New – USGTF Member Benefit

Request your free “Golf Business” website speed test and evaluation! As a member benefit, we have made arrangements with Weaver Enterprises Business Services to provide one free “Golf Business” related website speedtest and evaluation for any USGTF or WGTF member who desires this free service. We realize that there are elements to your golf business that go beyond being a golf teaching or coaching professional. In order to stay ahead of your competition in your business, you need to place yourself on the cutting edge of technology in how you present your business services to potential clients/customers. A vital element of this is to be certain that your website is professional not only in appearance but in function, as well.

In light of a recent algorithm change by Google, website load speed time has become more important than ever. Mobile devices now outnumber desktop, and Google is giving higher web rank status to sites that are optimized for mobile devices and have rapid site loading.

All you have to do to receive this free speed-test and evaluation report is to follow the link below. You will be directed to a form that will require your USGTF member number, so be sure and have that available when you submit your request. Once the request is submitted, you should receive your evaluation report within 72 hours.

Your evaluation report will include recommendations as to how you can rectify any factors that might be affecting your website speed, mobile optimization and overall function. In the event that the report indicates that adjustments/corrections need to be made for your site, you can then develop an action plan. That plan can be to make the adjustments/corrections yourself, have your website administrator handle it for you, or Weaver Enterprises can provide you with a quote for completing the necessary tasks.

Please Click Here for Your Free Speed Test

“PRO” File – Touring Professional Dan Pohl

He led the PGA Tour in driving distance in 1980 with an average of 274.3 yards, a distance that would have ranked dead last on the Tour last year. Yes, the game has changed that much. But Dan Pohl’s claim to fame as the first to lead the official driving distance stat is secure. Pohl’s career wasn’t great by professional standards, but he almost won the Masters, losing in a playoff to Craig Stadler in 1982. Pohl did win twice on the Tour, both times in 1986, and won the Vardon Trophy for low stroke average in 1987. Pohl suffered a series of injuries beginning shortly thereafter, and his playing career never again reached such heights. He played on the Champions Tour beginning in 2005, but today is retired from professional golf and lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Pohl also hosts a radio show there. While today’s game with modern equipment may produce impressive missiles off the tee, galleries in 1980 were undoubtedly equally impressed by Pohl’s long-distance prowess back then, too. p>

USGTF Looking For Golf Teaching Photos

Nothing is more powerful than visual images, and the field of teaching golf is no exception. The USGTF is looking for teaching photographs that embody what the profession is all about. If you believe you can capture the right image, we’d love to see your photos.

All photos submitted should be original and specifically be actual golf teaching-related photographs, with well-dressed candidates, a well-dressed teaching professional, and a clean background. Example: No cars, roads, buildings, golf carts, etc. By submitting your picture, you consent to allow the USGTF the rights to use your image for promotional purposes.

Please e-mail your photos to info@usgtf.com or send them to the National Office via regular mail.

Editorial – The Gap Hasn’t Just Widened: It Has Blown Open

By Mike Stevens, USGTF Member and Contributing Writer

For the average person, baseball, football, basketball and hockey are clearly spectator sports. No guy off the street is going to face a 100 mph fastball, tackle an NFL running back, guard Lebron James, or stop a Sydney Crosby slap shot. In golf, however, there was a time when a decent amateur or teaching pro could hit similar shots to those of a PGA Tour professional. The gap was not insurmountable. Oftentimes, a club pro or amateur would qualify for the U.S. Open, and some club pros could be found on the PGA Championship leaderboard. In the 1980s, the leading driving distance on tour was around 278 yards. Into the ’90s, it went up about 10 yards. Tour players were better primarily because of their consistency in ball striking, not because of equipment.

The last three years, the leading driving distance has been 320 yards. No one I know, average pro or amateur, even comes close to that. The regular guy has not gotten the advantage with today’s equipment that the tour guys are getting. Unless one starts very young and trains like the athletes on major sports teams, there is almost no chance of making it to the top level. It has really become a spectator sport like the big leagues: there’s them and then the rest of us. It kind of makes the game less fun for those with dreams. I remember playing at Doral when I was at school in Miami right after the tour stop there. I shot a 71 and felt like maybe I could compete with the pros. At least I felt I was close to their level. Pro and amateur golf are nothing like that anymore.

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