How To Find A Golf Instructor

You are going to learn how to play golf or lower your current handicap and you  want to know how to find a golf instructor near me?

People need to decide what the current goals for your game are. Are you a beginner trying to get off to a fast start or are you a competitive player? These two people could need two different sessions provided to them.

Many people that are going to learn how to play golf, have a high number of questions, which is very understandable. 

Here are answers to some of the most common questions of how to find a golf coach…

How To Find A Golf Instructor

Unfortunately, there is not a clear answer to this question.

It is a lot like looking for a good doctor, lawyer or accountant in your area.

Think about how you would go about doing just that. You would more than likely…

Ask your friends in high places

Keep in mind when searching for a new teacher to improve your golf swing, you may want to be referred by players that are close to your skill level that have had recent successes with a golf professional or instructor. So… ask your friends and other people that you know.

Use an online service like Thumbtack 

Thumbtack.com is an online service. They allow people to enter the type of service they are looking for locally.

Thumbtack.com will then  provide the searcher with a high number of instructors in their area that can provide golf packages that can include private lessons, group clinics or golf schools.

Looking For A Golf School For No Money? Google it 

Like anything else online… buyer beware and/or be on high alert. As you have done many times, you can go to Google and type in – Golf Lessons near (your city or zip).

Obviously, when golfers are trying to seek out a new instructor or instructors, the more info you type into the search bar the better the results might be. 

Some examples you may type into Google are… find the best golf instructor near me or best golf swing teachers near me.

Below, we will discuss some other things that golfers can do to better vet out the teaching professional before hiring him or her to improve their golf swing.

How Will I Know If They Are A Qualified Or Good Golf Instructor?

Frankly, this is a difficult one.

If you find a golf instructor that is a PGA Member, this means that they have passed PGA testing that would prove a baseline knowledge.

This does not mean that this coach or these coaches have kept up with the high volume of ever-changing golf swing instruction information.

Depending on who the instruction is for, you should look for certifications from the PGA, Trackman, Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), US Kids Golf and Swing Catalyst to name a few.

Also, people need to know that there are some very good teachers that never pursued membership with the PGA.

Mainly due to the fact that PGA Membership requirements would have them testing on many subjects other than just teaching or instruction. Some see that detracting from their main focus of teaching.

Questions To Ask A Coach Before Taking A Lesson

As we talked earlier, this process can be like finding a new doctor, lawyer or accountant.

I would hope that you would see and interview these types of professionals before hiring them to teach you how to play the game of golf.

After asking these simple questions, you should be able to gauge the instructors interest and/or develop some sort of relationship with them before going to your lesson.

Here are some suggested questions for a golfer to ask a potential instructor or instructors before you make your final pick…

1. How long have you been teaching the golf swing?
2. Do you have any instructor certifications?
3. How many hours do you spend teaching golfers in a week?
4. What is your golf swing philosophy?
5. How will we develop a plan specific to me and better my golf swing?
6. What will the fees be?
7. What type of payment do you take?
8. What is your cancellation/reschedule policy?
9. Have any players recently reached the goals that I am trying to attain with my golf swing?

Are Different Types of Training Are Available?

Instructors offer various types of golf swing lessons to improve your swing and there is a high chance that what is available will change from pro to pro. Finding better golf swing lesson formats for yourself can include private instruction, group classes, golf clinics and even online golf lessons.

This again goes back to the goals that you and your golf instructor pick for your golf swing and overall game. Here are a few examples of golf swing lesson formats…

Individual Or Private Lesson

This is as it sounds. It would be you spending one on one lesson time with a teacher.

Many competitive players see this as the best way to improve their swing as they have the time to get into discussing complex concepts while trying to make a new swing motion. 

One on one individual golf swing instruction sessions tend to be the most expensive as you are the only one fitting the bill for the professional’s time.

Group Lessons

Group golf swing lessons are also known as golf clinics or golf classes. These sessions are different (and sometimes better for you) than taking of the one on one sessions. many times the classes will happen over four or five weeks.

A high number of golfers enjoy this teaching format and think it is the best for new players or higher handicap players as you get to learn the game in a group. It is very social and the cost is not going to be as high.

If you are one of the high number of beginner golfers, it is a really good way to see and meet other new golfers to play with and depending on the size of the group.

Over the weeks, the teaching will have a short presentation on one aspect of the swing at the beginning of the session.

The remainder of the time will be spent one on one with the teacher. Over the weeks of sessions, they will spend a few minutes with you so they can see if you are performing the things discussed in the swing presentation. The responsibility of practicing these things will be on you to eventually play better golf.

Best Online Golf Instruction

Online golf lessons or internet golf instructors are becoming more and more popular.

This teaching format is attractive to players that may not live in a metropolitan area, players that are shy as well as many busy business travelers that want to improve their game.

It only takes a good internet connection to improve your swing and you can find a teacher anywhere in the world. Many people hold sessions with a golf teacher via Skype, Zoom or Facetime.

Some people think this teaching format is not a good or the best way to improve your swing as opposed to being in person. 

However, internet golf teaching can return a high number of better results and be helpful to the player’s swing. Honestly, I have seen better results happen for many players myself.

Depending on your swing goals, through online teaching, a high number of things can change in a positive way.

If you need any help determining your golf swing goals or have other questions about how to pick the best teacher for you and your golf swing, feel free to contact coach@ballflightacademy.com. We are always happy to help!

All skill levels want to play better golf. It seems like there are so many things to think about and it is confusing.

If you are looking to limit the number of things to think about or to find a good PGA instructor or the right instructors to give you a lesson in the Sarasota, Bradenton or Venice, Florida area… Click Here.

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