I know Earl is one of the all time greats but how is he as a teacher? I'm a mediocre player at best, a three going on four in APA and MegaBucks and usually get a big spot in my 14.1 league. At 61 years old I really want to get much better. I usually beat players who have equal skill levels. My main problems I guess are the fundamentals, the stroke, my bridge, and cue ball control. I live about 25 miles from Steinway. I understand he charges $75 an hour but just three or four lessons would not break my bank account. Any thoughts? Anyone with experience with his lessons?
Anyone here ever take lessons from Earl?
- Thread starter Jeff Rosen
- Start date
I did, he's a great person wrongly judged by his outspoken frustration of the game, hes a good teacher, and you will improve just by the idea of getting taught by him. he will teach you his way of playing, if you don't want to play like him, you won't learn anything. meaning, you should be willing to think his way, otherwise youll be disappointed
EDIT: towards the game, not life
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MisspentYouth
Banned
I second what trinacria said. Be prepared to do as he does or don't bother. He will tinker with your bridging, etc. a lot and won't really accept your normal bridge, stance, etc. and work with it. That being said, he is a great guy. Totally the opposite of his "image." He'll answer any dumb question. He is a total class act. He'll sign anything, take pictures, whatever. I would just go with an open mind and take what you want and leave the rest. Besides, you should really be going for the chance to shoot around with the greatest player to ever pick up a cue, rather than to revolutionize your game. I mean what are bums like us really going to learn from God anyway? Try Jerry Breisath or someone like that if that's your deal.
Great post .. Earl plays the game the way it would be illustrated in a geometry class, allowing no variances to compensate for the mortal player.
You've seen him play. His power stroke has no limits, he will shoot a thin slice table length shot at warp speed, sending the rock 4 rails to stop in perfect position.
Earl could give lessons to most of the Pros .. He's a Pro's Pro.
You are an APA 3 you say .. I say pay for the lessons and get ready for an experience of a life time. Earl will see your speed and help you accordingly.
Oh yeah, what ever you do, don't forget the camera and some cool stuff for him to sign.
Life is short - Live it up! :smile:
The lessons being offered by Earl are one of the best bargains on planet Earth.
Imagine being able to go out and hit some one-on-one with Tiger or Nicklaus, what that might cost.
You will come away from your lesson with great tips and knowledge from a World Champion.
Yes, he will fiddle with your bridge because he knows what a proper one should be and, more importantly, how a bad one can hurt your game.
He is smart, funny, eccentric :wink:, and generous.
Working with me on my bridge he wanted the cue shaft to slide a little better and after fooling with my hand for about 10 minutes he went into his case and got a new pair of his fingerslides (cvs) and gave them to me.
imo, Earl is the best pure shot maker our sport has ever seen.
To be able to spend some time with him getting a lesson from such a legend is worth many times more than what he is charging
Go for it.
best,
brian kc
Imagine being able to go out and hit some one-on-one with Tiger or Nicklaus, what that might cost.
You will come away from your lesson with great tips and knowledge from a World Champion.
Yes, he will fiddle with your bridge because he knows what a proper one should be and, more importantly, how a bad one can hurt your game.
He is smart, funny, eccentric :wink:, and generous.
Working with me on my bridge he wanted the cue shaft to slide a little better and after fooling with my hand for about 10 minutes he went into his case and got a new pair of his fingerslides (cvs) and gave them to me.
imo, Earl is the best pure shot maker our sport has ever seen.
To be able to spend some time with him getting a lesson from such a legend is worth many times more than what he is charging
Go for it.
best,
brian kc
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Pangit
Banned
I know Earl has taken lesson's from Efren.
:thumbup2::shocked2:
100% worth it. As a teacher he is very patient and observant. I've seen great improvement in my game thanks to him and a friend of mine is fairly close to him and they have improved greatly.
No it's 75. :thumbup:
Yep. Took a lesson many years ago. Just do it.
Also spent a weekend with him in Nebraska, and he's a hoot. Away from the table he's quite a nice guy, and does not have a mean bone in his body. But between competing and what ever else is rolling around in his head, he gets himself "riled" up...
I never understood it playing pool, but then I do the same crap when I play baseball. But I do play better when I'm riled up, so sometimes I'm "looking" for something to piss me off
lol
Also spent a weekend with him in Nebraska, and he's a hoot. Away from the table he's quite a nice guy, and does not have a mean bone in his body. But between competing and what ever else is rolling around in his head, he gets himself "riled" up...
I never understood it playing pool, but then I do the same crap when I play baseball. But I do play better when I'm riled up, so sometimes I'm "looking" for something to piss me off
lol
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I know. Time is money and i believe a few hours with a pro equals a considrable time alone practicing and table rent.
A few hours with a pro player or professional instructor is instrumental in moving to the next level... especially for a mid to lower level league type players.......
I imagine that he is. I don't know if he made more than one Teaching DVD but I have one when he was much younger.
Its an excellent DVD, straight forward. Beginner and upward.
He makes some excellent points in it. If I were to visit New York, I would book Earl for a week.
This is good to hear. I have always liked Earl despite his behavior at times. Rarely does being a great player translate into being a great teacher. I do not mean this disparaging, but here is my experience.
In spring 2009 I was invited, by a friend who has a billiard business, to have a private lesson with Effren. I paid $800 for what was to be a two hour lesson with Effren. I truly looked forward to it. Unfortunately, Effren, who I consider the greatest ever, does not have a clue how to teach or speah english. He had no idea where to begin nor could he understand what I was trying to ask. He had no teaching plan or did not even know how to approach my needs. However, I do remember him laughing when I missed several makable shots. We ended up more or less shooting, or me holding a cue.
Bustamonte and Charlie Williams were there as well and all three were holding a group clinic the next day. Bustamonte stepped in and tried to help as he could speak somewhat and understood it was a cluster. But he is not a teacher. Finally, Charlie stepped in to try and salvage the mess. I felt ripped off and declined to go to dinner as I am certain that would have been mine as well.
Since I have had Charlie to my house and am very pleased and his teaching rates are fine, no where near what I paid for my Effren experience. Charlie is a good teacher.
In spring 2009 I was invited, by a friend who has a billiard business, to have a private lesson with Effren. I paid $800 for what was to be a two hour lesson with Effren. I truly looked forward to it. Unfortunately, Effren, who I consider the greatest ever, does not have a clue how to teach or speah english. He had no idea where to begin nor could he understand what I was trying to ask. He had no teaching plan or did not even know how to approach my needs. However, I do remember him laughing when I missed several makable shots. We ended up more or less shooting, or me holding a cue.
Bustamonte and Charlie Williams were there as well and all three were holding a group clinic the next day. Bustamonte stepped in and tried to help as he could speak somewhat and understood it was a cluster. But he is not a teacher. Finally, Charlie stepped in to try and salvage the mess. I felt ripped off and declined to go to dinner as I am certain that would have been mine as well.
Since I have had Charlie to my house and am very pleased and his teaching rates are fine, no where near what I paid for my Effren experience. Charlie is a good teacher.
Enough said. You make me want to get on a plane just to shake his hand!
(no sarcasm...)
I know Earl has taken lesson's from Efren.
and vice -versa