FAQ's

Why Don't You Have a Playing Ability Test ?

The whole purpose of this course is to "teach you to teach". Yes, playing golf each morning is very enjoyable but it is not teaching you to teach and it uses up valuable time that should be decicated to learning. A valid qualifying handicap is all that is required.

How Does Teaching Affect My Amateur Status ?

Undertaking the Golf Coach Course does not invalidate your amateur status. However, once you start taking money for teaching golf, you lose your amateur status unless you are employed by an educational institution and you teach golf for less than 50% of your employed time. You can find full details at the Royal and Ancient’s website www.randa.org including downloadable guides to all aspects of amateur status.

How do I find a Coaching Job

The first thing to understand is that jobs will not come to you; you will have to go after them ! Opportunities exist but as all things in life, success will be related to the amount of effort you put in. The first thing is “to get a foot on the first rung of the ladder”. This might mean group teaching in a gym during the winter months or junior teaching at schools. Look around and find courses that have a practice ground and no teaching pro – offer your services making clear that you will not be asking for a retainer but will be happy to live off your teaching income. The fact that you can also repair clubs is another “feather in your cap”.

If you are prepared to travel overseas, other jobs exist, especially in countries where golf is relatively new. Sometimes these jobs are seasonal – e.g. from March through October in the Northern hemisphere.