Category: Online Newsletter

The official news publication of the European Golf Teachers Federation

Coaching Children

Thanks to the EGTF for reinforcing my coaching career.  A few months ago after the Diploma Course, I came on board as the Golf Professional (Coach/Teacher) at Polkemmet Golf Club, West Lothian, Scotland, on top of my attachments to Binny Golf Club as Junior Development Coach; and Harburn Academy, working with children in tandem with the Harburn Golf Club Pro.

I love coaching both adults and children.  I have coached children for 7 years and believe that there is a need for more effort in this area as Golf Clubs/Coaches seem to be less interested in children who are under 9 years of age.  Young talent should always be encouraged.  One exasperated dad approached me for lessons for his son who had been refused by Golf Clubs/Coaches because of his youth.  I took on and coached Owen who was only 5 years old at that time and now at age 6 he is a member at Binny Golf Club and one of my Junior Development Programme participants.  He plays in the Blue medal competitions regularly and won the trophy this year – Blue Junior Champion 2011!  This is a prime example of a very young child with the potential of a future champion.

NEVER TURN DOWN RAW TALENT…..CHILDREN ARE GOLF’S FUTURE; AND WITH GOOD COACHING AND ENCOURAGEMENT, THAT FUTURE CAN BE GREAT.

Macrina Crawford (EGTF Golf Professional at Polkemmet Golf Club, Scotland/Binny Golf Club, Junior Development Coach, Scotland)

Golfing Girl Guides

EGTF Professional, Deborah Smith

Deborah Joh-Lyn Smith

It has been over a year since I was learning to become an EGTF Professional and what a year it has been.  I am happy to say I am earning money teaching at schools/Golf Club at Sudbury and recently (after 9 months knocking on doors) I was invited to join 1400 Girl Guides for their Sporting Activity gathering in Black Land Farm, East Grinstead, over the May bank holiday.

Over the 3 days, at 30 minute sessions each, I introduced 578 Girl Guides to games and activities, to introduce them to the game of golf.  What a wonderful experience for the girls from the ages of 7 – 12 years, some with learning difficulties and from all walks of life.  I was able to bring to them a sport which they would never have imagined they would ever try.  It was a great success and I have been asked to teach certain regions in the South East and in smaller numbers, more techniques and also to set up a mini 3 par course so that they get the feel of a real golf course.

I cannot thank Bill and Pauline enough for all their help and support.

EGTF Diploma Course, New Zealand

24 – 30 July 2011

Just back from a good week in Wellington, New Zealand  where I was conducting a diploma course for two enthusiastic guys, Nigel Walsh and Antony Ragg.
The trip coincided with the coldest day in Wellington’s history, so teaching on the range on that Monday, was testing to say the least !!!

Nigel and AJ both showed excellent standards during the week, culminating in superb teaching lessons for their examinations.

Antony Ragg Teaching

AJ already has his own golf business in Wellington and I’m sure his new teaching skills will help to boost sales.  Nigel was offered a job as the teaching professional at Silverstream driving range the day after the course finished as they were very impressed with his standards, which is excellent testimony to the EGTF course and Nigel.

Nigel Walsh Teaching

Always a pleasure to catch up with other EGTF members over there, and my thanks go to Murray McDonald at Manor Park Golf Club, and Bruce Farmer at Silverstream Driving Range for their help during the week.  Also, a pleasure to see local legend Renee Fowler, strutting her stuff and being very busy at Miramar Golf Club.

Another great week teaching, and I will look forward to coming back over in the not too distant future.

Bill Abbott – Director of Education

Putting Stats PGA Tour 2010

DISTANCE OF PUTT PERCENTAGE HOLED
1 FEET 100 %
2 FEET 99 %
3 FEET 95 %
4 FEET 86 %
5 FEET 75 %
6 FEET 65 %
7 FEET 56 %
8 FEET 49 %
9 FEET 43 %
10 FEET 38 %
11 FEET 34 %
12 FEET 30 %
13 FEET 27 %
14 FEET 25 %
15 FEET 22 %
16 FEET 20 %
17 FEET 19 %
18 FEET 17 %
19 FEET 16 %
20 FEET 14 %
21 FEET 13 %
22 FEET 12 %
23 FEET 11 %
24 FEET 11 %
25 FEET 10 %

These are the putting statistics from the PGA Tour last year, and they make interesting reading.  Although it seems from watching the TV coverage that the Pro’s make just about everything, the images you see are misleading.

The stats show that even the best players in the world only make 22% from 15 feet from the hole and only 38% from 10 feet from the hole.

