Few expensive courses is all it takes

I agree, you learn more by doing then reading, more by testing then speculating. Now, it is good to have a reputable reference as a source of your power, but you still got to DO IT. Speed will only become a part of it once you are used to doing it.

I'm not real big on saying that copying this person or that person's methods are the best way either. If all the copy and everything is the same it will be less effective and frankly, boring. Individuality and your own sense of flare by developing your skills with practice and dedication is what makes your copy worthy, not how expensive your learning material was. Expense doesn't always represent value, it merely portrays it.

The world of copywriting has changed. If you insist on spending much moolah on learning copywriting I suggest you seek out a current expert. Simply observing successful copy though may be more valuable to you, which is free. Plus consider the material available online for free is often the materials of the authorities on the subject from years passed, condensed and re-told in other words. You take what you can of it but in the end it all comes down to you and your ability to push forward.