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How To Teach Golf For A Living

Friday, November 6th, 2009
golf lessons
Andy West asked:


Golf has become increasingly popular in recent years, which has led to an increase in golf-related jobs. In particular, more golf instructor jobs have become available, as more people are interested in learning or perfecting their golf skills. If you are among those who would like to teach golf for a living, now is a good time to pursue your dream career. Here are a few steps to get you started.

Familiarize yourself with the sport

To teach golf requires that you know the sport like the back of your hand. If you don’t already know the ins and outs of golf, you should get more involved before you start pursuing your new career.

Make sure you like golf well enough to teach it

In order to teach golf, you need to have a sincere passion for the sport. After all, your career will require that you immerse yourself in the world of golf. If you can’t stomach the thought of being surrounded by golf day in and day out, during your free time as well as during work hours, being a golf instructor is probably not for you.

Take golf lessons

Let’s say all your experience with golf stems from playing it with friends, family, or coworkers. Your father, or even a close friend, taught you everything you needed to get started; anything else, you picked up along the way. If this describes you to a “tee,” you should consider taking some actual golf lessons before you actively start pursuing your new career. After all, if you decide teaching golf is not for you, your indecision will cost you considerably less than if you started pursuing an education from a professional golf school right off the bat.

Find out what kind of education and experience you’ll need to teach golf

This may require calling various golf courses and resorts in your area, and asking them for information on their hiring criteria for golf instructors. You should never pursue a career without having a good idea of what will be required of you. Different golf establishments may have different standards, but you should make sure you know what to expect at the places where you would want to work. Chances are, they’ll want to see either a history of teaching golf or an education from a reputable golf school.

Enroll in a reputable golf school

If you are not already a well-established golf instructor, you probably won’t get very far without an education in golf. Golf education is becoming easier to obtain. This doesn’t mean you should enroll in just any golf school, however. Make sure the golf school has definable standards for selecting their instructors, a track record of successful graduates, and a good reputation in the industry.

Acquire valuable work experience before graduation

It’s easy enough to find internships and part-time or full-time work in the industry while pursuing your education. Many schools maintain relationships with local golf businesses, opening doors for students who want to get a head start on building their resume. What is difficult is trying to get your dream job right after graduation when you have no prior experience. In other words, if you do the entry-level work while you’re still in school, you’ll have an easier time finding an instructor position after graduation.

Don’t be shy, submit your resume

It doesn’t hurt to start submitting your resume to potential employers weeks or even months before you graduate. Getting a head start on your job search makes it more likely that you’ll find a job right out of the gates. In addition, many golf schools offer job placement programs, making it easier than ever to land a golf job.

As you can see, earning your living as a golf instructor is by no means impossible. It does require some dedication and work on your part. If your goal is to teach golf, don’t hesitate, get out there and start earning the education and experience you’ll need to land your dream job.



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The New Generation In Golf Course Jobs

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
golf course
Andy West asked:


The game of golf has evolved much over the last fifty years. The jobs that go along with this sport have also changed. Golf course jobs were once thought to be tasks that were reserved for young boys during the hot summers at their country club. Gone are the days when the only golf jobs available were to be a cart boy or pro shop pawn. While most golf courses still employ individuals to take care of guests and perform tasks such as rounding up the range balls, they offer career opportunities that far exceed those, as well. You might even be surprised at some of the folks who are finding work in the golf industry these days.

When you head out to the links and you shoot that 87 with three double bogies, it is easy to forget that a golf club is also a business. Despite the beautiful grass and seemingly lazy atmosphere, there is a whole heap that goes on behind the scenes to make sure the final product is up to par. Because of this, golf courses hire professionals just like any other business. Those graduating from law school may feel this precludes them from participating in the golf industry. That is completely false. Golf course jobs have evolved to the point where courses and country clubs are now hiring their own personal team of attorneys to handle everything from contracts to potential litigation from accidents that may happen on the course. Many golf courses also employ their own accountant in order to take care of the tax needs of the company. Golf course jobs have come a long way since the days where cart boys had the responsibility of washing down the golf scooters.

You might not look like Jennifer Lopez and your specialty may not be in weddings, but if you are an event planner or special occasion specialist, then a golf course in your area might be your next client. When special days roll around at the country club, the members generally like to party in style. Many golf courses, especially the upper-end variety, will hire out the services of an event planner that will take care of all the arrangements. Taking this to an even greater extreme, some golf clubs even have a full time event planner on staff in order to coordinate all of their special events.

