| I went to one of the Golf Digest Mini Schools two seasons ago.
It really helped my game. A mini school is 3 half day sessions.
Each day consisted of two topics. There was a short lecture period,
drills to learn/reinforce the lecture. During the drills the teachers
worked with each individual to help make changes/corrections in their
swing. The afternoons were open. You hit so many balls in the morning
that you may not feel like playing in the afternoon.
I liked it because:
- The instruction was good. The teachers were Davis Love (dad of the
long ball PGA pro) and Jimmy Hodges.
- The philosophy was the same as that expounded by Toski/Flick in
"The Complete Golfer" and their Golf Digest Instructional articles
- The drills you learn allow you to continue to practice your "new/
correct" swing. They are also useful to diagnosing problem when
you start to stray from this swing.
- It covered swing fundamentals, irons, woods, wedges, chipping, &
putting. (I am a good putter but still learned a lot during that
session.)
- I went to the school in Mid-October at the beginning of a 3 week
vacation. (That is another story by itself). I was worried how
well the instruction would weather the winter layoff. Between
the drills & notes I had no problems. The next season I improved
significantly.
- Enrollment is limited. In our class there was 8. I think the max
is 12. That's a 6:1 teacher:student ratio.
Things I didn't like:
- It was expensive (compared to other schools). I am not sure if this
is a case of you get what you pay for or if you are paying for the
names. I think it is some of each. (I do feel better about the
instruction than what I overheard at the Stow School.)
- It was a little too fast. Sort of like a 7 day tour of Europe. You
see/learn a little about everything however you don't master one
subject before proceeding on.
Do I recommend it?
Yes, it worked well for me. Before the class I was always right about
100. (Generally 101-102, the occasional 98-99.) After the class I
got a handicap and set a goal of bogey golf (handicap 18). My handicap
is a 16 now. I am generally just a little below 90, but have had rounds
in the low 80's. (Believe me it is a lot more fun.)
I am considering going to another Golf Digest School this coming spring
to continue to hone my skills. However this time I am considering a
3 day full school. This time I will know that to prepare you should
go the range every night for a week and hit 1-2 buckets of balls to
get your hands & arms into shape.
Larry
PS. The only other school I know anything about is the Mt. Snow school
in VT. We were there for a weekend and could observe the golf school
it appeared to have a high student teacher ratio. It reminded me more
of a cattle drive with so many student moving from one instruction area
to another.
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