NEWS FROM GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND - United States Golf Teachers Federation

By Peter Hudson

It has been a very wet winter and spring in the U.K. and Ireland, with many courses and driving ranges closed for days and weeks at a time. This, however, has led to greater demand for those of our members who have indoor golf schools and studios. This market segment is a real opportunity for the independent golf coach, especially with more and more game improvement being conducted online.

There are very few differences in the skills required to be a successful golf teacher/coach in these environments. True, there may be a need for a higher level of technical equipment and knowledge, but clients still learn best instinctively and intrinsically. If you have not read The Inner Game of Golf or Fred Shoemaker’s Extraordinary Golf, they are a great starting point for this genre. Interestingly, Homer Kelly, who is an expert in engineering, geometry and science, only learnt from feel in a blacked-out room!

Newswise, we conducted a training course with seven golfers in April, and the next is planned for Oxford in August. Those attending and planning to attend are many and varied in their previous work endeavours. Sports coaches, business coaches, accountants, I.T. experts, business managers and taxi driver are just some of their backgrounds.

We were invited by WGTF Netherlands to take a team of six players for a small European competition, organized by WGTF Netherlands, over two days in June. It is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and grow the WGTF family values. We will also continue to work closely with V1 Technologies, and they help us offer superior customer service, learning and communication.

We also work with Fore-business in the U.K. and Ireland, and now have at least six coaches who have enjoyed business from this outlet. The are currently growing in the USA and other parts of the world, and if you are a qualified coach, I highly recommend you contact their agents and arrange to join, or you may also contact me at info@wgtf.org.uk and I will arrange for them to call you.

I will be attending the PGA marketing exhibition in Orlando 2025. If anyone would like to meet, share ideas and maybe have a round of golf, let me know. Meanwhile, play well, teach well!