Should you spend money on lessons or training aids?!  

Find the full episode with Dan, here on Apple podcasts - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rick-shiels-golf-show/id1406443091#episodeGuid=Buzzsprout-8361303

Any plans to release the podcast episodes in full on RU-vid?

..."I'm looking at Dan here"... 😂😂😂

Rick, are you going to release the full podcasts in video format?

I'd say a combination of all 3 . 3 being club fitting, lessons, drills/training aids . A good teacher can look at your swing and give you some recomendations of drills/ training aids. "what you are actually doing and what you think you are doing are 2 different things"

Took my first lesson from a PGA pro this week. Wow what a difference. I love the podcasts and watch every video but the in person coaching is promo. I’m scheduled for 5 more. Practice in between will be key. Keep up the great work.

I am sticking with the Orange Whip (along with Phil Mickelson). I use it to warm-up before each round ($99).

I’ll be honest… I have had several in person coaching sessions over the years and have rarely felt any were good. I’ve learned so much more from watching my favorites on RU-vid… won’t name them but Shiels is one of my favorites. I really love the game and have worked my ass off getting to a +5…. All on my own with RU-vid video. The one thing RU-vid did for me, that no coach thought to do, or had the time to do, was help me understand why the ball responds a particular way. I think it was Shiel’s that shared some videos that really helped me understand this. Once I understood the physics of it, I was able to understand what it was I was doing, and what I needed to change. From there I sought out videos that taught those principles. I then started recording my own swings so that I could separate “feel” from “reality”. It’s been a great journey and one I’ll stay on.

What I like as a beginner golfer is having someone to lean on, who knows what they are talking about essentially, because an analogy I often use to describe my experience is, you want to move in a straight line, but you deviate from the “right” technique a little bit to the left sometimes and to the right other times; without a coach to tell you what to lean on, you are totally unaware what do keep and what to change to be going straight ahead.

2 lessons last year on my iron swing and it’s made a huge difference. Booked in for a driver lesson next week as I have very consistent ‘hit right + fade right’. Fully expect for the issue to be diagnosed quickly and advice on corrections for me to go and work on. I don’t see how you can fix problems with self diagnosis. It’s like googling a symptom!

I always said early on that sometimes you will see a tip and it fits in your swing. Also it might ring a bell to you that helps. I Could never afford lessons so my swing is self made but it's built on bits and pieces of tips that I've seen over the years. Great topic. Also what Guy sais about drills to help our swing is great idea. Thanks guys.

Loved your attempts at irish accent yesterday was hoping you would have shown it today.lol great stuff lads keep it up..

Great episode. Before July of 2020 I had never swung a golf club. Before ever playing a round I went to the range 2/5 days a week and worked on driver/irons. Everything I learned about golf has come from RU-vid and actually being out there playing. I finally broke 100 a couple months ago and im extremely happy with my progress. Ive never taken any lessons or used any training aids. Currently focusing on chipping and putting and hope to break 90 before summers end.

Lessons all the way. Hopefully you can find a coach who is right for you and who you have a good rapport with. I had a lesson once with a coach and it almost put me off golf. He was so serious, didn’t make it fun, no sense of humour. But the one I see now at the course where I’m a member is great and has given me a lot of belief and confidence. A good coach will do what’s right for you and also give you good drills to do at home, many using just things you would already have around the house, like cushions, other clubs, sticks etc.

Just on youtube instructional videos. I watched one of Rick's videos on pre shot routine. That's the type of youtube video I find really helpful. I also like videos that might have a little drill that I can do at home.

Set looks great!

As a non-golfer who only played a few times as a teen and in my 20s, I have occasionally watched some golf on TV. Now as I am semi-retired, I want to try it again. I have been watching Rick’s videos and feel that as a complete novice, I have learned so much from them. Of course, I won’t be able to remember everything when I go out onto the driving range and golf course, but I will know so much more compared to what I “knew” as a kid. Since my best scores where around 115 as a 16 year old playing with hand-me-down hickory shafted clubs, I feel I just may be able to do a bit better with modern clubs and knowledge gained from watching Rick’s videos. Private lessons would certainly be a benefit because I wouldn’t really know if I was doing something wrong. But I remember the fun I had back then, and hope to enjoy this sport again soon. Thanks for being a great teacher, Rick.

