I don’t need a golf coach; I have YouTube. People say they don’t need a coach because all the information they need is already on the internet. Wrong, IMHO. You might believe I think that way because, as a coach, I lose money if people go to the internet/YouTube rather than coming to see me. Fair enough. The problem for you is the lack of individual guidance provided in YouTube videos. I’d say I agree with 98% of the videos I watch on YouTube. I consider watching them a responsibility. As a teacher, when someone says to me, “But on Youtube, the guy said…” I need to be ready. It’s not that any particular piece of instruction is wrong. The problem is, how do you know which ones apply to you and which will only make things worse?
One size does not fit all
The great teacher Havey Penick would always take his students as far as possible from everyone else on the range when he taught because he knew what would help one golfer might be the worse thing for another to try. He didn’t want anyone to overhear his instruction for fear of making things worse for them.
Do you trust all your medical issues to WebMD.com and the like? No need for blood tests, X-rays, MRIs. You know how you feel, so treatment is simple. So, just google your symptoms and follow the plan provided by the all-knowing internet. It sure saves time and money! You might even feel better, eventually. Then again, you might not. You might be in for big trouble.
What you feel is not real
Of course, diagnosing and “treating” a golf swing is less critical than medical conditions, but the logic is the same. In the golf swing, the feel is not what’s real! What you think you are doing in your swing is most likely not what is happening. Don’t believe me? I ask every one of my students to take a small swing, stopping their backswing when their lead arm is parallel to the ground. I have never had one student succeed on the first try. Everyone takes nearly a full swing. Yet, when I ask, “How far did you take it back?” they all say, “To parallel.” or something similar. Why is that? It’s because what you feel you are doing is not what you ARE doing. If you base your YouTube learning on what you feel, chances are you’re heading down the wrong path.
But I can video myself
You might have the means to video your swing and analyze what you see. Awesome! What do you see? Is your swing too steep? If it is, how do you correct that? I can show you ten different methods described and demonstrated on YouTube. Which is right for you? Is your swing too flat? Are you losing your posture? I could go on and on. If you are a single-digit handicapper, you might be able to sift through the various techniques and advice and get yourself on the right track. Maybe.
According to the USGA, 29.33% of male golfers and 4.46% of female golfers have single-digit handicaps. I’m not sure I believe that 29.33%, but that’s the USGA data. Mind you, this data is gathered (obviously) from golfers that keep a handicap. As a result, it does not include the vast numbers of occasional weekend warriors and beginning golfers out there. And, even if you play a lot but don’t have a handicap, do you routinely score less than 85 and occasionally dip into the 70s? That’s with playing it down, putting out every putt, strict adherence to the rules, etc. If yes, maybe you can go it alone. If not, I strongly suggest you find a coach!
Be picky, find the right coach
Find the right coach for you. Shop around—interview potential teachers/coaches. Find someone you feel you can work with and who understands your goals. If you take the time to find the right coach for you, your golf will improve quickly, as will your enjoyment of the game.
Most importantly, have fun out there!
Doug