• Attend the Level IV three -day certification course.
• To attend the Level IV course, one must be a fully certified Level III member in good standing for a minimum of one year.
• Playing Ability Test Requirements can now be conducted at your home course. Scorecards can be sent to the USGTF National Office.
• Participants must complete and bring with them a 10 minute video golf lesson on VHS tape. 
• Onsite shotmaking demonstration. Ex. Participants must be able to perform the following: hit a fade, draw, low shot, high shot, chip shot, pitch shot, etc.

By Tendy Tsai

“Drive for show, putt for dough” Many golfers in all skill levels have always discussed or argued which part – tee shot, short game, putting, etc is more important for the golf game. It is true that a certain part of the game is very important to a specific individual golfer. My opinion is all technique and skill are equally important and need to be in balance during the golf game.

Just like our 10 fingers, which finger is the most important? Each finger has different function. If we miss one or two fingers, the hand can still be working but will it be effective like we have 10 fingers? Therefore, we should let students understand that all parts of the golf game are important. We need to know our students’ weak points and focus in those specific areas for them to play better golf.

All techniques have to be improved evenly to play better golf.

By Schichi Yaginuma

The first pre-certification entity that specializes in training and preparing golfers who aspire to attain USGTF Japan certification has opened in Nishinomiya city, Japan.

Hideki Kokufu a golf course architect, golf shop owner and club repair technician, applied for and satisfied the requirements for level III certification about a year ago. He was extremely impressed with pin point swing theory and unique application of video and computer teaching methods and the way it helped make the USGTF learning process come together.

Due to his positive experiences he decided to create a school to help competitive golfers who were aiming to become golf teaching professionals, but who needed further training to better prepare to meet the GTF`s international standards.

The School he established has several courses such as; teaching professional, club repair technician, golf club design and physical trainer. 

Students who have passed his schools tests are recommended to apply for USGTF Japan certification, but still are required to satisfy in full all its requirements the same as other applicants. The only difference is they are prepared by Mr.Kokufu’s school for success and are ready to challenge certification with confidence. 

This year 5 students qualified for level III and 5 students for level II from this school.

This schools creation suggests that the USGTF Japan is steadily getting a firmer foot-hold here and will continue to see its popularity grow and become an even further recognized name in golf instruction here in Japan.

By Nobu Lin

The World Golf Teachers Cup is an incredible event that unites all WGTF member federations together. Although this year, we were unable to participate in this particular event, TWNGTF members are very much concerned with the results of the WGTF Cup and we are looking forward to the upcoming tournaments. The biennial World Golf Teachers Cup is representative of the growth of the entire World Golf Teachers Federation, and hopefully in the future, we will be able to organize some international events in Taiwan and China.

By Steve Mak

I would like to congratulate one of our members, Ms. Sonya Hong Osugi on her recent appointment as head professional at the Nacau Golf & Country Club. Not long ago Ms. Osugi captained the Nacau Golf Club at the 14th Asian Games held in Pusan, South Korea. Taiwan won both the men's and women's championship. Ms. Osugi was also five times Macau Golf Club Women's Champion from the years 1995-2001. Her name is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records for having scored an incredible two holes in one in the same round at Chung Shan Hot Springs Golf Club.

In Hong Kong and China many golf professionals were yesterday’s caddies. Out of hundreds of caddies however, only a few are lucky enough to become golf teaching professionals.

The Hong Kong and Chinese Golf Teachers Federation has initiated a Caddie Training program at the Nansha Golf Club, in the people’s republic of China. We would like to thank our Level III Fully Certified Member, Mr. Zhou Xue Wen who was in charge of this program. This particular program is becoming more accepted and recognized by other courses throughout the nation. I wish all WGTF Members a very successful summer golf teaching season.

By Amit Saran

Congratulations to Geoff Bryant and the WGTF team along with the Brazilian event organiser Luiz Martins and host professional Luis Menezes for such a wonderful WGTF Cup and to take the organisation several notches ahead in one instance. It is a proud moment for WGTF and its members. Though I missed all the fun and excitement, I sure would not like to miss the next edition of the event.

The Federation in India has been working on the next certification course which is being scheduled for July 2005 at Bangalore. IGTF’s initiative have also brought in competition by shaking up the governing body of Indian golf, the Indian Golf Union who have now started organising its own instructors program in the country for the first time. It is a good beginning and with the growing golf industry in India, there certainly is a major requirement for teaching professionals which IGTF alone was not able to fulfil. And if IGTF and IGU work in tandem, together we can make a major impact in the industry.

