Hi All,

I get some great swing tips on technique/course management on this forum from those qualified to provide it.

My question is, what qualifies individuals on handicaps 18+ to provide swing advice?

In the past did they play at a competitive level? Are they restricted by injury/age in lowering their own handicaps?

Just curious. Thanks

Haha, great question. I too am looking forward to this answer.

I can only assume, for some of “them” they have either been told the tip from their pro or they have read it from a magazine and believe they can relate it to others… I am only assuming and hoping that may be the answer

Hi All,

I get some great swing tips on technique/course management on this forum from those qualified to provide it.

My question is, what qualifies individuals on handicaps 18+ to provide swing advice?

In the past did they play at a competitive level? Are they restricted by injury/age in lowering their own handicaps?

Just curious. Thanks

‘Lets see Paul Allen’s card…’

A very good question;)

We have a good cross section of different levels and experiences of players on this forum.

Many on this forum love the game and want to help others. They provide their own experience, insight etc on how they learned the game or on what they have read.

We have a few on here that are/were low handicappers and do the same as above but in a better position to understand what the issues may be.

We have a few here that are pros and they provide golf instruction as a way to make a living. They are trained on teaching so would be your most consistently valid info to read.

On the other side of things, we have many on here that are searching for ways to improve their game- serious players and not so serious that are looking for tips to improve their performance.

The information shared on here is all with good will and intent to help. Without knowing a players exact circumstances, history, and other factors, the information here in many cases is speculation.

Would you go to an online forum to seek medical or car advice? Or would you go see a doctor or mechanic in person to get your check up?

If you are serious about improving your golf game Id recommend taking a lesson or two with your local PGA or other qualified pro.

To be fair, most of the advice I have seen high handicappers give is pretty minimal, linking videos or articles, talking about their own experiences with some of the advice given, mentioning things their coaches told them, often asking questions about things guys other people have said. Would you consider these things advice? I don’t.

Seldom do I see them (guys like me!) offering actual swing advice or swing analysis.

As someone said, serious players will find a golf coach and trust in their advice rather than that given by know nothings on a forum.

To be fair, most of the advice I have seen high handicappers give is pretty minimal, linking videos or articles, talking about their own experiences with some of the advice given, mentioning things their coaches told them, often asking questions about things guys other people have said. Would you consider these things advice? I don’t.

Seldom do I see them (guys like me!) offering actual swing advice or swing analysis.

As someone said, serious players will find a golf coach and trust in their advice rather than that given by know nothings on a forum.

+1
Discussion and advice are not the same thing. If you are serious about professional advice, get your wallet out and pay for it.

Liquid, in answer to your question: absolutely nothing.

Just because I have some difficulty in actually doing some of the things one must do in a golf swing, doesn’t mean that I don’t know what should be done.

In particular, I’m lazy, rarely practise, and doing drills pisses me off. So, I’m probably never going to get better. I’m sure that I’m not alone in those ‘attributes’.

Sometimes I see a question from someone who is experiencing a particular difficulty that I’ve managed to ‘treat’ in my own experience. Responses from the experts in here are often very technical which may not assist someone who is not into the greater technicalities of the swing and is just looking for a fix for their specific problem, before progressing to their next ‘issue’.

I hope that any suggestion I may make is of some benefit.

I agree completely, that a competent coach is the best solution, but often that is outside the scope of what the poster wants.

It would appear that more and more often these days the advice or suggestions that are put forth on here …. are either being disputed or boiled down in one way or another, to the final solution, where everyone just throws their hands up and says ….... “go see a coach”.

Indeed Madam’s own contribution to this thread ends with ….....”If you are serious about improving your golf game Id recommend taking a lesson or two with your local PGA or other qualified pro.”

That being the case, perhaps when someone opens the instructional section of the forum .......... there should be just one page on display …...... a nice white page with the words, “Go see a coach” enblazoned in big letters across it.

Why have a golf instruction section at all if the only advice anyone receives in the end is to …....... go see a coach.

The instructional section has long been the home for disputes and bitchiness, between both pro’s themselves, and others from both within the industry, and forum members.

People give their advice or contribute their thoughts because they want to help, but in the end …. “go see a coach” seems to be the preffered “line” taken by almost everyone.

Lets just admit that no one on here, either an ISG desiginated instructor, or a well meaning forum member (off any handicap), can ever help these poor bastards who come on here for advice …... so just shut the whole section down and they can all just ….....” go see a coach” instead.

It would appear that more and more often these days the advice or suggestions that are put forth on here …. are either being disputed or boiled down in one way or another, to the final solution, where everyone just throws their hands up and says ……. “go see a coach”.

