Golf Lessons by PGA Golf Professional

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. PGA Director of Golf Instruction. I enjoy giving lessons to people of all ages and abilities. From beginner to professional golfer... I have a diverse Student clientele... and as such, I offer a personalized teaching style that caters to the individual's needs. This is important! I don't offer some "canned" lesson program that is the same for all students.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Ask other good golfers if they've taken lessons and by whom. I think reputation is more important than resume. Show me someone who has great testimonials and happy students and you have a successful instructor.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. How does one become a PGA member?

There are a series of steps involved in order to become a PGA member. First... you must pass a Playing Ability Test (P.A.T). Or at least score within a certain range. This is a type of Right-of-Passage.

Once passed, you must be work at a PGA recognized golf facility for at least 6 months and then you may register in the PGA PGM program which is a series of educational steps as well as experience steps.

Once you accomplish the requirements... you are elected into membership!

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Students should be aware of their current golf game situation prior to visiting for a lesson. I like to interview my students on their first lesson. Things I ask are:
"Tell me about your game?"
"What do you typically score?"
"What are your goals?"
"How much time will you have to invest to achieve your goals?"
"Do you have any injuries?"
"What typically happens when you hit a poor shot?"
"What is your ball flight like? High? Low? Curve Left? Start Left? Curve Right? Start Right?"

Be prepared... know the answers to these questions prior to going to your first golf lesson.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I was a regional with the Nike Golf Learning Centers... and had a huge impact on developing golf instruction programs as well as teaching teachers how to ... well... teach!

I believe golf is a great venue for building relationships... therefore I am in the people business teaching golf... not the golf business teaching people!

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love the ability to teach people of all ages, gender, race, and abilities. My Create Golfers Academy is located at a remarkable golf facility (MetroWest Golf Club). What is there NOT to like?

While I enjoy teaching golf... I hope my teaching goes beyond golf. I hope I can impact people's lives in a positive way. Golf is just a vehicle to do so.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Top two questions:

Question 1: How do I develop consistency?
Answer: Don't add things to your swing or game... take things out. Simpler is better. AND... the way you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.

Question 2: How can I hit the driver longer?
Answer: See Answer to question 1! :)

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. There are so many! Like the one of my Student who as a junior won his first tournament and gave me the trophy from. I still have that on my office shelf!

Or the elderly gentleman who took lessons from me every Thursday at 9am... until he missed one without calling me. His wife called me later that day to tell me that he told no one that he was battling cancer... he passed away. One of his last statements was that he wanted to make sure that I received all his golf equipment to give to any juniors who needed equipment.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I take my Students' successes very personal. I have a genuine interest in seeing my Students improve... on the golf course and perhaps in life. But most important... I want my students to have fun... regardless of the skill level they achieve. If I can get a Student to have fun... I've succeeded as a golf instructor.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I started in golf as a caddy when I was just 8-years-old and have numerous careers both in and outside of the golf industry (during one span, I was a freelance producer and production coordinator in the film industry!). Yet... I always seem to gravitate back toward doing something with golf. I love the game. I love the opportunity of helping someone achieve their golfing goals.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. There are so many, really. But rather than being proud of the job that I have done... I'm more proud of what my Students have accomplished. I have great Students... friends... many who enjoy just playing on weekends... and others that play professionally. They are all dynamic people!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Absolutely! As a PGA member you are required to attend educational seminars and events to stay current in the profession of golf. It's a must... and it's a good thing.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. The incorporation of video equipment for lessons continues to evolve to new and exciting levels. Obviously the invent of the internet has created a world wide opportunity! I gave a golf lesson to someone in the Netherlands fairly recently... over the internet and through emails. It's so cool!

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. A recent project that I finished was an eBook that is available at Amazon for Kindle called, "If Your Swing Thought is Longer Than A Tweet... IT'S TOO LONG!!" Its filled with hundreds of tweet-sized golf tips. These tips were chosen from my most popular tweets on Twitter. Purchase it here for only $4.99! Here's the Amazon link: http://amzn.to/npQU4O

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. My Adult Private Lesson Rate is $80+tax per hour or a package of six one-hour lessons for the price of $400+tax. These rates include the golf balls for the lessons. NEVER any additional hidden costs!

My Junior Lesson Rate (up to 16 years old) is $50+tax per hour... again... balls included.

I also offer INCREDIBLE adult group lesson programs beginning at $179 for six hours of instruction! Request a class schedule OR grab a minimum of three friends and create your own golf instruction experience on a day and time that is convenient for you. Ask about how you can save $20 per person!

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Obviously you must be a good golfer. But just as important is that you must be a people person. You must have a passion for helping others achieve their goals. Do so and you will rise to the top of ANY profession.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What was the best golf experience you had?

The first time I took my two children out on the golf course! It was so much fun and quite an adventure I might add!