Spending a day with golf instructor Hank Haney will set you back a meager $10K. While Hank will undoubtedly have some great golf tips for you and probably won’t write a book about the experience, it is up to you to build on the foundation he laid for you. A number of factors go into how to choose a golf instructor.
Choosing a golf instructor is a lot like finding a good mechanic. They must be knowledgeable, trustworthy, be able to diagnose and fix breakdowns, and perform the occasional tune-up.
Knowledge and ability are obvious factors in selecting an instructor. Just because someone has “Teaching Professional” on their business cards does not mean that they are accredited by the PGA or LPGA.
Outside of ability, golf instructors can have different philosophies on how to develop the golf swing. Some focus predominately on mechanics, while others teach by feel.
Personality is also key in developing a relationship with your teacher. Golf lessons with an instructor who has a drill sergeant mentality may not be productive if you are more laid back.
Learning how to play golf takes a great investment of both time and money. So ask around to get opinions on golf instructors in your area. A strong referral is worth it’s weight in gold. Also try exchanging a few emails to see if a particular teacher would be a good fit for you.
Remember, they want your business. If they can’t return an email then you probably know all you need to.