Love the podcasts

Nice point around this. For me ... the information would be more key and thus 1 lesson would be already give me something. I generally try stuff (autodidact with not one lesson ever) for 3 months unless the feel is very fast giving me a "no" or a "yes". Any "maybe" will thus get little bit more time. Finding a couch that would fit me ... is very very very tough and that's on me. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻 And totally agree that Dan that the grip determines the swing. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

Think I will spend some time/money on some lessons after this. Only play at the weekend but at least I would know where I'm going wrong/right and work on it going round.

I wanted lessons, had a couple with different PGA people, never felt it was working, then changed my approach and looked at what they could offer, and looked for one with a GC Quad, so I could get the information on what was happening a the point when the club hits the ball. So after looking only found ONE in the area, East Midlands, results have been fantastic, quality of info great. There is a lack of “ coaches”, in quality venues

Great topic for right about now 👍🏻

very interesting. thank you!

There is a place for both You Tube and pro teaching. Videos from Rick, Pete and Matt have helped my game, especially during lockdown. But equally having a couple of lessons since courses opened, especially on my short game has really helped too. Case of working out what is best for you as a player but not losing sight of enjoying playing golf.

Thoughts on stack & tilt? Great show!

Great advice as always from Rick and Dan, if only I lived in the UK I could try and get some lessons off Dan, it would be interesting to say the least

It is great to see Dan Whittaker on this show. Dan was my first (and only) online golf coach. Not only did he help me improve, but he also taught me a lot about the golf swing. I cannot say enough good things about Dan and what a talented golf coach he is. Dan, the offer is still open, if you ever make it to Orlando let me know and I will take you to play Isleworth or Bayhill.

The music make me think of christmas :)

Pelz truth board is the single best investment for a golfer every golfer can practice putting.

11:18 rick started spittin fax. i've definitely od'd with yt coaching videos

Great video 👍

When is this pod going on Spotify?

The human mind develops habits quicker than we give it praise for. I’d say lessons are first to build your feels and intuitiveness to understanding what your body does and how you are as a person. Your character/being should be expressed in your golf. Training aids are good in providing guidance, the equivalent of the barriers you put up when you’re bowling. By combining the two you’re constantly testing your body to produce a movement which is as consistent as possible. The better consistency the better the game. I would say the caveat to his is you don’t need every training aid under the sun. There are plenty of things you can use without going out to buy stuff. E.g golf clubs for alignment, chipping/landing zones, tee pegs & string for putting, tee pegs for strike zones. extra glove under the armpit for better connectivity. I play off 3 and the only two training aids I’ve felt the need to purchase are alignment sticks (as you can’t put your club into the ground/ if you hit your club it could be quite costly!) and a swing ball as connectivity for most golfers is essential.

I really like the little intro song

The fundamentals will always be the way to success. Grip, setup, take away, etc. There are different approaches to these for 1 plane or two plane swings but either way, if you use a bad grip, and don't cock your wrist, and cast your hands, with a side of chicken wings, none of the lessons online will work.

What about in person vs a paid online program (like me and my golf)?

I started playing 18 holes in January. Would shoot 140. Broke 100 playing 2-3x’s a week off RU-vid videos. I applied 1 thing each time I went out to not overload. Going for my first lesson today. I

Guys I'm in Mid Wales do you have any idea on good coaches in Wales/ Shropshire boarder?

I had one lesson lasted about 3 minutes told me two things said no charge that’s all you need. I went from 10 cap to +3 ahead of the pro he said told you that’s all you needed. And having a driving range at home and hitting balls every night tell you can’t even see the ball at your feet but your still striping your blades pure as butter. Get lessons from someone who knows how to make the game as simple and as easy to understand for you as possible. First thing I ask all people I teach is if they get golf digest or another magazine and watch golf channels teachers etc. Most of the time they say yes and I say first lesson cancel the magazines and stop watching tips on tv. They ask why? I ask after you read or watch this stuff do you come to range and try something different almost daily and have all those thoughts in your mind? They say yes and I ask how’s that been working for you cause I’m assuming great that’s why your here with me now right? Like a deer in headlights they understand and we begin. The next week or few days when I see them again they are a different person I can see it before I talk to them the way they carry themselves on the range hitting balls smiling talking to others instead of the super concentrated look of frustration and their body looking like it’s in knots. They always improve drastically quickly and it just feels good to see them enjoying themselves. This is golf a GAME after all!