So, that should tell us that we need to spend more time teaching the short game, to get it closer to hole in the first place, and putting to convert the chances we give ourselves.

I know I sound like  a stuck record sometimes, but these areas really are that important.  So if you haven’t got the knowledge in these areas, or want to refresh the skills you already have, then look to upgrade your teaching skills as soon as you can.  The stats don’t lie!!

PGA Tour - Putting

EGTF Pro Am – Darenth Valley GC, Kent

Sunday 10 July 2011

Congratulations to EGTF Professional Leon Clark for winning the EGTF Pro Am at Darenth Valley Golf Club in Shoreham, Kent.

Leon played solid golf in shooting a level par round of 72, defeating the Darenth Valley Professionals of Pete Stopford and Bill Abbott into second and third place respectively.

EGTF Professional Winner - Leon Clark

A good turn out and a lovely sunny day enabled some excellent scoring, with Trevor Atkins taking the Amateur Competition with 38 points.

Amateur Winner - Trevor Atkins

EGTF Professional Joe Smith, Trevor Atkins and Gary Gilbert captured the Team Competition with 79 points.

Team Winners

Thank you to everyone who turned up and made the day so successful, with a special mention to our Sponsors, ProStance, Mizuno, Gel Putters and Orka Golf Clubs who provided such a wonderful array of prizes.

Table of Prizes

Albatross Golf Tours

The 1st Las Colinas Classic AM/AM / Pro/AM

Hi everyone

Just to let you all know that I now have a great new deal at Bonalba.

Staying in the 4* Bonalba Hotel in twin accommodation on bed and breakfast basis with free access to the Spa.
Valid for all months other than July/August/September.

1 Night accommodation with 1 round of golf – 69€

1 Night accommodation with 2 rounds of golf – 115€

4 Nights accommodation with 3 rounds of golf – 229€

7 Nights accommodation with 5 rounds of golf – 369€

Please contact me if you would like to book

I also now have final costings for the Las Colinas Classic which I am promoting in September – limited field please find attached 1st Las Colinas Classic

Gavin Riddall
Albatross Golf Tours

00 34 966189993 / 00 34 603161532
http://www.albatrossgolftours.com/
Member of IAGTO

EGTF Membership Benefits

We are often asked, “what benefits are gained from becoming an EGTF member.”  The EGTF membership represents fantastic value for money when you look at the benefits that you are able to become involved in.

1.  The EGTF qualification is a nationally recognised award in the UK, meeting all the necessary standards for teaching as set down by our government backed awarding body, ABC Awards. More and more EGTF professionals are finding work throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the World, as the standard of our teachers becomes better known to the public and golfing establishments.

2.  The EGTF membership card is accepted at many golf clubs around the World, offering either reduced green fees or complimentary golf.  Please ensure you make contact with the secretary or golf director before you turn up as a matter of courtesy, to ask their particular policy on this matter.  This benefit alone can save you hundreds of pounds per year in green fees.  Please remember that courtesy is at the discretion of each individual golf club.

3.  As you will know, insurance these days is vital for any responsible teaching professional.  Through the EGTF, members with a UK address are able to gain access to a first class insurance policy at greatly reduced rates.  The group policy works out at £60 per member and offers great cover for you and your students.  An individual policy could cost anything from £300.

4.  We now have a very good CPD (continual professional development) program running, which is designed to allow our members to either upgrade their knowledge in certain areas, or to help push them into specialist sections of the teaching world.  Our CPD seminars utilise the very latest teaching ideas from around the World and are very competitively priced from £100 per seminar.  Other organisations charge much more.  Dates and times of the various seminars can be found on our website (Members’ only section), and along with our Masters Course, provides everything that an open minded teaching professional could possibly want, to help push themselves to the next level.  Remember, the more knowledge you have, the more confident your teaching will become.

5.  The list of companies that are now associated with the EGTF and offer our members discounts on their products, is growing every year.
Quintic Consultancy – One of the best video analysing software programs on the market.

Yes Golf Putters – Makers of the c groove putter, number two putter on all tours worldwide.

Explanar – First class teaching aid, invented by Luther Blacklock and endorsed by Butch Harmon.

Oliva Nova Resort – 5-star golf complex near Alicante, Spain, that provides excellent deals and packages for EGTF professionals to take groups for teaching, or for a personal holiday.

Golfsmith Europe – The opportunity to purchase golf club components, heads, shafts and grips, at trade prices.

