Teaching: Public vs. private course

[luigi]

hey all, been a lurker of this forum for some time and have enjoyed reading the swing/fitness subforum.

 

I was thinking of entering the pga apprentice program, and I was wondering if anyone could assess the merits/pitfalls of becoming a teaching pro at a private course vs. a public one. I certainly prefer the thought of mainly teaching as opposed to spending the bulk of the day in a proshop office managing inventory or planning club tournaments.

 

any advice/input would be appreciated.

 

thanks

luigi

[jaskanski]

From my experience, the vast majority of golfers who take up lessons are members of private clubs. If you're planning on doing more teaching than other duties, you probably stand a better chance at a private club, even though public courses will probably have a greater number of golfers per year. I can't really explain this trend, other than the private members probably feel they may get more from a professional at a club they are actually financially attached to.

[hbgpagolfpro]

[quote name='luigi' timestamp='1291537558' post='2824194']
hey all, been a lurker of this forum for some time and have enjoyed reading the swing/fitness subforum.

I was thinking of entering the pga apprentice program, and I was wondering if anyone could assess the merits/pitfalls of becoming a teaching pro at a private course vs. a public one. I certainly prefer the thought of mainly teaching as opposed to spending the bulk of the day in a proshop office managing inventory or planning club tournaments.

any advice/input would be appreciated.

thanks
luigi
[/quote]

Hi Luigi,

If you simply want to teach, I don't recommend either course of action. In both cases you will find yourself stuck in the pro shop or in the bag room cleaning clubs. You might be able to help the head pro with some group clinics and such, but you will likely not learn much about teaching.

Instead, I would do some research and seek out a few pros who solely make a living as instructors. Ask to apprentice under them. You will usually find them at driving ranges or possibly at resort style courses with nice teaching facilities.

Otherwise, you are looking at low wages for a long time, with limited time for teaching, and unless you work for a good teaching pro, you won't learn much about teaching.

Scott