7 Deadly Sins That Golf Instructors Make

Andrew Penner

Posted 2004-07-25

Let’s face it. Nobody’s perfect. We’re all human. We make mistakes. We screw up. We get tired. We miss the point. We drive the point home too hard. We don’t prepare. It’s the way the human was made. While few golf students demand perfection from their golf instructor, there will be, and understandably so, high expectations associated with the instructor’s ability to deliver a good, solid, memorable lesson. Why else would students give instructors their money? Obviously there’s an onus on the golf instructor to teach sound principles. And to do it effectively, efficiently, and successfully - without making major mistakes.

As with every professional, minimizing mistakes is paramount if golf instructors want to have a long, prosperous career. Repeatedly making mistakes during a lesson – or even before the lesson begins – will hurt an instructor’s reputation, income, and can, ultimately, lead to his demise. However, instructors who can build a business with a solid reputation for delivering solid, “sin free” lessons stand a much better chance of being successful in what has become a fairly competitive market place.

As a student, you want to choose the right instructor. You want to spend your money and time wisely on the lesson tee. Don’t choose an instructor who commits these deadly sins!

Sin #1 - Over analyzing the student

Obviously, analysis is what this business is all about. Instructors look at grips, positions, posture, movements (or lack there of) and soak in the hundreds of variables involved. It’s a daunting task, really. There is always so much to consider in every golf swing. Where do they begin? Unfortunately, even if they do have a firm grasp of what is really ailing the student, spouting off for twenty minutes and addressing every single aspect of the student’s swing is, almost certainly, going to be a waste of everyone’s time. It is, however, a common mistake made by golf instructors.

Clear, concise, and simple direction is all that anyone wants in a golf lesson – including professional players. Instructors should go to the root of the problem and address it. They should stay away from working on too many things at once, keeping themselves and the student focussed on correcting one thing at a time.

Sin #2 – Failing to keep things fun

If golf becomes more than a game for students, then it’s not a game anymore – it’s work, a burden, something tedious and uninspiring. Webster’s definition of a “game” is, an activity providing entertainment and amusement, a pastime. Golf lessons should resonate with the fact that golf is supposed to be a source of enjoyment – no matter how well it’s played. Does your golf instructor laugh with you? Does he share the odd story or joke? Do you walk away saying that that lesson was a lot of fun? You should. Every time. Or you – and your instructor – are not being true to the game.

Sin #3 - Failing to adapt

Assembly line teaching. Doesn’t really have a nice ring to it, does it? Unfortunately, many teachers only acquire the invaluable skill of adapting to the individual student after they have taught for many years. Not that young instructors can’t learn this skill, but generally it takes some banked time to really understand how to adapt most effectively. In the introduction to Harvey Pennick’s Little Red Book, Tom Kite states, “Harvey allowed the swing to fit the student – his or her personality.” Kite went on to say that Pennick would never allow a student to watch another student’s lesson for fear that they would try to apply something that wasn’t relevant for them. Is your instructor a “stock” teacher or does he allow your personality and body type to dictate your swing?

Sin #4 - Poor Record-Keeping

Some things are out of golf instructor’s control. How much a student practices, various learning disabilities, and the weather are all things that they have little or no say in. However, keeping accurate records of students and their progress is not one of them. Sadly, many instructors fall short in this area. Keeping accurate information on goals, assigned drills, contact information, things worked on, etc. is all pertinent to a student’s success. How is your instructor with the books?

Sin #5 - Poor Marketing of the Product

The idea of marketing is, in my opinion, a grossly overlooked and underutilized tool amongst golf instructors. Why don’t golf instructors market themselves more? The answers – or excuses – vary from laziness to misinterpreting its value. Is your instructor “branding” his service? Is he finding new ways to get people in the doors, especially during slow periods? Does he have a workable marketing plan for his teaching business? These are questions that students can ask of their instructors. It says a lot about their competency, their desire, and their effectiveness as an instructor.

Sin #6 – Neglecting The Short Game

The best players in the world average 30 putts per round with a 70-stroke average. That’s about 40% of their stroke total (not including chipping, pitching, and greenside bunker shots – which would make the total over 50%). Neglecting the short game is the equivalent of teaching a baseball player how to hit the ball while foregoing the skill of fielding it. To be a complete golfer you need to learn offensive and defensive skills. Instructors should not make the mistake of producing golfers only half-skilled to play the game.

Sin #7 – Having An Impersonal Approach

The truth of the matter is this: instructors are only going to be liked (and receive repeat business) if they’re friendly, courteous, and approachable. On those long days with numerous lessons, some instructors can take on a robotic approach and make students feel like a nuisance. It is critical for instructors to make their students feel welcome and important, like true friends.

So how righteous is your pro? Perhaps he should be folding his hands and getting down on his knees. Or perhaps, if he doesn’t, you should be giving your money to the guy with the halo that’s teaching down the street.

Andrew Penner’s book, One Flew Over The Caddyshack, is available at Amazon.com.