At Edmund Tan School of Golf, beginners can choose an eight-lesson programme, whether they book one-to-one coaching or join a group class of four. What changes is how much of the coach's time is yours, how the lessons feel and what you pay. Group lessons suit people who enjoy learning alongside others and want a lower cost per person. One-to-one lessons suit people who prefer individual attention, a more personal pace or a quieter setting as they learn the basics. Neither is automatically better. What matters most is choosing the format where you will feel relaxed enough to keep turning up and asking questions.
If you are comparing golf lessons in Singapore for the first time, the choice can feel bigger than it is. Many beginners worry that picking the wrong format will waste money or slow them down. In reality, early lessons focus on learning the basics and finding out how you like to be taught, and both formats do that well.
What Is the Real Difference?
In a group lesson, the coach teaches several students at once. They explain a skill, demonstrate it and move between students, giving feedback in turn. In a private lesson, the coach focuses on you for the whole session, and the content can follow your questions and pace.
The school's beginner golf coaching in Singapore page lists each option: one-to-one lessons, a group class of four for people joining on their own, and private groups of two, three, five or six if you would rather learn with friends.
The Case for Group Lessons
Shared experience: the group class is part of the beginner programme, so you learn alongside other people who are still building the basics. Seeing others work through the same early mistakes can be a big comfort when you are new.
Lower cost per person: because the coach shares their time, the cost per person is generally lower in a group than in a one-to-one lesson.
Company and motivation: having others in the class can help you stay consistent, and it is a pleasant way to meet people who share your interest, which suits anyone who wants golf to be social.
Learning by watching: you often pick up ideas simply by seeing other students work on the same skills.
The trade-off is that the coach shares attention, so feedback on your swing may come less often, and the group sets the pace.
The Case for Private Lessons
One-to-one attention: in a private 1:1 lesson, every explanation and correction focuses on you, which can help you understand your own swing.
Your own pace: if you need to repeat something several times or want to spend longer on a particular skill, a one-to-one lesson gives you more flexibility to work at your own pace.
Privacy: if the thought of learning in front of others makes you tense, a one-to-one setting can make the early, awkward stage far more comfortable.
Choosing one-to-one lessons as a complete beginner gives the coach more opportunity to focus on your individual needs and learning pace. The trade-off is that the cost per person is generally higher, and you will not have fellow beginners alongside you.
Five Questions to Help You Decide
1. How do you feel about learning in front of others? If it gives you energy, a group may suit you well. If it makes you tense, a private lesson might help you relax.
2. How do you learn best? Some people learn by watching and copying. Others prefer detailed, personal explanations. Think about how you picked up other new skills.
3. What does your schedule allow? The school runs weekday and weekend classes, and you can see the timetable and book online, so check which slots fit your week before you commit.
4. What is your budget? Cost is a sensible thing to weigh. The pricing plans page sets out the school's current rates for every group size, so check there for the latest figures before you book.
5. What do you want from golf? If you want a social hobby, a group may be a natural fit. If you want focused attention on a specific worry, one-to-one coaching may appeal more.
Does Private Mean Faster?
Many people assume private lessons lead to quicker progress. More individual attention can help some learners, but progress depends on many things, including how often you practise, how comfortable you feel in the lesson and the quality of the coaching. How quickly you improve will vary from person to person, no matter which format you choose.
The Coach Matters as Much as the Format
A well-run group with a coach you trust can serve a beginner better than a private lesson with a poor fit. If you are looking for the best golf coach in Singapore as a beginner, check whether the coach's qualifications are published and whether they regularly teach beginners. Coach Edmund is a Class AA PGA Professional of the Singapore PGA and Malaysian PGA, and most of his students are beginners. You can read more about his background on the About page.
You Can Start Small and Change Later
Choosing a format is not a lifelong commitment. If you are starting from scratch, the one-hour Introductory to Golf Trial Lesson covers holding the club, setting up to the ball and making your first swings, with equipment provided, so you can try golf before choosing between group and one-to-one lessons. For a closer look at the steps that follow, see what happens after your first trial class. If you start in one format and later want to try the other, ask Coach Edmund about your options.
Book a trial lesson and find out how you like to learn. Whichever format you choose, the aim is the same: a comfortable first step into a game you can enjoy for years.