| For a golf enthusiast, teaching golf might seem | | | | Be patient with beginning or challenged students. |
| like the perfect career. In fact, it is a very logical | | | | Everyone was a beginner once, or so the saying |
| career choice from someone who is particularly | | | | goes. Being able to maintain your patience when |
| skilled at golf and has the requisite golf education. | | | | teaching golf to a "newbie" is a definite |
| However, teaching golf also requires a special kind | | | | requirement for an instructor. Also, remember |
| of person: someone who is patient, who knows | | | | that golf does not come easily to everyone, and |
| how to teach to their students' individual needs, | | | | strive to be as patient as possible with those |
| and can build a strong relationship them. Below are | | | | students who have a more difficult time |
| a few reminders of the things you will need to be | | | | mastering the techniques you teach. |
| able to do when working as a golf instructor. | | | | Provide sufficient challenges for advanced |
| Be the expert. As a golf instructor, both your | | | | students. Your quick learners and more |
| students and your employer will expect you to | | | | experienced students need your attention just as |
| have all the answers about the sport. Your | | | | much as your beginners. If you noticed that a |
| employer is hiring you as an expert, and your | | | | particular student is mastering a skill more quickly |
| students are trusting your expertise to give them | | | | than you expect him or her too, be sure to |
| a respectable education. In order to fill this tall | | | | provide a new skill to learn before boredom sets |
| order, you should have either a solid education in | | | | in. Students who face a healthy challenge are |
| the sport, or a great deal of experience as a | | | | more likely to be happy, and happy students are |
| golfer. | | | | more likely to continue their lessons with you. |
| Be patient with recreational students. Not every | | | | Walk the fine line between your employer's needs |
| student wants to be a golf pro. For some golf | | | | and your students' needs. Your employer pays |
| enthusiasts, teaching golf can be difficult when | | | | you, of course, so you owe him or her a certain |
| they know their students only want to be able to | | | | degree of loyalty. However, don't forget that it is |
| play because it is a fashionable sport, or because | | | | your students who make your job possible, not |
| they are afraid of embarrassing themselves when | | | | your employer. Of course, you should still care |
| they are on the green with their friends or | | | | about making your employer happy and |
| coworkers. However, as a teacher it is important | | | | promoting his or her business, but making sure |
| to be able to tailor your instruction to the individual | | | | your students are happy should be your first |
| students' needs. | | | | concern. |
| Have the knowledge to instruct ambitious | | | | If these reminders seem like common sense to |
| students. Truly ambitious golf students may be | | | | you, teaching golf may be an ideal career for you. |
| the minority, but as a golf instructor you will still | | | | As a golf instructor, remember that your |
| need to be prepared to instruct them. When | | | | students' needs must always come first, and that |
| teaching golf to exceptionally ambitious students, | | | | meeting those needs requires that you are an |
| make sure you customize your instruction with | | | | expert in both golf and relating to your students. |
| their individual goals in mind. | | | | |