How to choose a golf school
Choosing a golf school is a very important decision. You want to get the best value for your money and also want to feel confident that the instruction you will receive is tailored to your needs. Here are a few questions to ask a potential golf school when you contact them.
Who will my instructor be and how experienced are they?
Many golf schools are named after famous instructors but those instructors don’t actually teach the schools. Be sure to ask who the instructor of your school will be and also ask for a brief bio so you can be assured he or she is experienced. Ask about the instructor’s training and whether they have won any awards.
Veteran golf instructors are likely to recognise your problem areas faster. They are able to quickly and effectively communicate a solution for you. They will focus on the things that are going to make a difference right away. They will give you a practice plan that will allow you to have significant breakthroughs in your game.
How many students will each instructor work with?
A low student-to-instructor ratio (4-to-1 or less) is best. This will ensure that you get enough individual attention as you are learning. Having an instructor work closely with you will help you stay on track as you practice new drills and exercises and not slip back into old bad habits.
Ideally, it’s best to work with the same instructor for the entire duration of the golf school. This allows the golf professional to get to know you and customise a learning program for your individual needs.
Will the instruction be catered to my personal goals and learning style?
It is critical that your instruction is designed for you and your capabilities. You want to avoid a school whose instructors teach everyone the same way. Good schools will use tools to learn about you before you arrive so they can tailor their approach to what you want and need. If you can afford a school where the instructors are trained in golf fitness, this will be a huge benefit as they will be able to quickly assess your physical capabilities and either help you to improve your fitness or work around your limitations the best way.
It is very important for your teacher to find out about your preferred learning style so he or she can communicate clearly with you in your best “mode”.
Another key element is the creation of an action plan to help you continue your improvement after the school. Video analysis can be highly effective in this process. It can be helpful for you to see before and after images of your golf swing so you can see specifically what you need to work on.
Finally, ensure the school will focus on all parts of the game – swing, short game and mental game. To this end, they should provide
instruction on the golf course as well as at the range or putting green.
Will I get to play golf as a part of the program? Does the instructor give training on-course?
As mentioned above, having an instructor work with you as you play on the course is a very important part of the learning process. You may benefit from some mental game tips on how to perform best. You will also be helped by getting your instructor’s ideas on strategy decisions based on your strengths and weaknesses.
What are the facilities like?
You will want to attend a school at a first class facility that has a good practice facility with real grass, putting greens and a short game area. It is good to have a facility that offers a covered practice area in case of inclement weather. Choose a golf school that is likely to be warm and have plenty of sunshine when you go.
Does a School Use Video
In today’s day and age, the use of high speed video cameras and computer swing analysis is industry standard. If a school doesn’t offer video instruction, you will be better off finding a different school. A system called V1 is the industry leader in video instruction software so ask if the school uses V1.
WHY A GOLF SCHOOL AND NOT THE REGULAR PRIVATE LESSONS?
The major benefit of a golf school experience versus the typical series of golf lessons with your local professional is the positive effect of total immersion. The golf school experience is built on longer instructional sessions than typical private lessons in your home town. Supervised practice to ensure the new skills are being repeated correctly and a lack of distractions because the students are usually on holiday are also positives affecting a student’s immediate and long term improvement..
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