With so many alternatives available, selecting a golf camp might be difficult. You should choose a camp that is convenient, reasonable and has excellent resources and equipment. Golf camps have become more complex and specialized over time, with some focused-on youngsters, others on seniors, resort experiences, celebrity experiences, and so on. When researching and selecting the finest golf school for you, there are some questions we recommend you ask your potential golf pro and trainer before hiring them.
1. Do Golf Instructors Work for their Company Full-Time?
This is the most important question to ask because more than half of golf schools do not have full-time instructors. They use subcontractors on an as-needed basis. As a result, even if you are told that their Instructor works full-time for their Golf School, the quality of instruction you receive will be quite uneven.
2. Will You Have the Same Instructor Every Time?
Switching from Instructor to Instructor is analogous to dialing a phone number and being switched from one agent to the next. You spend more time telling your tale than you do solve your problems. The same is true when passing from Instructor to Instructor.
3. Does the Teacher Use a Predetermined or “One Size Fits All” Swing?
The majority of golf instructors will deny it, yet they only instruct one kind of swing. Consequently, regardless of your skill level, the amount of practice time you have, and/or your physical capabilities, every student the Instructor instructs will master the identical golf swing. You shouldn’t limit the golf swing you learn to just the one the instructor demonstrates.
Ask the golf schools you are considering how they go about helping you discover your golf swing. Because they do not have a program in place to allow each Golfer to master their swing, you will likely hear a lot of mumbles as they struggle to respond to you. They find it quite simple to tout their knowledge but find it very challenging to prove it. Ask them how they go about assisting you in determining your golf swing.
Choosing a Golf Camp
More and more golf schools are opening up as a result of the sport’s recent expansion. When selecting the best camp for you, there are a few things to bear in mind.
1. The Facility
Look to find the location of the school. While it’s a factor, proximity to your home isn’t usually the first concern. If the school is located outside of town, find out how far it is to get there and whether it is close to a big metropolis. The majority of programs will pick up campers from an area airport. Whether it’s a college or prep school, most schools are held on campus. The best camps are hosted in colleges with a PRIVATE driving range and golf course on campus.
There are a few advantages to attending a school that has a golf course and driving range on campus. For starters, the pupils get a lot more practice time and time on the golf field. The less time the campers spend being shuttled to the driving range and course, the more time they have for training. Second, if the camp has a golf course, students can spend their leisure time practicing. Spending an hour of free time chipping and putting with other campers is a terrific way for them to put what they’ve learned into practice.
The second thing to think about is your living situation. This characteristic relates to overnight campers rather than day campers. Look into where the junior golfers will stay and dine. Cabins are available in some programs, while air-conditioned dormitories are available in others. This environment also gives the children a solid idea of what it’s like to live at a prep school or college, which should help them prepare for the future. The last thing to consider is the other activities provided by the facility. Junior golfers, no matter how much they enjoy the game, will ultimately need to take a break and engage in other things. After the instruction is over, most camps provide various options in the afternoon. Check to see whether the camp facility can provide options.
2. Staff
The ratio of staff to campers is the first item to check. If the ratio is 4:1, that’s good for a golf camp. With this ratio, you can be sure that the juniors are receiving quality instruction and that the classroom is secure. Next, have a peek at the professors to see who they are. What history does the staff have? Have they ever attended a camp? Have they ever worked with children? Do they have prior junior golfing knowledge? Does the program have PGA/LPGA professionals running it? Quality camps will employ instructors who have extensive knowledge of teaching junior golfers. It’s crucial to ensure that the staff-to-student ratio is preserved in the course. It is crucial to have evening monitoring, so you should pick a program with the same ratio at night. Lastly, look over the course syllabus. What is the instructional plan?
3. Camp Cost
The cost of camps can considerably vary depending on the region of the country, the length of the camp, and whether it is an overnight camp or not. The least expensive golf camps are typically run by amateurs who may not even be licensed golf pros. Since colleges are essentially community-based institutions, they should be giving back to the community, making their camps some of the more affordable ones. Elite camps instructed by some of the top instructors in the world are the most expensive camps. With golf camps, it’s often true that you get what you pay for. The cost of the camp rises with the quality and experience of the instructor.
4. Goals for the Future
The top junior golf academies send their graduates home with a future strategy. See what sort of take-home package each junior receives by making a request. Are there assignments for each kid to complete at home while the teachers aren’t around? Ensure that the school will be held the following summer so that students can return and see the same professors. Get instructors’ contact information as well so your junior golfers can stay in touch and receive assistance with their game at home.
5. Fun Factor
No matter how serious a golfer or a school may be, enjoyment must always be considered. Nowadays, many junior golfers spend two to four weeks at a time at camp, and if it’s not enjoyable, it may have a detrimental effect on their desire to play golf in the future. This is related to the personnel and setting. Is there a time throughout the schedule when the players may unwind and have fun? Is the schedule flexible enough to accommodate choices that make use of additional facilities at the school? On weekends, many schools take field trips to nearby attractions. Baseball games and amusement park excursions can break up the lesson plan and refresh the juniors when they return to camp.
When selecting a golf camp, keep these few pointers in mind, and you’ll discover one where you may not only learn a lot about the sport but, more significantly, have a lot of fun.