Advice

Question
Hi i am 15 and have an handicap of 6. i live in England and play at county level however the advice that the county coaches are giving me are different to what my pro teacher is telling me, i trust my pro teacher well and he has made good work on me so far to get me to where i am now. My county seems to want to change my swing EVERY week while my pro is happy with how it is and is just making minor adjustments. I tihnk maybe i should quit at county level and carry on to have the one on one lessons with my pro and continue to lower my handicap. I want to turn pro when i am 18 but if i stop at county will this affect me at all when i turn pro? thanks for your help.
Paul

Answer
Hello Paul, I don't know what playing at county level means and therefore cannot say how that would affect your turning pro.  Basically, you become a non-amateur (pro) when you elect to play in a competition for money.  Until you've done that, I don't see how stopping at county level would affect you at all.

As far as whose advice to take; quite simply, if you're experiencing success with what your pro is teaching you, then by all means stick with him and only him.  Pros, who specialize teaching the game, generally have an understanding of the cause and effect factors of the swing.  Coaches can sometimes spot things in swings that don't look right but may not have the knowledge or understanding to be able to correct flaws effectively.  To put it another way, coaches may say "you're doing this, don't do it".  Pros are apt to say "you're doing this because something else you're doing is causing it, let's work on the cause".

There may come a time your present pro will no longer be able to help you get to the next level.  When that occurs, you'll know it, and then would be the time to look for someone different.

I wish you the best Paul and I hope you realize your dreams.

Fairways and Greens,

John
www.golfnutts.com