Have you had pool lessons?
- Thread starter pooltchr
- Start date
Just ask Scott... I am completely self taught and can prove it... :thumbup:
I finally took a lesson, from some "hack" instructor by the name of Scott Lee.:grin::grin:
However, I had been self-taught, with the occassional "here do it this way" advice from a better player.
However, I had been self-taught, with the occassional "here do it this way" advice from a better player.
I'm pretty much self taught from many years of banging balls and not knowing what I was doing to being a descent player today. I would have given a lot to have someone teach me the correct way to play when I started because I wasted many years playing without the right fundamentals. If you start out with good fundamentals and some basic knowledge you will improve FAST!
James
James
I've had a lesson once years ago. Didn't do too much for me, I was hoping he would tighten up my mechanics but he was more interested in showing me drills and shots. The only thing I took from it that helped me was something he mentioned as an aside.
I went to a three day clinic and had some lessons with a local BCA Instructor. With the money that I spent on the clinic I would rather of had one on one lessons with my local BCA Instructor, he's a real good local player to boot. However that clinic did teach me this strange aiming system though 
To bad only 45min or so were spent covering that system, with only 10min of one on one time. I spent some time figuring out a lot on my own.
To bad only 45min or so were spent covering that system, with only 10min of one on one time. I spent some time figuring out a lot on my own.
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I got to be a strong player on my own, no lessons......I have had two lengthy lessons over the years since....one was great, other was just ok.....neither can replace nor shortcut time at the table - to improve, you gotta put yourself in the box and keep your game in stroke....which is why I still suck 
Would strongly recommend a formal lesson to anyone - just like watching the right player, DVD, or article - more exposure is better....
Would strongly recommend a formal lesson to anyone - just like watching the right player, DVD, or article - more exposure is better....
I have been seriously considering formal lessons. Any suggestions in the Orange County California area? I am probably a B- or a B
Thanks,
Darin
Lessons or not
I am with you Perm.Have a pretty strong game and am completly self taught.Had a couple informal lessons which helped a little.But truely nothing replaces table time and constant practice.
I am with you Perm.Have a pretty strong game and am completly self taught.Had a couple informal lessons which helped a little.But truely nothing replaces table time and constant practice.
I started taking professional lessons in 1972...and have never quit! There are many things to be learned, from many people and places! Now I get to pass those things on, to others. Every time I learn something new, I incorporate it into my teaching! 
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I trained myself from the ground up , Ive been playing for a little over 10 yrs. and have won 1st Place, in over 40 different 9 ball tournaments,I cant even count the amount of runner ups or 3rd's I got..
I have won "The Players League" "MOST CAROM TITLE" ,Back to Back '08 and '09,,
Ive also won "THE PLAYERS LEAGUE" spring seasons,
and '09 summer seasons "MOST IMPROVED PLAYER" , Back to Back..
Id have to say Ive done a Very Good job training myself !!!!!!! :thumbup:
I have won "The Players League" "MOST CAROM TITLE" ,Back to Back '08 and '09,,
Ive also won "THE PLAYERS LEAGUE" spring seasons,
and '09 summer seasons "MOST IMPROVED PLAYER" , Back to Back..
Id have to say Ive done a Very Good job training myself !!!!!!! :thumbup:
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i just took my first lesson a few weeks ago. it concentrated on nothing but stroke and stance and it has helped immeasureably. i just started taking pool seriously about a year ago and have come pretty far in a year on my own just using books, videos and tips from better players i have befriended over time. having someone to just watch me and tell me the basic fundamentals i was missing (and the ones i had) was a huge benefit. i will absolutely take more lessons. i would really like to learn how to aim better - right now it's pretty much a combination of ghost ball and guess work - and some of the physics of the game.
those are awsome accomplishments whether you got lessons - or in your case, taught yourself. but that ultra big bold font sucks the cats ass - it looks like you're screaming from the moon.
I had lessons from several instructors over the years.
Randy's Pool School followed up by a private lesson from Scott Lee about a year later was the most productive instructions I ever had.
Unfortunately Randy's school was screwed up to some extent by the sponsoring local instructor who insisted on taking the lead. Randy and I discussed that several years ago via emails, he agreed, apologized and explained why that happened. Fortunately the followup lesson with Scott filled in the holes.
Other than them, I'd say 1 was very good (not certified), 1 was good (not certified), 1 was so-so (certified), and one sucked (not certified).
Steve.
Randy's Pool School followed up by a private lesson from Scott Lee about a year later was the most productive instructions I ever had.
Unfortunately Randy's school was screwed up to some extent by the sponsoring local instructor who insisted on taking the lead. Randy and I discussed that several years ago via emails, he agreed, apologized and explained why that happened. Fortunately the followup lesson with Scott filled in the holes.
Other than them, I'd say 1 was very good (not certified), 1 was good (not certified), 1 was so-so (certified), and one sucked (not certified).
Steve.
Call Dave Hemmah, he teaches out of Hard Times where he is the Head Pro. PM me and I'll send you his number. Word is the guy can play some too.
Good enough anyway, to make the cover of Pool Wars (available at the AZ Billiards marketplace or by visiting http://www.jayhelfert.com/). :thumbup:
For me, it has been a little of everything.
Formal instruction (not enough)
Watching REALLY good players play for hours (pro and otherwise)
Reading everything you can get your hands on- modern and old, out of print books too!
Watching all the video instruction you can get your hands on until your eyes bleed (don't chuck that VHS player yet!)
Play 4+ hours a day for a few years
I have done all of the above, and am still so-so. It took an eye exam last year to figue it all out for me. I am right handed, but left-eye dominant. I can't aim!
Give me a straight-pool cluster and I see the crazy carom-combo and make the shot no one else even saw, but the nearly text-book perfect break shot eludes me 10 balls later... VERY frustrating, but now-a-days I realize I will never be a 'great' player and just enjoy it as much as possible.
My new challenge is making the cue... We'll se how that all goes.
Formal instruction (not enough)
Watching REALLY good players play for hours (pro and otherwise)
Reading everything you can get your hands on- modern and old, out of print books too!
Watching all the video instruction you can get your hands on until your eyes bleed (don't chuck that VHS player yet!)
Play 4+ hours a day for a few years
I have done all of the above, and am still so-so. It took an eye exam last year to figue it all out for me. I am right handed, but left-eye dominant. I can't aim!
Give me a straight-pool cluster and I see the crazy carom-combo and make the shot no one else even saw, but the nearly text-book perfect break shot eludes me 10 balls later... VERY frustrating, but now-a-days I realize I will never be a 'great' player and just enjoy it as much as possible.
My new challenge is making the cue... We'll se how that all goes.