Resources and policies

Community Instructor Resource manuals and instructional videos

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Building participation at your club through a Community Instructor

Community Instructor Flyer

Deliverers

All accredited Community Golf Instructors who deliver the nationally recognised programs are covered under public liability insurance up to $20 million and Professional Indemnity Insurance up to $5 million under Golf Australia’s personal liability program.

In addition, all PGA Professionals are covered as part of their membership. The insurance covers members in respect of personal injury or property damage resulting from instances occurring in connection with PGA activities for example coaching, practice and participation in tournaments etc.

Please note: Community Instructors are only covered by this Insurance when delivering Golf Australia’s National Programs - MyGolf, MyGolf Schools and Get Into Golf. If a Community Instructor is delivering any other Junior or Adult program outside of the above, you will not be covered by Golf Australia’s Insurance.

Participants

All registered participants including volunteers and officials are covered by personal liability for personal injury or property damage caused while participating in a nationally recognised program.

Please click on the links below to read more about the insurance policies at Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia.

Golf Australia’s Insurance Policy

Introduction

The purpose of the Community Instructor Reaccreditation Policy is to clearly define the structure, expectations and related processes an accredited Community Instructor must undertake to complete re-accreditation for a further four (4) years.

Overview The Community Instructor Program provides golf instruction accreditation linked to all national participation golf programs (MyGolf, MyGolf Schools and Get into Golf), with training and assessment components. Formerly, the accreditation process followed a specialised modulated structure, where candidates were required to complete a Foundation/FastTrack module and then a specialised module linked to one of the national programs. Due to the independent nature of each of these specialised accreditations, the reaccreditation process requires ALL candidates to complete the new Community Instructor module which incorporates learning on all national participation programs. Each specialised accreditation will expire four (4) years from date of completion and will require the completion of just the one Community Instructor module to receive re-accreditation for all national programs for a further four (4) years. Eligibility To be eligible for reaccreditation, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Ensure any existing pre-requisites remain valid (ie: Working with children check)

Reaccreditation Procedure

The reaccreditation procedure for each specialised accreditation will include the following requirements:

• Candidates must complete the new online training and assessment course and will then be accredited to deliver all of Golf Australia’s national participation programs.

Reaccreditation Fee

The fee for each individual reaccreditation is $49 and will provide accreditation for a further four (4) years in all national participation programs.

Prior to January 2020, the Community Instructor Program followed a specialised modulated structure that accredited candidates through a specialised modulated structure where they were required to complete a Foundation/FastTrack module and then a specialised module linked to one of the national programs. This enabled the delivery of only the national programs that the Community Instructor completed the accreditation in i.e. MyGolf, MyGolf Schools.

These accreditations (except for SwingFit) will remain valid until the date of expiry listed on the accreditation. Candidates who completed this accreditation will be able to continue to deliver ONLY these programs until they reaccredit with the new structure and complete the Community Instructor module that will allow delivery of all Golf Australia national participation programs.

Reaccreditation under the new structure

Due to the independent nature of each of these specialised accreditations, the reaccreditation process requires ALL candidates that completed a specialised accreditation module initially, to complete the updated Community Instructor module which incorporates learning on all national participation programs.

Each specialised accreditation will expire four (4) years from date of completion and will require the completion of just the one Community Instructor module to receive re-accreditation for all national programs for a further four (4) years.

Australian Guidelines for the Approval of Amateur Golfers to Provide Instruction under Amateur Status Rule 5-2b as a part of a Golf Australia Compliant Program

Why has this Rule been introduced?

The intent of the change to Rule 5 of the Rules of Amateur Status by The R&A is to encourage the greater delivery of programs aimed at introducing and/or engaging people in golf.

Does it only apply to amateur golfers?

Yes, these guidelines relate only to amateur golfers.

What qualifications are required?

To obtain approval, amateur golfers must have obtained a Community Golf Instructor Accreditation.

Is there a limit placed on the amount of hours and income an amateur golfer may receive for providing instruction as part of a compliant program?

Yes, the R&A suggests each governing body limits the number of hours and the amount of remuneration amateur golfers can receive for giving instruction. Golf Australia has set a limit of 15 hours per week up to a maximum of $15,000 per annum at a rate of $50 per hour or $90 per session Sport Australia Sporting Schools program. The reason for this is that the rule change was made with the intent of encouraging the greater delivery of programs aimed at introducing and/or engaging people in golf. It was not made with the intent to allow amateur golfers to set up a business to provide golf instruction full time as this is the role of PGA members.

Can I receive payment for providing instruction prior to receiving approval?

No, receiving payment without obtaining approval from Golf Australia would be a breach of Rule 5-1 of the Rules of Amateur Status.

What is the insurance coverage required and why?

An amateur golfer giving golf instruction must be covered by insurance. The coverage required under these guidelines is $20m for Public Liability and $5m Professional Indemnity. This is in place to protect the interests of the coach. Litigation is becoming more common in Australia and, despite their best intentions; coaches can put themselves at risk of legal action. It is therefore important for coaches to ensure they have insurance coverage to minimise the risk of personal loss through legal action.

Can I provide instruction at a facility where there is already a PGA member?

If you wish to provide instruction at a facility already serviced by a PGA member, endorsement must first be obtained by that PGA member. Amateur golfers are advised to work closely with PGA members at their facility and in their local area.

What if there is not a PGA member servicing the facility where I wish to provide instruction as part of a compliant program?

If a PGA member does not service the facility, support is not required. This will generally only be applicable in rural and remote areas where there are not many PGA members.

Can I provide instruction as part of a compliant program at a Golf Club?

Yes, however prior support must be obtained by the club.

Is a club able to employ an amateur golfer to provide instruction rather than a PGA member?

No, should a club or facility wish to employ an amateur golfer to replace a PGA member or in the place of a PGA member, the program will not be considered compliant.

Must my program conform to any policies?

All programs must conform to Golf Australia’s Member Protection Policy.

What happens if there are changes in the guidelines?

If the guidelines change, the change must be adopted by all approved amateur golfers.

What happens if I breach the conditions?

A breach of the conditions may result in the voiding of any approval and/or loss of Amateur Status.

Download Community Instructor Terms and Conditions