Lessons are like upgrading your car. Range sessions are like learning to drive it.

I figured I’d share this analogy that I thought of while watching F1. To me it seems like there’s a lot of people on here who spend a ton of time at the range trying to improve (me included). What I’ve concluded is if you go to the range with the same swing every time and the intention to hit straight, you’ll only become a better swinger of that swing. It’s basically like learning how to drive a really cruddy car really well.

If you’re the best driver of a Prius, you’re more than likely going to lose to any driver driving a Ferrari. Go get lessons and “buy” a Ferrari, then learn how to drive by going to the range.

Hope this analogy helps.

in golftipsby FeroLemur7

54%

15d

JeebusCrunk

15d

Eh, upgrading your car is like upgrading your bag.

Lessons are to driving class what the range is to seat-time.

mikeysd123

14d

100% Better analogy because upgrading your car won’t do a damn thing unless you know what to do with it.

Timely_Chicken_8789

15d

Lessons are to teach proper elements (for you). The range is there you turn those elements into habits. If you’re self taught you’re just reinforcing poor habits. Some can eventually make it work, but only after a ton of frustration.

MattDaniels84

15d

Not completely correct though. The person who is "just reinforcing poor habits" on the range isn't necessarily selftaught. Rather untaught. As you say, there aren't many who can make it work learning on their own but the ones that do often create a good understanding of the movement. Of matchups and connections. I don't like the notion that every selftaught person isn't really understanding the swing. I see many guys in my club who have lessons every month and they learn next to nothing.

ExtraDependent883

15d

Ita not that hard to understand the swing and teach yourself lol.

Back in the day when we couldn't record ourselves, yea

MattDaniels84

14d

I agree. I kind of get it, for most people it just makes sense to see a pro. The pro will look at their swing from every angle and use his or her experience to help he student to fix existing problems. And not just the symptoms but the root causes. The last point is the biggest flaw with selftaught people as they don't have the experience to distinguish symptom from root cause and therefor, have more risk to "waste" time on things, they don't have to work on.

But for some people lessons aren't an option. Be that financial reasons, be that there are no pros with good reputation around. It feels sometimes, that people look down on those people. I think, somebody who learns himself about the golfswing will end up with a better understanding than somebody who is just following instructions. Even when better understanding doesn't necessarily means a better swing. But you can get "there" with instruction too - I've seen many odd swings from people who do take lessons, so it certainly isn't a "fix everything" solution.

forevera20hcp

12d

This. Yes some people are capable to self teach themselves. But most people are not identifying the root causes or spending time to tackle their biggest issues. Look at how many people post a video and strictly focus on their early extension. Their early extension is usually a result of a significant swing or set-up flaw they need to fix. Instead they think they need to work on not standing up instead of the root cause. A GOOD instructor will put most people on the right path to fixing their issues.

Chopper278-

14d

And everyone had blades and did fine ✔️

Timely_Chicken_8789

15d

Apples and oranges. You don’t know what you don’t know until you get with someone knowledgeable. Guys taking random lessons a few times a year are basically twiddling their thumbs. I’ve committed to a 4 month program and will likely repeat it when done. It comes down to what you want out of it. If your’re happy with your game so be it. But don’t think your going to see much improvement slamming buckets at the range or taking random lessons. I play with those guys every week and they’ve been stuck in a rut for 20 years.

MattDaniels84

15d

As I said, I know guys who have lessons who seem to be stuck as well ^^ But lets not get further into it. I guess I was a little triggered when you made a general statement about selftaught people in golf. And I am also not shocked that you have the stance you have given that you comitted to an extensive program. I mean, we all do what we do for a reason, aren't we.

Wibbly23

15d

playing golf is like learning to drive it.

golf as a game is not just "hit golf ball", the same way driving a car can't be mastered by going around a parking lot.

nightstalker30

14d

Agree. There are added mental and physical stressors during the golf round (race) that affect performance and decision making and that simply don’t exist on the range (parking lot).

Wibbly23

14d

Also conditions. think terrain in golf, lies, wind, how firm or soft the course is. You have to adjust for quite literally everything

Driving is the same. Different pavement, on camber or off camber corners, rain, tire temperatures, wind, the whole bit.

You'd learn nothing of any of these in a parking lot the same way you'd learn nothing of the complicating elements of the golf course at the driving range.

Big_Satisfaction_644

15d

I agree, but for the weekend golfer it may be good enough to learn how to hit a 40 yard slice every time. That way they can put the ball in play consistently.

Dewey_Rider

15d

You can practice all you want on a range. Until you learn course management, you'll never get any better.

macroober

15d

And Box Box is grabbing 4 glizzies at the turn.