Newbie looking for lessons

Thanks Allan and Lizsam.

Just like to let you know, we are having a special promotion for Justin Han's beginner golf packages. Do drop me a sms at 96981755 to find out more..

Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and a happy new year..

Cheers,
Sam

Hello and Merry Christmas to all!

I am also a budding new golfer and interested in lessons on the course.

DKing, very much appreciated if you could forward his contact. Many thanks!

I am not an actual beginner although u may think it, be trying to  now for 4  years so do you have classes for me and special rates

To all who are thinking of lessons at JCC, pls do be careful when you take lessons from people *upstairs* and make sure you get a PC at the end of the 10 lessons.

A few friends took the 10 lesson PC course, but at the end they were told they were 'not good enough' and 'come back for more lessons' to get a PC.

I'm just saying what I observed at JCC range. The coach and student were chit chatting for the full one hour, they were just behind me so I couldn't help hearing everything. They were talking about equipment, golf membership, my friend played here and your friend played there etc…..the coach only commented on the student's swing 2 times in the whole hour.

My back was towards them so maybe the student already had a good consistent swing I can't be sure. Just left an impression on me cos the way I have lessons is totally different.

And yah I was on the "upstairs" level.

toonified wrote:

To all who are thinking of lessons at JCC, pls do be careful when you take lessons from people *upstairs* and make sure you get a PC at the end of the 10 lessons.

A few friends took the 10 lesson PC course, but at the end they were told they were 'not good enough' and 'come back for more lessons' to get a PC.

I do not know who is the coach at JCC.
But in my opinion, if you want to get a PC after 10 lessons, then you have to prove to the tester that you deserve a PC.
It does not mean that after paying $$$ for 10 lessons, you are guaranteed a PC.

I have seen ppl failed PC before.
Just sharing

Are the coaching rates published in JCC website?

So... What's the requirement for being 'deserving' of a PC? 

Shoot under a certain score or able to show u know basic rules/etiquette and take care of the course?

If they are judged by skills then I would say these coaches are just killing the interest people have for the game.

toonified wrote:

So... What's the requirement for being 'deserving' of a PC? 

Shoot under a certain score or able to show u know basic rules/etiquette and take care of the course?

If they are judged by skills then I would say these coaches are just killing the interest people have for the game.

Actually I think PC is quite useless because many courses want to see hcp not PC, some PC are issued by the range with little or no course experience. No wonder so many people are going across the causeway to get HCP.

http://www.stargolf.com.sg/test-fees-workshop/

Above link helps to explain what is a PC and why it is necessary for one to have this before going on to the course. Basically, it helps the new golfer to be aware of the rules, etiquette and "dangers" to fellow golfers and how to be a considerate golfer. Usually, the PC has to be accompanied by an experienced golfer (one who has a handicap for more than 1 year) who will be responsible for the PC's on course behaviour. It is basically an "L" license before one goes for the handicap test. I can imagine the mayhem to other golfers and damaged to the course if new golfers are just let loose on the course without some form of control.

enwee wrote:

toonified wrote:

So... What's the requirement for being 'deserving' of a PC? 

Shoot under a certain score or able to show u know basic rules/etiquette and take care of the course?

If they are judged by skills then I would say these coaches are just killing the interest people have for the game.

Actually I think PC is quite useless because many courses want to see hcp not PC, some PC are issued by the range with little or no course experience. No wonder so many people are going across the causeway to get HCP.

Enwee bro, quoting it as 'useless', personally think its way wrong! 
U ll be findg more of these non-etiquette golfers on any courses let alone if they can hit most shot well!  
One very gd ie: how ll you rate the public road if all drivers drive their cars wo a passed fr a basic n final theroy? 

@gofnut, tats a very gd link in detail explaing. Tx mate fr the findg n sharg.  

hkhamateur wrote:

enwee wrote:

toonified wrote:

So... What's the requirement for being 'deserving' of a PC? 

Shoot under a certain score or able to show u know basic rules/etiquette and take care of the course?

If they are judged by skills then I would say these coaches are just killing the interest people have for the game.

