Mark Wilson

D

DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
just wondering what you posters out there think of Mark Wilson as an instructor? and how many have actually been to him? so far i have read nothing but rave reviews, and Tom Rossman told me he was the "Cream of the Crop" as far as instructors go.

thoughts posters?

DCP
 
If Tom Rossman states he's good you can bet he is! I emailed Mark a while back and his individual rates are kind of steep. Sorry I forgot the price. Marks group rates were more attractive so, if you can get some guys and gals to all pitch in for a group lesson this is the way to go. I think his email to me stated that he is willing to travel. Good Luck!
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
just wondering what you posters out there think of Mark Wilson as an instructor? and how many have actually been to him? so far i have read nothing but rave reviews, and Tom Rossman told me he was the "Cream of the Crop" as far as instructors go.

thoughts posters?

DCP
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A good friend of mine that I play pool with several times a week traveled to St. Louis a few weeks ago to take a lesson from Mark Wilson. He was very impressed. Mark changed a couple of things with his fundamentals and my friend struggled for a short time but now he seems to be adjusted. I believe his game has jumped a notch and his stroke looks great. Although I haven't taken a lesson from Mark,I know that he's extremely knowledgeable about the game and I've heard nothing but positive remarks about his teaching ability. When my friend told me the cost, I too thought his price was a little steep. When my friend returned from the lesson (6 hours later), I realized the price was well worth it. Mark is a great player and although he is not a world champion, he was given the gift and ability to teach the game on a world class level.
 
DCP,
You probably already know what I think, but I'll repeat it anyway. I think Mark is also "top-of-the-line" when it comes to instructors. I have taken lessons from 2 touring professionals and they were really helpful for strategy, showing all types of interesting shots, mental game, etc. But it wasn't until I had lessons from Mark and Jerry Briesath that my game exploded (not that I'm any world beater, but I'm getting respectable; and certainly better than I ever imagined). If you follow their instruction, you can develop a very precise, very repeatable, very tension- and pressure-free stroke. With this kind of stroke any one can become an "A" player (JMO) with practice. I tried on my own for 15 years and never found that kind of stroke or proficiency. Pool is amazingly fun once you develop this kind of stroke, I wish I had found it 35 years ago. I know there is more than one kind of stroke that can be successful, but if yours is not giving you the results you expect, then SCRAP IT, and let Mark build you a new one. With the kind of time you are devoting to practice you should be playing in the tournaments, not watching them.
 
christyd said:
Mark is a great player and although he is not a world champion, he was given the gift and ability to teach the game on a world class level.
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Christyd,
Just a note to clarify. I think Mark was definitely a world class player (though as you point out no world championship to his credit). I know that he has played in the Mosconi Cup, and won several U.S. and international tournaments when he was playing regular tournament pool. I believe that he, like many other top players, has realized that tournament pool is a bad lifestyle, with little reward for all but a few. Unlike most top players, though, he definitely has a commitment to contributing to the game by teaching ( and he happens to be VERY good at that also).
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
just wondering what you posters out there think of Mark Wilson as an instructor? and how many have actually been to him? so far i have read nothing but rave reviews, and Tom Rossman told me he was the "Cream of the Crop" as far as instructors go.

thoughts posters?

DCP
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DCP,

After reading what Willie and others have said, I am going to do the Video Analysis (website: http://www.playgreatpool.com/index.html) that he offers to at least get an opinion about my stroke and what I can do to improve. Since I'm in Atlanta it's kinda tough for me to go to him in person.

QS
 
Williebetmore

Let me clarify my thoughts. I was in no way discrediting Mark Wilson's playing ability. He is a world caliber player and a very nice guy. I also believe that it was a very intelligent decision for many pros of several years ago to utilize their love of the game and turn it into something profitable for themselves. I have known Mark Wilson for several years and from what I've heard, he has a god-given gift to teach the game. The point I'm trying to make is some people are better instructors than others. Let me give you an example. Years ago my husband competed on the men's professional tour. During his college years, he accompanied Nick Varner on many road trips and they became best friends. During that period of time, my husband became a great player although he never won a tour event. His stength lies in teaching pool. Although he has never promoted himself, I believe he would do well. I know world class players that aren't worth a darn at teaching the correct fundamentals and other aspects of the game and I know many good shortstops that have a knack for teaching.
Let me reiterate again that I was not discrediting Mark Wilson in any way.

