Just kidding.

But the squabble in the playground between Mac and Ham (good dish by the way)
gives me pause to consider something.

Exactly what does it mean to be a golf "pro"?
There is a body of concrete knowledge about
teaching the swing that is small enough that
most twelve year olds could master it in a short
span of time. Most "pros" but certainly not all
can play the game with a degree of expertise. It seems
to me that anyone who can play the game well and
is a good communicator could call himself a "pro"
without fear of being sued or disbarred and could
create for himself a source of income.

So what exactly is a golf "pro"?

Being a golf pro means listening to real golf experts all day long who already know everything about the golf swing and are paying you to agree with them. Tends to make pros rather sure of themselves with a tendency to be just a bit arrogant.

As for the body of concrete knowledge that a 12 year old could master what the heck is that? Maybe you can explain it in a few paragraphs???

Regards, Herbert

I am a "pro"...after writing the book I wrote them and they said I no longer have amateur status.

Not all teachers have good swings or can play...My favorite example is Harvey Penick along those lines. Some can play like crazy, but they are not very good communicators, and aren't very good teachers. The pro at one of the ranges I frequent is this way - he plays in a lot of the sectional mini's and is always near the top and wins a handful every year...but he is horrible teacher.

I think if someone can "talk the talk, and walk the walk", that is the best. In my day job, I am a sales trainer and mentor. I still spend about 10 hours a week on the phones ( one of the few of us that do ), this keeps me sharp, makes me additional money, and reminds me of what my agents go through. Plus, when an agent looks across the room and sees me with a headset on, or when we do a seminar and I pull up my recordings of actual calls I made - and then I make a teaching point, it carries more weight. Been told often that they respect me because I do what I ask them to do.

The Blueprint is really just like that too. I basically put in manual form the salient points I have found over the years to be paramount to me building my swing. It's what I've done and am doing...people can say whatever they want, but they can't argue with the results - I've improved tons by applying the approach I advocate. And so have lots of others!

Kevin
"A Blueprint For Golf Excellence"


Never quit til you have a swing you'll never forget!

A golf pro is a person who makes his living either teaching, or playing the game. The USGA has a limit one can earn from either, or both I think. I have no idea what the limit now is. I think it used to be $300, but that was like 30 years ago.

I like the idea that it should be a "main" source of income to be considered a pro, but in the end it doesn't matter much, except when determining amateur status, which in the USA is the USGA's job to decide.

I know what you mean with the 12 year old comment. It is amazing how many kids I "teach" who have technically perfect swings at a very young age. I know I did not create what they do. I just try to not ruin it.

Take care,

Ham

6-1. General

Except as provided in the Rules, an amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not use that skill or reputation to promote, advertise or sell anything or for any financial gain.


6-4. Broadcasting and Writing

An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation may receive payment, compensation, personal benefit or any financial gain from broadcasting or writing, provided:

(a) the broadcasting or writing is part of his primary occupation or career and golf instruction is not included (Rule 5); or

(b) the broadcasting or writing is on a part-time basis, the player is actually the author of the commentary, articles or books and instruction in playing golf is not included.

Note:An amateur golfer of golf skill or reputation must not promote or advertise anything within the commentary, articles or books and must not lend his name or likeness to the promotion or sale of the commentary, article or books (see Rule 6-2).

C'mon Ham...I know you can't resist..say it...it's okay...know you want to!

Dem's the facts...

Kevin

Never quit til you have a swing you'll never forget!