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Are you a member of the Australian PGA?
Forums → Ask Golf Guru - Golf Instruction | 14 posts
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Just wondering Paul, you don't mention if you are a member of the PGA.
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Nope:) I have both a TGM Authorised instructors ticket and my Master Craftsmans clubmakes ticket but was never a comp player. Always been a better teacher than doer:) Both in the US are looked upon as specialist roles. In the US TGM run courses to teach the PGA how to teach the game. Many PGA fellows do the course but there are only around 250 of us around the world that have passed the TGM exams to become Authorised Instructors of TGM.
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During the 15 years I taught in the American PGA Advanced Education program, (and an occasional trip into the CPGA) I was often asked about that same factor. It might be helpful to know what importance that has for you. Is it that there is magic in those initials that assumes knowledge, talent and behavior that would not be present if the initials were missing, or is it something else? As far as I was able to determine, it's much like being a member of the AFLCIO or some other fraternity. There are some who are outstanding and some who merely hang out in the hope that the letters will get them a prime position, and others who joined thinking they would get to play more golf (another myth of the business). Maybe you were going someplace else with the "wondering," but it does bring the opportunity to cut through one more myth in life and golf.
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I was under the impression that you had to be a PGA member to teach golf in Australia. I know in the US you don't, but thought it was different here.
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Anyone can teach anywhere in the world if you can do it effectively. Getting a job teaching in Oz without PGA membership is harder though far from impossible. Gerry Hogan and myself have done fine without it though. More than one way to skin a cat:)
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Cool...
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I am a PGA Professional and through talking to Paul over the past few months I have found him to be one of the most knowledgeable people on the golf swing. He has taught me many things and plan to learn more... He is the GURU WILLOW
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Willow, Glad to see you have an open mind when it comes to learning about the game as there are some within the PGA who have definite opinions when it comes to who can teach golf. I have spent a lot of time working with the trainee from my club (he's now a top 10 in the trainee OOM) and he has been told point blank that I will ruin his game rather than help it because I'm not a PGA member. The final straw was when I was asked to leave a well known driving range in Sydney because I was alledgedly conducting a lesson whilst not accredited to teach there. I hope that you are not the minority but I am beginning to have my doubts after this recent experience SP
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I am not allowed to go to someone elses "turf" and teach there either. If someone came to my course and started teaching I'd be a little annoyed too. So don't think it was just you... I would've had the same reaction if I had done it instead of you. I have an open mind... I don't know everything about golf and there are people out there who can pass on information to me. Then it's up to me whether I agree or disagree with it. WILLOW
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Teaching on someone elses turf is a big no no. They pay the rent and all the overheads so its fair enough to not work on someone elses patch. Of course you can approach the range owners and work out some agreements between you that may be mutually beneficial. Also beware that within the rules of golf, if you teach mechanics of a golf swing you have major issues over your amatuer status:) There is a grey area between Pro and Amatuer that sees many not being PGA members that the sports ruling bodys see as "Pro" many who are not PGA members. MattWI is in that area right now in the US if I read his situation correctly working at the Country Club. Learning golf is hard enough as it is. Finding someone who is qualified enough to teach you is the advantage of the creds that the PGA or other teaching organisations gives you. There are some outside those groups that are very capable at teaching but they are rare. Gerry Hogan in this country is one who I think falls into that category (ie not affiliated to PGA). I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong about Gerry:) Most teaching people will be open minded, or at least open eared enough to listen to suggestions as that way they will be able to see if what you have to say is sound or not. Whether they would want you teaching them is another matter:)
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Agree totally with you Paul on the someone elses's turf and amateur status side - if two friends share a bucket of balls and take turns in hitting while the other watches and offers feedback that doesn't constitute a lesson (nor should it substitute for one either). Isn't our game about spending time with friends and wanting everyone to improve the enjoyment they get out of playing each time they tee it up?
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I got kicked off a range once hitting balls with a mate prior to a comp I was playing in. Not even qualified to teach but the local pro heard me saying "nice shot" to my mate and that was that. I never went back to that range and I decided there and then I would learn to teach. I agree having fun with mates at a range is what its all about alongside the holies out there. Lets just say that some range runners need to be open minded when they see fellows having fun talking over their swings between themselves a little more liberally sometimes:)
Heck the guy did me a favour in the end.
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Ya it sounds like that's not a normal range attendant we're talking about here...more like a RANGE NAZI! Yikes...what a hardcore... How can you expect buddies to not talk among themselves about the golf swing at the range? I mean...it's golf...that's what it's all about. ACHTUNG! NEIN!
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sounds like it turned out to be a positive for you.
however, that is a pretty crazy way for the local pro to behave.
i'm no fan of coaching mates or being coached by them, but
positive feedback in practice or before a round (e.g., nice shot,
your swing looks good today etc) is one of the more pleasant
aspects of the game. it is very rewarding when friends who have
seen you hit thousands of balls notice the little things you are
working hard to improve and for a pro to clamp down on that sort
of conversation just seems to run counter to the spirit of the
game.
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