I was reading the January 31st edition of Golf Week and came across an article about Stan Utley and how a putting lesson, on a gravel driveway, in the dark of the night, with a six iron (no putter was available), helped launch a sequence of events that has turned him into a teaching success story.
For those of you that teach the game, what has allowed you to continue to pursue such a worthy endeavor for a living? I know that it helps to be a good player, to be an A.I. and/or PGA Member, have a "name player" in your stable, and a location that allows you to teach. But, what have you found to provide you with the greatest return on your investment? What media outlets have you found most successful: word of mouth, brochures, teaching aids, handouts, package deals, newspaper ads, radio, television, the internet, etc.?
If you take or have taken lessons, what was it that got you in the door?
Thanks for the Input.
Drew,
For a Sox fan you sure do ask some great questions, and this one may be one of the best. I would love to hear everyones response to this.
In regards to Stan, I read the same story and to be honest I do not buy all of it. Stan was a great player and had tremendous success around the greens. Because he played both the Nationwide and PGA Tours he had access to all of these great players. Trust me, I can watch a guy hit it 350 yards and be in awe, knowing no matter what I can't do that. However, if I see someone like Stan or Brian Gay or someone else who is good with the wedge and putter, I will learn as much as I can from them. This is why Stan has succeeded, he started working with guys he knew and then built a business around that. I am sure he is very good with the average guy but is it worth $10,000 a day more than myself or Ted or Lynn? Working with tour pros is really not that hard because they have so much talent that given the right info they will have to try not to succeed. The real talent comes from working with the average guy.
If I had my choice of winning a tournament or helping someone else win a tournament, I would definately choose the later. I sometimes think I get more excited to get a phone call from someone else who has done well than if I do well myself. I would agree that word of mouth is important and nothing can be better. However, self promotion is a tremendous asset that I, and many other PGA Professionals, are not very good at. I am not big on "trumpet blowers" but if you do not blow your own horn, who else will. Word of mouth will keep you in business, but getting your message out to the masses opens more doors.
A friend of mine in Panama City Beach at the Hombre Golf Club, Adam Brack, is one of the best at this. He is conected with advertising people, newspapers, television, civic leaders, etc. He never has a problem getting the word out, and many times it does not cost him anything other than a little bit of his time. The amazing thing is that he is only about 30 years old! Once he gets them he keeps them.
Steve Wresh is another amazing teacher in Florida I have been fortunate to know. He gives "free clinics" with a "free" follow-up lesson to people in the Villages. These clinics only cost him his time and the returns are phenominal, his book is always full and he sells alot of equipment as well. In an area where other professionals feel their clientel is "cheap", he does quite well. Once again he brings them in on the cheap then keeps him with his talent.
I know I have rambled on about this but I loved the question. Whenever I have gone to work with someone I always felt they had to:
1. Tell me why as well as how.
2. Be flexible
3. Have a great personality
4. Be brutally honest ( I hate sugar coating anything)
4. Be brutally honest ( I hate sugar coating anything)
I hope this helps.
Excellent, means I don't have to sugarcoat it.
Being on the other side, I'm usually put off by an instructor that "blows his own horn". My reaction is that he is doing it because nobody else is. I realize that may not be fair, and that competition stateside probably is a lot tougher than here in Sweden.
There is a TGM instructor by the name Brian Manzella (little unsure about spelling) that very much blows his own horn. Now, he may very well be a fantastic teacher. I don't know. Because I tune out when the self-promotion begins. That message seems more important to him than the contents of his teaching. Again, I realize that it may not be a fair assessment, but being in the situation you tend to react with your gut.
Being on the other side, I'm usually put off by an instructor that "blows his own horn". My reaction is that he is doing it because nobody else is. I realize that may not be fair, and that competition stateside probably is a lot tougher than here in Sweden.
