Golf coaching qualifications.......

[splashtryagain]

Good evening, following discussions with a local, very rural, very isolated golf club it has been floated that a bit of coaching may be needed at a very basic level for beginners to get into the game.

Are there any courses / qualifications for golf coaching at this very basic level that do not involve 3 years or more of pga degree? Are the qualifications recognised or just bits of paper?

Something like this could be a great move to get some more youngsters into the club and the club can definitely not afford a pga pro.

Ideas?

 

[Bratty]

Do you mean for you to get qualified enough to run them, Andy?

 

[clubchamp98]

At my last club 20 yrs ago a few of the lower handicap members used to teach the youngsters.

Different world then though to now with CRB etc.

But no reason they couldn’t teach adults in groups the basics now.
Cant see a problem if they are not getting paid for it.

But children are a tricky area now unless parent is present.

 

[splashtryagain]

Bratty - yes I have been put forward

Through my job and involvement with local cricket club's junior section CRB is not an issue.

It is a situation similar to what club champ described - lower HCP players helping our junior section but also for new golfers of all ages.

 

[splashtryagain]

Another double has suggested wgtf. Any thoughts or experience?

 

[Bratty]

Bratty - yes I have been put forward

Through my job and involvement with local cricket club's junior section CRB is not an issue.

It is a situation similar to what club champ described - lower HCP players helping our junior section but also for new golfers of all ages.

God help the future!

I'll ask the pros at my place and see what advice they have if you like?

You could set yourself up as a sole trader or private limited company (different tax implications though) and then work with the club to come up with a pricing and coaching strategy.

Pros down my way start from around £30 an hour up to £65 for the very experienced and advanced PGA qualified, if that helps?

 

[Pants]

If someone is getting paid/expenses paid/etc, would there be implications regarding their amateur status?

Just a thought

 

[Neilds]

God help the future!

I'll ask the pros at my place and see what advice they have if you like?

You could set yourself up as a sole trader or private limited company (different tax implications though) and then work with the club to come up with a pricing and coaching strategy.

Pros down my way start from around £30 an hour up to £65 for the very experienced and advanced PGA qualified, if that helps?

Setting up a company just to help beginners get into golf?!?! Bit OTT. I suspect that this is more about good hearted volunteers wanting to give a bit back than wanting to be the next Leadbetter

 

[D-S]

Maybe do this next time they run it?

Club Activator Courses

www.englandgolf.org

 

[jim8flog]

As per Pants

If you get paid to do it you will lose your amateur status

Check the very simple guide to the rules of amateur status re teaching (Rule 4)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

As per Pants

If you get paid to do it you will lose your amateur status

Check the very simple guide to the rules of amateur status re teaching (Rule 4)

I think you are reading too much into this. @splashtryagain can confirm but it sounds like he will be one of the tens of thousands of unpaid, volunteer coaches that help in kids sport every day. Whether football, cricket, rugby, hockey etc. They don't get paid, why would this be different? He doesn't want to be a pro, he just wants a basic level of coaching to get kids on the right path. They can progress to a pro at a later date.

 

[clubchamp98]

I think you are reading too much into this. @splashtryagain can confirm but it sounds like he will be one of the tens of thousands of unpaid, volunteer coaches that help in kids sport every day. Whether football, cricket, rugby, hockey etc. They don't get paid, why would this be different? He doesn't want to be a pro, he just wants a basic level of coaching to get kids on the right path. They can progress to a pro at a later date.

It’s a sad sign of the times.
Years ago a guy could just help out and people just thanked them.
Now you do have to protect yourself a bit from being sued if young Jonny starts slicing

 

[Neilds]

It’s a sad sign of the times.
Years ago a guy could just help out and people just thanked them.
Now you do have to protect yourself a bit from being sued if young Jonny starts slicing

Do a basic course, make sure it is affiliated and you are usually insured. When I played a lot of hockey, I was a qualified coach - just did a couple of SHU courses and this gave me insurance in case any one got hurt. Nearly had to use it when one parent threatened to sue when her son got a broken cheekbone courtesy of an opponents stick. The child involved admitted he was mainly at fault as he was tackling from the wrong side (was national U16 player so knew better) and this placated the mother so she didn't follow through.

 

[clubchamp98]

Do a basic course, make sure it is affiliated and you are usually insured. When I played a lot of hockey, I was a qualified coach - just did a couple of SHU courses and this gave me insurance in case any one got hurt. Nearly had to use it when one parent threatened to sue when her son got a broken cheekbone courtesy of an opponents stick. The child involved admitted he was mainly at fault as he was tackling from the wrong side (was national U16 player so knew better) and this placated the mother so she didn't follow through.

Yes I taught a few youngsters at my old club.
But as you say the biggest problem was the Mothers.
The Fathers seemed to accept golf’s a tough sport and takes time to learn.
But the Mothers wanted prime Rory after a few FREE lessons.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

It’s a sad sign of the times.
Years ago a guy could just help out and people just thanked them.
Now you do have to protect yourself a bit from being sued if young Jonny starts slicing

I think there are two big changes from when we were younger. Firstly is safe guarding and no one can argue against that. The second is sporting bodies standardising basic coaching so that everyone helping out has some basic knowledge rather than just 'this is how I've always done it'. You can still use your own knowledge but having some basic principles, drills, practices etc can only be good.

The changes have been positive imo, we are in a better place coaching wise than when we were younger.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Do a basic course, make sure it is affiliated and you are usually insured. When I played a lot of hockey, I was a qualified coach - just did a couple of SHU courses and this gave me insurance in case any one got hurt. Nearly had to use it when one parent threatened to sue when her son got a broken cheekbone courtesy of an opponents stick. The child involved admitted he was mainly at fault as he was tackling from the wrong side (was national U16 player so knew better) and this placated the mother so she didn't follow through.

I suspect the kid was mortified by his mums actions. I'd have been horrified if mine had tried the same.

 

[Neilds]

I suspect the kid was mortified by his mums actions. I'd have been horrified if mine had tried the same.

probably - especially at 15 years old, everything your parents do at that age is mortifying

 

[Lord Tyrion]

probably - especially at 15 years old, everything your parents do at that age is mortifying

If he wasn't then he is playing the wrong sport (speaking as a former hockey player)

 

[Bratty]

Setting up a company just to help beginners get into golf?!?! Bit OTT. I suspect that this is more about good hearted volunteers wanting to give a bit back than wanting to be the next Leadbetter

If he's going to be paid for it, he'll have to do this. Otherwise, there's tax implications.
If he's volunteering, then no need.
But as Andy hadn't said which was being looked at, my advice is appropriate.
And he'll never be the next Leadbetter!

 

[splashtryagain]

This is starting to look like a minefield!!

Bratty - I'll just have to aim to be the next harmon instead