1 Apr 2024

“PRO” FILE – MASTER GOLF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL YONGBEOM KIM

By Yongbeom Kim

After immigrating to Texas in 2001, golf became a new challenge for me through daily practice and playing, even in my busy engineer’s life where I could learn and practice golf much more than in my native Korea.

After obtaining USGTF certification, I have developed a more consistent swing and better scores through my playing and practicing, and have learned a great deal by studying theory. As a result, I developed my philosophy of teaching golf. In 2015, I started working as the director of the USGTF Foreign Language Certification division and am imparting my knowledge and experience to those USGTF candidates.

Above all, I learned a great deal from the curriculum’s How to Teach Golf textbook, and instructed the candidates based on this content. I also opened the Prime Golf Academy to teach beginners through advanced players. In particular, seeing those who have obtained their USGTF certification through me and to teach others to play golf has been highly rewarding, and I plan to continue doing so for quite some time.
Read more 0
1 Apr 2024

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT – ANNIE MASCOT

Annie Mascot’s foray into golf wasn’t exactly love at first sight. As she put it, “I remember being 10 years old, outside in the cold and rain, just thinking, ‘When will this be over?'” However, her parents urged her to continue, and when she joined her middle school’s golf team, the Augora Hills, California, resident met USGTF professional Jim Govostes.

“When I started on my middle school’s team in 7th grade, I was not good by any means,” said Annie. “I had an untrained swing and the temperament of, well, a 7th-grader. I would get frustrated that I wasn’t good and that I wasn’t the best, that I would mess up from time to time. Of course, we all get frustrated about those things, but the reason why my frustration didn’t get the best of me in those early years has a lot to do with Jim. He would remind me that change takes time, that practice makes improvement, and that if I just kept going, eventually I would get there.”

Said Govostes, “Annie started her golf career with a pretty ugly golf swing. But there was the base of a very, very powerful golf movement in her swing. She wanted to improve, and she had a mother and father that both supported her. We started weekly lessons, and we worked on backswing, turning, staying solid from hips down and delivery.” Being strong-headed, Annie didn’t always take to Govostes’ teaching, but in the end, it paid off. She said, “Switching my mindset from being insecure about where it started to having pride in how far I came is what made me start to fall in love with the game.”

She turned that love of the game into great success, winning the individual NCAA Division III national championship in 2023, setting a single-round scoring record of -5 along the way while representing Washington University of St. Louis. She is now a mechanical engineering Ph.D candidate at Stanford University, a great testament to her academic acumen, which, in the end, is the most important accomplishment of all.
Read more 0
1 Apr 2024

USGTF INDUSTRY PARTNER – SWING PROFILE

Golf coaching is easy and fun with Swing Profile golf analyzer! Now for the month of April 2024, we are offering 50% off Swing Profile “Coach” version, as well as 50% off our golf putt training app “Putt Profile” (www.puttprofile.com). Download apps and try now! For more information, please contact info@swingprofile.com.

Features of Swing Profile golf app for coaches include:

  1. PGA Show award-winning “Auto Capture” technology for golf analysis and student self-training.
  2. “Ball tracker” for instant ball trajectories tracking
  3. Easy “voiceover” for recording your voice and drawing Automatic video backup to secure cloud storage and video synchronization across devices
  4. Easy video exchange with students on both Swing Profile app and email
  5. “Student Lockers” system for organizing student videos
  6. Enlist your coaching business on our “Coach directory” to be seen by hundreds of thousands of Swing Profile users
Read more 0
1 Apr 2024

EDITORIAL – THE USGTF MISSION IS CONTINUING: “LEADER IN THE FIELD OF GOLF INSTRUCTION”

When the USGTF and WGTF adopted the slogan “Leader in the field of golf instruction,” at the time it seemed a brash statement. After all, the PGA had been around much longer, and instruction was long associated with that organization.  

But a funny thing happened along the way. The USGTF continued to improve and update its certification program and more people interested solely in teaching – without the other attendant duties required of a club professional – sought out the USGTF to become educated in the art and science of teaching.  

Today, the USGTF has a more rigorous standard of earning certification than ever before. Due to the work of USGTF president Brandon Lee and National Office examiner Jerry Ellstrom, candidates receive the most up-to-date information and methodology in teaching.  

As the old saying goes, if you aren’t moving ahead you are falling behind, and the USGTF is certainly taking this to heart and enhancing its presence in the golf world. In addition to upgrading the certification process, the USGTF has committed to reaching out to younger candidates to further the long-term health of the organization. It is also committing to a marketing plan to continue and improve the USGTF’s visibility among the golfing public, all the better to serve its members.  

Thirty-five years after the founding of the USGTF, the organization, along with the WGTF, has become an incredible standard of excellence for the golfing public to rely on in terms of top-notch instruction from its members. This will only continue to increase, as the “leader in the field of golf instruction” maintains the highest standards and ethics possible continuing into the 21st century.
Read more 0
1 Mar 2024

GI BILL ALLOWS FOR VETERAN REIMBURSEMENT FOR USGTF CERTIFICATION

In full support of our military veterans, the USGTF Associate Member Online Course and the USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professional on-site course are approved by the Veterans Administration, under the GI Bill, for course fee reimbursement. The course fee will be reimbursed by the VA after proof of payment and proof of course completion is submitted by eligible veterans. Eligible veterans need to complete the VA Form 22-0803 (Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test).  

