I'm Going Pro

[GolfLogic]

Hi everyone, we'll I'm not exactly going pro but I am working with Canada's National Golf Coach. Henry Brunton, to see how good an average person can be with top instruction, good equipment, etc.

There has always been the argument, are professionals that good because they have great talent or because they grew up with a opportunities many others didn't have. Obviously I am not saying I can be a professional but the goal of the experiment is to see how good I can become over the course of a year.

The entire experiment is being documented at:
http://www.golflogic.ca/goingpro.html

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[DubRepublic]

You will learn an incredible amount of valuable info from Henry. Man you are one lucky guy. I'm jealous.

[Section ThirtyOne]

Best of luck to you!

Do I even want to know how much a series of lessons with one of Canada's top instructors would cost? :eek: :help:

[Carlton]

My friend started taking lessons from him late last season. Looks like it's paying off for him already.

[GolfLogic]

Henry and Jon Roy are both great guys and incredible teachers. They really like to focus more on mental aspects and strong fundamentals.

Regarding the cost of lessons, you would be surprised how reasonable they are. What you should know however is that top coaches like Jon and Henry don't want students for 2 or 3 lessons. It isn't a money issue because they are basically booked all year, it is because unless you are a single digit handicap, a few lessons isn't going to help your game. Having their name associated with someone who took 3 lessons and have a sustained improvement doesn't do them or the golfer any good.

[abz-pete]

Wow! Sounds like a fabulous opportunity and you'll be the envy of most guys on here. I'm guessing that you're a better than average player already, right?
Anyway, keep the posts coming and the best of luck...

[Junior]

Best of luck, I'm looking forward to seeing that HC of yours drop to show the rest of us that with dedication and good coaching there is always room for improvement. I know too many people that have played for a year, never broken 100 so quit saying "I'm not meant to be a golfer" This should prove them wrong!

Best of Luck!

[golferboy]

Congrats...top teacher...lucky guy.....best of luck.......:)

[East Coast Golfer]

best of luck.

I really enjoy reading your blog just to see how Jon approaches teaching..I look forward to the next entry.

[Greywolf]

Wow, nice for you. Good luck and please keep us updated.

[GolfLogic]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. I would like to ask for feedback however, please let me know if the writing works for you. As readers, are you looking for actual tips, do you want to know what is going through my head, what Jon and/or Henry look for, etc.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Nigel

[Wildhorsered]

Are you lucky or what!!!!!!

[TourIQ]

Hi everyone, we'll I'm not exactly going pro but I am working with Canada's National Golf Coach. Henry Brunton, to see how good an average person can be with top instruction, good equipment, etc.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Hi GolfLogic

Who is giving you the bulk of your instruction, Henry or Jon or both?
If both, what is the time split between Henry Brunton and Jon Roy?

[hogannut]

I hope it works out in the way you want, and yes it would be interesting to see if a to notch teaching pro would do a better job than your average teacher. Let's keep in mind though that a mere 50 years ago the majority of professional tour palyers were self taught. One problem I have with instruction is it can cause the student to become to fixated on mechanics and when you're playing you can't do that. Everyone knows that the best palyers in the world aren't mechanically sound every single shot. I find many of the newer players have been over trained from to young of an age which takes away from there creativity. As a young players learning the game I think it is better to allow them to make mistakes both in the mechanical and practical sense. This way the developing player gets used to being in awkward situations and doesnt' fear them. I worked my way down to a 4 handicap without ever taking a lesson and the biggest reason I take them now (and I only take lessons in the winter) is due to the computer software out there because you can see yourself on the screen and your mechanics are right there in front of you. This takes out some of the creativity an instructor could offer and I would hope the better ones would have more insight than the average ones, but video doesn't lie and video doesn't voice a personal opinion that you may or may not agree with.

[East Coast Golfer]

I think the blogs are written pretty well. I am interested in both aspects of Jon's approach to tearing someone down and starting from the beginning and your views and thoughts about what he is teaching you.

[GolfLogic]

To answer the first question, it is Henry and Jon who are working with me. Jon is my direct coach and Henry oversees everything and stops in from time to time to see how things are progressing and check our progress in relation to our goals.

Hogannut, the second comment about becoming too fixated on mechanics. I totally agree with you so it will be interesting to see what happens once I learn proper mechanics if I can then let athletic ability take over. From what I understand, Jon and Henry vary their teaching styles based on the golfer (which is probably the biggest difference between them and an average teaching pro). Jon is never sure what we will work on the next week or what drills we will do because he needs to see how I react to training and more importantly, what is going through my mind.


