Re: CGTF vs. CPGA
Ahhhh....the ol' CGTF vs. CPGA discussion.
The CPGA is definitely the more highly regarded organization when it comes to certifying golf professionals, and has more stringent requirements for gaining CPGA designation. As one previous post stated, professionals coming out of the CPGA program are more than just instructors, they are golf pros who have gone through the course to seek a career in the golf industry. The CGTF on the other hand is only about helping people learn how to teach the game of golf.
It may not have been the original intention of this thread, but it seems to have escalated into a "which has the better instructors" discussion. Just a few points from the other posts that I'd like to bring to light:
- "But I would question why someone would choose NOT to obtain their CPGA because of the obvious benefit"
I did the CGTF just for the experience which I found enjoyable and rewarding. I have considered undergoing the CPGA process but I think Q-School hit the nail on the head that not everyone can afford to reinvest the time and money needed to obtain their CPGA card.
- "CGTF is the "unofficial" Canadian (I won't even call it professional) golf association"
Well, basically the definition of a professional is one who performs a service in exchange for money. CPGA/CGTF pros may or may not accept money for their services, but those who do are in essence, professionals.
- "CPGA: Ah....certification, recognition. Expensive yearly dues and fees, need to shoot 156 over two rounds to get your teaching card. Heirarchical structure exists (e.g., head pro, Class A pro, Assistant Pro, etc.)"
"CGTF? sorry... but you have to pay for your golf just like everybody else because you're unrecognized."
You may be surprised to know that the CGTF does operate on a heirarchical structure (equivalent to a USGTF level 4) and has a higher level of certification that includes shooting 152 over two rounds, among other requirements. The CGTF also operates under the World Golf Teacher's Federation which is not entirely unrecognized. Actually, I know people who have enjoyed the privilege of playing free golf in Asia using their CGTF designation.
Anyway, so who's got the better instructors? In my opinion, both organizations have their good and bad instructors.
Does shooting low scores and playing free golf make you a better teacher? Well then, by that token the PGA tour pros are the greatest instructors in the world, yet they hire people who are lesser players to be their swing coaches.
How important is certification anyways? I can't be certain but the most highly regarded instructors in the world (i.e Harmon, Leadbetter, Maclean, Smith, Flick, etc.) do not teach under any certification, so I guess the "Independants" are the best instructors out there huh?
Bottom line, a good instructor will be able to detect problems with a golfer's swing and can provide solutions to fix those problems to obtain the desired result. If you can get people to pay you to do that then all the power to you. Being a good instructor has nothing to do with which golf organization you belong to.
Just my $0.02
Marcus
Ahhhh....the ol' CGTF vs. CPGA discussion.
The CPGA is definitely the more highly regarded organization when it comes to certifying golf professionals, and has more stringent requirements for gaining CPGA designation. As one previous post stated, professionals coming out of the CPGA program are more than just instructors, they are golf pros who have gone through the course to seek a career in the golf industry. The CGTF on the other hand is only about helping people learn how to teach the game of golf.
It may not have been the original intention of this thread, but it seems to have escalated into a "which has the better instructors" discussion. Just a few points from the other posts that I'd like to bring to light:
- "But I would question why someone would choose NOT to obtain their CPGA because of the obvious benefit"
I did the CGTF just for the experience which I found enjoyable and rewarding. I have considered undergoing the CPGA process but I think Q-School hit the nail on the head that not everyone can afford to reinvest the time and money needed to obtain their CPGA card.
- "CGTF is the "unofficial" Canadian (I won't even call it professional) golf association"
Well, basically the definition of a professional is one who performs a service in exchange for money. CPGA/CGTF pros may or may not accept money for their services, but those who do are in essence, professionals.
- "CPGA: Ah....certification, recognition. Expensive yearly dues and fees, need to shoot 156 over two rounds to get your teaching card. Heirarchical structure exists (e.g., head pro, Class A pro, Assistant Pro, etc.)"
"CGTF? sorry... but you have to pay for your golf just like everybody else because you're unrecognized."
You may be surprised to know that the CGTF does operate on a heirarchical structure (equivalent to a USGTF level 4) and has a higher level of certification that includes shooting 152 over two rounds, among other requirements. The CGTF also operates under the World Golf Teacher's Federation which is not entirely unrecognized. Actually, I know people who have enjoyed the privilege of playing free golf in Asia using their CGTF designation.
Anyway, so who's got the better instructors? In my opinion, both organizations have their good and bad instructors.
Does shooting low scores and playing free golf make you a better teacher? Well then, by that token the PGA tour pros are the greatest instructors in the world, yet they hire people who are lesser players to be their swing coaches.
How important is certification anyways? I can't be certain but the most highly regarded instructors in the world (i.e Harmon, Leadbetter, Maclean, Smith, Flick, etc.) do not teach under any certification, so I guess the "Independants" are the best instructors out there huh?
Bottom line, a good instructor will be able to detect problems with a golfer's swing and can provide solutions to fix those problems to obtain the desired result. If you can get people to pay you to do that then all the power to you. Being a good instructor has nothing to do with which golf organization you belong to.
Just my $0.02
Marcus
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