one of the greatest quote from Lee Trevino or what

Status
Not open for further replies.
"The truth is that golf swings can’t be taught, they can only be learned, and learning a swing by yourself has advantages. “The great thing about being self-taught is that you can correct yourself on the course,” said Lee Trevino, the six-time major champion who has also never had a lesson (except for a few sessions with Gary Player on bunker play, since the Texas course Trevino grew up playing had no bunkers)."
 
I would agree if you are one of a handful of the greatest ball strikers to ever play.

I'm self taught, and frankly, I'm tired of having an idiot for a teacher.
 
Depends on how you WANT to learn, imo.
I've never had a lesson either, but I do think some people learn faster from being taught.
Some people enjoy the challenge and the pursuit of the game, and improving on their own. It's hard(er) work. It's also extremely rewarding if you have the time to pursue it on your own.
Others may not have the time.Some people just want to be shown how. Either way could work though IMO.
 
Three ways to get it done...

Learned this a few years back after coming here:

If you want to LEARN to PLAY golf... you really have three choices...

1) Spend oodles of money hopping from one pop instructor to the next and a reading every tip you can get your hands on, hoping something will finally work out

2) Each your lunch on the range everyday and grind it out of the dirt by yourself

3) Visit Brian Manzella Golf Forum - The Front Page, learn the facts, and stop horsing around!

:cool:
 
I think the first part of what Trevino says is right. In that it doesn't matter what you've been taught, but out on the course what you do, for better or worse, is what you've learned. That doesn't mean that a good teacher can't help with the learning process.

To be fair to Lee, he says learning yourself has advantages - he doesn't say it's better. The whole self-taught thing is a bit moot anyway. What if you've never had a formal lesson but you grew up around good players and saw good swings, good rhythm, and good thinking on almost every round you played?

If you could take 2 players - and give 1 regular lessons but make him play all his golf on his own, whilst the other never gets a formal lesson but gets to play and practice with good golfers, I'd take the second guy to improve the most.

But anyway, I don't think Trevino would argue that Jack, or Arnie, or Watson weren't better players just because they got taught.
 

Burner

New
I would agree if you are one of a handful of the greatest ball strikers to ever play.

I'm self taught, and frankly, I'm tired of having an idiot for a teacher.

At least you have the comfort of not paying the idiot who is making such a bad job of your golfing education. :D
 
Weaken your grip to hook, hit the ground first on your iron shots and take the club outside if you wanna draw it. These are the things he taught. So yea you can teach yourself just don't tell us what you learned.
 
Don't fuhget! Play that ball back in your stance, hit down on that ball, and compress it into the ground!

Wow...check out 11:22
 
Last edited:
If you could take 2 players - and give 1 regular lessons but make him play all his golf on his own, whilst the other never gets a formal lesson but gets to play and practice with good golfers, I'd take the second guy to improve the most.

Very true IMHO.
 
i love trevino and think he doesn't get near enough credit for his methods. his book is way better than "5 lessons" by hogan but unfortunately it's out of print and hard to find. apparently he was the best ballstriker dave pelz ever measured.
 

Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
I love Lee Trevino but im just wondering how anyone can be considered that great when he was totally eliminated when the Masters came around.....and he was a fantastic putter. A truly great ballstriker could adapt.....no?
 
Depends on how you WANT to learn, imo. I've never had a lesson either, but I do think some people learn faster from being taught. Some people enjoy the challenge and the pursuit of the game, and improving on their own. It's hard(er) work. It's also extremely rewarding if you have the time to pursue it on your own. Others may not have the time. Some people just want to be shown how. Either way could work though IMO.

This is good.
 

Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
I was 100% self taught. Didnt take my first golf lesson until I was 21. The things I learned on my own I could never have gotten in a golf lesson but make no mistake, I soooooo wish I couldve been shown a few things (the release thread????) when I was young. Couldve made a big difference. Full swing was just a constant effort to mimic whoever was hot on Tour at the time.
 
I love Lee Trevino but im just wondering how anyone can be considered that great when he was totally eliminated when the Masters came around.....and he was a fantastic putter. A truly great ballstriker could adapt.....no?

I believe it was more "mental" than physical......IMO......he seemed to be very negative about many things at Augusta. He did have 2 top 10 finishes and made the cut 16 out of 19 times though.
 
Last edited:

ZAP

New
Trevino was am amazing player for sure but I am not sure you would ever try to teach anyone to swing like him. Have to agree that his problems at Augusta might be more mental than anything but unless you were in his head who knows?
 

footwedge

New member
I love Lee Trevino but im just wondering how anyone can be considered that great when he was totally eliminated when the Masters came around.....and he was a fantastic putter. A truly great ballstriker could adapt.....no?


Trajectory I think he said in an interview, he hit too low. You don't have to win a certain event to be considered great Snead never won the U.S. Open.
 
Last edited:
Trevino played a low fade that didn't fit the Jones-McKenzie design. Nicklaus played a high fade that was able to hold The National's firm undulating greens. Trevino played his best during windy, wet conditions. He also never took a liking to the "Green Jackets". They were not his "cup of tea."

Snead's lack of preparedness and reliance on his natural ability, on the other hand, should receive someone of the blame for not winning a U.S. Open, but USGA Executive Director Joe Dey should share equally. Dey did not appreciate Snead'd hustling, sense of humor, his treatment of snead's wife or the opposite sex, where Snead was from or his brashness. He made sure that Snead had the worst pairing, tee times, and anything else he could think of that chipped away at Sam just enough. Remember, at that time the leaders were not paired together the way they are today, but were assigned to groups by Joe Dey.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top