PGA master Professional Candidate

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Location: Dorado, Puerto Rico

President of the PGA Island Chapter

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

PGA Master Professional Project Outline

The Master Professional Program for the career path of Instruction requires that a comprehensive written project be developed and submitted for review by PGA faculty. This project must document specific components in the instructional area. These components include the swing model, representing the basis of your instructional program, the instructional philosophy, approach and procedures employed to teach the game of golf in a variety of settings. During the checkpoint you will be expected to make an oral presentation based upon the major points of the written project to expert faculty in the area of Golf Instruction. Following the oral presentation, the faculty will engage with you in a question and answer session. In addition, you will be required to give a live lesson utilizing project components with a student.
Purpose The project is a crucial part of the work in striving for Master Professional designation as it provides an opportunity to showcase your talent for Instruction. This is where the faculty can determine that you:
Understand the varied skills and procedures required to instruct all types of students
Integrate and apply varied skills in both private and group situations
Demonstrate actual day-to-day experience and expertise in Instruction
The following paragraphs outline exactly how the project should be developed to meet checkpoint requirements and the expectations of checkpoint faculty. Requirements include preparing documentation for your project and delivering an oral presentation.
Preparing for the Project It is critical that you allow enough time to prepare a high-quality, thorough project, with all required components and documentation, and submit it to the PGA by the deadline specified in the paragraphs that follow.
It is vital to understand the project requirements up front and create an appropriate schedule and timeline that allows for the development of a quality project. This project should accurately portray your ability and expertise in Instruction.
Documentation Required You must document the project in a portfolio or binder and submit three copies of the documentation to the PGA for approval prior to registering for a checkpoint (at least 90 days prior to checkpoint). Sending the project to the PGA in advance of the checkpoint allows faculty to become familiar with the project prior to the presentation. To make sure that checkpoint requirements are met please do the following:
Computer-generate all written material
Describe each of the project elements listed in the guidelines that follow and number them in the given order
Include samples of related documents that are in use at your facility
Be sure to include your name and the name of the career path - Instruction - on the cover of the project.
Submit 3 copies to the Senior Manager, PGA Member Education at the PGA Education Center for approval prior to registering for a checkpoint. You will be notified in writing about whether or not the project is approved. If the project is not approved, the PGA will contact you to explain why and what needs to be done to fully meet requirements.
Required Project Elements Documentation for Master Professional designation must fully address each of the required elements outlined below:
1. Table of Contents. List all sections and page numbers to allow easy access to information for checkpoint faculty for reference and review.
2. Teaching Position. Describe your current teaching position such as, Director of Instruction at a facility, Owner of a Learning Center or Golf Range, Head Professional or other employment situation. In addition to basic professional information such as years of experience and job responsibility, describe the ability range of your clientele and the volume and types of lessons offered for each level on an annual basis.
3. Facility. Describe the facility and the business relationship between the facility and the golf operation and it's staff. If you are responsible for a teaching staff describe the composition of this staff. Attach an organizational chart and job descriptions for all instructional staff. Include your business model.
4. Teaching Philosophy. Describe fully your philosophy of teaching and identify the most important points about the game and how this philosophy is incorporated into your teaching approach.
5. Swing Model. Elaborate in significant detail the swing model used in your instructional program. Indicate why you believe this swing model is successful. Incorporate the cause and effect of the golf swing based on the swing model. The model should indicate a sound full swing touching on the physical laws and principles as well as the biomechanics of the model. Your model should effectively demonstrate key principles, positions, motions utilized and include either video diagrams or annotative swing sequence photos illustrating the major points. In addition, answer the following questions in detail:
Describe the grip, stance, ball position and posture you prefer for a student hitting a 5 iron (assume student has a 12 handicap)
Describe the preferred club (shaft and face angle) position at the following phases in the swing sequence:
Take away
Back swing
Top of swing
Forward swing
Impact
Exit position
Finish
Describe the process you use to diagnose swing faults. Does this process change depending on the individual student?
What is the first thing you look for when correcting ball flight?
Give three reasons why people slice, slash/hook and give corrections for those ball flight errors?
Describe how your swing model is applied to:
Putting
Chipping
Pitching
Bunker Play
Describe in detail what you desire in a student's swing from the pre-shot routine to the finish of the swing.
6. Lesson Structure. Outline the lesson structure that you follow in an organized and systematic approach to Instruction based on the following cases:
A group of eight beginning students that is made up of adults both male and female
An intermediate student with a 12 handicap who is working on improving his/her game
Describe the lesson structure used when conducting a playing lesson with both an advanced player and a high handicap player.
Outline key steps that you follow from the greeting to the close of the lesson.
Identify how teaching tools and drills are integrated into the lesson structure.
Include effective communication techniques used in each situation.
7. Learning Styles. Discuss in detail your utilization of learning styles for your students.
8. Teaching Tools/Aids. Indicate the most important tools you utilize in teaching and define exactly how the tool/aid is used and its related purpose.
9. Evaluation methods. Describe how you and the student assess progress toward performance objectives. Describe how student progress is tracked and recorded and how students are assisted in carrying out specific tasks for themselves. Include forms utilized in this process.
10. Technology. Describe the types of technology utilized in your instructional program.
11. Marketing and Promoting. Describe how you market yourself and promote your instructional program.
12. Best Practices. Identify 3-5 "Best Practices" you have utilized that other PGA members in Instruction might find extremely useful.
13. Growth of the Game. Describe in detail activities used to promote Growth of the Game.
Oral Project Presentation This is another reminder about the importance of the required oral presentation. You must communicate information regarding the project in an organized and effective way for your expertise to be recognized. This oral presentation is a major opportunity to demonstrate to PGA faculty that you have the necessary skills and experience to earn the PGA Master Professional designation.
A great deal of information must be communicated and the challenge is to accomplish the objective to present all project information. Photos, slides, overheads, PC slides or even a video to illustrate your points may be utilized.
This part of the program will last up to 1 hour.
As you prepare the oral presentation, be sure to:
Select content based on major points in the written project; i.e. swing model, philosophy, lesson structure, grip, stance, posture, teaching aids and students
Organize material to maximize impact and convince the faculty of your expertise
Develop visuals to support the major points
Practice delivery of the presentation multiple times to familiarize yourself with the process and to insure appropriate time management
Question and Answer Session Upon completion of your project presentation the faculty will ask questions concerning:
Written Project
Oral Presentation
Knowledge and expertise in instruction
This part of the program will last up to 45 minutes.
Pertinent Suggestions for the Project Presentation The ability to orally communicate with an audience of peers is considered a major indicator of Master Professional designation.
It is important that you speak to the faculty and not read PowerPoint projects. The purpose of the presentation is to convince the faculty that you deserve the Master Professional designation based on your knowledge of the career path and the ability to perform and communicate your position.
The presentation should not deviate from the content presented in the written project.