just one more thing about golf vs. tennis. The Aussie guy Scott Draper is playing the Australian Open (both tennis and golf !) this year.
He should have the final say on which sport is harder to master
Until it becomes commonplace for teenagers to win on the Pro golf tours as has been the case for years in tennis, then there is simply no valid argument for tennis being harder to master, regardless of any single individual's experience. J1MO.
Get to a decent teaching pro as soon as you can. I spent too many years playing the wrong way and my pro found it difficult to coach bad habits out of me.I still have a tendency to drop back on old habits because they were once comfortable. Good luck
I joined this discussion a little late but I've taken up golf on my own. My situation is very similar to dozu. I learned how to play by watching this old video of Ernie Els (anyone else have this?) and reading Jack Nicklaus' book. I broke 100 within 2 months of hitting the course and broke 90 couple of weeks after that. The biggest weakness to my game is putting. I hit a lot of greens in which I end up 3 or even 4 (yuk) putting still.
As far as golf vs tennis- I'd have to say having played both now, golf is much much harder than tennis. It's so much easier to get decent in tennis. Most of my tennis buddies have taken up tennis w/o any instruction while 90% of my golfing buddies have taken lessons. Golf is such a difficult thing for the adult mind to grasp.
Having said that I wonder how people in the "old days" learned to play golf? Were lessons as prevalent 25-50 years ago? On a similar note, back then didn't everyone start off learning to play w/ blades whereas when I went to my local pro shop the guy wouldn't sell me blades b/c I was a beginner and that I would regret it.
Hello Golfers, ...
Is one way better than the other?
....Why do you feel that way?
I the last 32 years of teaching golf I have only met a handfull of people who should not take lessons, because they over road (distroyed) their naturaly ability with their conscious thoughts.
I also have met the same amount of people who could take one or two lessons and put it all together.
I the last 32 years of teaching golf I have only met a handfull of people who should not take lessons, because they over road (distroyed) their naturaly ability with their conscious thoughts.
I also have met the same amount of people who could take one or two lessons and put it all together.
Golfdiva, In my exp. I have not met anyone, anyone who cannot benifit from Proffesional instruction. No matter the skill level, desired goal and/or economics. I started this thread to just get a feel from the members of this site on instruction, and for the most part, its been answered. I, like you, instruct golfers of all skill levels. I get personal satisfaction out of the looks they have on their faces when, they return to me with a recent score card where they broke 100, 90, 80 and yes, 70. They recant for me their entire round (shot by shot, wind conditions, green type, even their mind set). Some might say, ho hum... But their voices go up an octive or two, thier eyes gleem, sometimes they get teary eyed and you should see the smiles.... well, I am sure you have.
Keep giving them what they need....
Last edited by b_squared : January 18th, 2005 at 05:09 AM.
Golfdiva, In my exp. I have not met anyone, anyone who cannot benifit from Proffesional instruction. No matter the skill level, desired goal and/or economics. I started this thread to just get a feel from the members of this site on instruction, and for the most part, its been answered. I, like you, instruct golfers of all skill levels. I get personal satisfaction out of the looks they have on their faces when, they return to me with a recent score card where they broke 100, 90, 80 and yes, 70. They recant for me their entire round (shot by shot, wind conditions, green type, even their mind set). Some might say, ho hum... But their voices go up an octive or two, thier eyes gleem, sometimes they get teary eyed and you should see the smiles.... well, I am sure you have.
Keep giving them what they need....
I am going to guess on this number but in 32 years of golf instruction, golfdiva has seen over 30,000 students (counting clinics and privates) maybe more depending on her job. A handful of those wouldn't even register as a percent.
I've been teaching for 15 years now and can think back to about 5 players out of the 12,203 that I have taught (yes, I have kept a database of ALL of my students names, notes from the lessons and other information) that really only benefitted by being shown new shots, not by working on mechanics in the lessons.
While it is possible to be self-taught AND achieve some proficiency, it is a rare individual who can self-teach and become a really good (low 70's) player.
I am pretty split here. I myself have been playing seriously for about 3 years. I shoot around 90 right now. THough im proud that i have gotten as far as i have on my own, i would LOVE to have the money for lessons. Being in college though i cant see that happening soon :(. You can only do so much on your own. I will agree that being a deticated self taught player you learn ALOT about the swing but I would say go the route of the lessons.
Personally i have been stuck at 90ish and have yet to break it. BUT this year shall be different!!! Ive wanted to quit golf so many times during this past year. But now i am "close".
I've been going to my swing coach (JR Ables) for a couple of months now and i LOVE it, theres so many things that needed fixing that he did for me, also when you see yourself on tape, its kinda humbling, seein that ur swing is not as pretty as you think!
January 5th, 2005, 12:29 PM
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