Tri-Golf / Golf Parc

[davidharris]

Hi everyone,

I am a complete newbie when it comes to forums, so please forgive me if this sort of question and topic are not allowed.

If you have heard of Tri-Golf or Golf Parc, you will know that it is a fantastic way of getting children into the game. It's not serious, so your not teaching them on how to be the next Tiger. The aim is to make all the children enjoy it, and then hopefully they will continue with golf.

I would love to start a business, offering this service to local schools, kids parties etc. I have searched the web for info on this, without much success.
I have a handicap of 14, so am not a PGA qualified pro, and i dont want to be. My aim is to just get kids to have fun and enjoy golf, then once they are ready, they can move over to a real pro and improve their game.

Does anyone have any experience with this and if so, do you HAVE to be a PGA pro to teach the kids? Are there any courses etc i would need to take?

Any information that anyone could provide would be very much appreciated.

Many Thanks,

David

 

[Alex1975]

Do you want to help children get into golf or do you want to make money?

 

[davidharris]

I want to help children get into golf.

If I am to bring it into local schools etc, between 09:00-3:30, I would have to quit my job and do it full time. Unfortunately I am not fortunate enough to be rich and do these things for free.

Do you think I am wrong to earn money from doing something I would love? Your local golf pro gets paid to teach people, so it's not to dissimilar.

 

[virtuocity]

Sorry, but I'm more interested in my children engaging in English, Maths and Core Subjects during school hours.

I'm rather put off by the idea of them attending whole-day classes participating in a sport they might not be interested in, taught by someone with no qualifications or elite playing experience who potentially represents a profit-generating franchisor.

To be asked to pay for this, or have vital school funds channelled towards such an activity isn't appealing to me in the slightest.

There are plenty of local council-run golf tuition courses in my area. PGA pros run them.

Sorry to be so blunt.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

David
Are you talking outside Scotland?
In my area there is already a club golf system for teaching golf to primary school kids.
It has worked well and the clubs are now setting up systems to take them to the next level.
Most of the work by the clubs is voluntary, led by Pros

 

[tiggit10]

I've actually seen a Tri Golf party in full swing at my local driving range. They had three stations the juniors all had a go at:

1- Hitting the foam ball to a flag around 20 yards away, lined with cones for them to keep it in.
2- Hitting velcro balls to a velcro sticking hula hoop contraption with a flag in the middle- the idea to get the ball the stick to the velcro material mat.
3- Using a putter to hit a foam ball into certain areas. The child would pick their favourite colour hula hoop and try and putt it to that hula hoop.

Every child loved it as far as I could see, and after talking to the pro who was running it said most had come back for lessons (30 in total)

In summary, I don't think you have to be a PGA pro to be able to do this, but a great idea none the less to be getting children into golf. I think you'd be able to get some schools into doing this in their PE classes, and I'm sure there are grants involved with this- especially with golf being included in the Olympics I know there has been some money put in place.

In terms of qualifications apart from the obvious of CRB check etc, there may be some courses you could do for a generic sports teaching for children

 

[davidharris]

Thanks for your replys.

Virtuocity: The classes would run for approx 1 hour, so they are not all day. The classes would either replace a typical PE class every so often, therefore the children get to try it out, or be an after school club. No eucation would be interupted and a small cost of approx £5 per class, i dont see it being as unreasonable.
As i have already stated, this class is not about teaching the children how to play golf, its about showing them how fun golf can be. If they enjoy it, then they can move onto a PGA pro.

Doon frae troon: No, i would not be running classes near Scotland.

Tiggit10: Thank you for your comments. At a minimum i would have a CRB and first aid course. I would also take any other relevant courses available before going any further.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Personally I think organisations like the EGU and the Golf Foundation would do a better job and to be honest if I was an organisation like a school I'd want someone qualified i.e. PGA pro to ensure the kids were getting the best advice possible. I don't think this would be a viable career path but I hope you prove me wrong

 

[davidharris]

Thank you homerjsimpson. If i was to gain a suitable coaching qualification other than the PGA one, would your opinion change?

Im determined to do whatever it takest make this work. I love golf, kids and helping people. What could be better than that?
Please correct me if i am wrong, but if the majority of children will be between the ages of 3 and 6, surley getting them involved and having fun is more importaint than the quality level of the coaching?

 

[pbrown7582]

Hello and welcome,

Seems pretty reasonable cost for a bag of kit £200,

Link and numbers to golf foundation
http://www.golf-foundation.org/page.asp?section=0001000100020004


Are there any ranges that run such ideas in your area?
Or maybe start by offering taster session out of school hours unless the council will fund the classes, quite an ambitious project, wish you luck. :thup:

 

[virtuocity]

Got a suggestion. You said it's about promoting golf and not the money.

Why not buy some kit and then contact every Scout / Cubs / Boys' Brigade / Youth Club etc within reasonable travelling distance and volunteer to come and visit them for a night? I guarantee that as long as you are CRB checked, they'd be delighted to invite you over.

Win-Win.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Welcome David BTW.

Check out the Club Golf web site for ideas.
I was a voluntary coach for a while.

The training was good but as I coached earlier in my life I really struggled with the terms and methods.
Eg, Don't say show me your grip of the club.....show me your hold. A grip is a handle etc.
Rather surprisingly to me the best coach by far on our course, which included some decent players, was an 18 handicap middle aged woman [well she was a teacher]

 

[williamalex1]

Hi David and welcome , if your lessons are cheap enough Virtuocity will be one of your first pupils.

 

[GMAC88]

Im sure You need a top sport qualification mate(they might do a tri golf on its own now) then as far as I'm aware there are different sets you buy as your kits depending on what you're looking for.

 

[davidharris]

Thanks for the replys.

It looks as though I will have to scrap my plans then. I thought It would be a positive job choice, but obviously not.

I like the idea of doing the scout clubs etc for free, so may just try that instead.