I know there are many accomplished golf teachers on this site, looking for your opinion regarding a career choice. I would love to teach golf for the rest of my life...I am currently in a Professional Golf Management Program, which is the PGA's "school" for training golf professionals. I have come to realize that the program is more business oriented about the golf course rather than anything detailed about the swing, which is something I feel I need to study quite extensively to be successful...my question, would it be of my best interest to change my major in college to kinesiology rather than business? I have thought about this for many many weeks....just seeking others opinions on what could be a very important decision for me. Thanks

Sorry I can't offer expertise, but you might check the roster of professionals at different golf schools, email teachers who do what you want to do and ask for their advice. I know the David Glenz school in NJ has a woman pro who teaches both the swing and swing-oriented flexibility exercises.

My guess is that PGA credentials will open doors and kinesiology, esp. if it leads to being a chiropractor, will bring you to the career of your choice. Best of luck!

Do both... you need to understand how a business runs and the kinesiology would help your knowledge of how the body works also work in some technology. Computerized swing analysis (Mitch Voges Max Out Golf comes to mind) will become more important and you will need to understand it to really be at the top of the game as a golf teacher.

Work hard... and good luck will follow.

personally, I think the business degree is something that will come in more handy down the line if you happen to change your career choice.

Good luck with whatever your choice,but I have seen a number of PGA card holders get out of the business simply due to such few decent job oppotunities. A good number of these guys were both good players and good guys.

As a PGM Grad, I don't think that kinesiology is the route to go here. If you decide to go the route of strictly becoming a teaching professional the business degree will apply more than you can see at this point. Stick with the program, do some internships/co-ops under teaching professionals, go to seminars if available in your area, and you will quickly become more knowledgeable. Also don't forget about the PGA's certified and master professional programs, which will give you a more detailed background in kinesiology. Hope this helps....

The teachers who make money know how to market themselves and create a business. It is a business.

I think you should go the kinesiology route and combine that with your golf instruction. Golfers these days are realizing that they need to work on their bodies as well as their swings. You could provide instruction to them on both. Once you become a certified PGA member, open your own teaching center. Maybe even hire a well qualified instructor to handle the swing and you can handle the fitness side of things?

Is it not possible to get a dual degree? I know it will be a little extra time, but shouldn't be more than a year.

Best thing though would be to contact successful people in the area you are looking at and buy them lunch. Then ask them questions and just listen. At the least, you will learn a lot. At the best, you may get some great connections. From what I have read and heard, this is what many successful people in many different areas did when they were starting out.

I have no experience in this area, but try this out.

A business degree is never a bad thing to get. No matter what jobs you interview for, they won't wonder about your intellect. It might be boooorrrriiiiinnnngggg now, but you have to pay your dues no matter what you study, just to get a degree in something. Bite the bullet.

Kinesiology is not your gym class degree of old, no kidding. But it limits the kinds of jobs that people will think you are qualified for, when they read the first line on your resume, unless they know something about the field. Which, sad to say, most people don't. It's the difference between 1950's home economics, and food science. But most people don't know that.

But, personal trainer, with a PGA teaching cert, a business degree, and a personal training business, that's a little more rare. Getting a kinesiology degree because you intend to train golfing machines, not weekend hacks with beer guts...interesting angle. That might give you an advantage over the other people who just have their teaching cert and a biz degree, because you can offer another entire line of expertise that most teaching pros probably don't have.

If I had a big golf academy with a staff of teachers, I'd probably think having a personal trainer/teaching pro on staff was a good idea for people who are making a serious effort at the tour, or just dedicated to playing good golf. And if I didn't want to hire you, I'd still make referrals to you for golfers that want a PT.

very interesting take blues golfer...here is my whole ordeal....the PGM ordeal is basically this, Major in Business with a minor in Professional Golf Management (graduate a class A member of the PGA of America)...Realistically, most people only go to college once, or for one period, which is what I intend to do. Obtaining the PGA license can be done via apprenticeship even though you are not in college. This brings me to my next question...Major in Business and Minor in Kinesiology...or Major in Kinesiolgy and minor in Business? BTW thnx for all the posts thus far..very helpful

I know you mentioned to only go to college once, but keep in mind that to be successful you have to always be learning. This may not mean formal college, but definitely trade shows, magazines, papers, seminars, etc. The only way to excel is to be continually learning.

Totally agree. I remember a guy from MBA school at night. He was very smart and said "I can't wait to graduate because I will never have to take anymore classes." I thought that was so stupid. All through life we have to keep learning and studying. I am back to getting more licenses myself. Get as much as you can before your late 30s because it gets harder to retain knowledge when it comes time to take required tests.

I mentioned that sucessful teachers are businessmen who know how to market themselves. Dave Pelz, Butch, Hank Haney, and Leadbetter to mention a few. These guys are good coaches but even better businessman or marketers. Butch and Haney seem to stick to doing more coaching. You may not want to become a super coach like these guys but you will need an edge to be employable or marketable (sell your services).

Just a follow up. Start thinking and watching in the industry to see what you can offer that is unique. It may be early in your career but start thinking about it. What can you combine or offer that will attract clients to you? Write it down in a diary or put it in a file and think about it. Do you live in a place where you can attract clients with $ who are willing to pay for your services? These are things to think about in planning your career.

I agree with Franc. A great product with no marketing is nothing. A decent product with great marketing is a winner. Take a look at any of the products on the market. The vast majority are successful not because of the performance, but because of the marketing and sales.

As others have said, I think you would find the business degree more valuable over the course of your lifetime. I combination of Business/Body could be an absolute killer edge in a competitive market, so I highly recommend pursuing that. With both degrees, you want to gain as much knowledge as possible, and at the end of that day that will be the difference. Your clients won't feel slighted that kinesiology was only a minor, they will appreciate your understanding of the human body and how fitness can enhance their golf game.

In short, I think you are on to something here.

I know I could use a bit more fitness knowledge for sure. The 12 oz. curls certainly aren't helping my waist-line, or lowering my handicap.