How to become a golf coach?!

[karlcole]

Just wondering if any of you guys are or know of anyone thats a golf coach. Im wondering if their is some sort of open university style programme i could maybe slowly do in my own time along my current job. Ive looked online and their is lots of contradicting things so guessed here would be the perfect place to ask. So without quitting my job what is their out their to set me on my way to becoming a coach?

Thanks

 

[bobmac]

This may help

http://www.pga.info/pga-professional/how-to-become-a-pga-professional.aspx

There are other qualifications you can get in coaching, for example

http://egtf.co.uk

but the 3 year degree course with the PGA is the most recognised

 

[karlcole]

This may help

http://www.pga.info/pga-professional/how-to-become-a-pga-professional.aspx

There are other qualifications you can get in coaching, for example

http://egtf.co.uk

but the 3 year degree course with the PGA is the most recognised

Thanks mate I did look at those just not sure could do them whilst still maintaining full time employment

 

[bobmac]

Thanks mate I did look at those just not sure could do them whilst still maintaining full time employment

If you do the 3 year PGA course, you have to work in a pro shop for at least 30 hrs a week

 

[virtuocity]

If you do the 3 year PGA course, you have to work in a pro shop for at least 30 hrs a week

In your opinion, is this a worthwhile part of pro training?

 

[NWJocko]

Just wondering if any of you guys are or know of anyone thats a golf coach. Im wondering if their is some sort of open university style programme i could maybe slowly do in my own time along my current job. Ive looked online and their is lots of contradicting things so guessed here would be the perfect place to ask. So without quitting my job what is their out their to set me on my way to becoming a coach?

Thanks

I'm sure Myerscough College near Preston do a Golf Coaching qualification without doing the full PGA pro route.

In terms if where that leaves you or flexibility doing it part time etc I'm not sure.

 

[Sybez]

If you only want to coach and not play on any tours as a "pro" then the PGA have opened up this route recently to help grown the game - http://www.pga.info/about-us/growing-the-game/right-coach-right-place-right-time.aspx

You won't be PGA certified I believe though so may be a lost leader...

 

[karlcole]

If you only want to coach and not play on any tours as a "pro" then the PGA have opened up this route recently to help grown the game - http://www.pga.info/about-us/growing-the-game/right-coach-right-place-right-time.aspx

You won't be PGA certified I believe though so may be a lost leader...

Thanks mate that's what I was looking at cheers

 

[john0]

If you do the 3 year PGA course, you have to work in a pro shop for at least 30 hrs a week

Is selling mars bars for 30 hours a week an important part of the learning? 😀

 

[bobmac]

In your opinion, is this a worthwhile part of pro training?

Yes.
That's where you learn the skills needed to be a pro. Whether its the business side, teaching, club repairs, dealing with the public etc etc.
Its just like an apprenticeship in any other trade.
The coursework is only done over the winter months, October-March, leaving the summer free to practice and play in tournaments.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

Yes.
That's where you learn the skills needed to be a pro. Whether its the business side, teaching, club repairs, dealing with the public etc etc.

The pro at a club I am extremely familiar with works in the pro shop full time for 25 years and still hasn't picked up half of these

 

[rosecott]

Just wondering if any of you guys are or know of anyone thats a golf coach. Im wondering if their is some sort of open university style programme i could maybe slowly do in my own time along my current job. Ive looked online and their is lots of contradicting things so guessed here would be the perfect place to ask. So without quitting my job what is their out their to set me on my way to becoming a coach?

Thanks

Have you set yourself a target handicap level to achieve to go with studying coaching techniques (or are you already at that level)? As a career choice it will be a hard road to follow but very rewarding if you succeed in reaching a high level.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Why is being good at golf a requirement to be a golf coach?

It isn't for other sports, and I don't think it necessarily follows that being good at something makes you a good teacher. Also, why does being good at golf make you a good business manager? To me coaching and running a business are the two key skills, not sure the 3 or lower handicap requirement is really necessary. I appreciate golf is far more technical than other sports, but I don't think learning about the technical aspects is reserved only for those that play to a high standard.

Strikes me that the PGA's view is a slightly old fashioned type of pro. I'm not saying there isn't a place for that, I just think there should also be space for those that are excellent coaches and have the ability to teach complicated technical concepts in a way people can relate to.

I'm probably on my own here.

 

[Paul77]

I'm probably on my own here.

No you're not. You could be amazing at golf but you can't teach someone to be a better golfer. I had nine holes with my tutor one day. I was out driving him, and I was straighter off the tee. Equalled his putts too but he had a knack for just making it simple and straight forward at the range using trackman. He also got to the green more often than me lol.

My old playing partner played off 6 and I remember asking him for a wee lesson and he actually couldn't tell me how how played the way he did. It was really odd.

Not every teacher is amazing at Maths, English or Science but they can translate a curriculum into 25 kids in a class all variable abilities and learning styles and still get results out of them.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

No you're not. You could be amazing at golf but you can't teach someone to be a better golfer. I had nine holes with my tutor one day. I was out driving him, and I was straighter off the tee. Equalled his putts too but he had a knack for just making it simple and straight forward at the range using trackman. He also got to the green more often than me lol.

My old playing partner played off 6 and I remember asking him for a wee lesson and he actually couldn't tell me how how played the way he did. It was really odd.

Not every teacher is amazing at Maths, English or Science but they can translate a curriculum into 25 kids in a class all variable abilities and learning styles and still get results out of them.

Exactly. Sometimes the people that are the best at something are the worst teachers as it's very difficult to relate to someone's struggles if the subject matter comes naturally to you.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

I think it's a case of when you turn Pro, you are then able to play for money prizes, and if you 'turn pro' off 21, even though you can explain the technical aspects of the game, then you are never going to win a scratch competition.
Personally, I would have more faith in someone who was teaching me who turned pro off 4, then someone who turned pro off 15.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it's a case of when you turn Pro, you are then able to play for money prizes, and if you 'turn pro' off 21, even though you can explain the technical aspects of the game, then you are never going to win a scratch competition.
Personally, I would have more faith in someone who was teaching me who turned pro off 4, then someone who turned pro off 15.

But if they have turned pro (and assuming they have a qualification of some description) how would you necessarily know what they were off when they turned pro