Indeed Madam’s own contribution to this thread ends with ……..”If you are serious about improving your golf game Id recommend taking a lesson or two with your local PGA or other qualified pro.”

That being the case, perhaps when someone opens the instructional section of the forum …....... there should be just one page on display ……... a nice white page with the words, “Go see a coach” enblazoned in big letters across it.

Why have a golf instruction section at all if the only advice anyone receives in the end is to …….... go see a coach.

The instructional section has long been the home for disputes and bitchiness, between both pro’s themselves, and others from both within the industry, and forum members.

People give their advice or contribute their thoughts because they want to help, but in the end …. “go see a coach” seems to be the preffered “line” taken by almost everyone.

Lets just admit that no one on here, either an ISG desiginated instructor, or a well meaning forum member (off any handicap), can ever help these poor bastards who come on here for advice …… so just shut the whole section down and they can all just ……..” go see a coach” instead.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

and watch the popcorn market crash

Free advice is exactly that, FREE.

In life the service you receive is generally related to the price you pay, not always because some of the top end coaches fees would be wasted on many.

It would appear that more and more often these days the advice or suggestions that are put forth on here …. are either being disputed or boiled down in one way or another, to the final solution, where everyone just throws their hands up and says ……. “go see a coach”.

Indeed Madam’s own contribution to this thread ends with ……..”If you are serious about improving your golf game Id recommend taking a lesson or two with your local PGA or other qualified pro.”

That being the case, perhaps when someone opens the instructional section of the forum …....... there should be just one page on display ……... a nice white page with the words, “Go see a coach” enblazoned in big letters across it.

Why have a golf instruction section at all if the only advice anyone receives in the end is to …….... go see a coach.

The instructional section has long been the home for disputes and bitchiness, between both pro’s themselves, and others from both within the industry, and forum members.

People give their advice or contribute their thoughts because they want to help, but in the end …. “go see a coach” seems to be the preffered “line” taken by almost everyone.

Lets just admit that no one on here, either an ISG desiginated instructor, or a well meaning forum member (off any handicap), can ever help these poor bastards who come on here for advice …… so just shut the whole section down and they can all just ……..” go see a coach” instead.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

If we look at the OP, Liquid asked about why/how someone is “qualified” which was a fair question. In most cases here they are not qualified but from posters that have experienced similar issues and wanted to share how they resolved. Take the info as just that INFO- if you want “qualified” then go see a pro.

This section of the forum’s overview was changed at the beginning of the year to be more indicative of the advice being given.

“Join us in the ISG golf instruction section where you are able to discuss the various styles and methods of teaching the game of golf, or let us know what you are working on with your swing. A few pros pop in from time to time to give some free professional advice, or alternatively feel free to discuss your challenges with other members here that have taken lessons.”

So no need to change as you recommend;)

Everyone is an expert on everything.

Everyone is an expert on everything.

I’m not. But having said that….............
Some goods points in the posts above. I’m a C grade chopper and strongly agree with Old Bogeys post. I’ve given advice on here but certainly not of a technical nature, usually related to the mental side of golf (and as a response to a forum members query) which I’ve battled with for 35 years and still plugging away. I also think my course management knowledge and know how are good, it’s a pity the practical side of my game doesn’t always match it. ie I usually know what to do in most situations, the % shot, how to do it etc, it’s just that the mental side of the game gets in the way and I stuff up.
At the end of the day most (if not all) people on here giving advice are well meaning and are trying to help. You need to be a bit discerning, sort the wheat from the chaff and take what you want, if anything from the posts.
If you’ve never been to a coach then it’s good advice to go a few times to get good basics in place, then maybe these forums can fine tune you or fix any little faults creeping in.

It would appear that more and more often these days the advice or suggestions that are put forth on here …. are either being disputed or boiled down in one way or another, to the final solution, where everyone just throws their hands up and says ……. “go see a coach”.

Indeed Madam’s own contribution to this thread ends with ……..”If you are serious about improving your golf game Id recommend taking a lesson or two with your local PGA or other qualified pro.”

That being the case, perhaps when someone opens the instructional section of the forum …....... there should be just one page on display ……... a nice white page with the words, “Go see a coach” enblazoned in big letters across it.

Why have a golf instruction section at all if the only advice anyone receives in the end is to …….... go see a coach.

The instructional section has long been the home for disputes and bitchiness, between both pro’s themselves, and others from both within the industry, and forum members.

People give their advice or contribute their thoughts because they want to help, but in the end …. “go see a coach” seems to be the preffered “line” taken by almost everyone.

