Published on 23rd Sep 2024
How to prepare and what to expect from a golf lesson
Taking on a new sport can be daunting, especially when that sport is as technically challenging for new players as golf.
In this short guide, we’ll help you to fight back against those nerves by giving guidance on exactly what to expect from the golf lesson, and what you can do to prepare. This guide is ideal for both new players, and for helping the parents of junior golfers know what’s coming up, so let’s get started!
How to prepare
First, we look at how to prepare for your golf lessons. These suggestions are perfect for those taking on their first lessons, but are also still relevant for those 20 lessons in!
Set Golfing Goals
Setting golfing goals is one of the most important parts of preparation - After all, if you don’t know what you’re aiming towards, how can properly build towards it?
It’s also worth noting that while golfing goals don’t have to be strict, your golfing instructor will ask you what your aims are. If you are a new golfer, consider why you want to take up the sport. Could it be to:
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Enjoy spending time with your golfing friends
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Learn to play to a professional standard or for competition
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It may even be as specific as wanting to break 100 or lower
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Or it could be to simply enjoy being out on the course and playing to a standard you are happy with
If you are the parent of a junior golfer, consider sitting down with your child and working together to determine what you want your goals to be. These could be as simple as:
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Learning how to grip a golf club properly
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Learning how to swing a golf club
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How to chip a golf ball
Once you have these goals in mind, you can use them to find a golf instructor whose lessons align with your goals.
Find the right golf instructor
Finding the right golf instructor is vital for helping you or your junior golfer achieve your newly set goals.
When searching for instructors, consider taking the time to interview them, whether in person or by phone. This allows you to gauge their personality and teaching style to see if they mesh with you or your junior.
When interviewing them, you should also ask them about costs, the possibility of private lessons, how big group lessons are, scheduling, location, and anything else you have questions about.
If you are a parent, you could also consider finding a local academy that runs the Golfway Programme. Academies are fantastic places for junior golfers to find their feet amongst children around their age.
Whatever you do, remember that golf is meant to be fun as well as challenging! With this in mind, be sure to find an instructor or academy where you know you or your child will enjoy each lesson.
Prepare for the lesson
There are a number of ways you can prepare for your lesson!
Start to practice with your own right clubs
If you can, consider purchasing your own golf clubs to get used to the weight and feel. Practising with your own clubs can be a great way to make a head start on lessons, and will allow you to practice what you’ve learned afterwards!
If you are the parent of a junior golfer, consider purchasing clubs from our Golfway Play (plastic practice clubs), Golfway Champion or MKids ranges. These clubs are designed with junior players in mind and come in a range of seven age-appropriate sizes.
Clubs are also available for both left-handed and right-handed players, so no child will feel left out.
Prepare your clubs to bring along
If you already own your own club set, you should prepare it to take along to your golf lessons. While the instructor may have their own clubs that you can use, in the long run, it is better to become used to your clubs, so you can continue playing at home or a golf club.
Similarly, if junior golfers have their own club sets, they should bring them along to continue practice at home.
Top tip: If you are unable to acquire your own clubs, you should consider speaking to your instructor before the lesson begins, so they know to bring clubs that you can use.
Prepare questions or golf-specific topics
Do you have any burning golf questions? Consider saving them for your next lesson. Your golf instructor will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Wear comfortable clothes and bring any accessories you own
You may be on your feet for some time during a golf lesson. With this in mind, you should consider wearing comfortable clothing that is suitable for the weather that day.
If you have any accessories, consider bringing them along. This is the ideal time to use your own gear, such as golf gloves, or head covers.
Bring a golf journal to each lesson
Bring a golf journal with you each time you go to a lesson. This is a great way to remember any useful tips the instructor has and will help you keep track of progress towards your goals.
If you are the parent of a junior golfer, consider sitting down with them and asking them to recount their lesson for you to note down.
What to expect
Let’s now have a look at what you can expect during a lesson.
Questions from the instructor
One of the first things you should expect as a new golfer or the parent of a junior golfer is lots of questions!
The instructor’s goal will be to determine where to start with your training. This means they will likely ask about:
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Previous training
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What clubs you have used
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What your goals are
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Where your problem areas are
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How often do you play
This mini-interview with the instructor may get quite specific, so be prepared to share where you think you might be going wrong.
Golf jargon
If you are completely new to golf, you may be exposed to some golf jargon during your first lesson. This can be a bit overwhelming at first, but make sure to ask questions and take notes as you go so you can remember what each new word or phrase means.
Before a lesson, it may also help to read up on a glossary of terms. This can give you a great head start in your lessons!
Have an open mind
Golf lessons aren’t always straightforward. You or your junior golfer may find that there’s a need to think outside the box to nail a certain technique.
The best advice here is to follow your instructor’s guidance and allow them to help you improve your game.
Top tip: While you should follow your instructor’s guidance, be sure that you understand exactly what you need to do and why you need to do it. You can do this simply by asking, but once you get a good understanding of why you’re doing something, it can help you get there faster.
Exaggerating your technique
During your lesson, you or your junior may be advised to exaggerate your movements as you progress through the swing.
This exaggerated swing technique allows your coach to understand exactly where you need to tweak your motions. The exaggerated movement will also help you get used to the flow of the swing, and the equipment you’re using.
What to do after the lesson is over
So what should you do once the lesson is complete?
Ask for any feedback to take home with you
Once the session is finished, speak to the instructor to summarise the lesson and see if there are any elements you can work on from home.
Be sure to write down everything the instructor says so you don’t forget any vital teachings.
Practice makes perfect
If possible, keep on practising from home!
Your instructor should have provided you or your junior with some great notes to go home with. Find some time to follow these notes, they may include:
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Practice drills
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Motion swings
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Foot placements
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Posture practice
Following these will ensure you’re well-prepared for the next lesson and ready to keep making progress.
Ideally, each lesson should feel like you or your junior are learning new things, and not repeating steps from the previous lesson. However, bear in mind it won’t always be as smooth as this, and that’s okay!
Top tip: If you or your junior golfer can, try to practice as soon as you get home from the lesson. This will help to keep all the information you’ve just learned in mind for future home practice sessions.
Remain positive
Remember that golf is a highly technical game, and you won’t become a professional overnight. With this in mind, it is important to remain positive and keep on practising!
Make sure you keep working towards your set goals, and be ready to tick them off when you and your instructor feel like you’ve accomplished it.
Remember to have fun
Always remember why you started to learn golf - most likely this will be to have fun learning a new sport!
Sometimes the practice of building on your swing can lead to frustration, but each swing is another step towards success, and soon you’ll be out on the course enjoying the weather and the game.
Speak to Golfway's experts
At Golfway we have the resources that any parent, coach, school teacher, or golf venue will need for golf development; including but not limited to golf equipment, training, and bespoke advice.
Why Golfway?
The Golfway Programme has been written alongside the R&A and the Golf Foundation, our Golfway Play equipment is used for development projects by England Golf, Scottish Golf, Golf Ireland and many more trusted names.
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team about our equipment, the Golfway Programme, or anything else, get in touch today!
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