Course lessons

How Many of You Have Had a Pro Go Round with You on the Course?

My guess is, very few.

When we take a lesson, it's usually in an environment that doesn't simulate the real demands of a round of golf. On the range, we hit ball after ball with a 7-iron, aiming for perfect contact. There's definitely a time and place for that kind of practice, but if you're short on time and want to improve quickly, a course lesson might be exactly what you need.

In my time as a coach, I’ve done many course lessons—often watching junior players on our Par 3 course, which provided great insight into how they played, where they struggled, and how they responded to different challenges. What I realized was that if golfers don’t understand how to adjust for things like sloping lies, they're at a huge disadvantage.

For example, a flat course player might really struggle when faced with a tight, sloping layout. The more varied courses you play, the more skills you need in your toolbox.

For younger players or those just starting out, playing courses that challenge you in all these areas will teach you valuable lessons early on. The earlier you can adapt, the better your game will become.

What a Good Course Lesson Can Help You With:

• Mental Game: You can discuss ways of staying calm out on the course, and how you may get angry and blow up towards the end of a round. Many other strategies including, mental routine, breathing, visualisation and power statements.

• Course Management & Time Management: Are you taking too long to make decisions, or perhaps struggling with pacing during a round? A pro can guide you in these areas to improve overall flow and efficiency.

• Sloping & Bad Lies: Whether it's adjusting your setup for slopes, or how to play a tough lie in the rough or a divot, the course environment is the best place to tackle these challenges.

• Fairway Bunker Shots: Learn the key principles for setting up in fairway bunkers to play with consistency.

• Tee Shots: Strategy off the tee—including optimal ball position, shot shape, run out distances to hazards—helps set up better approach shots.

• Approach Shots & Wind Management: Selecting the right club, judging wind effects, and assessing the risk are crucial for better course management.

• Managing Your B & C Game: Tiger Woods had a “C game” that still allowed him to win tournaments. Understanding how to adjust when you're not playing your best can save you strokes.

• Bunker, Chipping, and Pitching Shots: Knowing when and how to use certain clubs for specific distances can give you an edge around the greens.

Real-World Example: The Case of John

Let me share a story about a student named John. He rated his driver as his weakest area and told me he was losing shots off the tee. However, after playing a round together, I saw that his driving was actually quite solid—he hit 5 out of 5 fairways, with three shots that sounded perfect. The problem? His short game.

John had mentally downgraded his strength (driving) to a weakness and overfocused on his tee shots. We set out to work on his short game—starting with putting, chipping, and bunker play. After a few weeks of focused practice, John broke 80 for the first time, shooting a 78 and couldn’t have been more excited. Johns self awareness had led him into improving his short game. 

Final Thoughts

Course lessons are a great way to improve your game in a more game-like setting. Often, they don’t involve swing changes but focus on positioning, shot selection, and strategic decision-making. —take notes afterward and review your progress regularly.

If you're looking to really level up your game, consider having a pro join your group for a round. It’s a great way to learn from each other, especially when you encounter similar challenges.