How To Get Golf Lessons

Everyone that loves the game of golf, and intends to receive lifelong enjoyment from the game, will benefit from professional golf lessons. Even for a novice golfer, locating a golf coach in your area is not as difficult as it may seem; however, there are a few things to know and consider when beginning your search.

Here are some steps you can take to find the right coach for you.

1. Limit your search to PGA (Professional Golf Association) professionals. Unless you have a cousin, aunt or close personal friend who knows the game and how to teach it, a PGA teaching pro is the way to go. Even the newest teaching pros already have several years of experience under their belts and know how to effectively teach golf. Another organization that is becoming well-respected is the United States Golf Teachers Federation (USGTF). USGTF Instructors achieve four levels of certification, the highest of which is the Level IV Master Golf Teaching Professional. Visit the PGA and USGTF websites to locate a professional in your area.
2. Interview multiple professional teachers. You should find out the age groups and skill levels with which the golf instructor has experience. If you are a 38 year-old novice golfer and the pro you are considering usually teaches 18 year-old single-digit handicappers, he or she may not be fitted to effectively teaching you.
3. Ask about the prospective teacher’s past golf accomplishments. She should be able to at least explain the process she went through in becoming a golf professional, and the education and golf experience she has attained. The accomplishments don’t have to be related to golf teaching, but keep in mind that not all great golfers make great golf teachers.
4. Ask around. After you’ve narrowed your search, ask other professionals and experienced golfers about the people on your list. Find out what they have to say about him. Also, ask the pros on your short-list for references of former and present students. Students should be able to give you a good assessment.
5. Make sure your personalities don’t clash. Even if you have selected the most reputable golf teaching pro in your area, if you don’t like they way they teach, speak, or interact with you, don’t hire him. Remember, you’re taking lessons for you, not to enhance the instructor’s ego or wallet.

Using these steps, and your own diligence, will help you arrive at a good choice. You will have selected a qualified, accomplished, well-respected person to help you become a better player. Now, just listen to what she says and you’re on your way to great golf.