One Hundred Tips for Golf Teaching Professionals
Over the years, the USGTF has continually put out continuing education material geared towards its members. This material has taken the form of both books and DVDs. There is one publication, in particular, of which we are quite proud: One Hundred Tips For Golf Teaching Professionals. Written by the USGTF Technical Committee, the book is a valuable guide for teaching professionals looking to hone their skills. The book consists of onepage bits of advice, some of which are several paragraphs long and others a sentence of two. Here are some of the tips, which we trust you will find both interesting and educational:
Tip #24: Don’t give It Away For Free
Have you ever given a friend or relative some free golf instruction, only to have them not incorporate what
you showed them? Frankly, that isn’t surprising.
By defi nition, something is valuable if it has value. And, by defi nition, something that is given away for
free has no value. Whether they’re conscious of it or not, most golf students act accordingly and disdain advice
that they didn’t pay for.
Some teachers offer free clinics or tips in hopes of gaining paying students down the road. This is not
totally ineffective, and in the right circumstances should not be discouraged. Free instruction as part of a
charitable effort should also not be discouraged, as this is a special circumstance, and most students would
understand and appreciate the instruction you would give.
Be careful when dispensing free advice. It may not be as worthwhile as you think.
Tip #30: There are some students who need to be reminded that their self-worth has nothing to do with their ability or inability to play golf well.
Tip #43: Conflicting Instruction
Often we hear confl icting advice, some of it from “top” instructors. One might advocate a putting stroke
that is straight back and straight through; another might say a putter path in the shape of an arc is best. One
might be a proponent of a long thumb; another, the short thumb. Still, we might hear from some teachers that
we should let our wrists break when chipping; others will say they should be fi rm. With such diametrically
opposed advice, it’s no wonder golf students (and many teachers) can be confused.
The explanation for confl icting advice in golf instruction is that, often, both schools of thought have been proven successful. In such cases, it’s helpful to know the pros and cons of each. In cases where there is ambiguity for a particular student, it is helpful for the student to experiment with each method, and discover which works best for him or her. Rather than adhere to one school of thought when another might be valid, the teacher should be flexible in methodology, so he or she can tailor the instruction to the individual.
Tip #71: Be cheerful.
Don’t burden or depress your clients with your personal aches, pains, or small disappointments.
Tip #78: The Golf Teaching Professional and Playing Golf
It’s a common saying that if you want to play a lot of golf, get out of the golf business! Perhaps the only
ones in the golf business who play a lot are the touring professionals.
This is unfortunate. The reason that we are teaching professionals in the first place is that we are more
skilled than most players, which enables us to understand the swing and its mechanics to a greater degree
than the average player. If we allow our skills to deteriorate, it takes us further from what got us here in the
first place.
It is quite possible to be a fine teacher and no longer pick up a club, but we sacrifice a little something by
never playing. We forget what it’s like to make a score. We lose the opportunity to learn something from our
own game that we can apply to our students. We also lose touch with the game itself in a way.
Unless your job duties make it absolutely impossible, or unless you are physically unable, try to get in at
least 18 holes each week and one practice session. Not only will it help you in your teaching, but it can help
renew what makes you a teacher in the first place.
