WNYGolf.com
Professional Golf Lessons
Thomas C. Tucker - USGTF & PGTCA Certified Class "A" Professional
Email: ttucker@rochester.rr.com Cell (716) 474-3005
www.wnygolf.com

 Please Click Through To Our New 
 site at WNYGolf.com 


Newsletter        Lesson Testimonials        Contact Us        Home

Putter Fitting        Advanced Putting Lessons

Outdoor Lessons and Rates        Indoor Lessons        Indoor Schedule        Drills


 How Our Lessons Are Different   Who Should Take Lessons 
  What Should I Expect From My Lessons 
 How To Get Lessons 
 Gift Certificates 

golf lessons Batavia NY Buffslo NY Rochester NY


Professional Golf Lessons
Thomas C. Tucker
USGTF & PGTCA Certified
Class "A" Professional

Mr. Tucker has been the Teaching Professional at the Batavia Country Club, Batavia NY since June 2005. After retiring from another career, he attended the certification school offered by the PGTCA - Professional Golf Teachers and Coaches of America - at Ohio in May of 2005. He successfully passed the written exam, oral exam, and playing ability test. In December of 2007 Mr. Tucker was also certified by the USGTF - United States Golf Teachers Federation. He mentored two sons who were PGA Golf professionals, and he won the  BCC Club Championship in 2005 and 2006. Click here Testimonials to see what students have to say.




How Our Lessons Are Different


Anyone should expect courtesy and competence from a golf teacher, and you will find that here as well as with most other good instructors.

We believe that a good golf instructor should be able to see a golfer's swing and almost immediately see the major problem areas in the students swing and in truth, should be able to tell just as much by simply looking at ball flight. The instructor then should be able to quickly formulate a plan to modify those things and present them to a golfer in a way that allows the golfer to feel the proper sensations for the movement.

Students that opt for any Basic lesson or Basic lesson package receive lesson notes prior to each lesson so that they can review what we will be doing ahead of time. My students have told me that having the information beforehand greatly helps them relate to the drills when we actually do them at the lesson. I also send a brief follow up email to point out any areas that the student may need to concentrate on improving.

Students really appreciate this feature because it reinforces what we've gone over during the lesson and addresses specific weaknesses.


Who Should Take Lessons


Anyone, young or old, beginner or experienced, that wants to increase their skill level and enjoy the game more should try lessons. Lessons are for anyone that wants to learn, not just elite golfers. If a student wants to learn, I want to teach. I guarantee that students will feel comfortable during the lessons regardless of gender, race, or social status. I'm not big on band-aid fixes for swing problems; it's much better to learn the swing correctly from the hole out. By that I mean first comes putting, then chipping, then the full swing. Just as you can't construct additional rooms onto a building with a faulty foundation, you can't fix a swing that has a bad foundation either. You will learn the type of swing that is optimal for your body type and personality. Everyone is different; there is no "one swing fits all" in golf.


What Should I Expect From My Lessons


First of all, you will be taught the optimal swing method for your personal attributes. There are basically two swing methods used for a full swing, the classic "up, down, and around" two plane type of swing, and the more "around the body" rotary or one plane type of swing - and there are quite a few subtle variations between them. Regardless of whether you opt for the Basic 3 Lesson Package or Private Lessons, we will explain the differences between the two and one plane swing styles, then we'll determine what type of swing method best suits your physique and personality and proceed accordingly.

If you are a beginner, or if you have been playing for a while without much success, you should probably start with the Basic 3 Lesson Package. After you have completed all of the lessons, you should see dramatic improvement in your short game - putting and chipping - and you should have a good idea of what type of full swing method is best for you. Your brain will assimilate the short swings - putting and chipping - quicker than the longer swing technique that is involved with the full swing. The full swing technique requires more practice to become ingrained in your muscle memory, but you will learn the correct technique, and you will learn drills to help you practice correctly. After that, practice breeds success.

If you are a more accomplished golfer at the onset of lessons, you will probably opt for the Private Lessons. In this type of lesson, we evaluate your current swing method and decide if it's the best swing method for your physique and personality. Then we either tweak what you have been doing or work on a better method. At the conclusion of a private lesson, the student and I will have identified a segment of the swing that need work, and specific drills will be assigned for the student to work on before the next lesson.

