By Tom Davidson, PGA
This article originally appeared in the March issue of Utah PGA Monthly digital magazine. To see the whole issue, click here.
Your skill as an instructor is something that is completely unique to you, something no one can duplicate. It is proven that as a golfer becomes more proficient at playing the game, they play more – golfers will always have the desire to play better. Teaching is a skill you can take with you wherever you go and will always be in high demand.
Here are three tips I have used throughout my career to build and maintain my teaching clientele:
- Keep a detailed file on each student that includes student tendencies, strengths, weaknesses, drills and a baseline of where the student was when you began. Update the file following each lesson. This will enable you to accurately track a student’s progress and help you plan for future skill development. It demonstrates to the student that you are invested in helping them get better, which goes a long way to developing customer loyalty.
- Communicate with your students regularly through social media, text and email. Sending bi-monthly or weekly swing tips, student achievements, new equipment, course or golf shop happenings, or feature common rules decisions are just a few ways to regularly communicate with students. Ask your students questions that require a response when formatting the posts. You are looking to engage with them in any way possible.
- Sell lessons in monthly packages. Lesson packages for three, six or 12 months are successful throughout the country. Many players recognize that lasting improvement takes time. Creating the opportunity for players to meet with you weekly for an extended period allows the player to develop the critical skills necessary to truly improve