pad holding is a art in itself.
pad holding is for coaches, not fighters or students
When someone is holding pads for you, they are coaching you, so when you partner up and hold pads for eachother at the muay thai class, thats not the coach teaching you, thats the guy holding pads teaching you. Most gyms are ran this way.
Progress and learn how to hold pads good, have a partner that can do the same, and you can coach yourself.
a shitty pad holder can definitely make someone whos good look like shit, or basically not even really be able to train.
Something worth mentioning regarding a coach holding pads.....to get to a top level, you need to have the same padman all the time, not that you cant have different pad holders and what not, but you should have one that you are very familiar with, and is very familiar with you. If you are able to train daily with this padholder for years, you both become so familiar with eachother, you can freestyle on the pads with attacks counters etc simulating a fight. This level and familairity is something you see thais with alot (no explanation needed) and something you dont see many westerners with. Even training with a guy who is great at holding pads, is a bit awkward your first time because you guys arent used to eachother.