In the middle of March, I had the opportunity to travel to Birmingham for my final residential week as an Assistant PGA Professional. Due to Covid-19, the third year residential week was optional and unfortunately our year 2 residential was cancelled.
In comparison to my year 1 residential week, I found the most recent training week more practical and student-led. We had a variety of lectures for each subject; golf coaching, sports science, business finance, equipment technology and custom fitting. Our lecturers took a more hands-on approach, getting the students to watch a live lesson and fitting, then go through the process themselves. As a trainee, being watched and evaluated by some of the top fitters and coaches was a little daunting initially. However, looking back, it was a great learning experience that allowed for individualised feedback.
My favourite part of the week was watching top PGA Professional Adrian Bishop give a live lesson, to a player he never met before. Thirteen trainees along with two lecturers gathered around to watch Bishop in action, and even I felt nervous for the player getting the lesson. It was amazing seeing a PGA Professional who was so polished in their delivery make a handful of significant changes to the player’s performance by changing small things, in a specific order, so simply, that led to significant changes in the player’s performance.
Going through the process of coaching other trainees and questioning our lecturer on a particular scenario to find out how they would approach a lesson was invaluable. Even chatting with other trainees throughout the programme was really insightful. A big thing that stood out for me, was some of the facilities and technology available all throughout the training academy and practice range. Things like an indoor swing room with a GC Quad, multiple outdoor fitting centres for particular brands and a swing catalyst pressure plate. All of these technologies and facilities really added to the experience and learning process.
Overall, it was great to meet our lecturers face-to-face as well as my colleagues, and have the opportunity to attend in-person lectures. Personally, the week gave me a boost of motivation for our upcoming exam week at the end of April and I’m delighted that I opted in for it! Big thanks to the PGA for organising this week for us.
