Bigmax1701 Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 My lad and I went for our first proper lesson yesterday and left feeling meh. We've been to our local ground 3 times for have a go sessions and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, deciding that this was the hobby for us. With this in mind, I bit the bullet and paid the somewhat larger amount for a proper lesson, albeit at a different ground. As I don't know who anyone is on here, I'll leave the ground names out. I travel for work so take the opportunity to look around any nearby grounds and found some very different to our regular one and thought it would make a change. However, I feel we got less instruction in the lesson than in have a go, and felt very rushed. I booked an hour for two of us and was surprised when I was advised we'd need 50 carts each, I'm happy to shoot that many but didn't think there'd be time with teaching aswell. We started on an easy single to see where we were at, then onto an easy double, have not shot a pair before we enjoyed that, then moved on to a bit more difficult pair, that was the end of the first box of carts, surprised by the pace but having fun with plenty of hits. Then we went to a simulated pheasant, higher and faster than anything we've shot, needing lots of help on this one. At this point the instructor starts checking his watch frequently, saying about having to get back for the next lesson, then it seemed all he wanted us to do was fire off the remaining carts at something we can't hit. Even then, the time was up before we'd finished the second boxes. I know I paid for an hour and these places are businesses but left feeling I'd wasted the extra money I'd paid for a lesson and that all they really wanted was to make sure you got on the second box as soon as possible and as I don't have my sgc yet I have to leave the unused carts behind, not many but still something I paid for. The ground was really good and we'll go back when I have my own gun but certainly won't bother getting another lesson there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 You could have taken the cartridges home with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 (edited) hello, put it down to experience and keep going to your local shoot is my advice for what its worth. i like the my lad and i !!!!! happy times ahead, Edited September 11, 2016 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmax1701 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 (edited) You could have taken the cartridges home with you.I thought that but was told to leave them and didn't see the point in arguing hello, put it down to experience and keep going to your local shoot is my advice for what its worth. i like the my lad and i !!!!! happy times ahead, It's not put us off, if anything, it's made us determined to practice more when my sgc turns up ☺ Edited September 11, 2016 by Bigmax1701 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 I thought that but was told to leave them and didn't see the point in arguing It's not put us off, if anything, it's made us determined to practice more when my sgc turns up ☺ thats good to hear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussex gardener Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 I'm sorry to hear you didn't get the most from your hour, I was lucky enough to be given an hours individual lesson at Ian Coleys in Gloucestershire and enjoyed it immensely and profited when it came to driven game afterwards, with my accuracy and foot work notably improved. Please don't let this experience put you off lessons, and if possible try an individual lesson where you are the sole focus of the instructor. If you find yourself in the Cotswolds Coleys is well worth a visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postie Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Glad your not put of by this. lessons are very beneficial and there are some good coaches out there without braking the bank,welshwarrior of here and bakerboy both have good reparation I had a 2 hour lesson with welsh warrior myself a few years ago and found it a big help good luck with the shooting and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Which end of staffs are you at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Sorry to hear of your experience. I would avoid both the Instructor AND the ground, if they were aware of him. There are a lot of very good Instructors out there, shame he was not one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmax1701 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Which end of staffs are you at? I'm in Stafford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Try Beretta from this forum he usually teaches at Llandegla but will do others www.clayshootingcoach.com. about 90 minutes and worth every penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 The teaching (beyond the absolute basics) is based around shooting. My wife had two lessons last week and got through over 150 cartridges in both lessons. Were you in a large group? If not what were you both doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Try Beretta from this forum he usually teaches at Llandegla but will do others www.clayshootingcoach.com. about 90 minutes and worth every penny Do you mean Fauxdegla? ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Do you mean Fauxdegla? ? Yes but the ground is at Llandegla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 glad it's not put you off, stick with it good lessons are worth it but individual practise is also very important IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmax1701 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 The teaching (beyond the absolute basics) is based around shooting. My wife had two lessons last week and got through over 150 cartridges in both lessons. Were you in a large group? If not what were you both doing? 