Coaching survey findings revealed

A first audit of PGA Professionals in Ireland has helped paint a picture of the state of coaching on the Emerald Isle.

The survey was conducted in late 2012 to gauge coaching activity with 133 PGA Professionals or just under a quarter of a cross section of registered Irish members responding.

Findings reveal the majority of PGA Members in Ireland work in excess of 40 hours per week and over half coach between one and 10 hours per week.

The average percentage of earnings from coaching was between 20-29 per cent; which corresponds with the amount of time spent coaching per week.

Respondents indicated that other golf-related demands, a lack of demand from participants and the quality of facilities are barriers to them coaching more per week.

The majority of coaching is with individuals, predominantly male, at the respondent’s facility while a third coach competitive golfers or club members who play in organised competition.

Coaches also indicated that working with other coaches, fellow professionals, assistant professionals and volunteers is largely beneficial for them in their role and for the participants coached.

The survey revealed an appetite for training and development, particularly for coaching related topics.

As a result of this demand and interest in professional development, Niamh Kitching, coach education manager for the PGA in Ireland, said they would be striving to develop a CPD programme and opportunities for coach support from winter 2013 onwards.

Clear interest was also shown in the promotion and marketing of the PGA Professional as a golf coach and the new PGA website and communication tools will provide a platform to better promote coaching activities and initiatives to the wider golf industry.

Kitching commented: “It is clear from this first audit of the coaching workforce in Ireland that there are significant amounts of coaching happening.

“There is also a great capacity to provide and maximise coaching, and clear interest was shown in the promotion and marketing of the PGA Professional as a golf coach.

“With this in mind, it may be prudent for our PGA Professionals to regularly consider the questions asked in this audit, i.e. who you coach, how many hours do you coach, what income is derived from coaching, and do you market yourself as a coach?

“With the demand for training I look forward to building a relevant and quality CPD programme for our coaches over the coming months.”