How many golf lessons do beginners need?
As a beginner stepping onto the golf course, you may be eager to learn the foundational skills needed to master this complex sport. Taking golf lessons is undoubtedly a wise decision, but you might wonder how many lessons are required to gain the necessary skills to confidently navigate the fairways. In this blog post, I will provide insights into the ideal number of golf lessons beginners need to lay a solid foundation for their golf game. Before going any further, I have to share that with my golf instruction for beginners, I prefer to start with the short game (and I’ll share some insights to that below).
The Value of Professional Instruction
Before I share my recommended number of lessons, let me first emphasize the value of professional instruction. While YouTube videos and range sessions can provide some insights, nothing compares to the personalized guidance of a skilled golf instructor. My expertise, experience, and tailored approach will ensure you develop proper techniques from the start, setting you up for long-term success on the course.
Recommended Number of Lessons for Beginners
For beginners who have played golf once or twice and watched some instructional videos, a series of six to eight golf lessons is an ideal starting point. This range allows for comprehensive instruction on the essential aspects of the game, ensuring you develop a solid foundation to build upon. I personally offer a complimentary 15 minute consultation discuss the golfers goals for their game, and from there typically recommend a lesson package at a discounted rate that includes 6 lessons to get a beginner golfer started with their foundational skills. In my experience, especially this year, many of my students initially book one private lesson for 60 minutes at regular price. Once they experience the value of my golf instruction in that lesson, they often book the series of 6 lessons to receive consistent teachings and practice over the next 6-8 weeks. This schedule has worked well for many of my students.
Importance of Short Game Instruction
One of the most valuable tips for beginners is to prioritize short game instruction before focusing on mastering the full swing. As a beginner golfer, you might be eager to unleash your inner Tiger Woods with awe-inspiring drives and impressive iron shots, but starting your golfing journey with a focus on the short game is a strategic move that will set you on the path to success. Here’s why I believe beginner golfers should prioritize short game lessons.
Immediate Impact on Scores: The short game is often referred to as the "scoring game" and it’s for good reason. While long drives might garner attention, it is the short game that can significantly influence your overall score. Putting, chipping, and pitching make up a considerable portion of shots played during a round of golf. Improving these skills early on will lead to lower scores, a boost in confidence, and a more enjoyable experience on the course.
Foundation of Consistency: In the world of golf, consistency is key. The short game provides an excellent foundation for developing consistent techniques and reliable shot-making abilities. By mastering the basics of putting, chipping, and pitching, you lay the groundwork for a repeatable and controlled swing, which will naturally extend to your longer shots as your golfing journey progresses.
Learning Essential Fundamentals: The short game introduces you to fundamental elements crucial to your overall golfing skills. From understanding proper grip and alignment to honing your feel for distance and green reading, the short game encompasses vital aspects that form the foundation of your golfing proficiency.
Confidence Booster: A strong short game can be a golfer's secret weapon, providing a significant boost in confidence on the course. When you can rely on your short game to get you out of tricky situations, your overall game improves, and you'll approach every shot with a newfound sense of assurance.
Time-Efficient Improvement: Starting with short game lessons offers a time-efficient way to see tangible improvement in your golfing skills. As you focus on the aspects of the game that directly impact your scoring, your progress will be evident in a shorter time frame, fueling your enthusiasm for the game and motivating you to continue honing your skills.
Below is a video of one of my new students who is brand new to golf and we are working on foundational skills. In this video below he is using a pitching wedge and we’re focusing on body alignment, grip, stance, and swing for chipping.
Once you have a strong foundation in the short game, you'll be better prepared to focus on mastering full swing. Building on your experience from the short game, we can introduce proper iron, hybrid, and driver swing techniques, ensuring you develop a consistent and reliable full swing.
Overall, starting your golf journey is really exciting and can be extremely rewarding. It can also be frustrating and demotivating at times if your skills are holding you back from where you want to be with your game. By taking a series of six to eight golf lessons, you can establish a solid foundation for your game, tweak and refine the small things that can make a big impact, and receive specific practice activities to improve your skills. If you’re ready to book a complimentary 15 minute consultation with me or a full private lesson, book a service today! You can also check out my blog post that answers the question of how much should golf lessons cost. This blog post gives you more information on what to expect with pricing for different services. Keep it in the short grass!
