ARTICLES
by Sandy Guzzardo
THE BARRIERS WOMEN FACE LEARNING AND PLAYING THE GAME OF GOLF
EXPANDING YOUR CAREER POSSIBILITIES
As a golf instructor, I face many challenges. Those challenges include not knowing a language, communicating without the benefit of speaking, and teaching developmentally disabled people. For example, while teaching in England this past summer, I was asked to give a two-hour clinic to a visiting men’s club from Germany. What I didn’t know is that very few of them spoke English. Imagine my surprise, trying to communicate not knowing a word of German. They were quite skeptical at the start but at the conclusion they were happy and kissing me on each check and inviting me to their home club.
A year or so ago I taught a man who was deaf. He did read lips but it was a real challenge, one that left me so in awe of him. In 1999 I also had the pleasure of coaching a developmentally challenged woman who went to the Special Olympics in Atlanta and brought home a bronze metal in golf.
Our commonality is the love of the game, their desire to learn and my desire to teach.
The game of golf is a natural for building relationships. While traveling in Scotland in the small town of Dumfries. I came to play Southernes, a wonderful old golf course. A convention had taken up all the rooms in the town. It was getting late and I was tired. As I was driving out of town, I saw a sign for a Country Club. I went in and talked to one of the members, explaining my dilemma. He went to the phone and called a friend and was able to secure a room for me very close to the course. I’ll never forget the wonderful people at the Dumfries Country Club and the Steamboat Inn.
As women travel around the country, many are learning that a game of golf with clients can open many doors. The Executive Woman’s Golf Association (EWG), a National organization founded for the express purpose of networking, using golf as a vehicle, has helped women overcome the barriers they face while traveling on business. As an example, businesswomen who travel can call a chapter, secure a tee time, and even a list of members to play with when they are in the area.
Golf is a game you can play in nearly any part of the world, in any kind of weather and graciously insert yourself into the community and culture. It is the one sport you can play well into your senior years, with people from all types of backgrounds regardless of gender or ability.
THE BARRIERS WOMEN FACE LEARNING AND PLAYING THE GAME OF GOLF
According to the National Golf Foundation (NGF) women make up 22% of all golfers and that number is growing. They come to the game for many reasons but unfortunately we aren’t very successful in keeping them in the game. Put simply, the reason they don’t stay is that they are intimidated. They don’t feel comfortable and as professionals we need to do a better job of making them feel comfortable.
The woman beginner wears many badges. She is a wife, a mother, she may operate her own business, serve on local boards, and usually has a house to run. Women take up the game to have fun, build relationships, build a client base, and many just want to spend more time with their friends, husbands, parents, and children, and golf is a great way to do that.
As a golf professional the beginning women I teach all have one thing in common, they want to learn the basics of the swing but more importantly they want to know the rules. They want to do the right thing and not hold anybody up. They are easily embarrassed and afraid to ask questions. One student offered that she wanted to look like a good player having a bad day.
The barriers businesswomen face are much more complex than the average person having a desire to learn the game. It is more to them than just a social activity. They are prepared and anxious to get the essentials as they enter what has traditionally been a male dominated sport. These women want to feel confident that they can invite a client to play golf and know what to do, how to perform, use proper etiquette, know the rules, enhance a business relationship and still have a good time.
I recommend women start with group lessons. There really is safety in numbers. Maybe someone else will ask the question that is burning in your mind! Group lessons are more affordable and there is equipment available for you to learn with. I have developed a manual to give each person at the first lesson. It has an introduction to the series, a breakdown of each class and a list of golf terms. To enhance the lesson I have developed an instructor’s guidebook. It is something I refer to at each class, sort of like a checklist that includes a list of rules and etiquette that accompany each lesson in the series. My guide also includes suggestions on how to make a tee time, what hand the golf glove goes on, what to wear, and other helpful hints. I also give a tour of the facility on the first day. (Where are the restrooms?)
At our third meeting I take everyone out on the golf course. It is very important to incorporate the golf experience with course knowledge. You need to know how to drive the golf cart, where to park, all about tee boxes, order of play, how to keep score, etc. By playing with the class the student has the opportunity to use what she has learned on the practice tee. I use a best ball format so that everyone gets to hit from the best shot, its fun and moves the group quite quickly. By the last lesson you will have played on your own, perhaps with someone you have met in the group. At this time I like to give each student a handout on the names and phone numbers of local nine hole groups, and executive golf courses to play.
My main objective is to give each student enough information so that they will feel comfortable in any golf situation. By reducing the intimidation women feel, my hope is that they will not only stay in the game but also have fun playing, build relationships and exceed their learning expectations.The following presentation was given at the LPGA summit in Reno Nevada 2002
EXPANDING YOUR CAREER POSSIBILITIES
As golf professionals, most of us are faced with highs and lows in our flow of customers. For me, living in Northern California, I am faced with three to four months of cool, rainy weather. Business is at its lowest come January and February. I was trying to think of ways in increase business during those months and came up with some creative ideas. One of my ideas was to take some students on a cruise to play golf. So I put together a small outing and worked with a local travel agent. t was a lot of fun but all I got out of it was a free trip. So I started to think that perhaps I could be part of the golf excursion package offered on board. I called the Activities Director at Royal Caribbean and made my inquiries. It wasn’t easy, as I would be the first woman they had ever hired to work as a golf pro. I sent my resume and I admit, I also buttered up the cruise director ( an avid golfer) by sending him golf balls. It worked. Three years ago I did my first cruise. It was fun plus I got paid for it….a whooping $150 per week! That cruise was from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale, through the Panama Canal, stopping at Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco and Aruba for golf outings. In hindsight, I realize that they put me on that ship with limited golf just to see how I would do. I guess I passed the test because I now work the biggest golf revenue cruise each summer back and forth from New York City to Bermuda. In the winter, I do a month or so in the Caribbean. The destinations are wonderful and the golf is superb. This winter I will be going to Nassau and the Dominican Republic. I’m very excited to play Teeth of the Dog in DR.
The most important thing I do on board is take passengers to play golf. To do this I have to promote the outing. This is done in several ways:
The first night of the cruise I go on stage in the showroom and talk about golf opportunities.
Offer a free golf lesson the following morning and have sign up sheets ready. (SIMULATORS).
I have office hours every evening at the shore excursion desk.
Create flyers to hand out to golfers telling them where to meet and what time.
Prepare amenities packages.
I give golf lessons at the nets on the back of the ship.
I am very visible on board…i.e. eat at the open buffets and try to sit with passengers and hang out at the net during cruise days.
Once I have people signed up for golf, it is my responsibility to contact the golf course to give them the numbers.
On the day of play meet all golfers then escort them to transportation, arrange for foursomes….kinda tricky as you want to be sure people get to play with who they want and find a good player group to set the pace. Once they tee off, I do my paperwork with the course (I am a control freak and never let customer even see the golf vouchers) then I am on the course helping playing and demonstrating. Mostly from here it’s a babysitting job. Safety is a major concern…age….handicap ability questions. When the first group is on the 18th, I call cabs and coordinate the return trip. Most passengers want to get back to the ship...
Now it sounds pretty exciting working on a ship and going to all the great places but there are a few drawbacks. I would like to just outline a few of the Pro’s and Con’s.
Now the Con’s
You must sign a contract for at least one month.
Most of the passengers and some crew get seasick.
You work every day of the week.
The passengers aren’t always pleasant.
The same food gets tiring!