Recommend me a good golf academy please

[AspiringGolfPro]

Hello, dear madams and sirs !
I am writing you from Russia and so, please, cut me some slack in the language thing. I am also new to the forum so I might have missed something when creating the thread, in this case I beg your pardon.

Well, now to my specific question. I am 23 year old male (if this matters) and want to start fulfilling my life long dream - becoming a golf club pro. Actually my dream is to make golf my way of earning and my occupation. I do realize I am not nearly good enough to become a tour pro so I decided a golf club pro career for me.
I would like to hear as much advice as possible from you on the following topics:

1) At the moment my hcp is 20 and I think the first step is to make it down to about 4.0 or something, am I right?
2) What is the best way to improve my game to the necessary level? I think I should go to the USA or to somewhere in Europe and enter a golfing academy. Which academy/country would you recommend?
3) What my next step should be? Which certification as a golf pro should I acquire, the US one or the European one?

Thanks a lot for your attention.

[kafka01]

Well - first of all, you need to get your Hcp. down to at least what you said (in the german PGA the min. hcp is -6 but most clubs require at least -4). If you go for it intensivly, you might be able to do this within 2 years.

Then you have to apply with a club professional who is authorized to do an apprenticeship of 3 years in which you will learn all the necessary stuff.

Thats how it works in Germany - it may vary in different countries.
We actually have lots of pros from the UK/Scotland over here - but most of them learned to speak german over time - and thats pretty much how lessons are given nowadays - so you might opt for a country who´s language you are able to speak well - else you have problems in communcating and also in school which you have to attend.

[AspiringGolfPro]

kafka01

What if I opt to go to some well know golf pro academy like the one at Belfry?
Is it better or worse then have apprenticeship with an individual golf pro?

Thanks.

[kafka01]

Its the same - you still would have to do the apprenticeship - in that case at the Belfry academy - and for that, you have to apply with the pro in charge, which most likely is the head pro.

I found an article from the UK for you that might help you - you also might want to check out the additional links e.g. from the English golf union on this site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf...ed/4558931.stm

[cody west]

you have to be able to shoot below anywhere from 80 to 75 twice in the same day. it went by combind score anywhere from 150-160
the test is one day you play 1 round in the morning have 20 min for lunch then play another 18

[kennay92]

you have to be able to shoot below anywhere from 80 to 75 twice in the same day. it went by combind score anywhere from 150-160

that sounds fun... i also want to be a golf pro one day, which in my eyes seems accomplishable for me as im around a 12 handicap after about 4 months and i just turned 17 a week ago.. so i definatly have a long time to get ready for it.. but to contribute to the thread.. i would rather go into a golf academy in the US rather than Europe. If i could choose id probably do the one in orlando.

[AspiringGolfPro]

Thank you very much, guys!

[microcrayfish]

Oh and don't worry about your English, it's better than a lot of people's around here.

[cody west]

that sounds fun... i also want to be a golf pro one day, which in my eyes seems accomplishable for me as im around a 12 handicap after about 4 months and i just turned 17 a week ago.. so i definatly have a long time to get ready for it.. but to contribute to the thread.. i would rather go into a golf academy in the US rather than Europe. If i could choose id probably do the one in orlando.

ya the one in orlando is sick. good luck to you. just make sure you play alot of tournaments because its such a different game when your in a group and your at like 1 under and your not in the lead in your group. its all mental

[AspiringGolfPro]

Hello, dear sirs and madams!
I plan to go to the US for one year to improve my game. I have to drop my handicap down to 4.
At the moment I am torn between David Leadbetter golf academy and Grand Cypress both in Orlando.
Which do you think is better for my purpose?
Also any other advice as to choosing a golf academy is highly appreciated.

[steve8820]

Look into Mike Bender's academies as well. He has one in Lake Mary and a new one in Orlando. The new one in Orlando is probably what you are looking for, academy members live onsite.

[AspiringGolfPro]

Please, more ideas. May be you have had some useful experience with any of the mentioned golf academies?

Thanks

[Fatphil]

You want to go from a 20 to a 4 at a golf academy? I think a pact with Satan may work better.

[david_wedzik]

Hello, dear sirs and madams!

Can I ask you...Are you male or female? How old are you? How long have you been playing? How far do you hit your 7 iron? I noted your handicap index on your post...is that current and correct? These answers will help me give you some feedback.

[AspiringGolfPro]

david_wedzik Thanks for attention!

To answer your question:
1)Male
2) 23
3) 150 yrds.
4) Yeah, I think so. My best round was 85 (SI 131) and 40 (on 9 holes do not remember the SI). In any case my swing is totally not right and I have to massively change the whole thing.

PS: I have been playing for 7 years - around 15-20 rounds per year. Just some 5 lessons taken.

[AspiringGolfPro]

BUMP!
David, any ideas?

[david_wedzik]

BUMP!

I am about to send you a PM with some thoughts.

David

[AspiringGolfPro]

I am about to send you a PM with some thoughts. David

Thanks, Dave!