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GOLF TEACHING PRO%u00ae 39 WINTER 2O26step: my nursing career; my parenting career supporting my children%u2019s independence; my freelance career exploring new work styles; my personal journey to become a golfer capable of playing with Titleist clubs, and my steady progress through the %u201csmall steps%u201d approach.The Current Expectations of Manufacturers Toward Teaching Professionals As teaching professionals, the following qualities are most valued by clients and students: contributions to golf; skills in assessing students%u2019 mastery; their motivation and their performance proficiency. These may sound abstract, but they represent the key qualities expected of golf teachers.Above all, one must give without expecting a reward %u2013 %u201cpatience brings reward.%u201d Effort is always necessary. More than ever, manufacturers across the golf industry %u2013 not only Acushnet Japan %u2013 look to teaching professionals, who are closer to amateur golfers, for support, not just to tour professionals.Teaching Across Generations and the Advantages of Cross-Industry ExperienceMy nursing career, which ranged from pediatrics to geriatric care in hospitals and facilities, helped me gain trust and credibility, while also strengthening my communication skills. When teaching juniors, this background provides reassurance to parents. In today%u2019s aging society, I am also able to provide primary emergency care on the course, whether for sudden illness or injury, earning the trust of senior players. Even outside the medical profession, having basic emergency care skills is, without question, a great advantage in any sports-related occupation.Enhancing the Pace of Learning %u2013 My Teaching PracticesA. With high school students %u2013 At Mimatsu Golf Center in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture, I teach students majoring in sports. To improve efficiency in a limited timeframe, I begin with classroom lectures supported by handouts. Students work in pairs, alternating between the role of teacher and learner, using a USGTF training manual as a reference. This curriculum helps them accelerate their learning. After repeating classroom lectures and practical training, I check their mastery in a written test.B. With general students %u2013 In addition to oral instruction and video analysis, I create customized handouts focusing on what each student wants to learn at that time. This material is used during lessons and reviewed afterward, reinforcing drills and clarifying their priorities.C. With juniors (including children with ADHD) %u2013 I have worked for two years with an elementary school student with ADHD. Building trust gradually and tailoring lessons to the child%u2019s concentration level proved essential. Small-step approaches were highly effective. Because auditory distractions reduced focus, I introduced visual aids, such as an arch-shaped training device marked with colors to guide swing paths, and a laser pointer to trace putting lines. These adjustments significantly improved the student%u2019s success rate in putting. The student once wrote a wish: %u201cI want to be a professional golfer in the future.%u201dConclusionFollowing the small-step method has guided me to my goals, but the journey has taken many years and involved considerable effort. Building a career requires time, resources, physical energy and intellectual effort. I invite you to reflect on the kind of career that will be essential for your own stage of life. Diverse approaches to work can help you achieve a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle %u2013 your own work/life balance.STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD JAPAN