| Just about every time you see a golf tip on any golf | | | | What kind of playing record do they have? While it is |
| broadcast or on the Golf Channel, they finish the | | | | not necessary to be a great player to be a great |
| segment with "for help with your game, go see your | | | | teacher, the better teachers tend to be very good |
| local PGA professional." Unfortunately, that does not | | | | golfers in their own right. A good golfer will be able to |
| often lead to good golf instruction. The actual | | | | demonstrate a variety of shots. |
| curriculum involved for golf professionals seeking to | | | | Where have they learned how to teach? Have they |
| obtain their Class A membership only focuses a small | | | | worked with any top instructors? As I mentioned, in |
| amount on golf instruction. | | | | most cases, it is just luck that an instructor learned |
| While the players ability test for Class A membership | | | | how to teach from another good instructor. |
| is more difficult for the PGA than any other golf | | | | However, some of the top teaching professionals |
| teaching organization, such as the United States Golf | | | | also have instructor certification programs in place. |
| Teachers Federation (USGTF), or the Professional | | | | David Leadbetter, Hank Haney, Jim McLean and Jim |
| Golf Teachers Association of America (PGTAA), an | | | | Hardy all have such programs of varying types. |
| instructor will probably learn just as much about | | | | How many years has an instructor been teaching? |
| teaching in these other certification programs. | | | | How long has the instructor played competitive golf, |
| Furthermore, any 6 or 7 handicap golfer can | | | | if at all? Adding up all of the combined experience of |
| ultimately pass the PGA players ability test. I know | | | | an instructor is important. For instance, some |
| of some professionals who failed the test over a | | | | instructors may have a short teaching career to |
| dozen times before passing. | | | | date, but may have had a long competitive |
| It is by luck alone that most good instructors | | | | experience. Also, other life experiences may play a |
| become good instructors. They have to be lucky | | | | role in how well an instructor can teach. Exposure to |
| enough to work for a golf professional who is also a | | | | teachers in other sports or activities such as the |
| good instructor. PGA members do have the benefit | | | | martial arts can help develop the style of a golf |
| of attending PGA sponsored teaching seminars from | | | | instructor. |
| time to time. They are required to attend seminars | | | | Once you have narrowed down your choices, it's a |
| of different types in order to obtain continuing | | | | good idea to give each instructor a call. A brief phone |
| education credits. | | | | conversation should give you an indication of how |
| So, how does the golf student find a good golf | | | | passionate the instructor is about teaching, and how |
| instructor? Well, it requires some research. Some | | | | well they communicate. The best instructors are |
| professionals develop a reputation over many years | | | | those who are passionate about the game, and who |
| in the business. As a result, much of their business | | | | know how to communicate their knowledge to |
| comes from referrals. The best referrals are from | | | | anyone. |
| the best golfers. Therefore, it is a good idea to | | | | With all this in mind, the next time you think about |
| approach some of the better golfers at the golf | | | | getting some golf instruction, do a little research. You |
| courses where you play to get a referral. | | | | will find that it is time well spent, and your golf game |
| The internet also plays a role. Professionals who | | | | will be sure to benefit. Also, remember, just like in |
| focus on instruction will often have a website that | | | | any other business, the best instructors tend to be |
| helps them with generating business. Review some of | | | | more expensive than their competitors. But, if you |
| the websites of professionals in your area and try to | | | | really want to improve, you are better off spending |
| get the answers to a few questions, such as: | | | | a little extra money. |