Many people believe you cannot teach golf without certification, or it’s at least frowned upon. However, many golf instructors out there don’t have the proper certification, and they’re still in business!

So, assuming you’re not already an accredited instructor, does that mean you can’t teach golf? Of course not.

What’s the difference between teaching golf and teaching a housekeeper or chef how to clean your room or cook your dinner? The way I see it, there is no difference! Both are legit topics that can be taught without necessarily having any certification.

Similarly, today many people give practical courses or lectures without necessarily being full PhDs. However, their credibility is derived from the fact that they are knowledgeable and experienced.

My point here is: If you’re a talented individual with the skills to teach golf or other related topics, you can teach it without proper certification. And some of these qualified individuals have even made a career out of giving free or low-cost classes to those who want to learn more about golf.

In some of our other articles, we discussed how to golf alone or with friends, and some of the reasons why golf clubs break off. You can also read our golf club reviews like this review of Lazrus golf clubs, or this one of Mazel golf clubs.

How to teach golf without certification

Since you’re reading this article, it’s pretty safe to assume that you’re interested in teaching golf. First of all, let me say that I have great respect for anyone who is actually certified in a golf teaching career.

However, many instructors are not certified. And while they may not have fully “made it” through the entire certification process, they’re still teaching people how to play golf all over the world.

This is a good thing because it gives these talented individuals an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with others.

Tips to succeed in teaching golf without certification

1. Be a good listener

If you want to teach golf, your students will be the most important people in your life. You’ll need to listen to them and give them good advice if they need it. Remember that they’re paying you, so they’ll be expecting an excellent learning experience.

2. Be able to demonstrate what you’re talking about

I see some instructors who can’t really put their knowledge into practice when they’re teaching others how to play golf. If you’re one of those who can’t demonstrate what you’re talking about, perhaps it’s time to get some practice before teaching others how to play golf.

For example, if you’re giving a short class on how to hit the ball straight, be able to demonstrate the right swing, or at least have someone else demonstrate it for you. Some might feel that this is cheating, but if you can’t do it yourself, get someone else who can (even if that person is not your student).

If you’re not able to demonstrate the proper swing for an iron, then just say it! If you can’t demonstrate the proper stance and grip, just tell them what they are.

If you don’t know how to fix a certain fault, just tell them where they can find a qualified instructor and pay for lessons. If you’re really into teaching but still don’t have adequate skills yet, then that’s ok! Just be honest with your students.

3. Know when to give a free lesson

It may seem simple, but you need to know when to give a free lesson or a low-cost class. It’s best to encourage your students to register for low-cost classes so that they’ll be more likely to return for regular, expensive lessons.

If your schedule is jam-packed and you can’t take any time out for free classes, then some might feel hesitant about taking any lessons from you. If you’re like me, you probably want to teach as many people as possible. So, what can you do?

There are some options:

• Offer a free lesson at the end of a paid one
• Give a demo for another instructor’s class

If you really care about teaching golf or other related topics (or somehow need to make extra cash), then there are several ways for you to teach these things without certification.

4. Know when to consult an accredited instructor

If you have the time, you can also ask for some help from someone already certified. In this way, you will learn from someone else who already has the proper skills and experience.

Again, it may seem like an easy solution, and you might think that your classmates are biased and only want to share what they already know with you. But if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll realize that it will be easier to learn from another instructor than from someone who doesn’t have the proper skills yet.

5. Look for jobs related to golf

Additionally, if you’re interested in teaching golf, then you can try to get a job at one of the local courses. Indeed, your pay won’t be spectacular, but there are many significant advantages!

Here are some ideas:

• Lead a team and earn tips from instructors and other golfers.
• Get free green fees and other benefits.
• Be able to play more golf! Enabling you to practice and become better.

Does golf instructor certification matter?

I believe that there is a lot of bias in favor of those who are already certified. I hope that some people will read this article and think about it. I really believe that we should all be able to teach ourselves if we have the ability to do so.

