Which golf coach should I choose?

Question

Okay, I am a freshman, and this fall I played on our girls golf team. I am not a par golfer, but I did play #1 for varsity the whole year and beat the school record. I shoot on average an 85. I want to choose a coach who will get me to be a par golfer by the end of my high school career. I learn really quickly. So anyways, I have narrowed it down to these to coaches, "Mel" and "Dan". My personality and Mel's really click, and he has great software that has some really cool features including showing pros swings and changing them to left-handed, (I'm left-handed). So anyways, Mel gave me a lesson and my swing already looks a ton better. Now moving to Dan, who I'm not quite sure about. He has coached some unbelievable golfers, but he has also coached a girl for 3 years who I played and beat. When I had a lesson, he was very sure of himself, and almost seemed to brag. I felt really intimidated and he basically told me it was his way or the highway. But he is a good coach..

Answer 1

The most important part of that relationship is the comfort level you feel with your mentor.  If your'e not completly comfortable it will be impossible for you to open up, making complete progress unattainable.  I would go with the first pro, it sounds like he's interested in making you a better player and most importantly, has all the tools to get you where you want to go.

Answer 2

you would be better off asking an eskimo than Dave Pelz the man is an idiot

Answer 3

You could always try a coach and switch after a few lessons if you don't feel like you're making progress or aren't comfortable.  You're young and have some time to find your coach.  You could tell them both that you aren't sure who to go with and see what they say.  I bet Mel is cool with you trying them both out while Dan might not be receptive to you trying them both out.  

So, you could try Dan first and if he's not your type switch to Mel.

Answer 4

butch harmon because he is tiger woods is coach i dont think he still is but he was. good luck=D

Answer 5

You talk as if you plan on pursuing golf in college so I would select the coach that has college connections or at least talks about college golf and is able to prepare your game for college golf.

rokndrumm3r, Mel is the coach you should select. Go into this knowing that situations change and you may have to readjust your path to college golf without Mel but you certainly seem intelligent enough to weigh all of your options. I think that's a rare trait for someone your age. Usually parents have to drag the kids to do what you're going to do.

You're not signing a contract, are you?

rokn, that contract part was a joke.

Answer 6

I was in the same exact situation with you. I couldn't decide on a coach. It took me a while to decide but once I picked, I was very happy with my choice. Now, me and him are good friends.

It is completely up to you. It is your choice. But, if I was in your sistuation I would go with Mel. He sounds like he knows what is best for you and he wants to start off running and get right to working on this and that, while Dan doesn't even want to use the club yet. You didn't say anything negative about Mel... which is really good. Bases on your description, Mel seems like the kind of guy that you can easily negotiate with and he will support you. Dan sounds like the guy that likes to push people, and in golf that is never a good thing.. trust me. The two instructors I was picking between sound almost exactly like the two you have described. I was so stressed trying to pick one, I gave my uncle a call (who is on the PGA Tour) I told him everything, sent him the e-mails I had recieved and sent with each instructor and he called me back about a week later and told me to go with Shane, the first one. Which my Shane would be your Mel. He said that he seems more willing to work with you. He also had college connections and he thinks based on his attitude and open personality, you will have a better chance getting along with him, getting connections and everything else with him. He also had a good golf background. You already had a lesson with Mel and if your swing has already improved in one lesson, he is obviously the guy to go with. When you said that Dan had coached a girl for 3 years, who you played and beat... it instantely gave me the thought "there are many reasons that could be but the main one is the coach." You HAVE to feel confident in your coach. Once you feel confident in him, you have to put your effort in which is to practice, practice, practice. And since you are a freshman and #1 on varsity, I am assuming you practice a lot in the off-season. So you have that too. I mean the girl that he has been coaching might not be practicing, but then again he might not be a good coach for younger people. He may be great with adults that come in and just want a quick fix. But you don't want a quick fix, you want to play and you want to win. Mel sounds more like the guy that can easily work with kids and teenagers.

If you aren't quite sure about a coach, that should indicate a no. Just because you have to be totally confident in them... if you go into lessons and aren't sure, then you won't do well. If you don't feel comfortable with Dan, then thats an instant no, because you can't open up.. and talk and tell him want you want the end result to be.

E-mail me if you have any questions! Go to my profile and e-mail me from there :)

Good Luck!

Answer 7

go with the coach that can help a lefty more and dont go to the guy that talks himself up. so you should go with mel

Answer 8

Go with the first coach. You said nothing negative about him. YOu have negatives for your second coach. I would pick the first