The written qualifications are what I notice most when I look for jobs in golf specialties stores, as well as coaching roles. Over 85% all of the job listings require certified PGA/LPGA professionals. The job listings require that the applicant has coaching or management experience and a bachelor’s degree. The only certification I’ve seen was the one that they have. It is time to make that change.
The PGA/LPGA is not the only organization that has qualified individuals who are qualified to coach and teach golf. Two of America’s top golf organizations are the United States Golf Teachers Federation and Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. Both have highly qualified staff that can help with these tasks. These professionals have exceptional courses that teach their students about the psychological and philosophical approaches to teaching, as well as the mechanics and physical aspects of golf. They also provide the motivational tools necessary to get their students playing better.
You don’t often hear of the many coaches and range/course teaching professionals who come from other organizations. The time has come for golf to acknowledge these exceptional individuals for their contributions in advancing the sport. If you are looking for a professional golfer, make sure that your job description does not only include one certification. If I find a job listing like this on a website, it is:
You will need a bachelor’s degree with three years coaching or managerial experience.
Prefer: Have five years experience in coaching golf; demonstrate the ability to motivate students-athletes academically as well as athletically. Certified PGA Professional.
The text should be:
Prefer: Have five years experience in coaching golf; demonstrate the ability to motivate students-athletes academically as well as athletically. Certified PGA Professional.
All of the certified professionals who teach golf need to be appreciated. All of us are working towards the same goal. All of us are committed to the same goal. This is to make golf more enjoyable and get more people to play.
It is an amazing game. Golf is a great game, but people have stopped taking up this sport and are abandoning it. We need to restore golf. We need to recognize all of the gifted coaches and teachers from different organizations, so that we can change the way people view the game and how they approach it.