I passed my PGA Level 1 golf coaching award recently.  Will this make me rich?  Certainly not in monetary terms, for the PGA will not permit me to charge for my “expertise” – and rightly so, as I don’t have any more than a certain ability to communicate, organise practice and demonstrate the basics in a fun and safe way.  They will however allow me to work with children and beginners, having satisfied them that I am no threat to vulnerable people, and assured that I will work alongside other, more qualified coaches than I am.  So along with hundreds of other volunteers I will give up some of my free time to encourage others to develop their potential in this multi-million dollar industry we call golf.  And I will do it happily because I think it is worthwhile and it could be fun.

Such is the set up in golf, only those who are PGA professionals can legitimately charge for teaching it but in Scotland where we have literally hundreds of courses, the sport is declining in many clubs when membership is used as the measure.  Most sports in Scotland can only envy the golf set up with its private members clubs, their facilities and revenue generating opportunities, and the capacity for splitting the amateur and professional set ups as they do. And at the very top of the professional playing game, there is massive wealth.  Club pros can make a decent living from being based at a club with a reasonable membership to support them through lessons and sales.  However, the job of introducing the sport and recruiting the players of tomorrow often falls to the well intentioned, enthusiastic, passionate volunteers working at the grass roots.  While you might say that some have a vested interest in recruiting new blood into their clubs, the reality is that many of the juniors will move off to higher education, or employment, many more will give up for a time and perhaps a few will remain passionate about golf and stay in it, perhaps even as members of their home club for years to come.  So there are probably other motivations at work other than recruitment or payment.

And maybe that is as it should be and the only way these things can work.  I am currently researching where people find meaning in their work.  Perhaps it is the fact that there are volunteers working as coaches that creates an authenticity to the experience for children and beginners.  They aren’t there because they are being paid – the relationship is not so much a transactional one; you pay me, I give you a lesson.  There is the possibility of a shared interest, common purpose and there is a genuine investment of time in the value of teaching and learning on both sides when money doesn’t come into it.

Our motivation or inclination to help others is a fascinating feature of being human. Whether in a charitable, voluntary or professional capacity, it is of interest to me because I think that it provides meaning in our lives.  If you would like to help me write my book on Meaning and Work. Click here to complete a very short survey.

Thanks Liz Moody