| Copyright (c) 2010 Scott Cole | | | | The alternative is the professional that offers a |
| In the competitive world of junior golf, finding a | | | | junior program that is tailored to the needs of the |
| cost effective way to develop the talented junior | | | | student, and set up more on a tuition basis. For a |
| golfer can be very expensive. There is significant | | | | set amount each month, say $150 to $200, a |
| competition for the few scholarships offered by | | | | student can have their game fully evaluated by |
| major college programs. With that in mind, some | | | | the instructor, who can then develop a plan for |
| parents are willing to spend a small fortune to | | | | improvement. There is no need for a full blown |
| send their child to a top golf academy. The | | | | lesson every week, but the instructor can provide |
| instruction these students receive is second to | | | | the tools necessary for the student to improve |
| none, but most people simply can't afford the | | | | on their own. Once the student's game is |
| tuition involved. | | | | evaluated, the instructor provides the drills, swing |
| Unfortunately, the alternatives closer to home are | | | | thoughts, golf course management ideas and |
| few and far between. It is very difficult to find an | | | | mental tips to help the student improve. The |
| instructor that actually focuses on developing | | | | instructor can then simply make themselves |
| junior players who have the talent to compete at | | | | available through conversation or email, and fewer |
| a higher level. Most instructors simply offer | | | | lessons are required. |
| instruction to beginners or intermediate players, as | | | | Now, the instructor also has the opportunity to |
| they themselves don't often have the skills to | | | | keep track of the progress of his students |
| work with scratch golfers. Since they tend to also | | | | through the use of the internet. Students can |
| where the hat of a head golf professional or | | | | provide certain information regarding their rounds |
| assistant golf professional, they simply do not | | | | of golf by uploading it via cell phone or computer, |
| have the time to provide more in depth | | | | and it can be sent straight to the instructor. The |
| instruction. These professionals spend most of | | | | instructor then has the information necessary to |
| their time running a pro shop, dealing with club | | | | potentially make recommendations for |
| members or patrons, directing tournaments, | | | | improvement without seeing the student. |
| managing personnel, etc. | | | | The bottom line is that there is a more cost |
| Another issue with finding instruction for the | | | | effective alternative to developing the junior |
| competitive junior golfer at the local level is the | | | | golfer. Parents should take the time to research |
| expense. Top teachers tend to charge upwards | | | | their local teaching professionals to find the few |
| of $120 per hour, although they may offer a | | | | that set themselves apart from the rest in this |
| lower rate for juniors. However, even if the rate | | | | regard. By finding a top instructor locally, they will |
| is just $75 per hour, one lesson per month adds | | | | provide their junior golfer a better opportunity to |
| up to $300, and that is quite a bit for most | | | | compete with the kids that have the opportunity |
| families, especially in this economy. | | | | to attend the high end golf academies. |