Coaches play a crucial role in the development of golf and also in the lives of the golfers they coach.
Good coaches ensure that individuals participating in golf have positive experiences in the game and are therefore more likely to continue their involvement into the future. High quality coaches are knowledgeable, competent and confident in their abilities and can greatly assist players in achieving their goals and aims.
Good coaching is an integral part of the development of any player in any sport and the PGA aims to ensure that all golf coaches are appropriately trained and qualified to coach at their chosen level. Through the implementation of a high quality coach education structure, the PGA can provide a comprehensive coach development pathway that provides relevant training to individuals and professionals with an interest in coaching - whether the interest be as a volunteer assisting with local club sessions right through to a highly qualified master coach.
In July 2002 the Government published 'The Coaching Task Force' report into coaching in the UK. One element of the report was the recommendation of the development of a national certificate for coaching that would aim to standardize the levels of coaching qualification delivered within the UK; in other words, a Level 1 coach in golf will be educated to a similar standard to a Level 1 coach in football, netball, rugby etc. The UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) is the resulting development, which is a quality endorsement of sports specific coaching qualifications. For golf this has helped to focus and support the development of a clear structure and standard pathway for the development and education of golf coaches.
The PGA, on behalf of the sport of golf, leads on the development of coach education and training. A full review of the existing coach education structure in line with UKCC guidance has lead to the establishment of a new, coach-centred education system that meets the needs of coaches and, ultimately, players. The finished pathway (which is still somewhat under development) is likely to include qualifications based on the following descriptors:
What the qualified coach will be able to do:
- Level 1 - Assist more qualified coaches, delivering aspects of coaching sessions, normally under direct supervision
- Level 2 - Prepare for, deliver and review coaching session(s)
- Level 3 - Plan, implement, analyse and revise annual coaching programmes
- Level 4 - Design, implement and evaluate the process and outcome of long-term/specialist coaching programmes
- Level 5 - Generate, direct and manage the implementation of cutting edge coaching solutions and programmes
For example, a new Level 1 Coach will be able to work with a more senior coach (i.e. Level 2 and above), to assist in the delivery of coaching programmes within a club. For example, this could be a series of junior sessions in which a senior coach needs assistance due to large numbers in a group.
The new coaching qualification courses at Levels 1 to 3 have now achieved UKCC Endorsement with the Level 1 and 2 qualifications officially launched from January 2008. Achievement of this endorsement denotes a high quality qualification and demonstrates that the new golf coaching qualifications meet the standards for coach education set nationally through the UKCC. The new qualifications, awarded by the Association of Sports Qualifications (an independent, QCA approved awarding body), are accessible to both existing PGA members and also others within the golfing community who demonstrate potential coaching abilities (for example teachers, club volunteers etc.). Feedback from both volunteers and assistant professionals on courses run to date has been very positive.
It should be noted that the PGA are committed to working in partnership with the governing bodies of golf in the UK to further the growth and development of the game. In line with requirements from the Association of Sports Qualifications (awarding body), the PGA has developed a delivery plan for the new qualifications that identifies the numbers of coaches required to meet the growing needs of golf development within each Home Nation. The PGA is establishing development plans for the roll out of each qualification in conjunction with the respective Home Nations Governing Bodies of Golf. These plans clearly highlight how the delivery of each qualification contributes to the development of the sport of golf in terms of coaching.
The PGA has adopted a planned approach to the delivery of the new coaching qualifications to ensure that coaches trained through the system are actively contributing to the development of golf within the UK. The education and training of these individuals, as identified by the Home Nations Golf Unions and the golf industry is a priority for the PGA in their contribution to the long-term growth and development of the game.
For further details and booking information, please email coaching@pga.org.uk
Download the latest information on becoming a qualified coach and the revised summary of qualifications Levels 1 - 5
The governing bodies of golf are responsible for the growth and development of the game within the UK and are:
ENGLAND - English Golf Union and English Women's Golf Association
SCOTLAND - Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Ladies Golfing Association
WALES - Golf Union of Wales