[koebforfrn]

Hypothetical Question:

You have $500 and a desire to improve your golf game. You can EITHER spend it on lessons or on equipment (not limited to clubs…Diane, cute outfits can be included; self esteem is a big part of the game )…you cannot divide the money between the two (it’s hypothetical)…

What would you spend on and why?

[igs00r]

$500 wouldn't get me the clubs i wanted so i would take the lessons. I loved my irons until i became a forum member here, now i'm constantly looking for the right deal on a couple of other sets. Do i need them....no. Does everyone's opinion on certain clubs carry some merit with me....yes. Does JB's reviews and pics make me want to go shopping......yes. I don't think I'll ever be content with my clubs while I'm actively involved w/THP and i'm sure that's what all the companies that send items to JB to review love to hear.

It's fun being here though! I'd take the lessons. Fun scenario bigv, as i conclude this I'm still not sure what i'd do.

[Stappipsy]

Lessons all the way. Sure I would love to upgrade my irons but there is a lot of work to do with my swing yet.

[koebforfrn]

$500 bucks isn't enough for a dilemma...let's bump it to two grand...that's enough for a full bag of some pretty good sticks...if you want shaft upgrades then push it to 3K...point is you've got some disposable cash and have to make a decision as to what is going to make the biggest difference in your game and what you're willing to do (lessons aren't just about the actual time with the instructor...you gotta practice for it to stick and some folks don't have time or care for the range...)...anyhow, here's the ball, run with it...

[w4HPpbSW]

Clubs.

the way my game is at the moment is quite good and still improving. I am a fairly astute athlete so can with the help of friends slowly fix some of my swing flaws. So for me, new irons would be more of an immediate remedy and long term aid also.

[cjOTw7ov]

Diane, cute outfits can be included; self esteem is a big part of the game

Some day you are going to realize that's true. You'd be a much better golfer if you stopped wearing dirty clothes.

I'd spend the money on clubs and get my brother to help me for free. If he refused to help - I'd get the lessons.

[12Dvop4I]

$500 bucks isn't enough for a dilemma...let's bump it to two grand...that's enough for a full bag of some pretty good sticks...if you want shaft upgrades then push it to 3K...point is you've got some disposable cash and have to make a decision as to what is going to make the biggest difference in your game and what you're willing to do (lessons aren't just about the actual time with the instructor...you gotta practice for it to stick and some folks don't have time or care for the range...)...anyhow, here's the ball, run with it...

Not to dodge the question, but at this level of $$$$ (or you can make an argument at the $500 level also) is not a MATT/AMM or Trackman complete fitting the logical expenditure? You essentially get a lesson and great info on what new clubs would do versus what you have now. If we go down this road JB and I can reprise our Trackman vs. MATT debate.

If my answer is disqualified as dodging the question, I would pop for a full day/double half day session with my instructor.

[koebforfrn]

I think it's a fair answer...we're just talkin' here



...and Diane...if the dirt doesn't show then who's to know!?!?

[hellenmoranov]

98% will pick the clubs vs lessons. People don't like to commit to changes.

[cjOTw7ov]

98% will pick the clubs vs lessons. People don't like to commit to changes.

That may be part of the reason, but I don't think it's the biggest part. New clubs are sexier that toiling away at lessons. They're tangible whereas the results from lessons take longer to see. Most people want instant gratification.

[Antelpebabe]

If I had that kind of disposible cash to spend on either I'd hop on the first plane to a warm climate with a Taylormade Performance Lab and get fitted along with lessons. I would buy my clubs there, spend a couple days on the course or drinking mint julips and fly back.

[igs00r]

That may be part of the reason, but I don't think it's the biggest part. New clubs are sexier that toiling away at lessons. They're tangible whereas the results from lessons take longer to see. Most people want instant gratification.

I agree with Diane completely. Like I said earlier, $500 wouldn't buy a set of irons that was on my radar, so i would certainly go towards the lessons. Committing to changes has nothing to do with it. I'd say that most people belong to this forum b/c they are committed to changes, that they want to improve, their presence here says enough to me.

[Arrecteve]

Can the $500 be spent on counseling as well? I think thats what I need is a sports psychologist to help me realize that I stink at this game and I should take up water sports. But I too think lessons would help me more than new equipment as I have some of the latest technology money can buy. Though for whatever reason my swing decides to leave me just when I need it most.

[12Dvop4I]

98% will pick the clubs vs lessons. People don't like to commit to changes.

Actually, some research as been done in that area. Now my info is secondhand, so take it accordingly, but it does follow what I have observed and those statistics I have been able to find.

The report claimed that by about a 6:1 margin golfers agreed that instruction would do more for their game than equipment. However, they spent their money by a 5:1 margin on new equipment. Holy conundrum Batman!!

The reason(s) why would be a lengthy debate, but I think you have a very good point; Diane was also correct in her instant gratification suggestion, but I also think there are host of other reasons.

[cjOTw7ov]

Can the $500 be spent on counseling as well? I think thats what I need is a sports psychologist to help me realize that I stink at this game and I should take up water sports.

Hmm - think you might be better off spending the money on anger management courses?

[Arrecteve]

I would Diane but last time I went to them I got kicked out for beating up the instructor.

[loikrso]

Assuming that my current clubs were already fitted to me and not hindering me, I would take the lessons every time.

[GenManagerS]

Assuming that my current clubs were already fitted to me and not hindering me, I would take the lessons every time.

Totally agree with this. I don't think my clubs are holding me back, old as they might be - it's my swing and the amount of time I devote to practice. I'd take the lessons.

[Sensbachtal]

$500 in my neighborhood could buy anywhere from 12 to 1 golf lesson(s). That actually means the poorer quality the lesson, the more lessons $500 would buy. Very few, if any instructors offer a money back guarantee. You can sue a doctor for malpractice, but what can you do after purchasing suspect golf swing instruction. That means as far as lessons, you are gambling, unless you know what you are looking for in a golf swing instructor, and know how to interpret that instructor's teaching method. Questions; how long would a student retain this type of instruction, before needing to revisit their instructor after the original $500 was gone? Did the instructor include video, and/or swing notes to be used at a later date? $500 would not purchase a complete series of instruction, because golf swing instruction is never ending. How many strokes would $500 of instruction would save a student golfer is up to that golfer. Cost per stroke saved might be a factor

$500 would buy a set of clubs, with great quality, playability, forgiveness, and in most cases a club fitting, while leaving a few bucks left over to purchase a quality golf swing instruction book authored by any of the 10, or so better instructors with books in print. A book that describes the geometry of golf, also known as the cause, and effect of ball flight would be a must. These book instructions would last longer than in house, personal instruction because you would have that instruction at your finger tips anytime you wanted to review a certain topic of instruction, with no out of pocket, continued expense. The down side with this scenario is not every every instruction book in print will have all the info needed, or otherwise be the right book for every student. The book would have to match the students's learning curve, and vice versa. Can the wrong book be returned for another book? Sure it can. At some point, like personal instruction from a pro instructor, another book would be needed to fill in the instruction gaps the first book created. The challenge is finding that second, correct book. However once found, the student has that instruction for life.

Giving the parameters of this thread's original question, it would be tough to decide, but knowing what I know now about golf instruction, I would go with the club fitting, new clubs, and book(s) scenario. In fact I would probably purchase the book(s) first, then the clubs.

[marketheal]

$500. There's my green fees for awhile. I'd play with what I allready have as far as clubs and game for as long as it lasts.