FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) What is the difference between the EGTF and the PGA?
  • The EGTF and the PGA are two separate companies involved in golf. The EGTF are specialists in the field of teaching.
2) Are you part of the PGA? Are you recognised by the PGA?
  • The EGTF is accredited in the UK by a Government backed Awarding Body for teaching and training as a Level 3 Diploma in Golf Instruction.
    We are a business, and the PGA are a separate business. It is not up to either party to recognise one another, nor are we, or they entitled to suggest it is their position to recognise the other. That is like asking if McDonald's recognise Burger King.
3) What are the advantages of joining the EGTF over the PGA?
  • The opportunity to have access to low cost teaching insurance
  • The opportunity to become a sports coach UK member (the National Coaching Foundation)
4) How easy is it to find work on completion of the course, and where are you likely to find work?
  • Obviously it is the same when looking for any job; a lot of it comes down to yourself, your commitments and your ability/ desire to work abroad.
  • We receive many job opportunities throughout the year from Britain and abroad.
5) How will my Amateur status be affected if I complete the course, and when I start teaching?
  • Your amateur status is not affected simply by successfully completing the course. You only lose your amateur status when you start to receive payment for giving lessons.
6) Will I receive free green fees at golf courses in Europe?
  • Many of the golf courses in Britain and Europe extend courtesy of the course to our members when they achieve their Teaching Professional qualification. This decision is however, purely at their discretion.
7) What can I do to prepare for the course?
  • Practice on your own game.
  • Come with an open and enquiring mind to receive new ideas.
8) What if I fail the teaching side, or another part of it? Can I re-sit the exam?
  • If you fail the Playing Ability Test, but successfully pass the other aspects, you do not automatically fail. You have one year to pass the PAT, which can be done with an existing EGTF member or in a club competition, with signatures on the card from your playing partner and the club secretary. Your score must be no more than eleven over par, playing from the competition tees. The cost for this is £15 to cover the administration costs.
  • If the Teaching side of the course is failed then the course has to be re-taken.
9) How much does it cost? What does the course entail?
  • The cost is £1,400.00 and includes: one year's membership to EGTF, 7 nights accommodation including breakfast and lunch, Diploma Presentation and Gala Dinner, green fees (on the course), manual and tuition.
  • The course involves Completion of a Workbook, a Playing Ability Test, a Skills Test, a Rules Test and a Practical Teaching Test. On the Playing Ability Test you will need to achieve 83 on a 72-par course. The main requirement however is that you are able to demonstrate the shots.
10) Is there a handicap or age limit? Are women welcome?
  • There is no handicap or age limit for the diploma courses, and women are more than welcome.
11) What topics are covered by the course?
  • Teaching Total Beginners
  • Teaching Positions
  • Grip & Set up
  • Back-swing, Forward-swing & Follow through
  • Putting, Chipping & Pitching, Sand Play
  • Principles of Teaching
  • The Psychology of Teaching (How People Learn)
  • Ball Flight Laws
  • Junior golf
  • Teaching Ladies, Seniors and Left-handers
  • Swing plane
  • Video
  • Common Faults & Solutions
  • Club Fitting
  • First aid
12) Once I qualify are there any tours or EGTF competitions I can play in?
  • The EPD tour is available to EGTF members, which is recognised as one of the best development tours in Europe, providing golf professionals the chance to work on their game and enjoy the competitive tour environment. For further information on the EPD please visit their website: www.epdtour.org
  • Once a full member you become eligible to play in the WGF world cup, which is held once a year. It is a weeklong tournament with various competitions being played for. Participants come from all over the world to play in this prestigious event, which is held in Europe one year and Asia the following.
13) May I have the manual sent to me before I take the course?
  • No. The reason for this is because we want you to attend the course with a completely "blank page" in your brain. We will fill that page in a very special way. If you tried to study the manual without actually taking the course, you would find it overwhelming and probably impossible to take in.