There is a TGM instructor by the name Brian Manzella (little unsure about spelling) that very much blows his own horn. Now, he may very well be a fantastic teacher. I don't know. Because I tune out when the self-promotion begins. That message seems more important to him than the contents of his teaching. Again, I realize that it may not be a fair assessment, but being in the situation you tend to react with your gut.
My point about self promotion was simply from a marketing standpoint, simply to get people in the door. Once there I think humility is important. Saying you are right and better than everyone else gets old quick. Sorry if I mislead you.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, U.S. Poet, essayist and transcendentalist (1803-1882)
• My chief want in life is someone who shall make me do what I can.
• Let us treat men and women well; treat them as if they were real. Perhaps they are.
• Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.
• I trust a good deal to common fame, as we all must. If a man has good corn, or wood, or boards, or pigs to sell, or can make better chairs or knives, crucibles or church organs than anybody else, you will find a broad hard-beaten road to his house, though it be in the woods.
Drew,
For a Sox fan you sure do ask some great questions, and this one may be one of the best.
I would agree that word of mouth is important and nothing can be better. However, self promotion is a tremendous asset that I, and many other PGA Professionals, are not very good at. I am not big on "trumpet blowers" but if you do not blow your own horn, who else will. Word of mouth will keep you in business, but getting your message out to the masses opens more doors.
Steve Wresh is another amazing teacher in Florida I have been fortunate to know. He gives "free clinics" with a "free" follow-up lesson to people in the Villages. These clinics only cost him his time and the returns are phenominal, his book is always full and he sells alot of equipment as well. In an area where other professionals feel their clientel is "cheap", he does quite well. Once again he brings them in on the cheap then keeps him with his talent.
I hope this helps.
Jeff,
I think besides me and Rob Baxter (BBax), you were the only other one in Lynn's living room cheering on the Sox during the ALCS. I know I can convert you to becoming a full-time Red Sox fan and join a "steroid-free" Red Sox Nation.
Thanks for the excellent post. We always have to walk a fine line between running a successful business and appearing arrogant.
I have always preferred the Steve Wresh approach. If there is perceived value in your presentation, then a relationship can be established. Give them more than they expect. As some forum members will attest, my half hour lessons can sometimes turn into a ninety minute get together (as long as I don't have pending appointments and they have the time to stay), especially if the student is interested in TGM. And no, I don't charge them for more than the half hour lesson. I teach because I love to teach and have fun doing it. If I taught only, instead of being a head Professional at a private country club, I may feel different.
I am always looking for fresh ideas. Have you found any programs that you run to be more successful than any other? Example, for years, I ran a successful ladies golf clinic, for seven weeks (one day per week), followed on the last day by nine holes of golf (where I helped them get arround the course with a little course management) and wine and cheese at the conclusion of the round in the clubhouse. Quite often, a few even joined as members. A win-win for all, just like the Red Sox.
I ran a successful ladies golf clinic, for seven weeks (one day per week), followed on the last day by nine holes of golf (where I helped them get arround the course with a little course management) and wine and cheese at the conclusion of the round in the clubhouse.
Ladies, wine and cheese? ....you sly ladies man
__________________ Hitting the Ball is the easiest part of the game-hitting it effectively is the most difficult. Why trust instinct when there is a science."1-G.
__________________ Hitting the Ball is the easiest part of the game-hitting it effectively is the most difficult. Why trust instinct when there is a science."1-G.
There now is significant interest on your fair isle.
PM me, and let's make it happen!
PM sent
__________________ The student senses his teacher’s steadfast belief and quiet resolve: “This is doable. It is doable by you. The pathway is there. All you need is determination and time.” And together, they make it happen.
We thought just a few were corrupt in our Banking / Mortgage industry which morphed into a lot of different ares....Congress...etc....It will be the same for baseball........Its wide spread............
My next prediction is corruption with the FDA.
__________________
"The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you."
B. J. Hathaway, G.S.E.B., M.C.I.
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