Do you have the time? Golf instructors can teach you the basics, but it will take some practice time between sessions to build and master the skills. Plan to dedicate at least 60 minutes a week to practice what you’ve learned. Sometimes just a club, tee and whiffle ball in the backyard is all you need to practice some drills.

What are you willing to spend? The golf industry had made a lot of noise to build programs and bring more women into the game. There is more emphasis today on programs for new and learning players. The more you are willing to spend, the more individualized instruction you will receive.

Private Lesson: ($75 to $200) Rates  vary based on length of the lesson, use of training facilities, and the teaching professional’s reputation.

Semi Private Lesson: ($40 to $100) Sharing the cost with another person can be more fun and less intimidating.

Group Clinic: ($10 to $50) Clinics are typically 4 to 8 people with rates based on length of clinic and number of people.  Look for free introductory clinics offered for new golfers.

Golf Schools: ($500 and up) Golf schools can range from one day to a full week and requires a greater degree of stamina. Prices will depending on length of school and extras such as meals and on course playing lessons

Do some research. Once you have decided on a lesson format, make a list of golf professionals that teach at times and places that are convenient and within your price range.  For suggestions, visit the Women on Course local golf directory, ask other women and nearby golf courses and check the listings on the PGA and LPGA websites. Visit an individual’s website and see if their teaching philosophy matches up with your learning style. You should get a pretty good feel if the instructor enjoys teaching beginners and women from the content on the website.

Questions to ask before you commit. You can probably zero in on a choice by asking a few simple questions.  Ask to schedule a short 10 minute call with the instruction to learn the following.

-       Ability to relate to your individual needs

-       Teaching philosophy – simple vs. analytical? Do they teach one method or vary depending on the student?

-       Did they ask about physical limitations? Do they address golf fitness?

-       Teaching style – does it match your learning style: visual, auditory, feel?

-       Do they use swing aids and video analysis?

-       Do they give playing lessons or are lessons all on the practice range?

-       Are golf clubs included if you don’t have a set?

Make the Choice. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your lesson to warmed up and pay your fee. Be open to what the instructor is telling you even if it feels awkward. A swing change can take up to three weeks to incorporate so practice, practice, practice. Most importantly, be patient with yourself.

Did you make a good choice? Ask yourself the following

-       Did they start with an interview? Did you feel like they really understood you and your goals? Were they a good listener?

-       Did they teach to your goals? Was the instruction clear? Did they use terms you understand? Did they talk to you at your level? Were they patient? Was information-overload avoided?

-       Did they use a variety of teaching methods: verbal, visual, demonstration, and kinesthetic movement?

-       Were you encouraged or did you experience ‘post-lesson depression’ and feel like you couldn’t do anything right?

-       Do they cover every aspect of the game from warm-up, putting, short-game, and full-swing? Did they teach just the swing or including course management, mental strategies, rules, etiquette?

-       Did he/she give you specific drills to practice? Did you see improvement in a relatively short period of time?

-       How was the follow-up? Did they email you the video of your swing? Were they available for questions?

-       Did they set mutual goals with you? How will they track your progress? Did they remember what you were working on?

-       Were they passionate about the game?

If the majority of the answers were ‘yes’ then you found the right one! So stick with him or her, practice in between your sessions and you’ll be on your way to lower scores!

Take a lesson with our favorite  Women on Course instructor Debbie Keller  - WOC members have access to over 3 hours of video lessons. http://www.womenoncourse.com/video_lesson_preview.php

From Orange County favorite, Curtis Robinson, Golf Professional, Newport Beach Golf Club.

Let’s face it we all want more distance but the way you are trying to get it might be holding you back. It’s important to know that distance has little to do with power or how strong you are and is directly related to the speed of the club “through” impact.   Please note the quotation mark on the word through.  Most golfers swing to or at the ball instead of swinging through the ball to a complete finish.  When you focus all of your energy at the ball, the momentum of the club is actually slowing down causing you to decrease your swing speed and lose distance. Here is a quick and easy drill that will teach you to generate more speed and help you get a few extra yards with all of your clubs.

First take a practice swing and monitor where the club gets to at both the completion of your backswing and your finish.  The key to this drill is to have full finish. Once you have figured out these two positions, create practice swing in which you pause at the top of your backswing and then swing through to your finish position and hold it for a few seconds. This drill allows you to feel how the speed build up and increases through the ball to your finish and not to the ball.

Join our monthly clinics with Curtis!  Visit the WOC events page for dates.

To get a fuller swing while increasing your balance, try taking some slow practice swings with your feet together. Many players have a tendency to sway back and forth in their swing and with your feet together you obviously can’t do that. This drill teaches you what it feels like to stay centered over the ball. You will also find that you are able to get a much fuller turn. This drill will show you what it feels like to get a good, full turn while maintaining good balance. To top it all off, you are also going to find that your tempo is a lot more even, too.

Good tempo in the golf swing is extremely important. The first few feet of your take-away should be the slowest part of your swing.

Initially, many golfers quickly jerk the club back, resulting in poor tempo through the backswing and ultimately back to the ball. To give yourself an idea as to proper pace for a good take-away, set up to a golf ball with a long iron (preferably 6-4 iron). Then place another golf ball directly behind the club head. Take your normal backswing and notice how far back that second ball rolls. It should only roll a few feet. If the ball catches air or catapults back more than a mere few feet, you have started your backswing too quickly.

Once you have ingrained a slow, smooth start to your backswing you will see the benefits throughout the rest of the swing, most importantly at impact.