It has been a manic time recently at work which means Blogger and Twitter time have been limited somewhat. My access to the computer has been more to scan what is going on in the world, golfing and outside, rather than having time to add detail to my websites little sidekicks.
It sounds pretty sad when I say it but I do honestly feel very lucky to be in the job that I am. Even though work has been flat out running the shop as well as a full teaching schedule I still enjoy being at work. As golf Professionals it easy to forget how lucky we are travelling into a golf club every day for work and helping people in various ways to enjoy their hobby as much as possible. Yes the hours are long but I would take it any day over a city commute and desk job with micro amounts of job satisfaction.
So whats been going on................ The final major of the year for me was something of an anti climax in all honesty. I lost the appeal to sit down and watch names I had barely heard of battle it out for the USPGA Championship. I really thought this was the year for one of England's big guns to go out there and deliver on the major stage. You can't help but get the feeling that with each major that in particular passes by Lee Westwoods gratefully waiting hands, he is looking more and more likely to miss out on the title his excellent career CV deserves. I truly hope this is not the case, along with Sergio Garcia there are no two players in world golf I would rather see capture a major title.
Congratulations must obviously go to Keegan Bradley for managing to capture the USPGA title from under the nose of Jason Dufner. It was just for me a little low key for the years final major.
In my own golfing world my time has been mostly taken up quite simply by working flat out. This is the time of year where the golf professionals other half sees you either bloody early in the morning or later in the evening as they are nodding off to Eastenders. Luckily I have got myself a little beaut of a missus, she will appreciate me writing that :).
The running of The Professional Shop is at its most difficult with Assistants playing their compulsory events, part timers having their own playing schedules chucked in with a bit of paternity leave for one of my assistants. The rota becomes almost redundant as a result as all the teaching and various events within the facility needing to be covered to a high level of service and professionalism means earlier starts and later finishes. It's all good fun though and the positive feedback you receive reward for the time you put into the facility.
My personal goals as a coach also have to be observed regularly. I hate walking away from a lesson feeling I may possibly have been able to give more to the client and thankfully as yet I feel that has extremely rarely happened. It is important in the busy times to retain your quality and a clear fresh head to allow optimum performance as a coach to your well paying customers. Training wise I have taken a step back however the plan over the coming weeks is to lay out an action plan for the winter 2011-12 and get my head in some books to learn. I feel I am gradually learning my own preferences and philosophies and must carry on my learning to get to where I want to be. No standing still around here that's for sure, that can be for those who are happy to be left behind.
Thanks for reading, I hope you all enjoy the rest of the golfing season.
Dan Gale
PGA Professional, TPI Certified
Dan is a fully qualified member of the PGA & Certified TPI Instructor
Check out his website at www.dangalegolf.com
