Golfers -- anyone use any of the medicus products?

[Entity]

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Whoa! Okay then, invest in a few lessons from a very good instructor. Work on the fundamentals. Better now than later.

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What $$ is realistic for lessons? I know a place near my house ( Interbay golf center), about 5 minutes away actually, has "free" group lessons on Saturdays, but I haven't had a chance to go yet (basically you just buy a bucket of balls and there's a roving instructor who will offer tips).

Rob

[funkymunky]

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What $$ is realistic for lessons? I know a place near my house ( Interbay golf center), about 5 minutes away actually, has "free" group lessons on Saturdays, but I haven't had a chance to go yet (basically you just buy a bucket of balls and there's a roving instructor who will offer tips).

Rob

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Like a lot of things, you (generally) get what you pay for. I think the best thing to do would be to meet with a prospective instructor, find out if you can relate with him. The golf swing is such a delicate thing, so much of what you "feel" is opposite to what is actually happening. It's important that the coach can make you feel the proper movements, and make you understand what is supposed to be happening.

I would avoid someone who obsesses on positions. The swing is dynamic.

[RacersEdge]

I would take a private lesson - the one-on-one focus is worth it.

I took a leeson from a top instructor (according to Golf Digest) for $125 for 45 minutes about 4 years ago. Typical is more like $60-80. The main thing is try to figure out if you like the guy's teaching style/method. Try to "spy" on a lesson while you are at the range. Talk to people who took lessons from the guy.

[buriedbeds]

I've got one (traded a PS1 and an atari for it...). I started playing this summer, it seems to help for tempo and swing plane. However, I sucked before I got it and now I'm just slightly less sucky, so keep it in mind. But I did feel like it helped me move from a baseball swing to a golf swing, so I liked it. When I started I couldn't drive more than 120 yards in the air, lately I've been regularly (10% of the time, probably) hitting the net in the air at my driving range, which is just past the 200 yard sign. I've only played full courses a couple of times, and they've been since I've gotten slightly better so I can't give a meaningful score improvement.

-bb.

[sean c]

Rob,

You usually get what you pay for with lessons. If it is free run away even if your a noob. Find out who is good in your area somehow and spend the extra money it will not be to much. I take lessons from the top teacher in my state and it costs me $90 an hour. Taking bad lessons is a real killer.

[sean c]

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I would avoid someone who obsesses on positions. The swing is dynamic.

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This is a good point. If you can't get the ball airborne or you hitting a 50 yard slice and you instructor is trying to change your grip or improve your posture he is wasting your time and money. Most good teachers are cause and effect types. If you are hitting a 50 yard slice you have an open clubface at impact and the teacher will try and correct this not try and make your grip look like it does in the magazines be damned the results.

Also be honest with whoever you are taking lessons from. Tell them your goals. I am new to the game and i want to hit it straighter, farther or more consistent whatever it is you want to improve on. Also tell him how often you plan on practicing/playing this is important. Short game lessons will help more than anything.

I guess in short make sure you go to a guy who keeps it simple, has been recommended, isn't an arrogant douche and understands what you are trying to improve on.

[nolanfan34]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Whoa! Okay then, invest in a few lessons from a very good instructor. Work on the fundamentals. Better now than later.

[/ QUOTE ]

What $$ is realistic for lessons? I know a place near my house ( Interbay golf center), about 5 minutes away actually, has "free" group lessons on Saturdays, but I haven't had a chance to go yet (basically you just buy a bucket of balls and there's a roving instructor who will offer tips).

Rob

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Interbay would be OK.

I'd also check into lessons at UW's driving range. They have some good rates I believe. If you plan on playing regularly at all, do this now, something like the Medicus won't help at all if you don't have the basic grip, stance, etc instruction down.

This is probably my favorite time of year to golf in the NW, enjoy it now.

[nation]

Entity,

My dad is a golf nut and is very big on research. He generally hates gimmicky training aids, but one day a commercial for this product came on, and he told me that this was the only good training product on the market, and was actually remarkably effective fwiw.

[DrNo888]

About ten years ago when I first started out playing golf and lived in Portland, I borrowed the Medicus iron from a relative. Every morning during one winter I was in the basement swinging this thing and my clubs. Once spring came and I got to hit the range a few times, but was still not able to play due to the weather.

The first round I played that spring, I shot mid 80s, like 86 I think. During the previous summer and fall, I shot high 90s to 100, and sometimes over. I went on to shoot most of my rounds in the 80s including an 81 that summer.

I would say it did help some, but not 100% of my improvement. Just practice swinging everyday with your clubs and you should be able to improve.

I still have the Medicus iron, but nowadays I can get out to play like once or twice a year. Actually shot an 84 the last time I played after over a year layoff.

[WLVRYN]

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Just for the general profile of my "game," I've only been out for 18 holes 3 times in my life (all within the last 2 months). I enjoy playing and am trying to work on my game over the winter in Seattle, where I'll be spending a lot more time at the range than on holes due to the soggy conditions. My game isn't really "anything" yet, and I'll be taking some lessons, but I'm not ready to spend a ton yet on anything -- clubs, devices, lessons, etc.

Rob

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The Medicus sounds like it could help then, but I definitely think a set of lessons is the way to go. When I first started playing right after HS, I shot about 100. I got a 6 pack of lessons from local pro that had been recommended to me by a buddy's dad. I went to the range twice in between each lesson to practice (one lesson a week for 6 weeks). After that 6 pack, I was down to 90. For the last 14 years, I've only had about 6 more lessons total, and only when I feel something has broken and I cant fix it on my own.

I was very serious when I suggested practicing putting and chipping too. Especially for a beginner, this is one of the easiest ways to cut strokes off your game (that and driving it straight). Get a practice putting green that you can put inside and practice your 3-5 footers when its raining over the winter, and you'll save a bunch of strokes.