Should I get PGA qualified?

[JustOne]

Ok..... firstly someone has very generously offered to pay for me to be PGA qualified (depending on just how much that costs) I'd tell you who but then I'd have to kill you (or them).


So what are my options?

Firstly, as far as I'm aware there is only one route, go to your local course and see if they want to take you on as an assistant. A) they need to have a vacancy B) they probably have to like you (and you them) C) it would mean spending 3yrs learning stuff that I don't want to know such as selling mars bars, fixing clubs and the business side of running a pro shop, something that really doesn't interest me.

If there was a SECOND route whereby you could shortcut all of that and just do a teaching course what are you supposed to do once you've become qualified? I couldn't just turn up at a course and start teaching the members as the resident pro does that himself to pay his mortgage, I guess I could teach people from the web but who is going to want to PAY more than a few quid here and there? I can't see many (if any) people wanting to pay for an entire day and I can't see many people driving 100 mile round trips or more just for 1/2hr on the range and a couple of pointers, and there probably aren't that many forumers who are within 50 miles of me anyway. So apart from the few naysayers we have here on the forum I can't seem to justify the point of stopping what I'm currently enjoying doing which is a bit of fun every now and then. No pressure, no money, just a couple of guys hitting balls on the range for a few (read as 5-8) hours talking about swing stuff and hitting balls.



Opinions please...

 

[Hobbit]

Google World Golf Teachers federation of Great Britain and Ireland. No need to do the PGA, 3yr thing. Then find a driving range that doesn't have a pro, or ask a pro if you could use their facilities for a cut of the fee.

 

[USER1999]

Level one coaching is around £290, which enables you to assist a PGA qualified coach in giving group lessons.

Are there not foreign coaching courses that are not affiliated to the PGA which enable people to coach?

I think if you took money, you'd still have to give up your amateur status though.

 

[JustOne]

Wouldn't that be seen like having a provisional driving license instead of a full one? and I'd STILL get stick for not being PGA?

We had someone who was WGT qualified here a while ago and he practically got slaughtered off the forum.

 

[full_throttle]

According to http://www.pga.info/pga-professional/how-to-become-a-pga-professional.aspx you could study for 3 years at Birmingham University.

If you fancy driving up to me I'll pay your fuel and treat you to dinner.

 

[stevek1969]

Surely your handicap would have to be a certain level before they would entertain you ,is the PGA not 4 or below?

 

[chrisd]

To be honest James I'd stick at what you're currently doing. IMO pros only take young lads who earn next to nothing but have a dream of playing on tour. They expect them to teach the style that the pro does and most of the time it's sorting jumpers and selling mars bars.

Ok, your not going to earn by what you're doing but satisfaction is worth something I would think. You are knowledgeable but non conformist, a really genuine, likeable guy but a nightmare to work with I would guess. No pro is going to give you what amounts to an apprentiship I would think, and any other way, would not be seen as qualified.

Just help people and enjoy it I reckon

 

[virtuocity]

If it's just for 'credibility' then no. That would mean you're doing it for the wrong reason- to please / placate / silence others who reckon your methods are wrong.

Would you change your mindset if someone handed you a PGA certification? No.

If you want to do it for yourself, for your family then BATTER ON SIR!!!

 

[fundy]

what would you gain by becoming PGA qualified? What would you do once you became qualified?

I think if you answer those 2 questions it will answer whether its worthwhile doing so. As a hunch I expect the answer is no but would love to know your answers

 

[virtuocity]

Remember that range idea you talked about- that would suit you better.

Get some figures together lad.

 

[JustOne]

Surely your handicap would have to be a certain level before they would entertain you ,is the PGA not 4 or below?

Having played off lower than that I don't think that would be too much hardship if I put my mind to it. I hit it OK now and I rarely practice. Short game is the key to knocking off a couple of shots.

what would you gain by becoming PGA qualified? What would you do once you became qualified?

They are the questions I'm asking you

I can't see the gain, I guess I could throw my weight around the forum keep reminding people that I'm PGA qualified.... and then sleep in a tent everywhere I go as I don't make much money. I couldn't see me teaching anyone more than 20/30 miles from me, especially if they're expected to pay. I can't see me getting a place at a course where (for example) I could teach kids (or adults) for free at my leisure, I'm just trying to get my head round this - didn't expect someone to generously front up the money

 

[Hobbit]

The PGA Level One Murph quotes also insures you to coach - think someone else mentioned the need for insurance...

 

[JustOne]

The PGA Level One Murph quotes also insures you to coach - think someone else mentioned the need for insurance...

I think you need that if you are charging for a service. When you stand next to your mate at the range and he's helping fix your over swing by watching your backswing and exchanging thoughts I doubt he's insured.

 

[stevek1969]

Having played off lower than that I don't think that would be too much hardship if I put my mind to it. I hit it OK now and I rarely practice. Short game is the key to knocking off a couple of shots.


Maybe so mate but your not so that's my point doesn't matter what you were in the past, I'm the same with football I know more about coaching that the coaches at my kids team but I don't give them advise as they have there badges and I'm just a frustrated parent living trying to live my dream thru my kid.

 

[JustOne]

Maybe so mate but your not so that's my point doesn't matter what you were in the past

I completely agree and it's something I will obviously have to consider (resolve) if I wanted to actually bother with getting an official qualification. It's ironic that once you're qualified you can play as crap as you like because now you're qualified and you're a coach not a player. You never have to hit a ball in anger ever again. Butch Harmon is off about 13 h/cap I don't think he outdrives Phil Mickelson just to 'show him how to do it'

 

[lyden]

Lesson business for all pros seem to dwindle in the winter so that hardship has to be factored in. If its what you want to do with your life I say go for it......your a long time in the dirt.

 

[duncan mackie]

Would you change your mindset if someone handed you a PGA certification? No.

I suspect James's asking the question whether anyone else would change their mindset as much as the question you pose. (to piggyback your post)

The obvious answer is yes; some people would - but probably not the ones that are currently relevant

Most people will 'teach' on a range, and at one extreme it will be someone who can't shoulldn't and definitiely isn't competent to advise the other individual in any way whatsoever (see posts on this forum for examples) - at the other it will be a real gem, and the ultimate value will be in whether the recipient does (or can do) anything about it.

Personally I have a 'mission' to get senior golfers to invest a small proportion of their course time to areas of obvious improvement ie a little could go a long way stuff, and as we have an open range by the first tee there is a significant amount of discussion. Sometimes this leads to a little 1:1 time, but in my case the objective is always for the individual to recognise that they can, and probably would, benefit from proper professional advice, and we have an absolutely excellent teaching staff of 4 professionals to deliver it.

So, quoting your first line "If it's just for 'credibility' then no. That would mean you're doing it for the wrong reason" - I think you nail it :thup:

 

[SaintHacker]

We had someone who was WGT qualified here a while ago and he practically got slaughtered off the forum.

In fairness that was more to do with the fact he claimed he could teach a complete beginner to be a scratch player inside 6 weeks using only a 7 iron, or something along those lines...

 

[Vice]

Where about are you exactly anyway?

I can't see many people driving 100 mile round trips or more just for 1/2hr on the range and a couple of pointers, and there probably aren't that many forumers who are within 50 miles of me anyway.

 

[JustOne]

Gatwick Airport.