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I'm 15 years old and play to a 5 handicap. I have never had any formal lessons in my life, other than my dad. In a couple of days I am going to a golf camp and I am a little hesitant because I dont know if the teachers will change up my swing to their likings, or take what I have and improve upon it. Have you guys ever had an experience similar to this? What did the teacher work on and how did it affect your game?

Well I guess that depends on your viewpoint....yes they will change something if it isn't the typical set-up or swing. There is a typical model swing they try to get there students to follow (which leads to an in-to-out swing plane) and improves on other swing faults they may have. If you feel you have a solid swing already, and may need just a little tweaking then tell the instructor up front and go from there. For me, I thought I was doing things quite well until they got me on video and pointed out the things I needed to work on. So for me, I was getting great results, but found out why I was inconsistent at times, etc etc. After the adjustment I had about a 3-4 month period in which I was struggling with the new way, then I start to see positive results and am playing some of the best golf ever for me.

I wouldn't be worried. If you're a 5 handicap, you can't get to a 5 handicap without a good swing already, so they wont be changing much. Just a little here and there.

Not to be harsh, but you can't expect improvement without change.

Be committed to what the teachers tell you, and be patient.

Most likely, it will be geared more towards basic stuff, posture, grip, alignment, etc.

I attended a 3-day school at a Phil Ritson- Mel Sole facility. Like you, I was a 5 handicap and outside of a couple of beginner lessons, never really had any meaningful hands-on instruction. I was struggling with a few aspects of my game, and I knew that they were related to basic fundamentals. Part of the deal included a videotaped session, and I thought that would be cool, for the simple fact that I could revisit the tape whenever I wanted at home.

It wasn't anything elaborate. There were 6 other guys in the group with me, and I was easily the more accomplished player in the group. (I played a lot more golf than they did) Anyway, I didn't benefit from the lessons nearly as much as the other guys. That's not to say that I didn't gain anything from it.... I did. But it wasn't really as much "learning" as "remembering and applying." And the fact that the instructor spent more time with the guys that were struggling with their swings than he did me was a little disconcerting. But it was also understandable.

We worked on all aspects of the game. Once again, all basic stuff. Not once did the instructor attempt to change my swing or make some sort of radical adjustments. I will say, however, that the final day was the most memorable. After two days of revisiting the basics, I hit some of the most crisp iron shots of my life, as well as off the tee with driver. So in all, it was good for my game. A little pricey, but worth it.

You're probably going to be in a group session, and hopefully the student-to-teacher ratio isn't overwhelming. It's nice to have a little quality time with an instructor, which is probably my biggest gripe about group lessons. Maybe your camp will be different.

Have fun!