As in a doctor-patient relationship, there should be a sense of teamwork involved between you and your instructor. The majority of teaching professionals would appreciate a commitment on your part in which a program of swing/game maintenance can be established. The professional has skills and talents to pass on to you that will require you to be an active participant. Regular golf check-ups should become a part of your life, just as you schedule check-ups in daily life concerning your car, your home and your health.

Professionally speaking, a golf swing is built in the same manner as a house. The plans are made and the foundation is built, followed by the structure. You should view your relationship with your golf pro in the same manner, and this is where commitment will come in. You and the professional make the plans and proceed from there.

You and your teacher have to be on the same wavelength. Make certain this is very clear to both of you. What you want to do in golf can sometimes get confused with what the professional wants. For example, a 40-handicapper comes for a lesson. The professional sees a lot of talent in this person and as a teacher is self-motivated to bring out this talent. The 40-handicapper, however, may not want to be an 8. She may have just come for a few lessons to get rid of her topped shots. The professional, on the other hand, sees this fine swing and prods the student with mechanics that she just hates.

In wanting to bring the best out of the student who is viewed as having great potential, the professional brings unwanted tension and stress to this particular teaching situation. What the student considers a great shot on her part, the professional critiques and points out a multitude of errors. The student is happy with herself, the pro is not - they're definitely not on the same wavelength.

I feel that pros turn off many lifetime golfers because they demand too much from their pupils. It's very difficult as a teacher to give and feed just enough to the student without overloading the instruction. The most important thing the pupil can communicate to her teacher is what she expects to accomplish and how much she is willing to devote to golf, and the student-professional team go on from there.

In the physical part of taking a lesson, give the professional your history - where you first learned to play golf, how athletic you've been, your physical ailments if any and the amount of time you plan to practice. As the lesson begins, listen attentively and take notes if necessary. Ask why fundamental changes are suggested and what they will do for you. Put yourself very much in the present and eliminate past golf tips you've received from friends. Pay attention to what your instructor is saying. If you don't understand something, say so. You'd do the same at the doctor's office or at the mechanic's garage. Be actively involved in what's going on, and be aware of the results expected and when this should happen in the course of the lessons.

I remember one student to whom I simply couldn't relate. Into our second lesson, I finally figured out that she wasn't listening to my instruction, but rather the little voice in her head that kept telling her to keep her head down on every shot she hit. I hadn't instructed her to keep her head down, but she was intent on doing it as this was mentioned to her by a golfing buddy on the golf course. After we passed this phase, I occasionally asked her during the lesson if anyone else's instruction was going through her head instead of mine. It made my job a lot easier. At least I was able to clear up some of the die-hard golfing myths still floating around and give her concrete fundamentals in their place.

Intimidation plays a big part in your comfort level during lessons. Your teaching professional should have the talent and sensitivity to respect your potential ability. For instance, when demonstrating how to hit the long ball, if your professional knows your maximum distance is around 110 yards but demonstrates by hitting the ball 250 yards, what did you really learn? Did you learn anything about the mechanics, or did you just see (if you could follow it) the ball soar off into the distance? As a teacher, I believe that if I can gear down my ego and demonstrate with a driver in my hand by hitting the ball 110 yards, then I'm more effectively relating to my pupil and showing that I care about her instead of my vanity. Then my pupil can relate to the golf swing and we can go from there, introducing fundamentals that might get her a few extra yards with her driver.

Once you invest your time and money to improve in golf, your instructor will expect you to follow through with practice. You'll be given swing drills and practice techniques to follow. During your next golf lesson, the teacher will ask you how much practice you were able to do. It's very discouraging to the teacher to impart this vast amount of golf knowledge into the simplest terms and not have the student follow through on her part.

A golf swing is developed by repeating efficient muscular movements. Your practice session should have purpose. Remember what your instructor said and go over your notes. While practicing, don't listen to other golfers who give unwanted advice. Stick to the game plan.

Once you reach your expectations, don't forget your teacher. Check in now and then for brush-up lessons and follow-through with your training to maintain your talents.