GUI Academy - which coach?

ShriekingSheet

Thinking about getting a batch of lessons at the GUI. Will be split between short game and swing. Interested in hearing what people's experiences have been with the different coaches.

I'm looking at either Neil Manchip or Francis Howley. The other coaches seem to be geared towards beginners/juniors. I'm what could be described as a Category 1 Hacker.

Neil Manchip obviously comes with a big reputation. I went to a similar big name guy as a teenager and did find that it's (very understandably) hard for such a teacher to give a sh*t about a guy like me, when they have current and future tour players to handle, sometimes immediately before or after my lesson. I wouldn't critisise him for that at all. It just means he might not be for me.

I know Francis Howley is a very nice guy, and has an impressive playing career. But I don't know much about his lessons, if he does them very often, to what kind of players etc.

Any info welcome.

WH BONNEY

I went to Manchip a couple of years ago for a short game lesson.

At the time my head was in a mess and he helped make a lot of sense. He explained things clearly and in a simple manner and the results were all positive.

Due to the cost factor I didn't return for any subsequent "check ups" but he put me on the right road.

The point you raise about him being interested in you is valid. In general I would think that he will become more interested in you if visit on a regular basis.

ShriekingSheet

WH BONNEY wrote: »

I went to Manchip a couple of years ago for a short game lesson.

At the time my head was in a mess and he helped make a lot of sense. He explained things clearly and in a simple manner and the results were all positive.

Due to the cost factor I didn't return for any subsequent "check ups" but he put me on the right road.

The point you raise about him being interested in you is valid. In general I would think that he will become more interested in you if visit on a regular basis.

Yeah, which is completely fine. A regular student will obviously get good focus.

I could also be doing him a disservice. Maybe he's great with regular players.

TRS30

I am going to see Francis Howley this weekend, will let you know how I get on.

ShriekingSheet

TRS30 wrote: »

I am going to see Francis Howley this weekend, will let you know how I get on.

Yeah do, thanks. What made lead you to choose him and what standard are you, if you don't mind me asking.

TRS30

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Yeah do, thanks. What made lead you to choose him and what standard are you, if you don't mind me asking.

I was looking around and his name came up a couple of times with positive reviews.

I play off 7.

TRS30

First, want to say the facilities in Carton House/ GUI are top notch. Would love to live closer so could use them on a frequent basis.

On to the lesson.........arrived early so the guy who takes the money took my name, gave me a small bucket of balls to warm up and said he would send Francis out to me. Nice touch.

Francis arrived on time and brought me into a private area for the lesson. No one beside you talking etc to distract you. Very nice guy. We had a quick chat about the Irish Open coming to Carton House and then got into it.

He asked me to hit a few balls with a wedge, mid iron and then up to driver before saying anything to me. We then had a bit of chat and he asked what specific problem I was having. He then went on to explain a couple of things that he had seen and how they would lead to the problems I was experiencing.

When I had a problem trying to understand something he was showing me, he brought me to the other part of the room and got me to swing in front of the camera so I could see my swing (never done this before so was very interesting). He then put it on a side by side with Els and then Woods!!! He then stopped it at certain points to show how it compared to theirs. He explained it wasn't to get my swing like theirs just to see the comparisons, differences etc.

He then went through a few drills and hit some more balls. Hour was up before i knew it however as I was still having problems with one issue we kept going till I was able to get it right. This meant the lesson went on for about 1 1/2 hours and he only charged me for the hour.

Over all was very impressed, excellent facilities, good clear advice with easy to do drills, no pressure to come back and longer lesson for no extra cost.

displaced dub

Going for a course of lessons with Neil Manchip starting next week, so will post how I get on.

Looking forward to it and it's expensive but has been highly recommended a few times.. Don't mind spending the money for the 5 lessons as its about the cost of a good driver and I have a driver already so might as well learn how to hit it better.

HuntingDrog

displaced dub wrote: »

Going for a course of lessons with Neil Manchip starting next week, so will post how I get on.

Looking forward to it and it's expensive but has been highly recommended a few times.. Don't mind spending the money for the 5 lessons as its about the cost of a good driver and I have a driver already so might as well learn how to hit it better.

good luck - would love to hear how you get on

titleist91

I started going to Niels a few years ago and although when I went to him my handicap went from 1 to 4 initially the changes I have made with him are now starting the pay dividends as I know this year I am going to get back down to 1 and maybe lower because of my much more solid and neutral swing. If you book a series of lessons with Neil he will work on your swing but just go for one lesson and he will work on your mental game as he would see this as a better way to improve someone he won't see again. I'd highly recommend him if your in it for the long haul as I am as he focuses on things to improve long term not short and he makes changes by keeping it simple and understand.

displaced dub

i said a long time ago that id come back and let people know how i got on with Neil Manchip in the GUI academy.

Well he's by far the best coach i have worked with by a mile. I like the fact that he does not at any stage use videos and show you els or woods and then you.

I did 5 lessons last year and I'm in for another 5 this year. I feel i am so far a much more consistent golfer than i was and I'm still working a lot on short game etc.

Would recommend him but his price may not be for everyone, but you really get what you pay for.