We are also planning to host our annual Teaching Pro tournament the “IGTF Cup” along with the certification course in July to enhance the golf teaching fraternity.

The growth of golf in India is phenomenal with new golf courses being laid in the metros and other major towns. Also, the old courses are being redeveloped. Many old courses have seen major changes and this surge is mainly because of the growing recognition of the game. Youngsters are increasingly taking to the game with the growing possibility of golf as an alternate carrier option which was missing some years back. The same is evident from the fact that in the last year alone, the number of golf publications has increased to five including the Indian edition of Golf Digest.

By Rafael Conde

2004 has been a year of advancement for the MGTF. We conducted a total of 6 certification courses certifying a total of 25 persons at Level II, 14 persons at Level III, and 40 persons as affiliate members.

The golf school that the MGTF opened last year is still operating and is helping popularize golf amongst the children and younger students. Currently we have a total of 125 regular students attending golf lessons.

The fact that two of the golf teaching pros helping us have been certified by the MGTF has been beneficial to the school.

We organized the first golf tournament of colleges and universities in Mexico City. The Mexican GTF is recognized as a prestigious and valuable golf teaching organization in Mexico.

We are conducting our first certification course in Mexico City with a total of 9 participants. A total of 6 certification courses are going to be offered in 2005.

We have certified a total of 5 Level III participants in Venezuela. With Jim Perez, we expect to organize some certification course in Chile and Guatemala–San Salvador.

By Bob Bryant

We wish to thank the members of Team Canada and all Canadians who attended the World Golf Teachers Cup recently held in Brazil. On behalf of the CGTF, we are proud of their efforts. For all participants, it was also a welcome respite from the snow and cold of the Canadian winter.

Hopefully, as you read this update, all the snow will be gone from our office in Oakville, Ontario. Our CGTF Members in British Columbia have been fortunate in having had good playing conditions almost all year round.

The 7th annual Canadian Golf Teachers Cup is to be held at Swan-E-Set Bay Resort and Country Club in Pitt Meadows, in beautiful British Columbia, Monday, September 26, 2005.

Two more important dates to remember this summer are: the Level IV Master Teaching Professionals course July 17-19, 2005, at Swan-E-Set Bay Resort and August 29-31 at Hidden Lakes Golf and Country Club in Burlington, Ontario. Immediately following the Level IV courses, we will be initiating an Examiners Training Program for those who wish to become CGTF Examiners.

Added to our Member Benefits Package – Mizuno Golf and Callaway Golf have both introduced a personal use package for all current CGTF members.

Further information about the tournament, the Level IV courses, examiners course, and new member benefits are available on our web site www.cgtf.com, or you may call our office at 905-849-7254. We look forward to seeing many of our members at the above upcoming events scheduled for this summer

. Happy teaching, and I hope you all have a successful and enjoyable season.

By Peter Hudson

It is only correct that my first words are to pay homage to the organizers of the World Cup held in Brazil 2 months ago. There are too many names to pick out as individuals, but the Brazilian Golf Teachers Federation and staff all deserve a special thanks. Next on the list is our own team who took time out to support their federation not only by playing for our national team but also by acting as ambassadors for our federation. Each and everyone conducted themselves in a totally professional manner that did not go unnoticed by Geoff Bryant and Thomas Wartelle.

As usual the entire event was made successful by the WGTF members who travel hundreds of miles to attend this event. The event itself certainly raised the profile of golf in Brazil. For me, it’s a celebration of everyone’s passion for the game. Certainly the highlights were in the meeting of minds and open discussions between the coaches of the federations from around the world. Some of the Aussies are getting on a bit now and the constant beatings they keep taking from the Brits does not deter them from attending. We all look forward to the next World Golf Teachers Cup. Perhaps the next event could be held at St Andrews - that would be a truly great pilgrimage.

I have a feeling this year is going to gallop by, we are launching major plans and strategies that include the National Coaching Certificate, Course Accreditation, London Golf Show, Meeting Groups, Continual Development Programme, AGM, and the training of instructors and assistants.

By Guillermo Piernes

THE UNFORGETTABLE MEETING
It may be a few years before the players, sponsors, and members of the World Golf Teachers Federation fully realize that they participated in the most important chapter of the first 100 years of Brazilian golf. As well, it will take some time to measure the positive impact the tournament had in terms of personal exchanges and international commerce.

Although Brazil is a gigantic country, it has fewer total golfers than the United States has golf professionals. With the tremendous success of the hosting of this event, it is hoped that the door will be open for other great international events. Never before has Brazilian golf found so much press coverage, and to our gratitude it was positive press coverage.