I hope it works out in the way you want, and yes it would be interesting to see if a to notch teaching pro would do a better job than your average teacher. Let's keep in mind though that a mere 50 years ago the majority of professional tour palyers were self taught. One problem I have with instruction is it can cause the student to become to fixated on mechanics and when you're playing you can't do that. Everyone knows that the best palyers in the world aren't mechanically sound every single shot. I find many of the newer players have been over trained from to young of an age which takes away from there creativity. As a young players learning the game I think it is better to allow them to make mistakes both in the mechanical and practical sense. This way the developing player gets used to being in awkward situations and doesnt' fear them. I worked my way down to a 4 handicap without ever taking a lesson and the biggest reason I take them now (and I only take lessons in the winter) is due to the computer software out there because you can see yourself on the screen and your mechanics are right there in front of you. This takes out some of the creativity an instructor could offer and I would hope the better ones would have more insight than the average ones, but video doesn't lie and video doesn't voice a personal opinion that you may or may not agree with.

[TourIQ]

To answer the first question, it is Henry and Jon who are working with me. Jon is my direct coach and Henry oversees everything and stops in from time to time to see how things are progressing and check our progress in relation to our goals.
Hi GolfLogic

Are Henry and Jon members of this forum?
Is so, maybe they could chime in weekly with their perspective on your development and how they are adjusting the game plan to suit your individual needs ...

Oh I should ask, how long is the program and how many lessons will you get?
How long is a typical lesson? If you answered these before then my apology.

What is your handicap and what is your goals for improvement?

[Ego Woods]

Are Henry and Jon members of this forum?
Is so, maybe they could chime in weekly with their perspective on your development and how they are adjusting the game plan to suit your individual needs ...


Yes, I agree with TourIQ, I'd love to hear Henry and Jon's thoughts, pls get them on board to TGN so we can all hear their views.

[GolfLogic]

Jon and Henry won't have the time to come on the forum but they have agreed to take questions from TGN. If anyone has anything specific, please post them here and I will compile everything and post the answers!

[TourIQ]

Jon and Henry won't have the time to come on the forum but they have agreed to take questions from TGN. If anyone has anything specific, please post them here and I will compile everything and post the answers!
Hi GolfLogic

That is great news even if through 'you' the interpreter ...
Love to hear their insight as they help you with your game.

[Royce Aube]

I am woundering how old are you and how manny years you have been golfing and if you have taken many lesons to get to where you are now. By the way i am also wishing it were me .congrads

[GolfLogic]

I am 32 and have been golfing for 7 years but never taken a lesson. Like a fool I spent all off season last year reading golf magazines and it really destroyed my game. Jon and Henry are trying to fix it.

I just finished another lesson tonight and should have something posted soon at www.golflogic.ca/goingpro.html (http://www.golflogic.ca/goingpro.html).
Jon is going to start writing more as well and I will post it here at TGN when it is done.

[TourIQ]

I just finished another lesson tonight and should have something posted soon at www.golflogic.ca/goingpro.html (http://www.golflogic.ca/goingpro.html).
Jon is going to start writing more as well and I will post it here at TGN when it is done.
Hi GolfLogic

How many lessons have you had now, and the length of each lesson?

[GolfLogic]

I just completed my 4th lesson and each session lasts between an 1-1.5 hours with an instructor and each practice session is about an hour as well.

[kontesto]

Best of Luck! You're a lucky man

[TourIQ]

I just completed my 4th lesson and each session lasts between an 1-1.5 hours with an instructor and each practice session is about an hour as well.
Hi GolfLogic

What did they tell you during each of the 4 lessons?
Are you alone during the practice session? A different day?

[GolfLogic]

Each lesson varies based on how I progressed from the previous week but right now we are heavy into the fundamentals...grisp, alignment, stance and posture. Also just starting the take-away of the swing.

I train with Jon Tuesdays and practice Thursdays and Saturdays on my own or with friends to help with form.
My latest post is up now at:
http://www.golflogic.ca/blog/84-Lesson-4---The-Back-Swing---Position-2.html

Hi GolfLogic

What did they tell you during each of the 4 lessons?
Are you alone during the practice session? A different day?

[TourIQ]

Hi everyone, we'll I'm not exactly going pro but I am working with Canada's National Golf Coach, to see how good an average person can be with top instruction, good equipment, etc. I'd love to hear your thoughts.Hi GolfLogic

Did you see the new thread started by GolfaLicious?
Check it out:
http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/showthread.php?t=5308
unsolicited emails from golflogic? :hush: :help: :D :nono: :eek:

[jFrazy]

congrats GolfLogic - you seriously are going to have a lot more time into this are you ready?

[GolfLogic]

congrats GolfLogic - you seriously are going to have a lot more time into this are you ready?
I could think of a lot worse things to devote my time to :)