The V.A. Education Call Center is available at 1-888-442-4551 (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST) for any questions about GI Bill benefits.
Read more 0
1 Mar 2024

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR MEMBER RENEWALS

If you have not yet paid your 2024 membership fees, the time to do so is now! The scheduled increase in late fees, which was due to take place on March 1, has been extended one week. After March 7, the late fee will be $50. Please visit https://www.usgtf.com/annual-membership-renewal to renew your USGTF membership to remain a member in good standing and continue to be a part of this great organization. With the increasing demand for certified instructors in the industry, it has never been more important to keep your teaching credentials active and remain member in good standing.

USGTF members receive many benefits, including equipment and accessory discounts through our industry partners; continuing education materials; liability insurance, networking opportunities and competing in regional and national events. Questions? Please contact the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or into@usgtf.com.
Read more 0
1 Mar 2024

HONG KONG SAR GOLF TEACHERS FEDERATION, USGTF FORM CLOSE TIES

With the reputation of the World Golf Teachers Federation and the United States Golf Teachers Federation continuing to grow in a positive direction worldwide, the Hong Kong SAR Golf Teachers Federation has seen an increased demand for its teaching certification program.

One of the aspects helping the HKGTF gain momentum is the research of Dr. Jackson Wan, who is certified by the HKGTF. Dr. Wan has expertise in anatomy, biomechanics and engineering, and has helped the HKGTF to develop programs that are highly sought-out. A synopsis of Dr. Wan’s work can be found in the latest edition of Golf Teaching Pro magazine on page 61 at https://usgtf.com/winter2024/flipBook.html.
Read more 0
1 Mar 2024

USGTF REGIONAL ACTION; US PRO HICKORY RESULTS

Southeast – Blue skies and warm temperatures greeted 19 participants in the USGTF Southeast Region Championship played February 20-21 at Twisted Oaks Golf Club in Beverly Hills, Florida. Region director Mark Harman from Ridgeland, South Carolina, proved to be an inhospitable host as he captured the tournament with a 1-over-par total of 145 over the two days. Gig Hilton from The Villages, Florida, finished second while Brent Davies from Michigan finished third. Complete scores and statistics can be found at https://www.24seregion.golfgenius.com.

Northeast – The USGTF Northeast Region Championship will be held Thursday, June 20, at Mountain View Golf Course in Ewing, New Jersey. Tee times will begin at 12 noon. The entry fee is $185. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bob Corbo at simductivegolf@gmail.com.

Central – The USGTF Central Region Championship will be played in July at Walden Ponds Golf Course in Hamilton, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. The exact date will be determined soon. The entry fee is $250. For more information, please contact region director Tony McMullin at tmcmullin72@yahoo.com.

Southwest – The USGTF Southwest Region Championship will be held Friday-Sunday, September 20-22, at Twin Creeks Golf Club in Allen, Texas. The entry fee is $250. For more information and to enter, please contact region director Bruce Sims at bsims@pga.com.

You may also refer to region championship action at https://www.usgtf.com/tournaments-for-golf-teaching-professionals. All USGTF members, regardless of membership level or residence, are eligible to play in any region championship.
Read more 0
1 Mar 2024

“PRO” FILE – THE GENESIS INVITATIONAL WINNER HIDEKI MATSUYAMA

Hideki Matsuyama is the greatest golfer the continent of Asia has produced to date, and his latest victory at the Genesis Invitational served as further testament to his prowess. He fired a final-round tournament record of 62 at Riviera Country Club, an old-style course that is one of the players’ favorite tracks on tour, to erase a six-shot deficit to Patrick Cantlay and win the event by three strokes.  

Matsuyama won five times in a span of a little over three years from 2014 to 2017, but was uncharacteristically out of the winner’s circle until his Masters victory in 2021. That win restarted the victory bandwagon for Matsuyama, as he has won three more PGA Tour events since then. It’s a sure bet that he won’t go another four years without winning, and it would come as no surprise if his prolific winning ways continue for the next several years.
Read more 0
1 Mar 2024

“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER DR. CORY L. MORRIS

Dr. Cory Morris from Morrisville, North Carolina, is a Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® and USGTF Certified Golf Teaching Professional®. He owns EPIC Chiropractic P.C. in Morrisville, North Carolina, where he serves a wide variety of patients, many of whom are golfers. Combining his knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the body, proper movement patterns and common injuries with his background in golf, teaching, and the mechanics of the swing allows him to mesh his two worlds together. With this unique skill set, he is able to help improve someone’s game while they perform and feel their best.

Morris started golfing at the age of 14 to spend more time with one of his favorite cousins. He quickly caught the “golf fever” and has never looked back. During his college years at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, he decided to further his golf knowledge and became USGTF certified. He wanted to pursue this certification so he could help others learn golf and improve their games and to deepen their love and enjoyment for golf. He also utilized much of his teaching knowledge learned from USGTF instructors to further improve his own golf game, which helped him become more consistent in his tournament play. Today, he remains an active golfer playing both recreationally – usually with his favorite playing partner, his dad – and competitively. He mostly competes locally in club-oriented tournament play, where most notably he has won his local club’s club championship seven times.

As you might guess, his style of teaching revolves around body mechanics. He is a big proponent of “swing your own swing within reason.” He focuses on what is most mechanically correct and efficient for each player’s build to improve their golf games while prolonging their pain-free golf years. He likes to incorporate homework for patients and students – all the same – that usually includes some combination of exercise, stretching and functional movement patterns, geared towards making them a better golfer and a healthier person overall.
Read more 0