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GOLF TEACHING PRO%u00ae 10 WINTER 2O26KNOWLEDGE THOMAS T. WARTELLEHaving been involved in the golf industry for 40+ years, I am often asked by colleagues, %u201cHow do you become a successful golf instructor?%u201d This is a question that has many different avenues for a response. However, one simple response sums up my experience: passion, hard work, enthusiasm, great mentors, and willingness to grow and expand one%u2019s knowledge.I have a passion for the game, both teaching and playing. I have been blessed because my profession is my passion. I am never tired of my job. At the TTW Golf Lab, sometimes we have 10+ lessons booked a day. I bring the same passion to the last lesson as I do the first lesson of the day. When I am not occupied with lessons, club fittings and golf club repair/analysis, clients often come in just to hang out and talk about all things golf. I pride myself on not just lessons and fittings but providing a total golf experience. After all, golf is part of the service industry. As golf professionals, we are stewards and promoters of the great game of golf. Of the key ingredients, passion is the major driving force to success.The BasicsOften as golf teachers, we become so immersed in technical aspects of the golf swing that we tend to forget the basic fundamentals that should be followed as a golf teaching professional. The following basic fundamentals form the foundation of the successful golf teaching professional:%u2022 Professionalism: Students are aware an instructor%u2019s passion and commitment to professionalism.%u2022 Explanation: Teach simplicity. Never assume the student understands certain terms or phrases.%u2022 Demonstration: A picture is worth a thousand words. Less talk, more action.%u2022 Detection and correction: A simple detection of an error should lead to a simple correction. Never detect too many errors in one lesson.%u2022 Encouragement vs. criticism: Use positive reinforcement over negative criticism. Did students enjoy themselves? Ensure that your students have fun.The successful teaching professional understands the importance of communication, empathy and technical knowledge. This will lead to repeat customers.Successful Teaching FormulaA simple diagnosis of a swing fault leads to a simple remedy. This leads to positive results and success. Remember that most students are happy to see some immediate results. If a student wants to continue his progress, make a plan and work on only one or two swing faults a lesson. With advanced golfers, find out what their goals are and develop a strategy to make improvements to their game. I am personally not a method instructor but an impact coach. Ideally, we want to make the golf swing as efficient as possible, but for my students, impact is the driver of the golf shot.When teaching the game of golf, it is important not to overload the student with too many swing thoughts. When many swing faults are diagnosed, too much effort is made in correction. The student often becomes frustrated By Thomas T. Wartelle, PGA & WGTF Master Professional