How Long Should A Golf Lesson Be?
It is estimated that more than 24 million people play golf worldwide, and with this being such a popular sport, it is little wonder that the call for golf lessons is massive.
Whether you play for fun at the weekends or are looking to enter into the world of professional golf, taking regular lessons can ensure that you keep your handicap low.
But with so many golf courses and private instructors offering lessons, it can quickly become a minefield.
Finding the right instructor is essential as they will have the relevant knowledge of not only the sport but also how long to coach you during a single session.
In this article, we will look at the ideal length of a golf lesson and find out why you might benefit from this.
Why Should You Take Golf Lessons?
There are many reasons why taking up golf lessons is a good idea, and even the most experienced players would benefit from further instruction.
Of course, those who are just beginning their golfing adventure would massively benefit from taking lessons, and you may be surprised to find out that these short sessions provide you with a wealth of information that can come in very handy for defeating your opponent.
In the course of lessons, you will likely touch on any of the following topics:
● Golf rules
● The basics of the sport
● Strategies
● How to fit for a club
● Increase your distance
● Full swing
● How to chip
● Fix your slice or hook
What Is The Length Of A Golf Lesson?
Many people may be under the impression that a golf lesson should take as long as a round of golf takes – that’s around four hours, on average, and far too long for a lesson.
There may be occasions where a slighter longer lesson is needed, for example, if you need to polish up your skills before a big tournament.
However, for the most part, a golf lesson should be between 30-45 minutes.
Furthermore, the type of golf lessons you are taking will determine the length of the session, and there are some instructors out there who claim that these short bursts are not as effective as a more detailed lesson.
But for beginners, especially, a more concise class is just what the doctor ordered.
After all, nobody wants to be overwhelmed; this can make it much more challenging to learn.
That being said, some people benefit from a more in-depth approach, and according to one expert, this is the best way.
He claims that even the best pro-golfers need more than a 30 tutorial to get their swing on point.
He reasons that 30 minutes doesn’t give you enough time to get into the swing of things and that you’ll only really start to come into your own towards the end of the lesson – by the time you get to your next game, you’ll probably have reverted to however you were performing before the class.
Whilst we agree that a longer lesson may be a good idea for the likes of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, your average hobby golfer will find a 30-minute lesson to be the most beneficial.
Are There Any Variations On Time?
When you search for a golf lesson, you will notice that, for the most part, your options are limited to 30 minutes.
However, there are some instructors out there who offer shorter and longer sessions.
If you are pushed for time, it may be worth finding an instructor who does shorter, 15-minute sessions, but it is worth remembering that you won’t fit as much in.
Alternatively, you may opt for a 60-minute lesson which gives you a chance to spend a little extra time honing your skill.
These lessons are relatively widely available throughout the country.
Why Do 30 Minute Golf Lessons Make Sense?
Instructors all over the world agree that half an hour to forty-five minutes is the best time for a golf lesson and there is a good reason for this.
One of the main reasons that 30-45 minutes is optimal for golf lessons relates to how we learn in childhood.
It’s no secret that children learn things when the information is delivered in short bursts, and this trait is carried over into adulthood.
No matter what you are learning, whether it’s golf skills or quantum physics, your brain isn’t wired to be overloaded.
This is especially important if you have never played before since you will be given entirely new information to process.
However, 30 minutes is also the perfect time to fit in everything that you would need to cover in a single lesson – this includes warming up and instruction, as well as some time to practise.
How Often Should I Take Golf Lessons?
There are folk who swear by taking a lesson after their game as a way of going over and improving their mistakes, and this is a perfectly viable way of doing things if you are somewhat of an established golfer.
However, for the total novice, it is advisable to take dedicated golf lessons at least once a week.
In addition to this, most experts would suggest adding a further two practice sessions per week to your golfing schedule; this will allow you to practise everything you have learned in your lesson.
Moreover, you should consider how long you need to take lessons for, with most people seeing a vast improvement in 5-6 lessons.
Your ability and how quickly you learn will determine how many lessons you should take.
That being said, even once you feel confident, it can be beneficial to continue to learn.
People who have been playing for a long time may find that, whilst they no longer require regular tuition, taking a golf lesson from time to time can help them to maintain their game.
Types of Golf Lessons
The duration and frequency of your golf lessons will depend on your level of experience, but it is also worth thinking about the type of golf lesson you intend to take.
Understanding your options will make it much more straightforward to make a choice that is going to best benefit you.
● Individual lessons will see you spending some time alone with your instructor, and his or her focus will be solely on you. You have the advantage of being able to create a custom program with your instructor, and this is great for people who are looking to progress quickly.
● Group lessons are taken with several other people under one instructor. This is a good option for people who are entirely new to golf since many of these classes are designed to suit the level of the participants so you will be learning at a joint pace – it’s also an excellent way to meet potential opponents. In a single group session, you can expect to be learning with around 12-15 other golfers.
● If you are looking to develop a sound strategy, then on-course lessons may be the best option for you. As their name may suggest, these lessons occur on the course itself.
● Simulator lessons are done with the aid of a simulator and whilst this is never going to be as effective as human instruction, these modern pieces of equipment give you some critical data on your swing.
How Much Should I Pay For A Lesson?
If you are attending a 30-minute golf lesson, the price will vary depending on the quality and experience of the instructor and the type of class you are taking. For example, a group session is usually much less expensive than an individual lesson.
In the UK, a group lesson can begin from as little as £5, but the average is around £12.
In contrast, an individual session can range from anywhere between £25 and £70, on average depending on the tutor.
Conclusion - How Long Should A Golf Lesson Be?
The length of a golf lesson will highly depend on several factors, most notably, the level of experience and expertise that the player already possesses.
For players who are more experienced, a more in-depth lesson may be required.
However, for most people, particularly those who are new to the sport and want to get to grips with the basics, a 30-minute lesson is perfect.
These lessons are widely available and can be taken either individually or as part of a group.
Thirty minutes is the best amount of time to take a golf lesson as it gives you enough time to cover everything without overloading yourself with information.
However, it is also advisable to couple your lessons with frequent practice sessions to properly optimise your game.
Finishes this article why not read about if PGA golfers have to pay to get into tournaments.
