I became a Certified Golf Teaching Professional® back in April 1999 and I was featured in the USGTF official member profile booklet and website back in 2002. The profile described my business background and reasons for getting into the golf instruction business.

The purpose of this brief update is to reflect back on my last eight years of accomplishments, which may in turn provide others with possible ideas for keeping current while also expanding your approach to teaching.

I established the Wayne Dahlstrom Golf Academy in 1999 and continue to operate under that name today. Naples, Florida, is a seasonal location, which allows me the flexibility to do other activities. For example, I was the owner/ operator of a successful golf practice center, general manager and head golf professional of a golf club, and assistant golf professional, a seasonal position, at three other golf clubs. I am a part-time sales associate at a prestigious golf store, which allows me to keep current on golf club and golf ball products and their various features and benefits, where I in turn pick up a lot of students for my academy. I am also on the teaching staff for three national golf schools.

It’s also important to keep good records. For example, I have conducted 106 free golf clinics, held 18 paid clinics, 22 junior clinics, 16 clubmaking and repair seminars, 23 golf schools, 14 rules seminars, 9 free stretching/strengthening clinics, and 4,586 private/semi private lessons.

The bottom line is to keep yourself current, take lessons and learn from others. If you pick up just one word, a phrase, a drill, a training tool, a handout, and/or a lesson set-up area, it will be worth it and help you refine your teaching presentation. Your students expect the best!