Many students have recently been going to college to learn about landscaping and horticulture. If keeping grass green is something you do, then there are Golf course jobs out there in huge numbers. The golf side of the business requires that these employees keep their property looking pristine. When golf course managers cannot accomplish this feat themselves, they often turn to landscape specialists and turf grass experts to do it for them. The fairways stay neat and the greens so colorful because the work has been done professionally.

Many golf courses also have a need for experienced business professionals. Like with any business, large or small, there must be a core of financial managers to look after the profits of the company. A growing addition to the golf jobs market is in the field of human resources, where golf course managers are staffing their team with qualified workers who know how to motivate and handle employees.

If you have both a love for golf and a professional skill, then these golf course jobs might be right up your alley. The golf industry has expanded to such a level where these positions are not only available; they are necessary. As golf continues to grow, there is no question that the new and improved golf course jobs will make the jobs of old seem very dreary.



Kansieo.com

Before Their Professional Golf Careers Took Off

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008
golf leagues
Andy West asked:


Ever catch yourself daydreaming about what it would be like to walk the links with your own personal caddy at a PGA golf tournament instead of watching all the action unfold on TV? Wondering if the right training and mentoring could someday help you channel your talent and passion for the sport into your own professional golf career?

While it might seem like a far fetched idea that would hardly turn into a reality, just remember all of the great golf legends. Take for example some of the true icons of the game like Lee Trevino, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods. These individuals learned the sport inside and out and have realized such huge success and amazing accomplishments throughout their professional golf careers.

It might be difficult to imagine these stars focusing on anything other than golf since incredible drives, chip shots, and putts seem to go hand in hand with the mere mention of their names. But here’s a rare look behind the scenes at where some of golf’s greatest players got their starts and where the game took them.

Perhaps with one of the most interesting stories, is Lee Trevino’s. One of golf’s first and finest players grew up with little money and began working at an early age to help his family make ends meet. He started working in cotton fields and found his love for golf shortly after as he began caddying at a local course. Before making a professional golf career for himself, Trevino also served four years with the U.S. Marines.

Starting out on the college track, crowd favorite Tiger Woods first attended Stanford University. He left school after a few years to focus on golf and turned pro in 1996 at the age of 21. Other college bound pros include Phil Mickelson who attended Arizona State University where he studied psychology. Tom Lehman who got his degree in business and accounting. Fred Couples went to the University of Houston.

Taking a look back at some other players also proves that golf was not always the sport these legendary names started out playing, but rather, the one they stuck with in the long run. For example, Davis Love III, a big name on the course today, had a real affection for ice hockey in his younger years. Fellow teammate Lee Janzen took up baseball as a kid and spent his summers participating on Little League teams. He also pursued tennis for a while before realizing golf was the sport he liked and played best.

Other sports enthusiasts include Ernie Els who took his hand at rugby, cricket and tennis before turning pro in 1989 and starting his professional golf career. Like Els, Vijay Singh also played cricket and rugby when he was younger and dabbled in soccer before settling on golf and turning pro in 1982.

With golf as their main focus, many pros can’t seem to get enough of the sport and have kept with it in other ways. Fred Couples has done work involving golf academies, equipment companies and clothing lines. Tom Weiskopf has helped design several courses across the nation and spent time as a golf analyst on TV.

So as you can see, not every professional golfer started out on the greens. Many pursued other educations, sports and hobbies and some even had to take it upon themselves to create their own opportunities. It just goes to show that with the right training, focus and determination, a professional golf career can be achieved if you’re up for the challenge.



Kansieo.com

How To Choose Between Golf Jobs

Monday, August 11th, 2008
golf teacher
Andy West asked:


If you are looking for a career in golf, there are plenty of golf jobs to choose from. Golf is a large industry with plenty of opportunities for golf careers. Regardless of your unique talents and aspirations, there is bound to be a golf job that is perfect for you. Below are some things to think about when deciding what type of golf job you want to pursue.

A competitive personality

Not everyone has the competitive spirit needed to succeed in professional golf. If you are both very competitive and very good at golf, it might be worth assessing your chances of succeeding as a professional golfer. If you love golf but don’t necessarily want to compete, there are plenty of other options for you.

