I was in Melbourne last week on some golf green business. I also got chatting to a young golf pro whose story annoyed me.
Young Pro loves golf and wants to be the best player he can be. Like a lot of trainee golf pro’s he’s finding things a bit tough.
The work is boring.
The hours are long.
He’s not playing as well as he’d like.
The pay is poor.
And his boss his a dick.
What I discovered shocked me. In fact, if I hadn’t wasted two years of my life as a trainee pro and experienced something similar, I wouldn’t have believed him. Sadly, in the world of the lowest rank of pro golf, the system is broken and not always fair. Here’s what Young Pro told me.
His boss (Old Pro) really is a dick and has now forced him to ask permission to play on the golf course. And because his boss is a dick he thinks the practice fairway is the best place for him.
“Hello boss, can I go play on the course this afternoon?
“How many balls have you hit this week?”
“Not many sir. I’ve been too busy cleaning golf clubs, selling chocolate bars and chasing around after the members”
“Well you can’t play then. Best you work on your swing for a few hours”.
I then learned that Old Pro is a control freak and doesn’t want Young Pro enjoying himself and pursuing other activities, like surfing.
“Listen, I don’t want you wasting your time surfing because it will get in the way of your golf”
Is this guy really serious?
Young Pro said he would have liked me to join him for a hit and talk to him more about Automatic Golf and natural learning but he was embarrassed because I’d have to pay a green fee – Old Pro has stopped allowing him to bring coaches and fellow golf friends to the course free of charge. I don’t mind paying and would have happily paid money to join him. Sadly, I didn’t have my clubs or the time on this trip.
And the story that really pissed me off was this one.
Young Pro loves golf and helping others. But because Old Pro is a dick he won’t let him near the members for coaching. He has been told NOT to coach any of the members. This makes no sense to me whatsoever.
Earth to Dick: how can Young Pro become a better golf coach if he isn’t allowed to coach?
Some people in golf need to stop being so serious. It’s not good enough to over value your own importance and walk around with your head up your arse. It’s not good to be a dick.
Old Pro’s attitude and behaviour is a form of bullying. There’s no excuse for it and needs to be stamped out!
Golf is struggling in all parts of the world because of people like Old Pro. It’s time for the stuffiness and golf’s elitist attitude to disappear. These people have a responsibility to support, nurture and make golf more fun and enjoyable. This takes exactly ZERO more effort and the follow on effect positively benefits all.