So you want to go to golf school?
Retired tour pros, club pros, young pros who can't get club jobs . . . everybody's got a shingle and they're all hanging them out. After all, just about all of them know more about the golf swing than the average recreational golfer.
But golf school is an investment of your time and precious few dollars. So, ask some questions before you sign up.
What's the school's instruction philosophy? Some schools will break your swing down totally and build you a new one from scratch. If you've got lots of time to practice, then this kind of school might be for you. Just remember, even pros who rebuild their swings sometimes take a year or more to get back in contention. And, just possibly, they have more natural talent than you.
A better option for mere mortals is to choose a school where they will take what you have and show you how to improve on it. Unless your swing is a bad version of Jim Furyk's, that's the way for most of us to go. Ask if they provide you with a take-home video analysis of the swing you brought to school, compared to how it looked on the last day of school. Ask for drills that can help you keep that “after” glow. At home, take your drills to the range three or four times a week and practice what you've learned. Faithfully.
Here's a critical question: how big will the classes be? Golf school should promise individual attention and you should demand it. Look for a school that treats every student as an individual even though you may be in a group lesson. Instructors should be attuned to unique characteristics such as learning style, physique and physical strength. The best schools have small classes with just a few students. If there are 10 people in a class, you're not in golf school ― you're at a clinic.
Who are the instructors? If the school carries a famous TOUR-affiliated name, chances are you'll be paying for the marquee and that big name's teaching "philosophy." But don't count on seeing the celebrity teacher – unless you pay mucho bucks. Instead, look for schools that have been reviewed and ranked in Golf Magazine. Read student comments online.
Some of the best (and most affordable) schools in the country are owned and run by people who have dedicated their whole lives to helping average people like you play better golf. They're not big names, but they know how to help average golfers make big improvements.
Know what questions to ask and you'll end up spending less coin and getting more out of your golf school experience.
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