What I would do is learn the physics behind golf and watch videos from touring pros and reputable sources like shawn clement he does alot about the phycological aspect of golf and video your swing after gaining knowledge and understanding the physics and then try changing things. One thing that really helped me become a better ball strikers was playing with clubs from the 70s. I would try that first and spend the money on playing and practicing more

sun burn studios lol

Can’t believe you invited Dan to the podcast and left him sitting there for so long without tapping into his knowledge and experience. #missedoportunity

Lessons and reps will help more than anything

For starters, new players, limited by funds, should take a group lesson. After that, look for a good PGA instructor. Find one you can actually talk to and that you like. Being 61, I find I get a better lesson from someone near to my age. They are not young bucks trying to get you into positions that you can't get in to. I work at a course that offers 10 to 12 different teaching professionals of all ages.

Didn't realise Peter Schmeichel was a golf pro 😀

Lessons are better only training aid I like are alignment sticks

Mixture of both?, don’t some teaching pros use swing aids to help get the body and club in the correct position?

How do you find an instructor in the states that has the same philosophy as Dan Whittaker?

Finding a good instructor is hard, took me 4 tries to get it right.

Would you say that practicing drill (even if they are not specific to your exact needs) are detrimental?

subbed for the giveaway stayed for the golf talk

Lessons always. Training aids should be suggested by the instructor.

Traing aids never worked for me, waste of money. Unless u have lots of time to try practise with it. Lessons in the beginning when u start is good, but again I've had friends find that too many lessons can screw u up worse

Not even the person typing in the Closed Captioning knows what Rick and his buddy are saying half the time.

Lessons are far superior to videos or training aids. The problem most people have is they don't know what they're doing. Or worse, think they know and are wrong. Go at any practice range and most people are just hitting balls. No one knows what they're supposed to practice. Now, a problem with lessons is that there are a *lot* of bad instructors out there. And they can destroy your game completely.

Lessons are fun. Plus at least you have some experienced eyes making sure you're getting results.

Hi Rick

***This headcover will get you 20 extra yards off the tee. We are unsure why or how, but we're cool with it.***

unless you are a pro, just enjoy the game for what it is, lets face it if u do the stats most people who play the game are over 50. just enjoy the game

Subscribed # 2

If I’m not listening closely it sounds like they are speaking nonsense like Austin and Nigel Powers in Goldmembers roller rink lol. “She’s all 6’s and 7’s, ????????, TEA KETTLE”

Next studio update needs to be some sound dampening

Lessons training or Aids?

Lessons. Duh

Why is there an hiv/aids warning on this video

I had a 3 hour lesson and the coach changed my grip my swing and my natural shot shape fekked me up for ages been to a friend who's an ex pro got me back on track so yeah Dan,s right do your research find a good coach for lessons

Who else fixed their slice from Rick’s video

I wouldn’t take lessons if you are a stone cold beginner. They are extremely expensive. You are better off if you just go to the range make friends with some people and hopefully they will give you a few tips. Also continue to watch u tube videos. If you are lucky like me you’ll know someone who is pretty good and will work with you maybe once a week. Lessons are ok once you have a slight grip on the game. I’m telling you. They are very. Very expensive.

Why is rick whispering

Don't you think that youtube videos allow golfers to understand some concepts (they have the time then and no golf club in hands) and make actual golf lessons much more efficients where the golf pro can somehow refer to this concepts. If a coach includes à fix in my swing I will never be able to intregrate it in the long run if I don't understand the reason for it.

If you really do want to improve, I would suggest practice on your own as much as you can to get your game to a decent standard and have developed some sort of identity. Once you’ve done that then I would start getting lessons and iron out your flaws

Giving great advice is what Mark Crossfield excels at

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia and you're a BLACK person, I give free golf lessons on Sunday mornings.