Should Golf Instructors Specialize?

I was having an interesting conversation with a friend about golf instruction and teachers and he brought up a really interesting point that got me to thinking, which is usually a dangerous thing.

He said, “Golf instruction is the only profession that doesn’t have specialist.”  Hmmm…….

Other Professions Do

Years ago if you had a medical problem you went the doctor and he was a general practitioner.  You went to him for almost everything initially.  Now days if we have a rash we go to a dermatologist, etc.  Back then if you needed an operation you went to a surgeon.  Now days if you need an operation you go to a surgeon that specializes in that part of the body like neurosurgeon or cardio vascular surgeon, etc.

If you need legal advice you go to an attorney that specializes in that field such as divorce, personal injury, labor law, etc.

There was a time when school teachers taught all the subjects.  Today they all have specialties such as math science, English, etc.

Golf instruction has apparently never evolved to that point.

Why Not Golf Instruction?

I know that most everyone claims to be able to teach all types of students, but that is like the teacher that teaches all subjects.  You are going to be much better at some than others.  I know a lot of teaching professionals and there is only a handful that I would trust enough to send students of all levels to.

I also know that most think by saying I teach everybody that they have a chance to reach more potential students, but it often ends in over promising and under delivering.

Something I have learned after 40 years of teaching at all levels is that children learn differently at different ages and they learn totally different than adults.  People that did not learn to play golf as a child need to be taught differently than people that did.  Teaching women is totally different than teaching men.  They learn completely differently.  Working with elite players is a vastly different experience than working with an average golfer.

I can break it down even farther by saying some are better at certain aspects of the game like hitting driver, or short game, or putting than they are at others.

I also learned over the years what my strong suits are and where I am weakest.  I am naturally better teaching the average golfer the full swing because that is what I enjoy the most with the short game a close second.  Can I help golfers in all aspects?  The answer is YES, but putting is my weakest area.

The Point

My point here is why not specializing?  Specialist in every profession get to charge more.  You also are setting yourself apart from the masses for marketing purposes.  Very few are doing it so you are going to get people’s attention if you do.

For the golfers out there, would you be interested in going to a specialist?

This week’s food for thought from the Golf Cave.  Tell your friends about The View From The Golf Cave.