Expectations, quick fixes, and misunderstandings

I think the title says a lot on its own. This is a topic that needs to be opened up a bit more, because expectations going into a first lesson are often very high, and not always realistic. Add quick fixes into the mix and it’s easy to see why misunderstandings happen. The key question for me is this: what are players actually expecting from a lesson, and what do quick fixes and long-term change really mean?

I want to look at this from both sides. From the inside, as a coach, and from the outside, putting myself in the player’s shoes. I think that’s the only way to properly understand why this can become a problem in lessons.

The Problem Players Want Solved

A common scenario looks like this. A player comes in for a lesson because they’re slicing the ball. They can’t control their ball flight on the course, it’s costing them shots, and they’re constantly missing right of target. From their point of view, the solution is simple: book a lesson and get it fixed.

But sometimes it needs more than just a fix. It needs understanding, structure, and a clear plan to change a pattern that’s been built over years.

I often use this example. Imagine you’ve been driving your car for years with one hand on the steering wheel. It feels natural, automatic. Now try driving for the next week and a half with both hands on the wheel at all times. It’s uncomfortable. It feels awkward. You’re constantly thinking about it. That’s exactly how a swing change can feel, especially early on. For most golfers, that feeling is very familiar when they start changing a movement pattern.

So when this slicing player comes in, are they looking for a quick fix or a long-term solution? Before we go any deeper, it’s important to understand the difference.

Quick Fix vs Long-Term Solution

A quick fix is an immediate, often temporary solution. It addresses the symptom of the problem, not the root cause.

A quick fix usually:

• Focuses on stopping the visible issue as fast as possible
• Can be applied quickly, sometimes within minutes
• Requires minimal effort and planning
• Often changes something without considering the bigger picture
• Aims to get the ball behaving better right now

There is nothing inherently wrong with a quick fix. It has a place.

A long-term solution is very different. It’s about identifying and addressing the root cause so the problem doesn’t keep coming back.

A long-term solution usually:

• Involves deeper analysis of what’s actually causing the issue
• Takes longer to implement, sometimes over weeks
• Requires more effort, patience, and understanding
• Leads to more stable, repeatable outcomes
• Aims to future-proof the player’s game

Choosing the Right Approach

For me, how I approach a lesson always comes back to what the player actually needs.

If a player is playing next week and needs the ball flight under control just to compete or have a chance of winning, I’ll approach that lesson very differently. Ideally, we try to avoid living in this space all the time, but sometimes it’s necessary.

A good example of this is Samuel, one of my tour players. Last week he was playing in Australia and the wind started to pick up. Samuel has a tendency to slide his body towards the target to try and shut the clubface and de-loft the club. That achieves one goal, closing the face, but it also starts the ball left, which then becomes difficult to control.

I know the real issue is the sliding. Long-term, we need him pushing up more through the lead side. But in tournament mode, that’s not the time to rebuild movement patterns.

The solution for that week was a quick fix. We moved the ball slightly further back in his stance. That forced him to stay more up through the shot, control the loft, and stop the ball starting left. It wasn’t a long-term solution, and it wasn’t meant to be. That work happens later, not during a tournament week.

The Fear of Long-Term Change

When we move into long-term change, I think this is where a lot of players get distracted. The word “long-term” sounds like months of work, endless practice, and no enjoyment.

I don’t think time is always the real issue. I think many players are afraid of the work and the discomfort that comes with real change, so they rely on quick fixes instead.

For everyday golfers, sometimes progress means sacrificing three or four weekends where you don’t play your best because you’re working on something. That’s not easy to accept. But if you tell me you’ve got the captain’s prize in a week and want to compete, I’ll absolutely adjust how we approach the lesson. If the event is six weeks away, that gives us room to work differently.

Long-term doesn’t always mean six months. Changes can happen quickly once the player understands the task. But the early phase will often feel strange. If the task is to get the club working more from the inside and that requires a different pivot, the first couple of weeks will feel like driving with both hands on the wheel. Awkward at first, but manageable once you commit to it.

Am I Anti Quick Fix?

This is important to say clearly. I’m not anti quick fix. They have a place. But very often the long-term solution is the better solution.

I could easily “fix” your slice. But next week you might come back complaining about a hook or a shut face. Now we’re back to square one, looking for another fix, instead of solving the problem properly from the start.

Think about someone like Rickie Fowler. He went through a major swing change while still trying to keep his PGA Tour card. That shows it’s possible. It’s not just something tour players can do. I believe any golfer can do it once they understand what they’re trying to achieve and have a clear plan.

Final Thoughts

Is this a misunderstood topic? Absolutely. And honestly, this could be broken down even further into smaller conversations. But the aim of this blog is simple. I wanted to give you an insight into how I think about expectations, quick fixes, and long-term improvement before a first lesson even begins.

If this helps you better understand how I approach coaching, then it’s done its job.

Hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me directly.