How to Choose a Golf Instructor

Golf instruction is an unregulated industry. Anyone can call themselves a golf instructor. And because improvement in golf is slow, it can take months or years to realize you've been getting bad advice.

Here's how to find someone who will actually help you improve.

The Green Flags

1. They Ask Questions First

A good instructor starts by understanding you: What are your goals? How often do you play? What's your biggest frustration? Have you had lessons before? What worked, what didn't?

A bad instructor watches you hit three balls and starts telling you everything you're doing wrong.

The first approach builds a lesson around YOU. The second applies a generic template that may or may not fit your game.

2. They Prioritize

Everyone has multiple things they could work on. Great instructors identify the ONE thing that will have the biggest impact and focus there. They resist the urge to fix everything at once.

If you leave a lesson with five things to think about, you won't improve. You'll be paralyzed. One clear focus is better than five scattered tips.

3. They Use Video

Video analysis isn't optional in modern instruction. What you feel and what you do are rarely the same. A good instructor uses video to show you what's actually happening, not just what they think they see.

Even better: they give you the video to take home so you can reference it during practice.

4. They Give You Practice Plans

A lesson is just the beginning. The real improvement happens between lessons, during practice. Great instructors give you specific drills to work on, with clear success metrics.

If you leave a lesson without knowing exactly what to do at the range, the lesson failed.

5. They Check In Between Lessons

The best instructors want to see how you're progressing. They'll ask you to send videos between sessions, or follow up to see how practice is going. They're invested in your improvement, not just your payment.

The Red Flags

1. One-Size-Fits-All Teaching

Every golfer is different. Body type, flexibility, age, goals—they all matter. If an instructor teaches everyone the same positions and movements, they're not coaching, they're running a factory.

2. Constant Swing Changes

Real improvement takes time. If your instructor changes your swing fundamentals every few lessons, they either don't have a plan or don't believe in it. Find someone who commits to an approach and lets it develop.

3. No Interest in Your Results

Does your instructor ask how you're playing? Do they know your handicap? Do they care about your scores, or just your swing positions?

The point of lessons is to play better golf. An instructor who never asks about your playing results has lost sight of that.

4. Overly Technical Language

If you can't understand what your instructor is telling you, that's their fault, not yours. Good teachers translate complex concepts into simple feelings and images. If every lesson sounds like an engineering lecture, find someone who can communicate better.

5. They Never Admit Uncertainty

Golf is complicated. Good instructors sometimes say I'm not sure—let's try this and see. Bad instructors have absolute confidence in everything, even when the evidence doesn't support their approach.

Questions to Ask Before Committing

1. What's your teaching philosophy? They should be able to articulate a clear approach.
2. How do you use video? It should be integrated, not an afterthought.
3. What happens between lessons? Look for practice plans and check-ins.
4. How long do students typically work with you? Short-term transactions vs. long-term relationships.
5. Can I talk to a current student? Great instructors have students who will vouch for them.

Certification: Does It Matter?

Yes, but it's not everything.

PGA certification means the instructor has passed tests on teaching methodology, rules, and golf operations. It's a baseline of professionalism.

But certification doesn't guarantee they're a good fit for YOU. Some of the best instructors have PGA credentials; some don't. Use certification as one factor, not the only factor.

In-Person vs. Online Coaching

This isn't either/or—many golfers use both.

In-person is better for: Initial assessments, hands-on adjustments (like grip changes), real-time feedback during the swing, and complete beginners.

Online is better for: Consistent check-ins, convenience, cost, and maintaining progress between in-person sessions.

The hybrid approach often works best: occasional in-person lessons to set direction, with regular online video analysis to stay on track.

The Bottom Line

Finding the right instructor is one of the best investments you can make in your golf game. But the wrong instructor can waste years and money, or worse, ingrain bad habits.

Take time to find someone who treats you as an individual, communicates clearly, and stays invested in your improvement over time. Your future scores will thank you.