Should I get PGA qualified?

[Vice]

Not too far for some

Gatwick Airport.

I think what you are doing for members is great, there will always be naysayers and the best thing you can do is just learn to ignore them.

 

[stevek1969]

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'

I no what you mean as there coaches are on the round side and you wonder how they got there badges sometimes I think out of a lucky bag.

I have forgotten more about coaching than they no together but I don't give my input as it causes a bit of aggro

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Having enjoyed the benefit of your wisdom on a couple of occasions I think you do have the ability to teach people of all skill lessons and your personality (no really) is a big asset. However what is the pay off? I can't see what you have to gain to be honest but I am sure there is something behind the OP and the question. Someone has mentioned a range idea and I can see how being qualified would let you teach "officially" if you are going to buy/own/run one. Aside from that I can't see any pay back for the time, effort and money it will cost

 

[Andy808]

If your happy with what your doing and you can ignore the individuals who think you have to be qualified to teach then no don't do it.
If you want to take it to the next level and have it as your career then go for it.
As far as I can tell your happy helping who you can, when you can and it gives you a lot of satisfaction there is no reason to get qualified.
I've had lessons with a couple of pros and a few sessions with a mate who used to be a very low handicap. The sessions I have always got more from is from the mate rather than the pro even though Phil, our club pro, is very easy to understand I find it easier when it comes from a fellow amateur.

 

[stevek1969]

The other thing is would you have the patience to stand there hour after hour giving lessons, sometimes you'd need patience of a saint .

2 of my mates are level 1 qualified and are better players than the Pro at our place ,they no there stuff but one of them still get lessons from him, we ask him why a different pair of eyes

 

[Wayman]

You need a handicap of 4 or less first

 

[NST]

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...

Ha ha, where can I sign up to that.

 

[JustOne]

I am sure there is something behind the OP and the question.

I got a genuine PM from someone offering to pay, that's it. That's all that prompted the post as it made me sit up and ask WHY.

I did say to Virtuocity that I'd love to have my own driving range complete with Trackman, lounge, TV's, putting area, bunker area, the whole shebang! so to speak but that's really a pipe dream... would I really want to be there for 12hrs/day, 7 days a week shelling out range balls? hmmmmmm. At least at the moment I can CHOOSE what I do, and it's fun. It wouldn't be if I was having to pay off a £30K trackman system.

Maybe the WGT thing that Hobbit mentioned first is at least something, a step perhaps, I'm going to have to look into that for sure... at least it says something about being able to teach even if you are still crap at fixing clubs

 

[kid2]

Wait a few years till i get to low singles and then you can start charging and hike the price up.....:thup:

 

[percy_layer]

If you're looking for a qualification for teaching only, maybe the PGA route is not for you.

You need to be sure what you want to do, how many lessons, what you need to earn, etc
A lot of venues charge either a percentage of income or a rent for you to teach there.
Are you prepared to spend at least 10 hours a day at the range, even when you're not coaching?

 

[I am Spartacus]

110% do it.

If your half as good as what you type Leadbetter and Foley wouldn't get a look in and I would have to type theres that guy I used to rib now a millionaire teaching Rors and co.

Only you will ken what is right for you but you need to consider what impact it will have on your wife and family.

 

[JustOne]

110% do it.

If your half as good as what you type Leadbetter and Foley wouldn't get a look in and I would have to type theres that guy I used to rib now a millionaire teaching Rors and co.

Only you will ken what is right for you but you need to consider what impact it will have on your wife and family.

What am I typing that is so great? I like to help people with their swings that's all. I don't tell them that they'll be on the tour next week, on the contrary I tell them they'll probably be shanking for a month unless they practice.

I think this is all going a bit OTT. With these two threads going at the same time I feel a bit exposed right now, so I'm off to watch the golf on tele.

I do appreciate your comments though.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I feel a bit exposed right now.

Not for the first time, especially at weekends or so the rumour goes

 

[SocketRocket]

James. I believe you have a young family, if so then your first consideration must be to them and whether they would have a better life from your considered change of career. I don't know what you do for a living now but I guess it puts bread on the table, working towards a PGA qualification would probably mean getting yourself into a Golf club as an assistant while working through your PGA modules, or some full time University course. Both options very difficult for an 'EHem!' mature student.

My advice would be to carry on helping people as you do now but be careful about taking any renumeration, even expenses as this could loose your amateur status. Whatever your current employment, if you are happy doing it then consider seriously what you may have to gain.

 

[pokerjoke]

Do it,give it your best shot.
You will regret it if you don't.

 

[DCB]

Well in this day and age you can go on an electricians training course and become an 'electrician' in three months. You can go on a plumbers course and become a 'plumber' in about 10 weeks. So why not a quick and easy course to become a golf coach.

PS If i was getting my house rewired, I'd be looking for a electrical contractor registered with SELECT and if I was to need a plumber I'd be going to a SNIPEF registered company. So it follows that if I was needing lessons, I'd go to a PGA Pro.

 

[lyden]

Disagree with that with the handicap he has been previously in the eyes of the golfing world he is an elite amateur and is well within his rights to turn pro and go to q-school. I've known PGA coaches off 4 when they turned, your obviously a great player and if you have a keen interest in the golf swing and teaching it then you can improve anyone's game.

 

[Iaing]

Perhaps Homer and yourself could go into partnership as he's been an assistant previously!

Snake Oil anyone? :rofl:

 

[granters]

I couldn't give a monkeys what a coach plays off, some people are terrific with the understanding of things, but may not have the physical ability to do it themselves. It's about watching someone else and getting them to do things better. I spend 30 hours a week advising engineers on very technical issues. I couldn't do their jobs in a million years but am able to understand the theory of what they are trying to achieve and explain the solution. Some of us are thinkers, some are doers. I don't want a technically proficient coach showing me how he does it, I want him to show me how to do it in a way that suits and improves me

 

[JustOne]

So why not his own game,are you saying he was of 4 and is now off 6 if so he can't seem to improve his own game never mind anyone else. I can't et my head round the support for this guy, what would the reaction be if folk were paying for his advice.......

Hypothetically if you were a +3 golfer and then you broke your pelvis in a car crash and could no longer play the game to the standard you used to wouldn't it be something if you were still able to teach? you wouldn't be able to if you couldn't maintain a 4 h/cap. What about if you just let your game lapse because you didn't really enjoy it any more but loved teaching? or stopped to have a family?

FWIW I'm cool with my own game, I enjoy it more now than I used to.