Deciding to take some golf lessons is easy enough. Any medium-size city has at least a dozen qualified instructors. But how do you find the right teacher for the job? Lessons can cost $100 an hour, so it’s important that you make a good decision.
Most people start with three criteria–cost, reputation and convenience. Those are considerations, but secondary ones. These things should be most important to you:
BEFORE THE LESSON
1. Find a teacher whose personality suits you. Some people learn best by watching and trying to copy. Others need a lot of hands-on attention. Some people want a precise lesson plan, but others like something a little more laid back. It’s important to understand what kind of student you are, and to pick a teacher who meshes with that style. I’m the first to admit that my teaching style may not be right for everyone.
2. See that teacher regularly. By that I mean once every two or three weeks. It won’t do you much good to see a teacher one time, because you can’t follow up with questions or tweak what you’re working on. The opposite is also true. I won’t even give the most talented...