ProStance – Amazing golf teaching aid from EGTF Professionals Dr Paul Hurrion and Stewart Craig.

Bespokeclubs.com – Trade prices for EGTF members.

6.  We get a number of teaching jobs through the office each year and if you are on the employment list, we may just be able to find something to suit you.  We also have links with the Julian Krinsky Foundation in America, who run a huge golf summer camp and are looking for EGTF teaching professionals to work in the golf camps each year.

As you will see, EGTF members have access to a variety of excellent deals that make the yearly membership great value.
For more information on any of the above services, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@egtf.co.uk

Living Golf SA – ‘Golf For Development’

Leseding Township Golf Project, Limpopo, South Africa

The golf project in Leseding Township in Limpopo is a non-profit, charitable project and EGTF member Franz Rolinck would like to ask golfers and interested donors to help him fund the work.  The R & A Working for Golf Programme is supporting the project.

If you would like to make a donation, please send Euros to:
Living Sports Africa e.V.
Account No. 72858418
Kreissparkasse Steinfurt, 48565 Steinfurt, Germany
BLZ 40351060
IBAN: DE 964035 1060 0072 8584 18
BIC: WELADED1STF
Reference “EGTF-Leseding Golf Project”

They are currently busy designing the website for the project and Khutso Foundation.  The website will include all donation details.  For more details contact franz@livinggolf.com

Some young talents enjoy the game of golf

Some young talents enjoy the game of golf

A young township talent

A young township talent

Living Golf SA teaching township child

Living Golf SA teaching township child

Tri-Golf lessons reveal young talents

Tri-Golf lessons reveal young talents

Golf on the wasteland soon to be golfcourse

Golf on the wasteland soon to be golfcourse

EGTF Pro Am Murcia 2011

The 4th EGTF Pro Am in the Murcia region took place recently and proved to be the best so far.

Organised superbly as usual by EGTF Professional Gavin Riddall and his team from The Golf Factory, it took place over 4 days and was played in glorious sunshine!  Many of the people attending were arriving from European Countries where golf has not been possible for many months, so this was a welcome relief to actually get out onto the course and hit some shots.

21 teams attended this year, which I think is the largest number we have had at a Pro Am, and this made for an excellent week of golf and camaraderie.

The Texas Scramble was played at Las Collinas Golf Club, rated in the top 5 new Golf Resorts in the world, and it certainly turned the heads of everyone who played.  The scoring was as always, sensational, but with an incredible total of 16 under par gross, the team from

Mallorca Golf Academy

TEXAS SCAMBLE WINNERS

Mallorca Golf Academy took the title.

The main tournament was played over three days and three courses (Roda, Peraleja and Las Collinas) which always makes for an interesting format.  The Amateur section was keenly contested with a strong field of 60+ players, but with all the consistency of someone who has played the game at a high level for some time, young

STEVEN SWOROWSKI AMATEUR WINNER

STEVEN SWOROWSKI AMATEUR WINNER

Steven Sworowski at only 14 years of age, won the title.  With scores of 36, 37 and 38 points on some tough courses, he claimed the title by 2 shots, which I’m sure you will agree was a great achievement.

The Team competition went down to the wire with any number of teams having the chance to win on the last day, but when the pressure was on, the local team of

MEDAESTHETICS" TEAM WINNERS

"MEDAESTHETICS" TEAM WINNERS

“The Medaesthetics” lead by EGTF Professional Mark Shakespeare, won through with a fabulous last round of 120 team points to win by 3, with an overall total of 352 points.

It was great to see so many old and new faces in the EGTF Professional Event and as this Tournament seems to grow each year, it will give even more members the chance to play some competitive golf early in the season.

Scoring was tough over the three days for many players, mainly due to the lack of golf played by many people leading up to the event, but this year attracted some very talented EGTF golfers, who showed what can be done, and produced some excellent scoring.

MARK-HOUSEGO-PRO-WINNER

MARK HOUSEGO - EGTF PROFESSIONAL WINNER

Mark Housego, who had a share of the title last year, went one better this year with a wonderful display of golf over the three days to claim the Tournament by 5 shots with scores of 69, 72, 71 for a 3 under par total of 212 for the week.  I’m sure you will join me in wishing Mark all the best as he tries his hand at Professional Golf Tours this year.  This is certainly the start he was looking for.

Thanks once again to Gavin and Paula for all their hard work during the week, to all the Amateurs who turned up for some sun and golf, and finally to my friends and fellow EGTF Professionals who make these Tournaments possible.  It will be great to see you all again at future EGTF events.

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