– A GREAT GOLF TEACHER NEEDS TO KNOW MORE THAN JUST GOLF SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES –

The most respected golf instructors in the world are known for their technical expertise, but their students and the public in general believe that they are experts in all things golf. This includes knowledge of the rules, equipment, current events on the major tours, public relations and public speaking, and perhaps agronomy.

That’s a lot to ask! But it is expected of today’s expert golf instructors that they are a resource of accurate and pertinent information in all fields associated with the game. The only thing worse than a golf instructor admitting they don’t know the answer to something basic that they should know is giving inaccurate information on said subject. People who are proven wrong in their knowledge lose credibility instantly with that person or audience that they are dealing with, and that is perhaps the worst-case scenario above admitting ignorance of the subject.

Fortunately, most USGTF and PGA members are golf “geeks,” so to speak, and follow the game intently in all facets. This is not to say that we need to know every little detail about everything that is going on, but being able to provide an answer or solution to things other than the golf swing is important if we are to reach the highest possible heights of our profession.