Students that take private lessons should be those persons that are committed to improving their game and willing to spend the time to do so. It takes repetitions to build a good swing, and it's a process that requires recurring practice. It doesn't necessarily involve going to the range to hit balls every day, but it will require repetitive practice of movements on a regular basis. That's the only way that real, lasting improvement can be realized.

We will work on segments of your swing then put it all together for a finished product, your improved swing. It doesn't happen overnight, and usually not in one lesson, it's a process - but it's a process that will last and allow you to develop a swing that you can repeat.


How To Get Lessons


Contact Tom Tucker through his cell phone (716) 474-3005, or at his residence (585) 344-3229
or by email at ttucker@rochester.rr.com


Lessons Structure and Rates


Basic lessons are normally broken down into four fundamental categories:

  1. Putting   A comprehensive lesson wherein we discuss equipment and how environmental and other factors affect putting. The student will
    • learn a pre-shot routine for putting,
    • learn a repeatable putting method,
    • practice lag putts and short putts,

    The student will leave this lesson with a thorough understanding of putting and a method to become an excellent putter. In my opinion, there is no reason why anyone can not become an excellent putter if they know what to do and are willing to practice.

    After this lesson students will know what to do. That brings up the "practice" part, and it's very specific to the course you are playing. You need to get the feel for the greens at any specific course on any specific day by getting to the course early and testing the greens with lag and short putts. When you understand how to prepare like this, you've captured the essence of the art of putting and preparing for your round.

  2. Chipping    Covers proper chipping technique, includes many repitions. If a student is a poor chipper, he or she will be much improved after this lesson.

  3. Full Swing Part 1   The focus of this lesson will be to learn the motion for a full swing technique. The student will be taught a very simple swing that is easy to repeat and easy to practice. A list of drills is supplied via email to assist the student in future practice sessions.

    The differences between various popular swing types will be demonstrated and discussed, then students will be taken through various drills and will hit balls to practice putting the swing method they will be taught - a Rotary type swing - into use.

    The Rotary type swing is great for the golfer that does not have a lot of time to work on his/her game. It's a simple swing to learn and retain for absolutely any golfer - male or female, young or not so young.

    The only type of golfer that may not be a candidate for a Rotary type swing would be a person that is extremely inflexible, or a person with a chronically sore back. Those types of golfers need to learn more of an arms and hands type of swing, which I also teach when warranted.

  4. Full Swing Part 2    Students are taught impact technique and swing methods for the shorter, "scoring" shots in golf.

    The Full Swing Part 1 lesson is a pre-requisite for this lesson. Students will review and refine the swing motion covered in the Full Swing Part 1 lesson. We also spend some time on developing a pre-shot routine, and spend time on impact and go through drills to experience the correct feel at impact. Impact is where the rubber meets the road in the golf swing.

    We will also cover swing methods for hitting short shots - shots that require less than a full swing, for those scoring opportunities that we do not want to waste.

    We will go through various drills and hit balls as we did in the Full Swing part 1 lesson.


These lessons provide a thorough explanation of each subject so that the student will have a good understanding of each technique. A diference between Basic lessons and Private lessons, is that with Basic lessons email notes are provided. The goal of a Basic lesson is to provide an overview of the subject to the student, and the emailed notes provide information for correct practice.

Each lesson runs about 45 minutes, and training aids are used during the lesson sessions as appropriate to aid in learning.

Lesson rates are $45 for a 45 minute lesson. Range balls used during the lesson are included in the price.


Basic 3 Lesson Package Deal - 4 For The Price of 3


Most students opt for this 4 for the price of 3 package deal for $135 that includes the 4 Basic lessons set up in a 3 lesson package as follows:
    Lesson 1 - Two lesson subjects combined in one session: Putting and Short Chipping ( this combined lesson runs longer than 45 minutes )
    Lesson 2 - Full Swing Part 1    Students are taught a consistent, easily repeatable method for attaining proper swing plane and swing path.
    Lesson 3 - Full Swing Part 2    Students are taught impact technique and swing methods for the shorter, "scoring" shots in golf.

