Top 5 Rules for Choosing the Right Golf Coach
By Steve Bogdanoff, PGA
1. Avoid the “Courteous Waiter”
a. One who focuses their efforts on keeping you comfortable and happy, on making things go smoothly, with a minimum of effort.
b. This is the type of person that covers a lot of material in a short time, smiles a lot, and says things like “Don’t worry, no problem, we can take care of that later.”
2. Seek Someone Who Scares You a Little
a. They watch you closely: interested in figuring you out – what you want, where you are coming from, what motivates you.
b. Is action-oriented: They won’t want to spend a lot of time chatting – instead, they will jump into a few activities immediately, so they can get a feel for you and vice versa.
c. Is honest, sometimes unnervingly so: they will tell you the truth about your performance in clear language.
3. Seek Someone Who Gives Short, Clear Directions
a. Teaching is not an eloquence contest; it is about creating a connection and delivering useful information.
4. Seek Someone Who Loves Teaching Fundamentals
a. Great teachers will often spend entire practice sessions on one seemingly small fundamental – for example, the way you grip a golf club. It reflects their understanding that these fundamentals are the core of your skills. The more advanced you are, the more crucial they become.
5. Other Things Being Equal, Go With Experience
a. Teaching is like any other talent: It takes time to grow. Great teachers are first and foremost learners, who improve their skills with each passing year.
