If you’re taking golf lessons and working on the same things as everyone else around you, Stop!

Your swing is different.
Your goals are different.
Your handicap is different.

And that matters more than most people think.

High Handicap (15+): Learn to survive the round

If you’re shooting over 90, lessons aren’t about building a Tour-level swing, they’re about gaining control over chaos.

You’re not here to hit a draw on command or flight your wedges low into the wind.

You’re here to:

• Make solid contact more often

• Eliminate big misses

• Turn a 9 into a 6

• Get the ball around the course without blow-ups

Here’s what your lessons should focus on:

Grip. Setup. Alignment. Posture.

These are the culprits behind a lot of your worst shots. Most of the stuff that’s messing up your swing is happening before you even start it.

Dial in your setup and the entire swing starts to improve.

Don’t chase perfect. Chase repeatable.

• Learn what is low point

• Understand what makes the ball slice or hook

• Figure out why you hit it fat, and how to stop

Simple concepts like rhythm and contact go a long way.

Most high-handicappers get stuck because they’re asking the wrong things.

Instead of “how do I hit it like Rory?”… start asking:

• “Why do I chunk this club so often?”

• “How can I stop my slice?”

• “How do I avoid turning a bad shot into a disaster?”

This mindset shift leads to progress.

• Play away from danger

• Skip the hero shots

• Hit the shot you can pull off 80% of the time—not 1 out of 10

Every lesson should help you build a game that feels more consistent and less overwhelming.

If you’re breaking 80 consistently, your focus should be mastery, not fixing big flaws. Your game is already solid, now it’s about squeezing out every stroke.

Before every swing, you need a clear picture in your mind:

• What shape are you hitting?

• Where is it starting?

• What’s the height, spin, and feel?

Your routine should be built around bringing that vision to life. It’s not about hitting every shot perfectly, it’s about controlling your ball flight.

You don’t need every shot in the book, but you should be able to call on:

• A draw when needed

• A fade when it’s safer

• A stock straight shot you can trust

And most importantly, know what shots you can’t hit with certain clubs. If you can’t call up a specific ball flight on demand, that’s your next lesson.

You’re beyond swing thoughts. Now it’s about:

• Face angle

• Low point

• Swing path

• Ground interaction

Why did it curve? Why did it launch high? Why was it thin? Understand these things and you can adjust mid-round just like the pros.

You already have a solid short game. Now it’s time to diversify:

• High spinners

• Low runners

• Soft landing chips

• Bunker shots (short, long, high, low)

• Tight lies

• Fluffy rough escapes

If you can imagine the lie, it exists, and you need to know how to hit it.

Your lesson time should include decision-making and creativity in the short game.

You’re not losing 10 strokes per round. You’re losing one or two and they add up.

Start breaking down your rounds. Use the Tiger 5 framework:

1. No doubles or worse

2. No three-putts

3. No missed up-and-downs from easy spots

4. No bogeys from inside 150 yards

5. No bogeys on par 5s

One of these areas is probably costing you more than you think. Find it and train it.

The best players ask better questions. Make your lessons count:

• “How can I make my dispersion tighter with the 7-iron?”

• “What setup tweak helps me flight wedges lower into wind?”

• “Why does my draw sometimes turn into a hook?”

One size doesn’t fit all

If you want better results from your lessons, start making sure they’re customized to you.

Your goals. Your current skills. Your path forward.

Golf lessons should meet you where you are and take you where you want to go.