150 carts in an hour, what was she using an AA12 ? I understand you need to shoot to learn but I didn't feel instructed or any better for the experience. Little was said about my stance, which I know is bad as I tend to 'rifle' the gun across my chest and aim rather than point (a side affect of shooting air rifle over the years). Maybe I expected too much but all I left with was the knowledge that all pheasants are safe to fly by me and put too much weight on my back foot I'm putting it down to him not being the right instructor for me The instructor from my regular site ran one of my 'have a go' sessions and helped me a lot, it's difficult to say much without giving away the grounds names, but if I could take that instructor to the other ground I think I'd learn something. I have to collect my lad from Worcester before shooting, a right pain in the*** set of personal circumstances limits how far I can travel from either town Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Sorry but what's the problem with name and shame ,how will they ever improve if they don't know some thing is wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmax1701 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Sorry but what's the problem with name and shame ,how will they ever improve if they don't know some thing is wron I'm new on here and don't know if thats the done thing as I'm not addressing the ground directly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salopian Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 I think it serves no purpose at all to name and shame on a public forum. We have only heard one side of the story in any complaint . I personally think it is far better to to get other experiences before making a decision. The other issue is logistics, as Bigmax has explained he is traversing the M6 /M5 in both directions before he can even think about selecting a ground . To address Glenlivet's statement that his wife has shot 150 cartridges in a hour lesson . That may well be true , but may I suggest, that may have not been a constructive lesson ? More likely it was repitition of a few different target presentations with a lady who has had considerable experience at clayshooting and may now just be honing her skills. A good instructor will conduct the pace of the lesson tailored to each individuals requirements , it is not about getting through 1,2, 3-6 boxes of cartridges , it is about safety, comfort, speed of learning and enjoying the experience. Every shot starts at the feet , goes up through the body out through the gun barrel to the target and the experience ends with smiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 I take on board what you are saying and its a shame it happend the way it did, but how many more are going to go through the same thing if they visit the same ground and use the same coatch. ok if the original poster had come on here first before his lesson then we could have helped him find the right coatch. its ok to say a lesson learned but it can be a costly at the same time till you find the right coatch, i would like to ask the poster what he learned and what did he come away with after the lesson. I would try and help anyone starting out, i hope it has not put him of and he keeps shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buze Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 that sounds more like a caddied round than a lesson it seems. I would expect a proper coach to go thru and check pretty much every single 'essential' things on a first lesson; from stance to eye dominance etc; even before you start shooting at stuff... Mid Wales shooting center also has quite a few pretty good coaches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenlivet Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 that sounds more like a caddied round than a lesson it seems. I would expect a proper coach to go thru and check pretty much every single 'essential' things on a first lesson; from stance to eye dominance etc; even before you start shooting at stuff... Mid Wales shooting center also has quite a few pretty good coaches It was a lesson, I know the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 I take on board what you are saying and its a shame it happend the way it did, but how many more are going to go through the same thing if they visit the same ground and use the same coatch. ok if the original poster had come on here first before his lesson then we could have helped him find the right coatch. its ok to say a lesson learned but it can be a costly at the same time till you find the right coatch, i would like to ask the poster what he learned and what did he come away with after the lesson. I would try and help anyone starting out, i hope it has not put him of and he keeps shooting. hello, PLUS 1 john, PS good luck on the dig this month, hope you get some good finds. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 I think it serves no purpose at all to name and shame on a public forum. We have only heard one side of the story in any complaint . I personally think it is far better to to get other experiences before making a decision. The other issue is logistics, as Bigmax has explained he is traversing the M6 /M5 in both directions before he can even think about selecting a ground . To address Glenlivet's statement that his wife has shot 150 cartridges in a hour lesson . That may well be true , but may I suggest, that may have not been a constructive lesson ? More likely it was repitition of a few different target presentations with a lady who has had considerable experience at clayshooting and may now just be honing her skills. A good instructor will conduct the pace of the lesson tailored to each individuals requirements , it is not about getting through 1,2, 3-6 boxes of cartridges , it is about safety, comfort, speed of learning and enjoying the experience. Every shot starts at the feet , goes up through the body out through the gun barrel to the target and the experience ends with smiles. I am with you on this one. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmax1701 Posted September 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 I take on board what you are saying and its a shame it happend the way it did, but how many more are going to go through the same thing if they visit the same ground and use the same coatch. ok if the original poster had come on here first before his lesson then we could have helped him find the right coatch. its ok to say a lesson learned but it can be a costly at the same time till you find the right coatch, i would like to ask the poster what he learned and what did he come away with after the lesson. I would try and help anyone starting out, i hope it has not put him of and he keeps shooting. I learned not to there for another lesson 😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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