“PRO” FILE – USGTF MEMBER JASON MILLER

By Jason C. Miller

I couldn’t be more happy and proud to be a USGTF Master Certified Golf Teaching Professional. I live in Missoula, Montana, and am a 45-year-old father of eight. I was the top filmmaker in Montana until I took a hiatus and decided to pursue a career as a golf instructor five years ago. I always loved golf and was an okay player at one point, being a scratch handicap. These days I’m about a 5-handicapper and hit the ball about 70 yards shorter than I used to, but I still enjoy it just the same.

I’d read 50-100 golf books simply for the love of it, so it made sense to pursue some kind of career in golf. I’ve been working at an executive course in Missoula, Linda Vista. It’s a fun and beautiful little course, has a nice restaurant, good people working there, and tremendous mellow vibe. It brings me so much joy to watch my students improve and they’re almost all repeats and want to come back for more. Fixing a slice or seeing someone’s eyes light up with the glee when they hit a proper chip or have a good putting round is so rewarding. I’ve ran academies for children and ladies, coached competitive players through tournaments and playing ability tests, taught everyone from age 5 to age 90 years old and not had a single unhappy student yet. They always walk away with a smile.

I have one student who went from an 8-handicap to a +1 the last two years and will be competing in the Montana State Amateur this week and I expect he will have a good showing. But we’ll see. It’s a fickle and exciting game. In any case, I know he’ll be back for more and I’m always looking forward to it. If you’re interested in a career in golf instruction or coaching or management, I highly recommend the USGTF. And if you’re already a USGTF member, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

A special thanks to Bill Rice in Henderson, Nevada, who is an absolute master instructor and one of the finest men I’ve ever met, to all my colleagues who took the courses with me and helped make it so enjoyable, and my fellow master-certified instructor and Northwest Region director and great friend Jake Parker, who infectious enthusiasm has kept me inspired, excited and driven.