Cost of coaching

[Tony]

I've decided rather than bowl in a summer league I would spend a little time getting some coaching and throwing some practice games this summer.
I've never taken lessons before and since I seem to be stuck at the same level the last few years thought I might take advantage of some instruction from a Gold level coach that has relocated to the area.
I really have no idea what this type of instruction would cost and just got his rates and was curious how they stacked up with rates in other area's
and with different levels of coaching. He charges 65 for a full hour lesson and offers a 4 lesson package for 195, these rates also include bowling fee's
to the house.
I have not signed up for the lessons yet but have decided to give it a shot, I'm considering asking him if I can bring my 12 year old daughter and spend a
little time getting her started off with some quality guidance and then spend the majority of the time on my game. I am planning to start with a 4 lesson package and see where that gets me.
Does that seem reasonable ?

[classygranny]

Sounds reasonable to me. Around here we pay $50 for a silver certified. Sometimes they will do a free fifth lesson after 4 lessons paid in full, which makes it $40 each. So to me getting lessons for $50 from a Gold level seems to be a great deal.

I think you will benefit greatly from some coaching...even better if they do some video work.

[vdubtx]

That is reasonable price for coaching. I have paid anywhere from $40 for an hour with silver up to 1.5 hours for $125 for Susie Minshew(Gold level). Thinking I might do a session before heading to El Paso end of the month.

[Tony]

Sounds reasonable to me. Around here we pay $50 for a silver certified. Sometimes they will do a free fifth lesson after 4 lessons paid in full, which makes it $40 each. So to me getting lessons for $50 from a Gold level seems to be a great deal.

I think you will benefit greatly from some coaching...even better if they do some video work.

I came in the other day and he was doing a session and had a guy taking video of the student. I'm sure it would be worth the money and he has been a gold coach for years, if fact I almost think it said in his bio that he was in the first group of gold coaches certified. I would say he's 60 something

[Tony]

That is reasonable price for coaching. I have paid anywhere from $40 for an hour with silver up to 1.5 hours for $125 for Susie Minshew(Gold level). Thinking I might do a session before heading to El Paso end of the month.
For what it's worth this coaches name is Richard Shockley, he might be world famous but I don't know that many of the big names in bowling, much less bowling coaching.

[bowl1820]

For what it's worth this coaches name is Richard Shockley, he might be world famous but I don't know that many of the big names in bowling, much less bowling coaching.

You can find Shockley mentioned in several posts and some of his videos in the video section like this one.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK5HO__gBJE

[foreverincamo]

He's on par with what I pay for coaching. I've seen some of his videos. He likes to use props to really show what he's teaching, and can teach anyone from the newbie to a Pro. Enjoy your time with him. Just don't think after 4 lessons you're going to see your average jump 20 pins. It's listen, learn, practice, repeat!

[Tony]

He's on par with what I pay for coaching. I've seen some of his videos. He likes to use props to really show what he's teaching, and can teach anyone from the newbie to a Pro. Enjoy your time with him. Just don't think after 4 lessons you're going to see your average jump 20 pins. It's listen, learn, practice, repeat!
How did you know that was my goal ? Seriously my goal is to get my average up around the 200 level from the current 180, since getting some new equipment late last season I have averaged in the 190 range and I'm hoping with some instruction and practice I can build that up to near 200 over the next season or two.

[NewToBowling]

Curious on some things he said from the video. So an average 180 bowler throwing ten balls trying to hit 2nd arrow (10 board) has a variation of 7 inches/7 boards?

Meaning sometimes they will roll over the 17 board or the 3 board while aiming for the 10 board. That is pretty extreme.

Or is he talking about missing the 10 board by 3-4 each way (14 board to 7 board). That makes more sense because if you are hitting the 17 board while aiming for the 10 board you are probably not an average 180 bowler

[Tony]

Curious on some things he said from the video. So an average 180 bowler throwing ten balls trying to hit 2nd arrow (10 board) has a variation of 7 inches/7 boards?

Meaning sometimes they will roll over the 17 board or the 3 board while aiming for the 10 board. That is pretty extreme.

Or is he talking about missing the 10 board by 3-4 each way (14 board to 7 board). That makes more sense because if you are hitting the 17 board while aiming for the 10 board you are probably not an average 180 bowler

I was assuming 3 to 4 boards in either direction, I often miss by a bit but I don't think throwing over 5 boards from my target happens all that often. I will add that as I play deeper than I'm comfortable with, I'll miss by more and more and have to change balls or readjust my targeting to stay in the comfort zone.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Curious on some things he said from the video. So an average 180 bowler throwing ten balls trying to hit 2nd arrow (10 board) has a variation of 7 inches/7 boards?

Meaning sometimes they will roll over the 17 board or the 3 board while aiming for the 10 board. That is pretty extreme.

Or is he talking about missing the 10 board by 3-4 each way (14 board to 7 board). That makes more sense because if you are hitting the 17 board while aiming for the 10 board you are probably not an average 180 bowler

Unfortunately in todays game it is possible if your standing in the right place to miss 3 with your feet and 4 with your eyes and still hit the pocket. They key with doing that type of thing is make sure you know how bad that was. Honesty with your game is imperative to improvement. That can go both ways also as there are many guys that are better than they think they are.

[Aslan]

That is reasonable price for coaching. I have paid anywhere from $40 for an hour with silver up to 1.5 hours for $125 for Susie Minshew(Gold level). Thinking I might do a session before heading to El Paso end of the month.

Yeah. Generally from what I've seen:

Bronze: Free up to $35/hr
Silver: $30-$75/hr
Gold: $65-$150/hr

Lots of Bronze coaches around. Lots of pro shop owners have bronze certification. I've gotten lessons from folks like that for free or sometimes they charge $20-$35/hr.

A fair amount of Silver coaches depending on the area you live. They generally run around $50. Lesser known coaches might charge as low as $30/hr. PBA players and more well known coaches generally charge closer to $50-$75 range.

Not very many gold coaches. Many areas you might have to travel to a clinic or training center a state or so away to meet up with one. And from the prices I've seen it's usually in the $75-$150/hr range. Usually once you get to the Gold folks you don't also have to rent the lanes...it's kinda included in the price..but for most of the lessons with bronze or silver you'll also have to rent the lanes.