Charles French
USGTF Teaching Professional, Washington, D.C.
I have been a member of our organization since 1997. Most of
my adult life I have always enjoyed working with younger and older
people who loved sports. I chose teaching golf because it was a
challenge that brought the best out of me to help a student to learn
how to correctly hit a golf ball with great results.
After completing my certification, I began my teaching career as
a golf instructor at the East Potomac Golf Course, located in Washington,
D.C. Over this period of time, I taught students from age
four all the way up to 85. I also worked with youngsters who were
mentally challenged, and had much success introducing them to the
game of golf.
I was one of the first instructors at our facility to participate in the
First Tee Program. My success in teaching has come from developing
a relationship with the student and assuring them that we are a team
and will work to find the answer to a great golf swing. I have been
named “The Golf Angel” by my students because of my patience,
knowledge of the golf swing, and the ability to assist the student
with understanding what it takes to produce a great golf swing. I
take that title as a compliment and enjoy hearing people call me that
name.
Our golf school is the largest facility on the east coast, because
we have 100 stalls for hitting balls, a three-hole practice area, a
very large chipping and putting green, and three golf courses. We
are open seven days a week, from the break of day to 10 p.m.
During the winter, 25 of our hitting stalls are heated, which encourages
people to work on their swings and take golf lessons during
the day and evening hours. We only close on Christmas day. We
have several USGTF teaching professionals at the school teaching
individual and group classes. Because we have a large population
in the Washington metro area, our facility is in use all year long by
many potential, present, and former students. I am able to increase
my client base because I go to them and give them tips on their golf
swing, and give them my business card so they can sign up and take
private or group lessons at the school.
During this past summer, I had the fortunate opportunity to
assist the vice president of the United States, Joe Biden, with his
golf swing. It was a great moment for me, because he accepted my
advice with correcting a part of his golf swing that causes the ball
to fl y to the left. He took the time to write me a thank-you letter for
giving him tips on improving his swing skills. I will always cherish
the letter because he found the time to say thank you for the advice
I gave him.
Because we are in the nation’s capital, I have members of President
Barack Obama’s staff and members of congressional staffs as
my students. People from all walks of life come to our golf school,
and we are able to accommodate them. I owe my success in teaching
to the quality of and ongoing training that the USGTF provides.
Beyond that, I found that you have to form a great relationship with
your students, and let them know that you will be there for them
before and after they’ve completed their lessons.
Sincerely,
Charles French