Lessons are scheduled according to the student and teacher's availability, and they are conducted at the Batavia Country Club. Each lesson in this package runs about 45 minutes. Range balls used during the lesson are included in the price.


Private Lessons


One-on-one personalized instruction.

Designed for students that have taken the Basic 3 Lesson Package from Mr. Tucker, or for experienced golfers with intermediate or advanced skill levels. Private lessons are ususlly the choice for students that either want to build or try a new swing method, correct a swing flaw, or work on a specific aspect of their game.

For Private lessons we discuss the focus of the lesson beforehand, so that the lesson plan can be structured accordingly. The goal of a Private lesson is either to address a specific problem, or to set up and work on focused swing segments to improve an existing swing or to make a swing change.

A Private lesson is not usually a quick fix, but on rare occasions a student only needs to repair one segment of their swing to realize vast improvement.

Please note however, that is very much the exception rather than the rule.

The cost is $35, the duration of the lesson is not longer than 30 minutes.

Range balls used during the lesson are included in the price.


Couples Lessons


This has proved to be very popular for couples, $35 per student per session, sessions run 45 minutes in length. Range balls used during the lesson are included in the price. The Basic 3 Lesson Package cost for couples is $95 per student.


Private Junior Lessons


For junior golfers up to and including 15 years of age. $25 per session, sessions run 25 minutes in length. Range balls used during the lesson are included in the price.


Junior Golf Camp


This is a one week camp, approximately 2.5 hours per day conducted in June and/or July of each year. Class size is limited to maximum of twenty students per week, first come first served. It's a great way for anyone ages 7 through 15 to learn the game of golf and have fun with their peers. Cost is $75 for the week, payment is required prior to the scheduled week of class. Camp is presented on several different weeks to accommodate schedules, times are from 8:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. daily Monday through Thursday, and a Friday morning tournament that starts a bit earlier and runs about 2.5 hours. Each attendee also receives a 9 hole greens fee pass, to be used any Monday through Friday (when accompanied by an adult) by the end of the year. Any skill level is welcome. The golf camp covers: putting, short chipping, long chipping and pitching, the full swing, rules, and golf etiquette. More information may be found in the Events section.


Group Lessons


Group Lessons / Clinics include Basic instruction on either putting, short chipping, full swing part 1 , or the full swing part 2 with long chipping and pitching. At the end of the class we usually have a contest on the skill taught for a prize or two. Students really seem to enjoy the friendly yet competitive aspects of the clinics.

Group lesson schedules will be posted here during the season

Cost is $35 per student, 4 student minimum. Range balls used during the lesson are included in the price, and an 18 hole greens fee pass for BCC is also included.


Playing Lessons


9 Holes Any Time - Student and instructor play 9 holes of golf at BCC, cost is $125, includes greens fees and cart fees. After the 9 hole playing lesson, the student may continue playing through 18 holes.

3 Holes after 6PM Weekdays - Student and instructor play 3 holes of golf at BCC, cost is $45, includes greens fees and cart fees. After the 3 hole playing lesson, the student may continue playing through 9 holes, daylight permitting.

For a playing lesson, the student decides beforehand on how they want it to proceed. It can be done several different ways:

    The instructor can play each hole with the student and discuss course management, club and shot selection for every shot;
    The instructor can play along and critique each hole after it's played;
    The instructor does not play at all, but coaches the student on course management and club selection shot by shot during the round;
    Or any variation of the above that the student wants.



Gift Certificates


Contact Tom Tucker by email at ttucker@rochester.rr.com

I'll get the necessary details from you then I send you an email telling the recipient that he or she has received a gift of golf lessons from you. Then you print out the email, place it in a gift card, and present it to the recipient.

Payment is due when the student books the lesson, not before. That way you don't have to worry about paying for something that's never used.


How To Get Lessons


Contact Tom Tucker through his cell phone (716) 474-3005, or at his residence (585) 344-3229
or by email at ttucker@rochester.rr.com
 

WNYGolf.com
Professional Golf Lessons
Thomas C. Tucker - USGTF & PGTCA Certified Class "A" Professional
Email: ttucker@rochester.rr.com Cell (716) 474-3005
www.wnygolf.com

This site was designed for 800x600 and is best viewed in Internet Explorer

Copyright © 2009 WNY Golf Lessons