After spending 16 years working for Dick and Butch Harmon, Matt Kilgariff, PGA Director of Player Development at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.), has learned that there are six main characteristics that are of the upmost importance when it comes to the profession.
People ask me what I look for in an individual that is aspiring to get into the player development side of the game. I share that every player development coach should have excellent communication skills, patience, imagination, self-confidence, experience, and passion for golf and teaching.
After spending 16 years working for Dick and Butch Harmon, I have learned that there are six main characteristics that are of the upmost importance when it comes to this profession.
Communication Skills – This is the most important quality when it comes to teaching. Great teachers are good listeners and relay information in an uncomplicated and an easy-to-understand manner. The amount of knowledge in an instructor’s head does not matter if the student does not get the message or understand the details on execution.
Golf Knowledge – Clearly, knowledge of golf is critically important. It can be gained in many ways. Observing other coaches, attending PGA Teaching seminars, watching YouTube videos, listening to podcasts, taking lessons, and reading golf and sports psychology books are just a few ideas.
Keeping up on and learning details about the latest and greatest technology is also important. The goal is continuing education. “The day you think you know everything; is the day you know nothing.”
Energy and Enthusiasm – It is a privilege to teach this great game. Great teachers teach as many hours as they can and love every minute of it. Your love needs to shine through with every lesson.
Motivation – Golf is an extremely difficult sport. A coach must be able to give students reasons to want to practice and get better even when they are not “feeling it.” Inspiring and motivating students makes them feel good about themselves and the direction they are taking their game.
Diagnosis – Great teachers can zero in quickly on the area or areas most needing improvement. This is an efficient process that is the best way to get to the root cause of the issue versus just treating the symptom. Once the area of improvement is identified, then a coach can go deeper. The golf swing is always a work in progress. Effective teachers observe, determine the problem and the cause, correct the problem, and work towards eliminating it.
Presence – Self-confidence in ability to teach comes with time and experience. Teachers achieve this with improved knowledge and successful teaching sessions. A credible teacher can make changes in a student’s ball flight in just a few shots. Dick Harmon said, “if you can’t change your students ball flight in three shots, you will lose them.” I truly believe and live by this—challenge yourself.
The best way to get started as a player development coach, is to find a good mentor. A mentor will help you gain the knowledge and confidence it takes to succeed in this rewarding profession. A good mentor will open doors and guide you to help make your weaknesses your strengths. Remember, it is a tough game and that is what makes it fun!
Matt Kilgariff is a PGA professional who spent much of his career working for Butch Harmon and the Harmon Family. He is currently the Director of Player Development at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Prior to joining The Bridges, Kilgariff was Director of Player Development at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Matt has also been part of TaylorMade’s National Advisory Staff since 2012.
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