[GueseVekdet]

I finally broke down and took my first lesson ever this afternoon. My dad started taking me golfing when I was 13, I'm now 44. Being taught to golf by someone who swings opposite what you do is an experience. In spite of myself, I manage to play bogey golf routinely. I've always struggled with the driver and decided to do something about it. I've always worked on my short game to make-up for my driving.

It was a very enlightening hour. First change was my baseball deathgrip. Now I have an interlock that feels very foreign to me. Next change was the fact that I was setting up to the left of target. Now I'm square feeling like I'm headed to the right. After a few more tweaks (squaring up my shoulders mostly) I was hitting my driver better than ever before. I was not consistently straight, but my slice was being tamed, my dispersion was much better and progress was being made. What a positive afternoon. I am pumped to put this to use on the course tomorrow morning.

[Infiseeenvelp]

Congrats on the progress man. I myself have always been self taught and plan on taking my first lesson once I finish my move down to california. Anywho, keep us updated on your progress!

[Stoottnoiciek]

Congratulations, particularly on changing your grip. I think changing your grip is one of the hardest things to do, and I know that I've been unsuccessful in changing from the baseball grip/10 finger grip, to an interlock grip.

[Buyemae]

Very nice...enjoy the progress!

[Dokescoonse]

glad to hear you had some success. I was one of those people that believed that things could be fixed without formal lessons, but I think every single person should schedule a lesson at least a couple times a year. Considering how often PGA guys are working with swing coaches, I have a hard time thinking it wouldn't greatly benefit anyone and everyone to get a couple.

[rsdefwgxvcfdts]

I'm fully self taught at this point (and have only been playing for three years) but I've certainly thought about getting lessons. Glad to hear you had a nice experience! Keep us updated on your progress.

[D6Ri5u13]

Nice, glad you're seeing some instant improvement. Changing grip and stance angle will feel very foreign, and it'll take some mental strength to keep reminding yourself to stick to it. Good luck!

[Gudronich]

Changing grips, at least for me is perhaps the single hardest thing to do. Last year just out of an experiment I tried the overlap and my game went to crap in a hurry and didn't recover. After 6 or 7 rounds I went back to my trusty interlock and my game came back to me, such that is anyway. Now that my wife is starting to try golf because she wants to try and learn something I enjoy and its a great way for us to spend time together that isn't around the house, shopping, etc.

I am hoping to find a decent enough teacher this year and sign us up for a couple of lessons to get her the basics of the game, and me some things cleaned up that I've been wanting help with for a while.

[CVEGK7mV]

Congrats kcm, I am 63 and just took my 1st lesson 2 weeks ago today, I am planning to schedule the 2nd in a series of 4 next week. I am seeing dividends already.

[GueseVekdet]

I got in a quick 9 this morning and was anxious to put all my new-found knowledge to work. It was a trying morning to say the least. I went out by myself, on the East 9, where I could take my time. I kept telling myself that I would get used to the new grip... I did around hole 7. Doh! I'm finding it very tough to relax my grip pressure. My short game was awful with the interlock. I hit everything consistently too long. I cheated and took a piece of 1/2" pvc with me to help with my alignment. It felt odd, but it did help out. My driver and I kept our abusive relationship intact. I was hitting it straighter but not very far. I teed up 4 balls on each hole for extra practice. I didn't bother to take a scorecard, but I know my typical "bogey golf" deserted me. 3 hours later I called it a day. My longest 9 holes ever I believe but it sure beats 10 hours in my squad car. Thanks a ton for all of the well wishes guys! Best regards. Knox Co Mike

[CVEGK7mV]

I got in a quick 9 this morning and was anxious to put all my new-found knowledge to work. It was a trying morning to say the least. I went out by myself, on the East 9, where I could take my time. I kept telling myself that I would get used to the new grip... I did around hole 7. Doh! I'm finding it very tough to relax my grip pressure. My short game was awful with the interlock. I hit everything consistently too long. I cheated and took a piece of 1/2" pvc with me to help with my alignment. It felt odd, but it did help out. My driver and I kept our abusive relationship intact. I was hitting it straighter but not very far. I teed up 4 balls on each hole for extra practice. I didn't bother to take a scorecard, but I know my typical "bogey golf" deserted me. 3 hours later I called it a day. My longest 9 holes ever I believe but it sure beats 10 hours in my squad car. Thanks a ton for all of the well wishes guys! Best regards. Knox Co Mike

Head out to HomeDepot or Lowes and get 2 or 3 of these, I keep 3 in my bag. The dont take much space and can be used in a variety of ways. Do a search on tour sticks on THP and see some uses you probably would not think of on your own.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

[cmruloah]

I have been pondering taking lessons for years and will hopefully be taking my first in a few weeks. Hoping it will help, I too, have the dreaded baseball grip but everytime I try to change it, it feels so foreign.. Good luck!

[leijggeds]

Anyone thinking of taking lessons...do it. I was having terrible problems with my swing (self taught). Took 3 swings for the instructor to completely break down my swing. I was doing a lot of bad things. couldn't strike the ball clean, slicing it all over the place. This was about 1 month ago. I was usually in the 110-115 range per 18. 1 lesson (and many trips to the course and range) I finally shot in the 80's yesterday (86). Best money I have ever spent. Chipping and putting lessons are next

[joe-salton]

I too have my first lesson scheduled for next weekend. I'm anxious to learn and be more consistent at my game and I think it's going to be weird to be taught by a right-hander. I use a baseball grip and haven't really tried to use an interlock or overlap grip. Although, I'm open to any way that will help me shoot better, and in the 80's consistently.

[Stoottnoiciek]

Keep up the work. Changing a grip has got to be the hardest thing to do. I admire your persistence in playing with the new grip.

All this talk about changing grips, I'm not going to lie, I may have choice words if my golf pro tells me to change my grip. I have been playing that baseball grip forever. When I 'toy' around with an overlap or interlock grip at the range, all it ever leads to is massive dipping of the shoulder, chunks, and hosel rockets. But, I suppose if a pro thinks its the best way to lower strokes, I'd give it a whirl. I'm expecting to take lessons in the coming weeks. Not my first, but definitely my first 'series' of lessons since I was just a little kid.

[GueseVekdet]

I got in 18 holes on Saturday and I have to admit I went back to the baseball grip at the turn. The interlock was killing my irons and my driver was horrible with either grip! I am going to try and implement all the other changes suggested with my old b-ball grip and see how it goes. I know the driver is going to take a great deal of work, but I now have a better foundation. I am just going to work on it for awhile with the grip I'm comfortable with. I'm not abandoning the journey I'm just looking at a different route possibly. KCM