Lets just admit that no one on here, either an ISG desiginated instructor, or a well meaning forum member (off any handicap), can ever help these poor bastards who come on here for advice …… so just shut the whole section down and they can all just ……..” go see a coach” instead.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

FINALLY…........some sense and solid advice right there ;-)

Of course if you’re being sarcastic, i have my awkward turtle happening :-)

If you’re not feeling well, you should go to a doctor rather than a hypochondriac forum…...

Sometimes I doubt that there is much difference between swing tips on here by ordinary golfers and those in golf magazines written by journos or rehashed versions of previous tips written by journos. Those who know what an efficient golf swing is, those who can perform one and know the feelings in each element of their swing, are more than qualified to offer advice IMO. I know quite a few plus handicap golfers and touring pros who are only vaguely aware of what they do and why it works; and they don’t want to know. They have been swinging that way before they were teenagers.

Sometimes I doubt that there is much difference between swing tips on here by ordinary golfers and those in golf magazines written by journos or rehashed versions of previous tips written by journos. Those who know what an efficient golf swing is, those who can perform one and know the feelings in each element of their swing, are more than qualified to offer advice IMO. I know quite a few plus handicap golfers and touring pros who are only vaguely aware of what they do and why it works; and they don’t want to know. They have been swinging that way before they were teenagers.

The man who hits at the ball rather than through it has no sense of rhythm.
Secrets of the Master – The Best of Bobby Jones

Exactly Ray, the hard bit is filtering the ones who DO know and those that THINK they know.

It doesn’t matter Deano, the work required to successfully incorporate a new element in a golf swing requires the patience and dedication beyond what most members here would be willing to commit to.

There are problems with going and seeing coaches as well. I’ve been to 7 or 8 in the local area over the past 10 years.

Some want to re-build from the ground up, others want to give you a “fix”. Some are teaching one style, others are teaching another style. Some just want to sell you some new gear.

In the end, I decided that I wanted to take responsibility for my own learning. That does NOT mean teach myself, what it means is finding resources and attempting to understand what I am doing, why I am doing something, rather than simply doing what I am being told to do by a coach.

razaar is right, and I have seen Dart make a similar comment. The level of effort needed is something like 20-50 (my guess) times more than most people would ever imagine. When I started, I thought “I am single figures without having had much coaching, so a series of lessons should be all I need to play really well”. Dead wrong.

ISG is really useful, for me, because I am willing to filter stuff I am offered, and am building up my understanding. Plus I am willing to experiment and discard things I can’t do or that don’t work for me.

There is a stage in learning when “you don’t know what you don’t know”, then you start to “know what you don’t know, even though you don’t yet know” Then you start to learn stuff.

My suggestion would be that some professional effort on helping people “know what they don’t know” would help people get on the path to progress. Almost a roadmap for people to follow.

This might be more use than the usual “secrets of golf”, IMO.

There are no secrets – because they’re always the same ones. Hardly “secret”.

The true secret is to learn what you’re doing that’s different to what you think you’re doing. For that, you need someone else to reveal your secret for you.

82,

What is good to do is seek your own council, like Devon.

Your instinct will tell you if they are off.

After you have a good shot and failed, do what Devon does – look anew. If you knew what was wrong you would have fixed it. What is wrong is something you do not know. It is against your instinct. The area of general principle in a golf swing is fairly simple and often mentioned by great players – but – it did not fit with your thinking. Go back an give some credence to the few words the great players said. I did.

Hogan, “do the opposite to what you think, and you will come close to a good golf swing”.

The enemy is steering because it disrupts the natural orbit of the club. Close your eyes and swing or hit and let the club find its line and turn. Then adjust other things to suit your purpose. Don’t spoil the action.

its a pretty good Q 82, you’d ordinarily think that to learn anything it would need to come from an authority. However that can come in many shapes and sizes. i play regularly with some pretty handy players so when they speak i listen as they have seen me hit more ball than anyone…and they dont generally say unless asked I might add.

so to answer the Q, can a C grader give quality advice in a forum having never seen you play, unless its suggesting which end of the club to wrap the mits around, id say No

i got outed by zen for being a chopper going from 16 to 7 to 11 so now i dont offer advice.
I have a fantastic coach and i play to my best ability on the day.
those who have played with me know i can mix it and mash it.
if they want help with some thing hell am only to happy to help.
but after getting flamed by zen (who isnt a pga coach) killed it for me.
when i play golf a lot off the time the golf comes 2nd to the walk and the company.

Relating how to play the game in words is difficult, and is often further compromised by focusing solely on the mechanics of the swing. Ask for advice on a free forum and you’re going to get it. The bottom line is to test it, and if it works keep doing it—if it doesn’t work dump it. There are a multitude of plays on any given shot, and sometimes the best play isn’t the most technically correct.