Christyd
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
just wondering what you posters out there think of Mark Wilson as an instructor? and how many have actually been to him? so far i have read nothing but rave reviews, and Tom Rossman told me he was the "Cream of the Crop" as far as instructors go.

thoughts posters?

DCP
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Tom Rossman is also one of the "cream of the crop". He knows a great instructor when he sees one, and, as has been noted a zillion times on this forum, Mark is a great teacher.
 
christyd said:
Williebetmore

Let me reiterate again that I was not discrediting Mark Wilson in any way.

Christyd
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Christyd,
I did not think that you were, just wanted to explain in case some readers took it the wrong way (there are many posters who believe teachers can't play and do not have the same credibility as the tournament players).

I am extremely jealous of your husband - Nick Varner has always been one of my favorite players, and I'll bet your husband will never forget those experiences. Thanks for sharing.

P.S. - I was at IU when Nick was at Purdue - I saw him play ACU several times (ate the other players alive). Perhaps your husband was playing at the same time??? If so, how did he match up with Nick?
 
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my take on Mark...

DCP, I have sent you an email but wanted to post here incase other people are interested in seeing Mark.

I am the fiend Christy was talking about (thanks for the kind words Christy) and I was very happy with my lesson with Mark and feel it is already helping my game.

If you already feel you have a good stroke and in no way want anyone to change your setup or stroke then dont go see Mark. I am not saying he will automatically change these things, but if he doesnt think they are right that is what he will work on. If you dont want to change them even if he says you should then a lesson with Mark wouldnt be worth it as without proper fundamentals no matter what he would show you would still result in an inconsistent game.

I have had lessons with people that just show patterns or drills or other things without picking my stroke apart. They helped, but it wont get me where I want to go! If you are not afraid of going back to the basics and building proper fundamentals (if that is what is needed) then you have no reason not to go see him.

He will teach to your level of play, you just have to be prepared to accept the fact that he may want you to work on something that you already think you do right. But keep in mind he is an instructor that PROS will go to work with, so he knows about teaching this game.

I only wish I had gone to see him a long time ago, and I am thankfull that I didnt waste any more of my practice time by not seeing him when I did.

Woody
 
How ironic Williebetmore! My husband is an IU graduate also. I believe he graduated in 1970. Now I REALLY need to know who you are!!

Christyd
 
I have heard nothing but great things about Mark Wilson. I do not know him personally, but I have heard that he is one of the nicest people in the industry and a great teacher.

Eydie
 
1970???

christyd said:
How ironic Williebetmore! My husband is an IU graduate also. I believe he graduated in 1970. Now I REALLY need to know who you are!!

Christyd
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I wonder if there is any other "names" from that era. Wasnt there a guy that from Oklahoma U ....Dick something...world class player about the same time???

Is there such a thing as college pool nowadays??

Interesting


ken4fun
 
I personally think Mark is a great Instructor and is highly respected through out the country by his peers, players and former students.
 
I'm interested in getting a tape of Mark playing. Anyone know where I can get one? None available at AccuStats.

Thanks.
 
Does Mark Wilson have a website? Where he lists his hours and rates.

I find it ironic that everyone speaks highly of him yet they are afraid to say how much they "invested" in lessons.

Ray Martin charges $75 per hour; two hours for $100. And has group rates.

Mike Sigel charges $500 per hour.

Allison Fisher charges... well if you have to ask you can't afford her.

Jake
 
500 an hour............no wonder you don't hear any rave reviews......no one can afford it.........LOL on a serious note though has anyone ever taken lessons from mike sigel?
 
jjinfla said:
Does Mark Wilson have a website? Where he lists his hours and rates.

I find it ironic that everyone speaks highly of him yet they are afraid to say how much they "invested" in lessons.


Jake
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Sorry, I thought I had already mentioned how much the lesson was. I "invested" $200 and it was some of the best money I ever spent. Much better than spending money on a new cue :D
 
Hi Jake here is Marks Web Site Mark Wilson . I was just responding to the question of what we thought of him. Personally i think the cost of the lessons are irrelevant, that only shows what some students are willing to pay. Note most players cannot afford the costs of some lessons. It is just beyond some of their budgets.
 
vapoolplayer said:
500 an hour............no wonder you don't hear any rave reviews......no one can afford it.........LOL on a serious note though has anyone ever taken lessons from mike sigel?
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VAP,
Mike offered to give me lessons for $1000, a 3 day extravaganza - I'm not sure where jjinfla got his quote. I think Mike doesn't like to give lessons all that much, and that rates are negotiable.
 
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