Page 39 - Summer2020GTP
P. 39
STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Approaching a local golf course with an
existing clientele gave me value; it was simply
a matter of negotiating terms with a general
GOLF COACHING IN THE LAND DOWN UNDER manager.
• Introduce yourself to local golf instructors
and volunteer to help them with their junior
programs, holiday camps and clinics. This
was a great way to show the locals that I
could deliver, and it always resulted in being
offered future paid work.
be a great success, attracting hundreds of the
millennial generation each day. The range is the • Treat your golf coaching as a business and
first, with talk of many more to come. According to be willing to invest in branding, marketing,
OzPlay which is Australia’s leading data collection and building your online presence. Your
agency, there are over 200,000 people interested potential students will be looking at reviews
in learning the game annually. Like many other before they invest in your lesson programs.
countries, it’s clear that the challenge ahead of • Invest in tools and technology. I made two
us is providing programs that attract these non- large purchases that set me apart. The
golfers to the game. first was a large SNAG kit that gave me
Ten years have now passed since I first arrived. equipment to run school programs. The other
My golf coaching business has steadily grown was a TrackMan. This launch monitor set me
over the years, and today I assist with the delivery apart from other coaches who didn’t use
of the AGTF seminars. I also serve as president of technology.
the state’s collegiate golf program, give private • Never stop learning and gaining credentials.
lessons at two indoor studios, provide beginner Go through the WGTF courses and become
clinics and junior camps at a local course, serve a Master Golf Teaching Professional. Look for
as the coach for a disabilities program, and serve every opportunity to improve your skills and
as the golf coach at a high school and the local make this a primary business strategy.
college. • Create an experience. The millennial
Below are a few tips if you find yourself newly generation (ages 22-38) are the customers
married in a foreign land with nothing but your golf who are spending hard-earned money on
shoes: TopGolf-type facilities. Studies show that this
• Understand your value. Golf coaching/ generation values experiences more than
instructing is a specialized skill that is highly a service or product. Study this generation,
valued if you’re able to attract non-golfers. and if you can be the one that can create a
You essentially become a free marketing unique lesson experience that they respond
agent for a golf course manager who needs to, you will be the envy of the entire golf
more business. coaching world.
• Network by telling everyone you meet Wherever you are located in the world, I would
what you do. My new wife worked at a love to hear about your coaching business and
large church, and it didn’t take long before share ideas about growing the game. Please feel
everyone that played golf wanted a lesson. free to contact me at GrantGarrison@live.com.
Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
®
36
36
SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro
