In the first lesson, I need to determine how much of a "newbie" you are.
I have literally coached students who have never swung a club prior to the first lesson. I have coached a couple of students who have only experienced simulator golf and not "live outdoor" golf.
Through an initial conversation:
- I find out whether you've been to a driving range before.
- Have you played an actual outdoor golf course including par 3's only?
- Are you looking to improve to the point of competing with friends, family, and neighbors outings?
- Do you want to compete at higher levels in high school, college, and beyond?
- What other sports have you participated in?
Additionally, we may talk about why the game is so hard, your favorite professional golfers, and more.
The initial lesson is ultimately about two things:
1. Getting to know you better
2. Focusing on pure, flush contact of the golf ball. There is no consideration given to scoring in the early lessons. IT IS CRITICAL TO DEVELOP solid, consistent contact with the golf ball in the early stages.
The higher lofted clubs such as the pitching wedge, gap wedge, and nine iron are utilized the most in the beginning.
There are a lot of factors here. I will have conversations with the client. We will review where we started til where we are now.
What are the students' strengths up to this point?
Are their specific positive and/ or negative patterns ?
The golf game is filled with many little things. We can really get down to all the nitty gritty details.
Even a small error in the swing plane can sometimes cause issues with ball flight or non centering of the golf ball.
If you continue to do this "tiny mistake," it may result in less than desirable outcomes.
We will grind at it together to reach your maximum potential.
As the lessons move along, I gauge the level of improvement.
I ask the client if there is a particular facet of the game they may want to focus on.
Do they want to:
- Give more attention to irons versus woods?
- Focus on getting more elevation from the middle irons?
- Work on sand shots?
- Cover more details in the overall short game versus long game?
I will look to do a playing lesson in this lesson range area. If the student is more of a beginner, I will choose a par 3 only course.
For a more experienced student/player, we will choose a traditional golf course.
I will take some more videos during live action on the golf course.
I will begin to incorporate numerous training aids:
A. Tourstriker Planemate
B. Divot Board
C. Lagshot golf club
D. Impact bag
E. Hangar
F. Grip and weight Warm Up tool
G. Putting Mirror
H. DeWiz Analytics Watch
I. And more.
In many cases, it will be necessary to work on abbreviated 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 swings prior to full swing implementation.
I will take many short videos from various angles as the student takes swings. This way, I can stop and start the videos showing the good stuff and the areas that need improvement.
I will sometimes reference short youtube.com videos of a couple of my favorite online instructors to emphasize certain points.