Actually I think PC is quite useless because many courses want to see hcp not PC, some PC are issued by the range with little or no course experience. No wonder so many people are going across the causeway to get HCP.

Enwee bro, quoting it as 'useless', personally think its way wrong! 
U ll be findg more of these non-etiquette golfers on any courses let alone if they can hit most shot well!  
One very gd ie: how ll you rate the public road if all drivers drive their cars wo a passed fr a basic n final theroy? 

Bro Hong, u speak to australian, thai, jap etc, they'll tell u that in their country no PC only HCP. Only local clubs wanna see them, in fact if you get a local PC not from a club but from some ranges you'll not even allow to play in local courses. Also if u ever been to see those ang moh who went to the swing test in MBGC some completely no HCP and yes they can play very very well. I took my PC many years ago in Seletar Base Club. By right we only allowed to play wkdays but because we always go non peak on wkends the counter know also bo chap. The committee who took us for CR back then also mentioned because we wanna play local so we take hcp, so as long as we can hit balls and basic rules then he'll pass us.

Well at least a PC allows for an aspiring golfer to at least start off w executive courses in Singapore.

I feel such on course experience is crucial to help on the way to working towards a handicap...

toonified wrote:

Well at least a PC allows for an aspiring golfer to at least start off w executive courses in Singapore.

I feel such on course experience is crucial to help on the way to working towards a handicap...

Do executive course ask for PC??? Last time when I started almost every wkend I go Mandai not a single time I was ask.

Obviously, for $$ reasons, the less busy courses will dispense with PC/Hcp requirements to survive. However, for safety of all golfers and to ensure everyone enjoy the game, I would support continuation of PC requirement eventhough this appears to be a local requirement.

enwee wrote:

toonified wrote:

Well at least a PC allows for an aspiring golfer to at least start off w executive courses in Singapore.

I feel such on course experience is crucial to help on the way to working towards a handicap...

Do executive course ask for PC??? Last time when I started almost every wkend I go Mandai not a single time I was ask.

 Yes.

enwee wrote:

hkhamateur wrote:

enwee wrote:

toonified wrote:

So... What's the requirement for being 'deserving' of a PC? 

Shoot under a certain score or able to show u know basic rules/etiquette and take care of the course?

If they are judged by skills then I would say these coaches are just killing the interest people have for the game.

Actually I think PC is quite useless because many courses want to see hcp not PC, some PC are issued by the range with little or no course experience. No wonder so many people are going across the causeway to get HCP.

Enwee bro, quoting it as 'useless', personally think its way wrong! 
U ll be findg more of these non-etiquette golfers on any courses let alone if they can hit most shot well!  
One very gd ie: how ll you rate the public road if all drivers drive their cars wo a passed fr a basic n final theroy? 

Bro Hong, u speak to australian, thai, jap etc, they'll tell u that in their country no PC only HCP. Only local clubs wanna see them, in fact if you get a local PC not from a club but from some ranges you'll not even allow to play in local courses. Also if u ever been to see those ang moh who went to the swing test in MBGC some completely no HCP and yes they can play very very well. I took my PC many years ago in Seletar Base Club. By right we only allowed to play wkdays but because we always go non peak on wkends the counter know also bo chap. The committee who took us for CR back then also mentioned because we wanna play local so we take hcp, so as long as we can hit balls and basic rules then he'll pass us.

As fr our overseas guests, i dun care!  
Since we gamed in sin n JB, basic rules, etiquette re very important.  
I m glad tat both of us go thru a proper PC lessons n obtained a PASS!  
Now u ve to reflect to yrself on wat ground tat u often give advice to newbie & beginners on course etiquette n basic rules when u golf w them and complaint frt or back flights has no etiquette durg game?  
Its these PC n Hcp test tat helps us along beside our lousy skills.  

hkhamateur wrote:

enwee wrote:

hkhamateur wrote:

enwee wrote:

toonified wrote:

So... What's the requirement for being 'deserving' of a PC? 

Shoot under a certain score or able to show u know basic rules/etiquette and take care of the course?

If they are judged by skills then I would say these coaches are just killing the interest people have for the game.

Actually I think PC is quite useless because many courses want to see hcp not PC, some PC are issued by the range with little or no course experience. No wonder so many people are going across the causeway to get HCP.

