The vast majority of people seeking pool instruction want a couple of hours of lessons to fix a couple of things in their fundamentals, learn how to hit the cue ball accurately, and play a little position. Maybe draw the ball for the first time in their life. I'd say that fewer than 5%, or maybe even 1% can arrange to do even two hours of practice a week. Maybe that's from other time commitments or just due to a luke-warm interest in the game. The kind of player witnessed above who will work hard on their game in a structured format for a hundred hours is unusual. The player who will put in 1000 hours is rare. Those hours are not knocking balls around or even playing the ghost -- they are conscious, directed work on specific skills.
This is so true. Fact is, the vast majority of pool players are league players and bar bangers that enjoy playing at local bars, sometimes competing in a small local tournament every now and then.
When it comes to skill level, some are very good, some are beginners, but most are just average players, and most will remain average. The ones who really want to improve will actually work on their game. They may buy a table for the house, or maybe they'll find time to play more often than on league night or weekends at their favorite bar.
Getting lessons from a pro or an instructor is not always common or feasible for the average person. Hell, in many small towns across the US, there's no access to in-person professional instruction. And it takes a high level of desire and commitment to be willing to travel a few hours for pool lessons.