Read about Golf School Info's interview with golf instructor, John Hughes!

Golf Instructor Interview: John Hughes

Each month Golf School Info interviews a prominent member of the golf school industry. This month, we sit down with John Hughes, Director of Instruction for Advantage Golf School, a Golf School Info Top Ten Golf School that was also selected "Golf School of the Year"

Q: Tell us about your background. Tell us why Advantage Golf School has chosen you to lead its staff.

A: I have been teaching golf for over 13 years to many different skill levels of golfers, from the beginner all the way up to PGA Tour Professionals. The past five years I have made golf instruction my primary career focus. Within my golf career, I have been very fortunate to have some of the brightest and most ingenious golf instructors you could imagine as mentors. The one thing they have all taught me is that as an instructor you must continue your personal quest to learn. I am continuously trying to learn more about the game, more about the golf swing, and most importantly, how people learn. Recently, I earned the PGA of America’s Specialty Certification within the discipline of Instruction, which has placed me in elite company. By earning this certification, I am one of approximately 300 men and women out of over 28,000 members of the PGA that can say they are a "Master Professional".

I would not say that my clientele list is huge, but it is sizable, with quite a few quality players. I have always stressed quality within my instruction. I think that our mutual understanding of the word quality is one of the main reasons why Advantage Golf School has afforded me this opportunity. As I have moved into my role as Director of Instruction, it has become very evident to me that the primary focus of the company, within every facet of the operation, is quality.

Q: What makes Advantage Golf School different from other golf schools?

A: Obviously, the student to teacher ratio being one to one is probably the biggest difference. It is much easier as an instructor to devote all energies to one student versus four or five. It is also easier for a student to learn and retain what they have learned within this environment. Because our ratio is one to one, we do not have to use scripted presentations or pre-planned and timed activities that take place in a blanket curriculum. This is typical for other golf schools because they could be teaching up to five people in a group of students, all having different abilities and goals. A typical golf school probably feels obligated to cover everything. Therefore, they keep you on a time line and have presentations to cover the topics. Our programs focus on a player’s improvement goals. Prior to arrival to our school, the student supplies our experienced PGA or LPGA Professionals with a player profile that details their abilities. Upon arrival, the student and the instructor custom design an improvement plan that is unique to the individual student. There are no presentations, no looking at a clock. Just pure golf instruction that focuses on the student’s improvement and overall enjoyment of the game of golf.

Another factor that places Advantage Golf School at the top of our industry is our locations. There is no other school in the country that can boast the quality facilities that host our programs. The list reads like a who's who of United States golf courses.

Additionally, I feel it is worth repeating that quality is the primary focus. I have taught at other golf schools. I have also gone to many golf schools as a student. I can truly say that Advantage Golf School goes the extra mile to insure that the student receives the highest quality experience while attending our programs.

Q: Is the instructional style of the school capable of truly improving someone’s golf game?

A: Absolutely! The design of our curriculum keeps focused on the student and their individual goals, not the instructor’s, or the bottom line goals of the school. Our environment of one to one instruction lends itself best of all golf school environments for optimal learning and improvement. Our instructional philosophy is simple. First, understand that each student is uniquely different in all aspects of their game and person. Second, find root causes, not the symptoms, to a player’s game flaws. Third, insure that the student understands what is causing their frustration. Fourth, insure that the student can perform their improvement program to correct their flaws. This sounds simple, but you would be surprised as to how many golf schools try to fit players in to models or required positions. I know that our instructors, using this simple method, can improve any player’s golf game no matter what the student’s skill level.

Q: What are some examples of what a client can expect from Advantage Golf School in the form of quality customer service?

A: The common theme of customer service to Advantage Golf School is not only quality. We also emphasize simplicity, making things easy for our students through out their entire experience with us. This theme starts when a potential student calls us and or visits our website. We believe making our message simple to understand is important. When a student calls, he or she will speak with a well-informed golf professional, who can handle special details and requests without having to check with a manager. We answer their questions at the time of their call. We do not take a number and call back later with an answer. We staff our programs with well trained and experienced PGA and LPGA Golf Professionals who not only can teach a student how to improve, they can also help them with the other subtleties that comprise a truly enjoyable golf vacation. I think the biggest compliment I get from Advantage Golf School students is that we made their entire experience so simple and easy for them to come to the school, to learn as much as they did, and to enjoy their entire golf school experience.

Q: What do you see on the horizon for golf schools and for the future of Advantage Golf School?

A: I believe that with the advent of the internet and the ability for more people in our industry to make their presence known, you will probably see more and more golf schools competing for the same students. This ultimately will dilute the quality of instruction and the quality of a golf vacation, and in turn, possibly alienate potential golf school customers. It will become more and more important for a golf school to provide the highest level of customer service and satisfaction, just to maintain its ability to attract new customers, let alone retain students. Advantage Golf School has been able to capture and retain a significant portion of the golf school market that others have shied away from, because most golf schools are worried about creating numbers. We believe that when you create a great environment, staff your programs with great instructors, and place your programs at the most desirable and highest quality locations, the numbers will take care of themselves. I believe Advantage Golf School is ahead of its time, and will continue to lead the industry. I also see Advantage Golf School continuing to be innovative, expanding its program offerings, and placing our programs at more locations worldwide. Staying innovative and keeping quality as our primary focus will allow us to remain ahead of any perceived competition.