Preference to work indoors or outdoors

Some people love to be outdoors whenever possible. There are a variety of golf jobs to suit these people’s preferences, such as golf course landscapers, maintenance crews, and instructors. Other people love golf but don’t necessarily want to be outside day in and day out, regardless of how nice the weather is. There are plenty of golf jobs that don’t require you to always be outside. Positions in golf equipment sales, golf equipment repair, and business management offer primarily indoor work with varying degrees of outdoor responsibilities.

Possess leadership skills

For those who enjoy holding a position of leadership, the golf industry offers plenty of management positions. You can combine your leadership skills with another area of training by managing a certain department, such as the landscaping crew at a golf course or an independent golf equipment store. Eventually you may aspire to managing a golf-related business, such as a golf course or a golf resort.

Living where golf is a seasonal sport

Because golf is primarily an outdoor sport, the business of golf courses and resorts in certain areas is regulated by the season. If you live in an area with hard winters, and you don’t want your job security to be subject to the season, there are many golf jobs that won’t be affected by bad weather. For example, if you design, make, or sell golf equipment, clothing, or accessories, you will be assured of a job all year long. Likewise, the skills of golf writers and golf journalists are needed all year around.

Explaining important golf concepts to others

Good instructors, those who are patient and knowledgeable about the sport, and who can teach to beginners as well as advanced students, are in high demand in the industry. Not every golf enthusiast makes a good teacher, so if you have the necessary skills you may find that your expertise is in high demand.

An eye for design

Whether your instinct is for beautiful, well-made golf equipment or attractive clothing, the golf industry always has room for another designer. Golf enthusiasts are always on the lookout for a club that is as beautiful as it is functional, not to mention golf clothing that is both comfortable and stylish.

As you can see, there are golf jobs available for just about any skill set. No matter who you are or where your talents lie, the golf industry is sure to have the perfect niche for you.



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A Golf Professional Career is More Than Just Another Club

Saturday, May 24th, 2008
golf pro
Andy West asked:


Golf is not just another hobby these days; it’s become a profession, a sport, and a lifestyle. Those that enjoy the game of golf find themselves wanting to spend more and more time on the game and are willing to spend the money to get results. This is why more people are becoming golf professionals as their career. Why not combine what they love with what they do for a living?

Being a golf professional takes more than just a love of the game, however. When you want to make it your career, you need a thorough understanding of how the game has emerged through history as well as where it’s heading into the future. You will want to learn about the various techniques of play and how they’ve changed in the past decades; you’ll want to know about the various equipment innovations that have made golf a technological game as much as a mental game and you’ll want to find out the best methods of teaching someone to play.

Teaching someone to love the game of golf is another career goal for the golf professional. When you’re able to communicate the intricacies of the sport to your client, you will be able to give them the power to want to make the adjustments in their game. You will want to learn about the various teaching methods that you can employ and what will work best for various levels of players. You’ll also want to learn how to help clients raise their games to the next level, when you notice that they are ready to do so.

Golf is more than just a sport that you play as well. As a part of a growing industry, golf professionals need to understand the financial sides of the sport. You will need to learn how to manage clientele, how to manage a golf related business, how to interact within various golfing facilities, and more. A golf professional will also find it important to know about equipment and how to deal with equipment manufacturers, tournament coordination, traveling from locale to locale, creating a marketing strategy, as well as how to use print and media publishing to their advantage.

Becoming a golf professional will also allow you to recognize the value of golfing trends and equipment, or the lack thereof. Having this new knowledge allows you to pass along valuable tips to your clients as well as let them in on the devices and equipment that might not be the best investment. You will also be able to monitor market trends to see what golfers are looking for in their games as well as what they might need from a golf pro through professional newsletters and magazines.

A career as a golf professional is as rewarding as it is challenging. With the opportunity to nurture a client from the beginning stages to more advanced levels, you can watch someone blossom into a talent and perhaps even into a professional career. You will also have the chance to play the sport that you love every day of your life, because you need to keep your skills honed as well.

There are many establishments that are training golf professionals for a career in the golf industry. These may include lengthy training sessions or weekly training sessions, depending on the location and the skills that are being taught. But even before you head to school, you need to head out for another round of golf with your friends, because practice is what makes you as close to perfect as can be.



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