The cornerstone of great golf marketing should be great golf instruction. The thing that separates great golf instructors from good golf instructors is what they do after they learn the fundamentals of the swing. If you’re a PGA professional, you likely learned the same thing as thousands of others during your certification. That foundation is with out a doubt important, but it won’t make you the next Harvey Penick.
Modern golf instruction has become increasingly competitive and the skill base you need to be considered great has expanded. The following traits are nearly mandatory if you want to be recognized as an elite golf mind.
Great Communicator
You have to be able to clearly communicate advance concepts. Most players aren’t likely studying things like reverse lumbar compression. They need to have things explained to them is the simplest terms possible. The ability to simply explain what they’re doing wrong and how to fix it is a valuable skill in and of itself.
Physiological Knowledge (How The Body Works)
If you aren’t comfortable talking about body types and how they move differently, you should start. Knowing how the body works not only helps in diagnosing swing problems, it helps to find the solution to an issue. Prescribing a swing fix that does not match a students athleticism and body type is a notch below useless.
Continuous Learning
We’ll never know it all. Once we think we have a grasp on things, a new study, or new technology will pop up. Our current views will constantly be challenged. In order to stay current and up to date you need to commit to continuous learning. Doing so will develop your golf mind and separate you from the other instructors “staying put. “
An Open Mind
Golf instructors are essentially experts. Too often experts turn into know-it-alls. In order to continuously improve you have to have an open mind to new information. I’m always weary of the golf professional that immediately writes off a new viewpoint without giving it any thought. Even if it directly challenges what is thought to be common knowledge, give it some thought. A new thought might breeds a new break through. Being at the forefront of a breakthrough will make a name for your golf instruction.
If you’re great, you aren’t like everyone else. Its difficult sometimes because we’re surrounded by opinions that follow the “status-quo.” Whenever something is justified with “because everyone else does it,” that’s usually a good reason to do the exact opposite.
We’re trying to stand out from the crowd and be better than the average. You’ll do well for yourself if you surround yourself with other great instructors. The growth and development of your career is based on your ability to continuously learn with an open mind. Failing to do so might put your entire career at risk.
Great list. I think that the traits you have listed accurately reflect the necessary dimensions of a great instructor. I would like to add one more point however,as moving forward, I think you will see a shift from golf instruction to golf coaching. Specifically, golfers have available to them, a plethora of information and research that demonstrate the necessity of physical capability and psychological efficiency. Moreoever, deficiencies in those areas can trump any efforts they make to improving their golf swing. Golf professionals who have an open mind understand that they need to broaden their own perspective, educate themselves, and incorporate the ‘new’ knowledge into their own instruction. However, all that content can’t be digested in one sitting, nor can it be applied on the course in that same timeframe. So therefore, the transition to an instructional ‘support’ system that features more frequent, on-going coaching, as well as supervised practice and on-course play is needed. In short, the 45 minute lesson is going to become instinct, and the golf professionals that integrate mental, physical, technical, and course management principles into their programs will stay ahead of the curve.
Just my $.02
MW