The first of a series of monthly articles by Dr Brian Hemmings, a leading psychologist in golf for many years. During this time he has helped develop the mental skills of the best emerging English golfers including the likes of Ross Fisher, Richard Finch, Danny Willett, Tom Lewis, David Horsey and Chris Wood.
The Potential Use of Peer Mentoring by the PGA Professional
Successful coaching in golf requires the PGA Professional to have a wide range of practical knowledge and competencies, as well as possessing high level general communication skills because of the variety of people they meet.
To be able to meet the changing needs of players, a coach must continue to strive for new knowledge and innovative skills that will impact on the delivery of their coaching programmes and lessons. Whilst golf, through the PGA, now has a more established coach education/development programme, the use of peer mentoring is relatively rare.
Peer mentoring, at its simplest, is a process whereby two coaches meet together on a regular basis (usually monthly) for 1-2 hours to mutually discuss their coaching practice and exchange views and ideas, and in particular the current challenges/issues they face with specific players/situations. In psychology professions, this type of mentoring is suggested to promote good practice, and is mandatory to maintain professional registration.
Within other sports, the use of individual mentoring has been widely adopted as a sound approach to promoting excellence within coaches through increasing positive change, engaging energy, imagination and commitment, and by instilling resourcefulness. For the PGA Professional, it may also offer another viable form of activity for continued professional development (CPD).
Why does regular peer mentoring work?
- Helps the coach to assess strengths and weaknesses before forming ongoing plans for personal development
- Identifies the most relevant challenges and opportunities facing the coach
- Provides guidance on how to influence and manage different pupils and players at different times
- Gives impetus to the coach to explore and exchange new ideas
- Enables coaches to use self-reflection to inform their coaching practice
- Provides an ongoing relationship to discuss individual coaching issues
How could I start this process?
- Perhaps talk to a like-minded coach locally/regionally
- Choose somebody who you feel is a good match to you in age/experience; someone you respect as a coach
- Timetable a regular 1-2 hour slot on a monthly basis to have a sit down discussion/phone call/practical session at a convenient venue (perhaps away from your club to avoid interruptions/distractions)
- Avoid playing together initially as this is time-intensive and might not be conducive to in-depth discussions/demonstrations
Why don’t you give peer mentoring a go, it could transform your coaching practice!
Dr. Brian Hemmings has been lead psychologist to England golf for over a decade. During this time he has helped develop the mental skills of the best emerging English golfers including the likes of Ross Fisher, Richard Finch, Danny Willett, Tom Lewis, David Horsey and Chris Wood. Brian is author of the book ‘Mental Toughness for Golf: The Minds of Winners’ and is also a regular presenter on the PGA CPD programme.
Brian has released a fully online Golf Psychology Coaching Certificate course that carries 100 PGA (of GB&I) CPD points and has been completed with great reviews by PGA professionals. Go to www.golfpsychologycoaching.co.uk for full details. The course is full of practical activities for the PGA professional to guide players through improving their mental game, and is endorsed by some of England’s best coaches. You can complete the course at home so you will have no travel costs or time away from your work. All you need is a player to work with and the time to complete the course activities. For a price reduction type in the promotional code 2012 to reduce the price from £295 to £219.
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