How do I track my progress?
For beginners, making gains regardless of how big or small is imperative to their confidence. It is also key to retaining love and enjoyment for the game.
Improvement may not always be visible on a scorecard. The the belief that you are gradually getting better comes from embracing a structured approach to learning, such as setting goals, using new techniques under pressure and frequent lessons.
Gary Munro, who is the PGA Professional at Bedfordshire Golf Club and a top 50 UK coach, explains how beginners can track their progress and improvement through lessons.
How do you typically assess a new student’s skill level?
I take a two-pronged approach—handicap and scoring averages give me an initial sense, but I also like to see a player in action. In that first session, I’ll have them hit a variety of shots: chips, pitches, full irons, fairway woods, and driver. With more experienced players, I’ll assess shot shaping and trajectory control to get a feel for their command of the ball.
What areas of their game will you be evaluating most closely at the start?
My focus is always on the part of their game that’s holding them back the most. That could be inconsistency off the tee, approach play that misses greens or struggles in bunkers. Targeting the biggest issue early helps move the needle faster.
How do you set short-term and long-term goals?
Goal setting needs to be realistic and motivating. Short-term goals might be something like completing a round with no lost balls or achieving consistent contact. Long-term, we might target a handicap milestone, a lower scoring average, or a competition result that matters to them. It’s all about building a roadmap they’re excited to follow.
Do you use any tools or apps to track progress over time?
Yes—I find that using tech makes improvement easier to visualise. England Golf provides a solid handicap tracker. I use Arccos for player stats, and I’m also trialling Upgame, which integrates with TrackMan for deeper performance insights. These tools make it easier to monitor key data points like greens hit, scrambling, and putts per round.
What about notes or videos of the swing?
Video is essential in modern coaching. I use OnForm to record swings, annotate them, and add analysis. After each session, I send a video summary so the player has a clear takeaway. All content is stored in the app, and we can tag clips by skill area, so practice stays focused and purposeful.
How will a beginner know if they are improving between lessons?
Signs of progress can be subtle but meaningful—better strike patterns, more reliable ball flight, or successfully applying a new technique under pressure. While the score might not drop instantly, seeing greater consistency and confidence is a strong indicator things are moving in the right direction.
How can a beginner get feedback between lessons?
With the OnForm app, communication doesn’t stop when the session ends. Players can message me, ask questions, send swings, or rewatch past feedback. It’s like having a coach in their pocket whenever they need a bit of guidance.
Do you recommend regular check-ins or reviews every few weeks/months?
For beginners, more frequent lessons are ideal—weekly or every other week works well to build strong foundations and maintain momentum. I also encourage group coaching for variety and shared learning. For the better players a session every four weeks is usually enough to stay sharp and avoid drifting into bad habits.
How does a beginner stay motivated if progress feels slow?
Golf can be humbling, so mixing things up helps. I suggest playing different formats, like match play or fun team games, or exploring new courses and challenges. Surrounding yourself with fellow learners and focusing on small wins can keep spirits high when improvement doesn’t happen overnight.
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