What are you looking for in an instructor? Dana has all the “bells and whistles”, but many would consider her school more suited to “corporate folk$” looking to feel like they are on the golf channel rather than old-school hands on “build it in the dirt” instruction.

Scott is more of the old-school than bells and whistles, and has a decent reputation with juniors. Another competent alternative may be Deac Dawson working out of Charlotte National. If you have Dana money but want better instruction (IN MY OPINION) the 2 best in Charlotte are Randy Joyner at Ballantyne Country Club and Scott Lafever at Long View.

It depends, if you are into taking a lesson plan. Then you might try the Golftech franchise in town. I did take a lesson plan, less expensive than Dana, but more expensive than the range guys. The biggest advantage to the Golftech lessons is you can schedule them in the evenings because they are indoors. I would recomend Brad at Harris Corners because he is a good instructor and a nice guy to boot.

My game went from terrible to good and back to terrible again. I think i have put too many band aids on my swing and now they are making it bad. Anyone ever take any lessons? How did they help you? Any recommendations?

My experience with lessons is what you put in is what you get out. There is no silver bullet in golf. If you have been doing something wrong for a long time, and it has become a habit, a lesson with a pro will help show you how to fix it, but it very rarely changes you over night. You need to go and practice diligently to ingrain whatever your pro has shown you. Too many people go to lessons expecting to find the secret. Unfortunately the secret is practicing the correct moves, even if it feels terrible at the start. I highly recommend taking lessons, after all the top pros in the world all have coaches. But go in with realistic expectations, and expect to get out what you put in.

I have never paid for lessons but I did receive a Tom Watsons Lesson of a Lifetime video for Christmas a couple of years ago. This video I think is awesome, but I will admit it is the only golf instruction video I have ever watched, so I don’t have any thing to compare it to. I’ve been playing golf for 25 years or so. I had always shot in the low 100’s. My driver always had a bad slice. After a couple of years of watching this video, my driver is pretty straight and Im getting at least 230yds off the box. Now Im a low 90’s golfer and I feel like Im close to breaking into the 80’s more regularly. When you got 20 years of bad habits built up, they don’t go away over night. I just keep adding a piece to the puzzle when Im ready for a new piece. Anyway I just wanted to suggest this video to you. The bes! t thing about a video is – once you buy it, its yours. You can keep going back to it over and over. Unlike golf lessons that you pay for and hope you remember everything that was taught to you 6 months later. Practice DOES NOT make perfect. Perfect practice make perfect.

I have decided to take a few lessons to fine tune my game. I am looking at Chris Leatherman, because I have heard some good things and he is more affordable than others. Also, I like that he offers 30 minute lessons.

Does anyone have any experience with Chris? Does he do a good job? The most important goal I have in these lessons is to improve my short game; does anyone have experience with lessons for short game?

I have taken from Randy Joyner when he was at Leatherman.He is now at Ballantyne but I highly recommend him.Great teacher,he is patient with his pupils and will try to work with you on your weaknesses without completely remaking your total swing.He also offers short game lessons and playing lessons.

Dose anybody else have an opinion about Randy Joyner? What about any other instructors in the area?

Here is a link to Randy’s website.It might give you a little more info.
http://www.randyjoynergolf.com/

I have gone to Joyner and Scott Fossum at Emerald Lake. My preference is Scott. It is just a personal preference as both are good instructors. I suggest taking a lesson from a few different instructors and see who you click with.

Searched the Message Board for “Lessons” and “Instruction” and see nothing newer than 3 years old. I desperately need a tune up, maybe an overhaul. Curious to read reviews of area pros … figure it might be a good thing to have on this site. I live in Huntersville. Seems some had good things to say about Kent Sonnefeld? Anybody try Jason Lilly at Emerald Lake?

Eric at the Golf Studio at Northstone is the best I have seen in the area (limited knowledge on my part though, honestly). Northstone itself is private, but the Golf Studio is open to the public for lessons. Probably not the cheapest, but will be worth it for sure.