Geoff Bryant, president of the WGTF, said, “The tournament provides the participants an opportunity to exchange ideas about the teaching of the sport. Brazil is to be congratulated for its excellent organization, especially to Luiz Martins and his team.”

Bryant, on behalf of the member nations of the WGTF, was pleased by the interest shown in the event. “Since our founding in 1989, the event has previously been played four times in the United States and twice in Spain. Our objective is to take the event to many countries in order to help in the development of the sport world-wide.”

For Martins, the event “was an outstanding event in the history of golf in Brazil.” He is already preparing for the next certification course to be held in São Paulo. The goal of the Brazil Golf Teachers Federation is to optimize the quality of teaching education, in a country that needs more master teachers.

The presence of so many international golf teachers caught the attention of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Brazil, which is planning to organize courses in learning to teach golf for its members. Over 8,000 executives and businessmen have received permanent open invitations to learn to play golf. Two directors of the Chamber of Commerce participated in the Pro-Am the final day of the event and wish for the beginning participants to have the best teachers available as designated by the BGTF.

The image of the proper ball flight, rising for the first time, never leaves the mind of the golfer. It starts the golfer on a path of solidarity and fraternity with fellow golfers, as well as gaining a respect for the ethics andrules of the game. The instruction these new golfers receive is crucial, as the BGTF seeks to perfect their ballstriking.

These professional businesspeople are highly-trained and accustomed to making logical, financial, staff, and investment decisions, and introducing them to golf is important. They are all potential sponsors of Brazilian golf, and sponsorship is necessary for the future development of golf in Brazil.

These are historic times for Brazilian golf.

By Gary Cooney

My wife Wendy and I had a great time at the recent World Golf Teachers Cup and Conference in Brazil. Although Australia did not fare as well as expected, the camaraderie and experience itself was well worth the trip.

The Australian Golf Teachers Federation continues to conduct monthly certification courses with small attendances, rather than a limited number of certification courses with large numbers in attendance. This has seen a gradual but steady increase in our membership base.

At present, these courses are conducted in three of the Australian states, and this gives participants the opportunity to choose a course which can be cost- effective to them.

Over the last 12 months, there has been a concerted effort to get members more involved in their local areas, and we attempt to keep members informed of the activities of the organization through the production of the Australian Golf Teachers Federation newsletter, which is sent via e-mail to members on a monthly basis.

In the state of Victoria, members over the last 12 months have had the chance to play with each other in monthly tournaments. The tournaments give members a chance to stay competitive as well as to encourage and net work with each other. The results of the tournaments are published in the newsletters. In the last few months, the state of New South Wales has also started the monthly tournaments.

We are approaching the end of our third year of operation and are still in our infancy as far as the golf industry is concerned. We note with great interest the development of each of the member organizations of the WGTF, intending to have a stronger profile in our nation in the coming months, and thus enhancing the status of the WGTF in this country.

For those interested in coming to visit our country, we are always available to offer assistance and advice as to the places to visit and golf venues to play.

For instance, golf in Melbourne, Victoria, comprises an amazing collection of different styles of golf courses, all located within a 60-minute drive of one another, and often much closer. The golf course offerings are plentiful and varied.

At the centre of Melbourne Golf (both in terms of history and location) lies the famous Melbourne Sandbelt. The Sandbelt is a collection of over 15 championship-quality golf courses within a 20-mile radius that have been built on natural sandy terrain, which is common in the Southeast of Melbourne. The obvious benefit of the sandy terrain is the natural, almost instant drainage which occurs when the golf course is subject to rain.

Victoria, Commonwealth and Huntingdale are three courses which have been ranked in the top 100 courses in the world, have hosted national tournaments, and are enjoyable to play as well as being a good test of golf. The proliferation of Melbourne Sandbelt courses continues with Yarra Yarra (host of the Ladies Australian Open each year), Woodlands (wonderful bunkering), Spring Valley, Kingswood, Southern, Peninsula (36 holes of golf with accommodation), and Keysborough, to name a few.

Your visit to the Melbourne golfing region would also not be complete without a visit to the Mornington Peninsula. The home of over 10 courses ranked in Australia's top 100 courses, it is almost a trip in itself. Courses such as The Dunes, The National (which boasts 54 holes of championship quality golf, which, over time, is expected to rival the natural beauty and challenge of many of the British Isle courses), and Moonah Links offer a golf lover even more golf! Further down the road lies Portsea, Sorrento and Flinders.

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