How many lessons should I take for golf?
At Over 50 Golf our clients who are taking in-person golf lessons in Winnipeg or coaching online often ask, “How many golf lessons should I take?” It’s a great question and the answer depends on your goals, your skill level, time, and how committed you are. Below we’ll walk through some of the main considerations so you can decide the right number of golf lessons for you — and how your mobility plays a key role.
Why Taking Golf Lessons Matters
Taking golf lessons is more than just getting a few swing tips. When you work with a qualified instructor, you get personalized feedback, structured practice drills, and a much better chance of improving rather than just going out and hitting balls and getting nowhere! How many times have you heard this: “I’m going to hit balls, or I’m working on my swing?” So what are you actually practicing and working on?
Research shows lessons give you faster progress, fewer bad habits, and more enjoyment. Many golfers rely on well-intended advice from friends (“keep your head still”, “hit it hard”, “swing at the target”, “hit down on the ball”) but just end up frustrated. The swing is a complex motion of biomechanics, coordination, and timing, and the wrong cue can make you worse, not better. Changing your swing for improvement isn’t about changing it because it doesn’t “look right”, it's about making improvements to change the performance and function for the better!
We specialize in helping golfers over 50 (and all ages) move better, swing better and play better so lessons aren’t just a luxury, but a key part of your improvement and having more fun from your golf!
Mobility & Fascia: The Key to Better Golf Over 50
At Over50 Golf, we believe that better golf isn’t just about changing your swing, it's also about improving how your body moves so the swing changes can actually work. This is especially critical for golfers over 50, where mobility restrictions and fascia compression often go unnoticed but heavily influence swing mechanics and performance.
Tammy Gibson, a certified Block Therapist, Fascia Fitness Coach, and Yoga for Golfers instructor, leads our golf mobility and fascia decompression programs. Her expertise enhances the golf lesson programs conducted by Barry Gibson, who is certified in TPI Functional Movement For Golf and Dr. Kwon Golf Swing Biomechanics.
We offer a more holistic approach to golf improvement, combining golf instruction with the body swing connection which is especially important for senior golfers as we age and lose flexibility which can make it more difficult to swing and improve
We incorporate the following mobility & fascia release elements directly into our coaching:
- TPI Movement Screens & Functional Mobility Assessments
- Block Therapy a Winnipeg-based (now worldwide) fascia decompression practice session using the Block Buddy
- Customized mobility warm-ups movement programs to improve on your current range of motion
- Targeted fascia release to eliminate restrictions that hinder your swing
These components help our golfers:
- Improve their range of motion for an easier more effective consistent golf swing
- Reduce stiffness, pain, and risk of injury
- Make swing changes more effective and sustainable
- Build a real body-swing connection that lasts
You don’t need to spend hours in the gym or stretch endlessly. You’re not trying to move like a 22-year-old tour player. You just need the right mobility for where you are today. That’s why we use Block Therapy techniques that support what we call "mobility that makes sense."
We help you move better, swing better, and play better — safely and efficiently.
If you're feeling tight, restricted, or limited in your swing, it's not just a technique problem — it's a mobility and fascia issue. Improving your swing requires improving how you move. At Over50 Golf we've got the solution. We offer in person golf instruction lesson programs and golf mobility programs in person here in Winnipeg as complete coaching packages and online worldwide.
Golf Mobility & Fascia Checklist
How to Improve Your Body–Swing Connection After 50
At Over50 Golf, we believe that better golf isn’t just about changing your swing — it’s about improving how your body moves so the swing changes can actually work. Here’s our quick checklist to help you assess and improve your golf mobility and fascia health.
✅ Body-Swing Connection Check
- Do you feel stiff or restricted during your swing?
- Are certain positions (like full backswing or follow-through) hard to reach?
- Do some swing changes feel “impossible” to do even with practice?
- Do you have aches and pains after playing golf?
If yes, it’s not just a technique issue, your body may not be able to access those positions due to fascia restrictions or limited range of motion. Your body is trying to tell you something!
It’s normal to have some minor aches and pains as we get older but these should not be chronic or have no unexplained reason. Some older senior golfers just accept it as aging, “oh that’s normal”, or I’ll just take some medication for the pain. That’s not the solution longer term and has many more negative health benefits down the road. That’s where a practice like Block Therapy and targeted fascia decompression and mobility programs come into play. Those are healthy long term solutions.
