Self taught golf - good or bad? only played crazy kind before?

Question

I might be putting a little to much analysis on this on but as this site has defined paths I have taken in the past - I enjoy putting, now might try chipping into a bucket (no grass involved yet). So was wondering if teaching myself would do more harm than good if I played proper, martial artist, rower, yogi, ultra distance ... etc.

Answer 1

I think taking a lesson or two and the beggening or read a golf book would help.If your doing something wrong you wont know and you'll develop bad habits that will be hard to stop. Even pros have swing coaches

Answer 2

If someone ever mentioned taking lessons when we were caddies, we would have been "drummed out of the Ranks". The only ones who took lessons were the beginners with money and those of great capability who needed that extra tuneup for amateur competition. The rest of learned by watching and later doing . The high school team for five consecutive seasons( new High School ) came from the club's caddie ranks. All were self taught. At the University after WWll, four of the six members were from the caddie ranks, two were country club members. and all were self taught. If one has the ability to copy  and to understand his swing self taught is great.

Answer 3

If I were you I would get a few lessons. I got just two lessons when I started and I benefited loads from them. If you learn yourself you will develop loads of bad habits that you don't even know are wrong so take a few lessons.

Answer 4

There is no harm in teaching yourself, but you would be better if you had someone by your side who can tell you when you are going wrong.

Pros like Ian Poulter right after his rounds at The Open would be on the range going over where he had been hitting wrong because his coach/caddie or whoever could see his faults.

Perhaps have one lesson a month on something you want and this can keep you on track.

Answer 5

Golf if you don't already know is not your typical sport that you can just go out and learn and be fine the rest of your life. It's not like riding a bike. At the minimum, you will need some one who really knows the game such as a PGA professional at a local golf club to take a look at your swing and give you some instructions. Once you learn proper grip, stance and ball position you can try to work on things by yourself. You can get alot of free instructions from the Golfchannel.com. Signing up is free and it's very helpful. There will be bumps in the road so just be prepared. At that time you might want to try a few lessons. Good luck.

Answer 6

watch videos and read article that helped me

Golf for 4 yrs and a 12 handicap

Answer 7

Yes you can. I am only speaking for myself, but have had two very bad experiences from two different teachers. So called pros. I feel, I play very well. I have played with a lot of good (scratch level) players. I have lost more than won, but they knew they were in a  match. And that's basically how I taught myself. I would go to my local course and hook up with players I knew were good and experienced. Would study their swing, set up, long game, short game, etc. Always asked questions. Sooner or later, this along with practice made me a good player also. When I first started doing this, I could not break 95. Now, I play league golf and am at a 2 handicap. I can't recommend this to everyone, but this is what worked for me.

Answer 8

I never had a lesson growing up and I turned into a good player.  But if I could do it again, I would have liked to have a good mentor by my side.  Even Tiger has a swing coach.