It’s that time of year again, the 1st of May kicked off the PGA Free Golf Lesson Month! PGA and LPGA Professionals welcome individuals and families to their facilities for a family-friendly golf experience.

This experience gives new golfers the chance to try the game and experienced golfers the chance to improve their game with a free 10-minute lesson from some of the nation’s best golf teachers. In addition to providing an opportunity for free individual instruction, many facilities have also added free family golf clinics, allowing families the chance to discover and get involved in the game of golf together. You can find a participating golf instruction facility in your area by visiting PlayGolfAmerica.com and entering in your zip code.

Jointly launched by The PGA of America and Golf Digest in 1998, PGA Free Lesson Month was designed to expand the game of golf by exposing it to more people. Studies have shown that more than 27 million people in the United States have expressed an interest in playing golf and PGA Free Lesson Month introduces the game in a simple and relaxed atmosphere, without a substantial time commitment and at no cost. Of the 73,750 free lessons given last year, 19,175 were given to new golfers.

Since PGA Free Lesson Month was introduced more than 1.2 million free lessons have been given. “PGA Free Lesson Month has been one of our most successful programs because it gives both new and existing golfers a
reason to pick up their clubs,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “It is also an opportunity for PGA and
LPGA Professionals to showcase their skills in helping golfers of all levels and ages improve their game and have fun.”

Think that 10 minutes isn’t enough time for a lesson? According to Golf Digest, below are 10 things you could learn during  a 10-minute lesson:

1. How to stop slicing off the tee
2. How to check where you’re aimed
3. How to get in a good setup
4. How to slow down your swing
5. How to hit it solid off the turf
6. How to play out of the rough
7. How to use a hybrid club
8. How to get out of a bunker in one swing
9. How to chip with different clubs
10. How to develop a feel for putting distance

I participated in the PGA Free Lesson Month last year at the Faldo Institute and worked on half and quarter swing shots. I think it was well worth the investment! 🙂

Bad jokes aside, it was a good experience. I had expected the instructor to sigh wistfully and sorta shrug off the lesson and go through a canned, generic lesson that they give every freebie that walks in the door.

I was pleasantly surprised when the instructor took the time to sit down with me before the lesson and discuss the current state of my game and the reason I was there and then precede to give me simple easy to remember pointers. After the lesson they gave me a couple buckets of range balls and sent me out to practice what I’d learned.

If you’ve any reservations about participating I think it’s important to remember that these institutes volunteered to participate in the PGA Free Golf Lesson Month and genuinely want to help grow the game of golf.

If you’ve participated in the PGA Free Golf Lesson Month, I’d love to hear about your experience!

Have a custom club fitting question? Visit our Ask the Fitter page, post your question and you’ll be entered to win a free custom club fitting from the TaylorMade Performance Lab!