✅ Mobility & Movement Screening
Our golf lessons and coaching include:
- TPI movement screens to identify limitations
- Functional tests for hip, spine, and shoulder, lat mobility and other areas related to swinging the golf club
. - Customized mobility drills and fascia work that match your body’s current ability
✅ Fascia Decompression Tools
We integrate Block Therapy Winnipeg techniques in our coaching, using:
- The Block Buddy for fascia release and decompression
- Guided breathwork and posture alignment
- Targeted release sessions to improve swing mobility and reduce pain
✅ Why This Matters for Your Golf
- Improves backswing and follow-through range
- Reduces tension, pain, and risk of injury
- Makes swing changes more effective
- Speeds up learning by improving how your body supports movement and improves body awareness
You don’t need hours of stretching or gym workouts. Not practical or needed actually. Those don’t work without correct foundational mobility movement patterns and good fascia health. You need smart, targeted mobility work that meets you where you are today. Otherwise you are ingraining other bad habits that impact not just your golf but your overall health.
✅ What You Can Do Today
- Book a golf mobility assessment with us
- Add 10 minutes of block therapy or mobility work 3–4 times per week
- Use our Mobility First warm-up before every practice or round
Remember: move better → swing freer → play longer
Beginner vs. Experienced Players: Different Needs
If you’re a brand-new golfer or haven’t played in years, you’ll likely benefit from more frequent lessons starting out. Beginners need to build fundamentals (grip, stance, rhythm, ball-striking) and avoid ingraining bad habits. They need more structure in their golf lessons at first. For the new golfer, private golf lessons are a must if you want to learn properly.
On the other hand, if you’re more experienced — maybe a mid-handicap or veteran player who has been playing for years your needs are different. You might need fewer lessons, focused more on refining a few specific issues (short game, posture, course strategy), more coaching rather than swing-building from scratch. It's about making what you do better, not reinventing the wheel!
So:
- Beginners = more lessons in a shorter time span, more directing
- Experienced = fewer lessons but more ongoing coaching style
In both cases, when you’re searching for a golf coach near me, you want someone who understands your level, your goals and your context — especially if you’re over 50 and want to move and swing better safely.
Typical Number of Lessons for Beginners
So, how many lessons should a beginner take? While there’s no “one size fits all”, here’s a rough guideline:
- Initial block: 4–6 lessons over 6–8 weeks. This allows time to build fundamentals, correct big issues, and practice in between.
- Follow-up: Another 2–4 lessons over the next 2–3 months to reinforce what you’ve learned, expand your shot-making and start to play more confidently.
- Maintenance: Once you’re comfortable, maybe 1 lesson every month or two to keep on track.
During that first block you’ll see major improvement, the earlier you invest in lessons the better chance you have of not developing ball flight compensations and ingraining bad habits that are difficult to change down the road. Studies show a qualified coach helps beginners progress much faster than trying to teach yourself.
In terms of cost‑awareness: When you’re comparing golf lessons prices, this block of 4‑6 lessons is a realistic number to budget for. Asking “how much are golf lessons?” is wise — you want clarity on what you get and what the coach provides (video, feedback, follow‑up).
And for our over-50 golfers, we also include mobility/fascia check-ins using block therapy and other mobility methods to ensure your body is physically able to support the changes you’re trying to make.
How Often Should You Take Golf Lessons?
Frequency matters almost as much as total number of lessons. Here are some key points:
- Early days: For beginners, once a week is ideal. That keeps momentum going, allows you to put new concepts into practice and come back for feedback.
- Intermediate/experienced: Possibly every 2‑4 weeks, depending on your practice routine and availability.
- After a break: If you haven’t played for a while, especially common for over‐50 golfers, a few lessons in close succession help you re‑build safe movement and swing patterns.
- Seasonal/recurring check‑ins: For those who play year‑round or want to maintain and advance, quarterly or monthly lessons help keep you sharp.
If you only take a lesson every 2‑3 months, you’ll likely forget the cues and slip back to old habits. So when you budget, think about both “how many lessons” and “how often”.
And remember between lessons, incorporating mobility and fascia decompression exercises can help your swing stick more effectively and reduce post-practice soreness or stiffness.
Private Lessons vs. Group Lessons
A key decision: Do you go for golf private lessons one‑on‑one, or join a group or clinic? Both have benefits:
Private lessons
- One on one with your instructor with lessons tailored to you: your body, your swing, your goals and specific needs.
- Better feedback, deeper diagnostics and often quicker progress.
- Especially good if you’re older, have injuries or mobility issues (we focus on this at Over 50 Golf).
Group lessons/clinics
- Good for beginners if intimidated and unsure about private lessons to start.
- Often lower cost (so the golf lessons prices are cheaper per person).
- More social, great for meeting other golfers and getting motivated.
If you’re asking “how much are golf lessons?” you’ll see private sessions cost more. But consider value: fewer lessons may be needed if they’re private, because you get more focused time.
Private lessons cost more, but if they include functional movement assessments, fascia and mobility integration, the value increases significantly.
