Patience is a Virtue

Jeff Fisher
Director of Instruction
Fisher Bryan Golf Academy at Longbow Golf Club
Mesa, AZ
jfisher@obsports.com

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I wish I could tell you, and all of my students, that golf instruction is a magic pill and that just by showing up on the lesson tee you will automatically get better. Unfortunately that is not the case. And finding the right coach is only part of the equation.

What are the other parts? First of all, having specific and reasonable expectations and goals and a reasonable time frame to go along with those goals. Second, having the time to put in the work that will help you reach those goals. The most common thing I see from students is expecting things to happen too quickly.

Obviously, if you are taking lessons you are doing so because you want your golf game to improve. When you are setting the expectations for that improvement you have to take into account the current state of your game, how long your game has been in that state, how big of a change you want to make and how much time you have to devote to making that change.

One thing I hear often is, “Well, I really don’t want to change my swing.” My answer to that is typically that if you were happy with your game you would not be here so at least some change is required. The second question is what do you want to achieve? Do you want to shave 2 strokes or 10? That has a lot to do with what kind of work is necessary.

As I said earlier, finding the right coach is only one part of the equation. You, as the student are the other. Are you open to instruction? Meaning do you come in expecting to change or being resistant to it? Are you willing and able to follow the plan that you and your coach set out for you? Going to a golf instructor and saying you want to get better but don’t really want to change is like going to a personal trainer and saying you want to lose weight but don’t really want to change you eating habits.

Change is difficult. And it takes time. But if done correctly, it will pay off in the end and the student who can stay the course, follow the plan and do so with patience and diligence is the one who will succeed. 

Jeff Fisher is Director of Instruction at the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy at Longbow Golf Club. Jeff can be reached at 480.414.9330 or jfisher@obsports.com.