Enwee bro, quoting it as 'useless', personally think its way wrong! 
U ll be findg more of these non-etiquette golfers on any courses let alone if they can hit most shot well!  
One very gd ie: how ll you rate the public road if all drivers drive their cars wo a passed fr a basic n final theroy? 

Bro Hong, u speak to australian, thai, jap etc, they'll tell u that in their country no PC only HCP. Only local clubs wanna see them, in fact if you get a local PC not from a club but from some ranges you'll not even allow to play in local courses. Also if u ever been to see those ang moh who went to the swing test in MBGC some completely no HCP and yes they can play very very well. I took my PC many years ago in Seletar Base Club. By right we only allowed to play wkdays but because we always go non peak on wkends the counter know also bo chap. The committee who took us for CR back then also mentioned because we wanna play local so we take hcp, so as long as we can hit balls and basic rules then he'll pass us.

As fr our overseas guests, i dun care!  
Since we gamed in sin n JB, basic rules, etiquette re very important.  
I m glad tat both of us go thru a proper PC lessons n obtained a PASS!  
Now u ve to reflect to yrself on wat ground tat u often give advice to newbie & beginners on course etiquette n basic rules when u golf w them and complaint frt or back flights has no etiquette durg game?  
Its these PC n Hcp test tat helps us along beside our lousy skills.  

You lousy meh?????  

So where Nam Flog do you have lessons?

In my own view, PC stands for proficiency certificate meaning your coach has evaluated you as proficient. When I took my beginner lessons, my friends were often skipping lessons, when we go to the executive course for evaluation, they cant even hit a 7 iron well. For a par 3 (110+), each of their shots wont go further than 10m. Do not shout "fore" when they teed and do not sandfilled.
My coach didn't passed them and also asked them to come back for few more lessons to brushed up the basics.
In my mind, I agreed with my coach cos if they can't even hit the ball well, how is it fair to pass them when the rest of us trained so hard and stayed back and practised after each lesson.

So who was your coach. I agree that there should be a certain proficiency to pass you.

I took up my beginner lesson at Keppel about 5 years ago.
I completed my intermediate course with Bradford Walterhouse aka PunkRockPGA from Heartland Golf School @ JCC, very nice and helpful coach!

Maybe the question is where do u stay or work? Reason for me asking is because I will strongly recommend u to find a good coach where u will go there to practise very often. So your coach will at times catch up with u and give u advice if he sees u are developing bad habits n check on you.

toonified wrote:

So... What's the requirement for being 'deserving' of a PC? 

Shoot under a certain score or able to show u know basic rules/etiquette and take care of the course?

If they are judged by skills then I would say these coaches are just killing the interest people have for the game.

In order to have a PC, you need to have basic etiquette.
As for skill wise, at the very least able to advance the ball.

I do not agree that if a coach failed the student, he is killing off the interest.
Instead, the student should self reflect why he or she failed.

I took my beginner lessons 10 years ago.
A group of 6 for 6 lessons under Poh Eng Toon at the now defunct Queens Range.
On the day of PC test @ Mandai, he failed 2 of us.

If the student has to take 5 shots in order to advance the ball 10m, air swing at least 50% of the time.......how u expect the coach to pass him/her????  Do you think this kind of ppl can go on course?

$$$$ is not guaranteeing you a PC, that is what I am trying to say.
If failing once kills off his or her interest in golf, then so be it

I tend to agree with Skybobo too

I believe common sense should prevail

A good coach will be one who makes an honest assessment on whether his student is deserving of the PC

Doesn't mean the student paid up means he gets the PC.

Another analogy I always use is getting a Driver's License (Official Handicap) and need to pass Basic Theory and get Provisional Driving License (PC). You must have heard of instances where people fail their Basic Theory, and cannot even get their PDL.

We heard and experienced so many horror stories of newbies hacking away on golf courses, oblivious to the pile up of flights waiting behind, and / or playing dangerously on course causing harm to other golfers.

I encourage people to take up the game, but not unless the person is proficient with the skills (getting the ball airborne  as a bare minimum) and etiquette and safety