Winter 2010: Presidents Message
One of the great things about working each day here at the USGTF National Office in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is seeing the number of cutting-edge and innovative opportunities for teaching professionals that come our way. And then, of course, it’s up to us to determine which of these ideas have merit and then share them with all of our members. Recently, I had a call from Mr. Chris MacDonald, who hails from San Clemente, California. He...
Teaching and Playing Golf
One of the frequent questions we hear at certification courses is, “Does membership in the USGTF mean I forfeit my amateur status?” The USGA’s Donna Mummert, in a letter dated April 4, 2006, stated that, “An amateur may be a member of the USGTF without forfeiting his amateur status.” She goes on to write that any member who identifies himself as a professional or accepts compensation for teaching also loses his amateur status. You...
Are your teaching belief systems accurate
One of our USGTF examiners happened upon the assistant professional practicing on the range at their course. The assistant, an accomplished player and a novice teacher, was getting very frustrated. The examiner asked him what he was trying to do, and the assistant said, “I’m trying to work on my cut shot, but all I keep hitting are draws.” The examiner watched the assistant hit a couple of balls and quickly diagnosed the problem....
Professional Courtesy on Playing and Teaching
One of the great perks of being in the golf business as a professional is that, often, public golf courses may offer us discounts, and private courses may offer us privileges to places we otherwise could not play. Because we are continually adding new members, it is worthwhile to go over some guidelines on professional courtesy when it comes to playing and teaching the game. Professional Courtesy: PLAYING Always call ahead of time....
A Game of Controlled Emotions
This article was first printed in Golf Teaching Pro in the Spring 1995 edition when the magazine was known as American Golf Pro. This is another in a series that looks back through the archives of our member publication. How many times during the course of your golfing experiences have you been tempted to throw a club? I’m sure there are not too many of you that answered “never.” I’m not a doctor of psychology, but I do feel that...
Lesson Rates from Around the World
To a certain extent, the slowdown of the world’s economy has affected many of us in the golf industry, but not to the degree of some businesses. It seems people still want to get out and enjoy themselves recreationally, so most of us are lucky in that regard. As golf teaching professionals, we can still make a very handsome living if we get into the right situation. In the United States, it’s not uncommon for some full-time teachers...
So You Wanna Play Pro Golf?
Pebble Beach, TPC Sawgrass, Doral’s Blue Monster, and Harbour Town. These are just some of the famous courses that the top tour professionals play year in and year out. Ah, the good life, right? Well, yes. But the journey to get to the top of the mountain of professional golf is far from easy. The fact of the matter is it takes a lot of time, effort, and money to even attempt this journey. And, that’s assuming the player has the...
The History of Women in Golf
When a discussion turns to who is the best player of all time, or the best putter, or the best ballstriker, etc., inevitably only men are given consideration. However, women have made great contributions to golf, in both the playing and teaching realms as well. The most famous woman golfer of early times was Mary, Queen of Scots. Some say she was the first avid female golfer in history, but this, of course, will never be known for...
Genuine Improvement Requires an Investment in Time
Among the thousands of stories about Moe Norman, the late eccentric genius of golf, is a nugget that exemplifies just how precisely he could hit a golf ball. Moe was playing with the late Ken Venning one morning in Florida. Unable to hit balls before they teed off, they hit three balls each off the first tee. As they made their way down the fairway, Venning said it looked like he was walking toward a mushroom in the middle of the...
Know your Turf: A Review of What Every Golf Manager Should Know About Golf Course
Objective As a golf course manager, it is necessary for you to have certain knowledge of the golf course turf and maintenance practices at your facility. This knowledge will help you communicate with you clients, members and golf course superintendent about the conditions of the golf course. Golf course maintenance is a big part of every facility’s budget. Therefore, it will be a major topic in business operations. Your location...
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