Golf Lesson Cost & Benefits: Lower Scores & More Enjoyment
How Much are Golf Lessons? And are They Really Worth It?
Private golf lessons with a reputable professional will cost around $70 per hour, and they will lower your scores faster than any other method of improvement. I realize that these prices may seem high for just one hour of instruction, but compared to a new driver's price tag, it’s much more worthwhile.
There are also options to reduce the price of your lessons, such as buying lesson packages or attending clinics with other students. No matter your level, all handicaps can benefit greatly from taking lessons. You just have to find the right instructor at the right price. Here’s how to do that.
Table of contents
How Much Do Golf Lessons Cost?
Different Types of Golf Lessons
Finding The Right Instructor
What You Should Bring to Your First Golf Lesson
Are Golf Lesson Worth to the Price?
Golf Home Practice
Final Thoughts
Different Types of Golf Lessons
Finding The Right Instructor
What You Should Bring to Your First Golf Lesson
Are Golf Lesson Worth to the Price?
Golf Home Practice
Final Thoughts
How Much Do Golf Lesson Cost?
The average golf lesson cost with a PGA-certified golf professional costs between $60-$100. Golf lesson prices can fluctuate greatly depending on the reputation of your instructor. Those who teach touring pros can cost thousands of dollars per hour. Anyone boasting prices lower than $60 for an hour is either very new and needs clients, or they are not certified by the PGA of America.
Private — I always recommend private lessons to those who have been actively golfing for more than three years. This is because you may have developed some bad habits over the years that only a one-on-one session with real-time feedback will be able to identify and correct.
Group/Clinics — Group golf lessons are perfect for novices and beginner golfers. They offer a safe space at a lower golf lesson cost to learn the basics right from the beginning with others who are just as new as you. It's also a great atmosphere to meet new golf partners and enjoy the casual side of the game while still improving.
Indoor vs. Outdoor — In a perfect world, we would practice outside on well-groomed grass and work on all parts of our game. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for most people who live in colder climates. Indoor practice can be very beneficial with the right golf coach, the right indoor launch monitor, and/or the right net.
Online — This is a new medium for increasing your golf IQ, learning golf rules, and reducing your scores. I recommend it more for more advanced golfers, as its primary benefit is golf theory and education. New golfers will need a more hands-on approach if they hope to improve swiftly.
Finding The Right Instructor
A good golf instructor can significantly enhance your learning experience and help you develop solid fundamentals that will benefit your game for years to come. Always choose a golf professional with relevant experience and proper qualifications. Look for a professional with PGA certifications.
Every golfer has a unique learning style, and finding a golf professional who aligns with yours is crucial. Do you prefer a more hands-on approach or more technical instruction? Ask the professional about their teaching methods and see if they resonate with you. If you are a visual learner, you may want to look for an instructor that includes video analysis in their approach.
A good golf instructor should be able to effectively communicate with their students, using simple and relatable language. They should be patient, encouraging, and able to explain concepts in a way you can understand. They should also be able to provide you with an improvement plan and golf drills you can work on outside of your golf lessons.
As golf lessons require a significant amount of time and effort, it’s important to find a professional whose personality you mesh with. This might be the most overlooked aspect by golfers searching for an instructor. You should feel comfortable and at ease, which will help create a positive learning environment.
What Should You Bring To Your First Golf Lesson
- Golf clubs (if you don’t have any, make arrangements with your instructor to rent some)
- Golf glove
- Golf shoes or sneakers with good traction
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat or visor
- Notebook for taking notes
- Extra clothes (in case of weather changes)
- Cash or debit/credit card
- Positive attitude
What You Will Learn
Depending on your current skill level, you can customize your lessons to address the weakest part of your game. Many students don’t even realize what is holding them back until they enroll in a few lessons and get in some golf practice.
Full Swing
The main focus of the first golf lesson will likely be on the full swing. This involves learning how to properly address the ball, take a backswing, and follow through to make contact with the ball. The instructor will go over the different phases of the swing and provide feedback on how to improve your technique and form.
Chipping/Pitching
The instructor will introduce you to short game shots such as chipping and pitching. These shots are used when the ball is close to the green and requires a shorter, more controlled swing. You’ll learn how to execute these shots using different clubs and techniques.
Putting
is a crucial part of the game, and your instructor should spend time teaching you the fundamentals. This includes how to read the green, aim, and control the speed of your putts. The instructor may also introduce different putting drills to help improve accuracy and consistency.
Different Lies
Throughout every round, you will find your golf ball in different types of lies, such as on the fairway, rough, or in a bunker. Your instructor will teach you how to adjust your swing and stance for these different lies to make more successful shots.
Mental Game
Golf is not just a physical sport; it also requires mental focus and strategy. A good instructor will introduce the concept of the mental game and teach you how to remain calm and focused on the course. They may also discuss ways to overcome common mental challenges on the course, such as nerves and distractions.
Course Strategy
Be sure always to make time to discuss course strategy. This includes understanding the layout of the course, how to approach each hole, and how to make strategic decisions based on your specific skills and strengths.
