LightsOutGuy said:
There are a lot of posts around here saying to go see an instructor. Why would an instructor want to tell you what is really wrong with your game? If they told you what you really needed to know then you wouldn't need lessons anymore and there goes all of their money right out the door. There are hundreds of different tips they can give you without actually telling you what really needs to be worked on.
The way I see it, a player can advance their game if they practice good mechanical skills right from the start. Sometimes an aspiring player new to the game can receive great benefit from a competent instructor because he/she hasn't developed any "bad habits" yet, i.e., stance, stroke, bridge formation.
Players who have already invested some time in their game may also gain a competitive advantage from lessons, whether it be from a certified instructor or a pro player. Bad habits can be hard to break, but sometimes one can be oblivious to their playing style which could be hindering their progress, and an objective party can target problem areas and help them excel.
Lessons or instructions won't do a bit of good, though, unless the player PRACTICES on a frequent basis. It's not so much how many lessons you take. They can only help if the information and knowledge which is gained can be put to good use, which is practice, practice, practice.
As the saying goes, "Practice makes perfect." In pool, the players who are in dead stroke don't get that way without spending MANY hours of tweaking and perfecting their skills set.
JAM