Signs You May Need More Lessons
How do you know when you should book more lessons? Here are some signs:
- You practice, but your scores or consistency don’t improve.
- You feel you’re stuck in a plateau or repeating the same mistake over and over.
- You’re playing but feel uncomfortable, tight, or in pain or sore after playing (especially important for older golfers).
- You try self‑help videos or tips and nothing seems to “stick” other than getting more confused.
- You’ve learned the basics but now want to move into intermediate or advanced territory, fine tune and break through a barrier and learn some advanced course strategy techniques.
If any of these apply, it’s an indicator that investing in additional instruction (a reputable golf coach near me) is a smart choice, and that maybe you need to move from “just playing” to “structured improvement”.
When to Practice on Your Own vs. With a Coach
Practice matters — but how you practice matters more. Here’s how to balance your time:
With a coach: When you’re learning something new (swing change, movement issue, physical limitation) or stuck in a rut. Your lesson will give you direction, drills and feedback. Your coach will supervise your session to prepare you to practice on your own.
On your own: When you have clear homework from your coach, you’re doing drills that reinforce the lesson, you’re playing and practicing regularly and have a detailed practice guide to follow.
A good workflow:
- Lesson → 1‑2 new drills.
- Practice solo (range, short game, putting) 1‑3 times per week.
- Play a round, apply the change.
- Track progress.
- Return for the next lesson to refine, get feedback.
Especially for golfers over 50, independent practice should also include movement and mobility work (warm‑ups, flexibility) that supports your swing and helps avoid injury. This ensures the lessons you take are maximised.
How to Get the Most Out of Each Lesson
To make your investment in time more worthwhile, follow these tips:
- Come prepared: Know your goals (distance, consistency, lower scores, reduce pain , more enjoyment). Share them and discuss them with your coach.
- Do your homework: After each lesson you’ll get drills. Commit to doing them. Improvement comes from repetition.
- Record yourself: Use video to see what you’re doing vs what you feel. It helps close the “you feel it differently than it really is” gap.
- Practice smart, not just hard: Focus on quality of swings, not volume. A focused 20‑minute session beats mindless hitting. Practice with purpose.
- Review progress: Keep track of what you’ve improved and what still needs work.
- Ask for clarity: If you don’t understand a cue or drill, ask.
- Play to learn: Apply new skills in a round soon after your lesson. Real play reinforces the changes.
If you budget for lessons, remember: the number of sessions doesn’t alone determine success — how well you follow through does.
Should You Take Lessons Year‑Round?
Absolutely. Here’s why:
- Even during off‑season (like winter in Winnipeg), indoor or simulated practice sessions plus golf instruction keep your swing fresh and your body ready for next season.
- Consistency avoids regression. If you stop for months and then restart, you’ll spend some time re‑building and restarting.
- Weather, seasonal change and physical condition (especially over 50) mean your swing might shift. A lesson before the season starts or halfway through can help.
- The off-season is a good time to rejuvenate the swing and make required technical changes that are too difficult to make in season.
At Over 50 Golf we encourage players to treat their improvement as a year‑long journey, not just a summer fix. That doesn’t mean you take lessons every week all year — but periodic check‑ins keep you sharp and avoid slipping back into old habits and make it easier to improve.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Balance for You
So – how many lessons should you take? Here’s a summary:
- If you’re a beginner: aim for 4‑6 lessons in the first 2 months, then 2‑4 follow‑ups in the next 3‑4 months, plus independent practice.
- If you’re intermediate or advanced: maybe 1-2 lessons every 1‑2 months, with extra when you work on a specific issue or plateau.
- If you’re over 50: focus not only on the swing but on mobility, movement and sustainable habits, improve the body swing connection, you may benefit from slightly more lessons earlier to establish a safe and efficient swing.
- Budget for both number and frequency. Consider golf lessons prices and ask “how much are golf lessons?” and “what’s included?”.
- Choose whether you’ll go the golf private lessons route or a group option; weigh cost vs personalisation.
- Make sure you follow through with practice. A lesson gives you tools; the improvement comes through use.
Golf isn’t just about how well you hit the ball, it’s also about how well your body can support that motion to allow you to play longer and pain free. At Over50 Golf we help you improve both.
If you’re looking for in-person golf lessons in Winnipeg or online instruction, we’re committed to helping you play better and enjoy your golf even more! Whether you’re just starting as a beginner or you're an experienced golfer needing a tuneup or wanting to break through to the next level, our integrated system combining golf instruction, mobility work along with fascia decompression using Block Therapy, will help you move better, swing better, and play better for many years to come!
Take the first step. Get a golf lesson, feel the difference and commit to your improvement. The right number of lessons is the number that keeps you progressing — and enjoying your golf.