In fact, if you’re thinking about teaching someone how to play golf, you should consider getting certified in the long term. Looking for some form of professional certification will help you solidify your space as a golf instructor. You can also charge a higher price if you are certified.

How old do you have to be to teach golf?

This is an interesting question, but the answer is pretty simple.

Anyone who can play golf is qualified to teach golf! There is no age limit to starting to teach golf. While certain instructors may be better suited for certain tasks, you don’t have to be a middle-aged man with 30 – 40 years of experience in order to have the skills necessary to teach someone how to play golf.

Here are some advantages of being young and teaching golf:

• You will be able to relate with your students more easily. This might also help you earn their respect much more quickly.
• You’re more likely to be able to teach people why they should hit the ball longer and straighter, which is important for beginners. Also, if you’re a teenager, you can teach some of your friends how to play golf, and this will give you some good experience.
• Not only have you developed good skills by sharpening your mental and physical abilities, but you also have the energy that comes with being young.

How to market yourself as a golf instructor without certification

Golf instruction in the 21st century is a booming industry. However, it’s also important to know how to market yourself without getting certified as an instructor.

Here are some things that you can do:

• Look for positions at golf courses near your home. If you’re good, you could get free golf, and then begin teaching for tips in order to profit from this.
  Contact some of the local pro shops or clubs and start working there to gain a lot of experience with golf equipment and potentially some students.
• Develop a unique marketing strategy that will stand out to potential clients. Most people use a broad strategy, where they look for as many students as possible and hope that some of them will pay them money. However, choosing your unique proposition will work better for you long term.
• You may already know about this, but the internet is also a pretty good place to market yourself. If you’re able to build a following on social media as a golf instructor, then you’ll be able to get more students through your online presence.
• Find your niche and maximize your potential there. A good example would be to focus on specific groups of golfers e.g. senior golfers, lady golfers, or left-handed golfers. If you can offer something unique and valuable at a low cost, this will help you develop a good reputation as a golf instructor.

I hope that this was helpful! If you have any questions about teaching golf, please feel free to contact me.

What are the benefits and downsides of becoming a golf instructor with no certification?

There are several potential benefits of being a golf instructor without certification. In fact, many people started teaching with no certification, and there are several advantages that they enjoyed:

• Freedom. You don’t have to get certified in order to teach. This can save you a lot of time and money.
• You don’t have to worry about looking for certification. You’ll be able to focus on other things in your life, including golfing itself!
• You can spend time teaching people golf and make quick money! If you have not paid for certification, you can still make some decent money teaching beginners how to play. Especially for the price-conscious people, they would be happy to pay you to help them get started.

On the flip side, however, if you are not a certified golf instructor, there will be some disadvantages:

• You can’t take full advantage of all of the perks that come with being a certified golf instructor. For example, you might be unable to get a job at certain high-profile clubs as an instructor.
• It could be more difficult to find and teach students if you’re not certified. While some people might choose not to care about certification to save a few bucks, others will care about it. You’ll have fewer potential students this way if they’re looking for someone with certifications.
• Looking for students could be harder. As a person without certification, you’ll have to advertise yourself more and rely on free resources to find people who need your help.

Final thoughts on teaching golf without certification

When thinking about becoming a golf instructor without certification, the benefits and disadvantages are often brought up. Some people think that it’s good to save money on certifications, but many others think that they won’t make as much money in the long run by not getting certified.

To succeed as an instructor without certification, remember to:

1. Learn, study, and play more golf! Your expertise and experience will be your most important selling point.
2. Find a golf course that offers free or low-cost lessons for beginners. Remember that most golf courses offer this benefit during the summer or on weekdays when people aren’t out working. So make sure your schedule works around this.
3. Rely on the help of your friends and family to find students looking to learn how to play. You can also look to social media to market yourself.

If you enjoyed this article, consider reading this one about how to break in (soften) new golf shoes, or this one with what to say and do after losing a game. We have also discussed golf club care and maintenance tips, and how to choose the right golf shoe.

I hope that this was helpful! If you have any questions about teaching golf, please feel free to contact me.