and it allows me to go about my own business!

[MDGolfHacker]

Yeah, I think we're all in agreement. The pro should of backed off.  As @cnosil said, it's also a good way to work on the mental side of the game.  Good job on regrouping by heading to the chip and putt area.

 

MdGolfHacker

[Larryd3]

That’d be the one person I’d never take lessons from.  Just inappropriate and rude.  

[GaDawg]

On 5/6/2022 at 3:39 PM, RollingGreens said:

That’s pretty annoying. Especially not the advice you were looking for. It hurts that it messed with the rest of the range session. Sometimes I like to keep a pair of headphones in my bag for the range for these moments. Most of the time I don’t even play music, but no one else knows that and it allows me to go about my own business!

I like your routine, might give this a try.

[ParFore74x]

Wow, that would be quite awkward. Certainly seems that the pro was a bit hard up for business. 

[StrokerAce]

don't be that guy...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3lEFSeNqPO

...that gives unsolicited advice to an LPGA tour pro on the range.

 

[Hook DeLoft]

I've had a golf instructor try to solicit my business on a range a couple of times over the years.  Very irritating.  On the other hand, the best teacher I ever had was a driving range pro that I approached after he finished a lesson.

[StrokerAce]

Just now, Hook DeLoft said:

I've had a golf instructor try to solicit my business on a range a couple of times over the years.  Very irritating.  On the other hand, the best teacher I ever had was a driving range pro that I approached after he finished a lesson.

the best people always wait for you to approach them...

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, StrokerAce said:

don't be that guy...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3lEFSeNqPO

...that gives unsolicited advice to an LPGA tour pro on the range.

 

Men are such jerks;  just can't help but laugh at how much of an idiot he was

[StrokerAce]

4 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Men are such jerks;  just can't help but laugh at how much of an idiot he was

 I've been playing for 20 years! hahahaha

I'll give her credit; she could have really went after him but took the high road.

[berkeleybob]

1 hour ago, StrokerAce said:

don't be that guy...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3lEFSeNqPO

...that gives unsolicited advice to an LPGA tour pro on the range.

 

In about 12 years, I’ll be able to strangers that I’ve played golf for 20 years.

Edited February 22 by berkeleybob