I’ve always been a fan of Lester when he appeared in dans channel but this just hits on another level; the honesty and sheer humbleness; never change Lester.
Really interesting - the PGA need to do something as your story of falling out of love with golf seems quite common for assistant pros. However, it's been our gain as we get to follow your current journey and it's really enjoyable to be along for the ride!! Keep up the great work and diverse videos.
I would be interested to know the completion rate of those who start the course and how long they remain as a pro. It’s a great career, but different to how you imagine it to be.
I don't think people know how much is expected of a pro. People can be so critical of them, and they think you sit around all day. You are a retailer, a club fitter, and give lessons. My game got so much worse, and if I practiced or spent time with my family the members complained. People are so cruel, so take that into consideration next time you think about insulting your pro.
I'm sure you will get back to scratch just keep playing with a smile and look forward to the weather letting you get some course content again. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us
Excellent insights Bernie. I know it’s generally overlooked, from the few pros I know, that you end up playing a lot less golf and end up frustrated and falling out of love with the game, as you did for a while. Golf club retainers aren’t that big so a lot of time has to be spent in the shop or providing lessons to earn a living which comes at a cost, and that is actually playing the game.
I think you’ve summed up exactly how I felt John! It’s hard not to chase the money through teaching as well, never turning lessons down and finding space when you are fully booked! Management of time is key!
Interesting to hear you filling in some of the gaps in what we've learned of your history in golf watching you on youtube over the past four years or so.
Very interesting & not everyone’s path is the same. It is amazing how many Pros say their game isn’t in a good place between shop hours & teaching lessons!
Great honest vlog life has its ups and downs mate but you have still got the love of golf in you as your life travels further you will make the right decision where you want to go…..so carry on what you are doing and let’s see where you go 👍
Lester, massive respect to open up like that !! They say good guys come last , but now and again the deserved get what they deserve !!! You mate and i mean this , have do e the hard yards and now is your time andwhatever you decide itwill be for the greater good !! Respect ! Regards phil❤
Thanks for that information Lester! I knew a lot of that but you filled in some gaps. Growing up playing and working at a few courses here 🇨🇦, I definitely noticed most of our head pros rarely got to actually play. Most time was spent with retail, organizing tournaments, marketing, some teaching, and most didn’t get to play and sadly didn’t really want to play. Seeing as you can do things there year round is different then it is here, and you laid out some absolute positives to being a pro, but there’s a lot to think about for sure! Side note, I worked at one course where we had just over 200 tournaments for the year, keep in mind we’re only open for 6 months! Lot of organizing!! Plus we had members and were a public course as well! Busy!!
That is a lot of tournaments in a short space of time Tyler! Hopefully I’ve highlighted the positives and the negative aspects of being a pga professional.
@@berniebarnesgolf Yeah it was wild! 27 holes so we’d have 3 tournaments a day sometimes! I thought you did a good job explaining things. Sounds similar to how it works here, but I don’t think we have as much focus on needing to teach as far as a requirement. More if you want to do it to make money then go ahead. Definitely pros and cons so I get the challenge of making a decision!
Great to see & hear your story - the general public only see the glamorous side of golf, as opposed to the graft & grind of the club professional..hope you can find the opportunity to get back into bring a professional, as I am confident that you could enrich a club as a professional!
Bernie to me it is a no brainer....you would make a brilliant coach as you have the human touch. The game is often said to be played in the 6inches between your ears and with your experiences, insight and refreshing view on life, you would be a brilliant coach. If I lived in the West Country I would certainly have lessons with you and if my golf didn't improve ( which I am sure with your guidance it would ) I would still have an absolute blast and crack and wouldn't think I had wasted my money on lessons. Go for it !!!
Good chat 👍 You have such a common story in golf, I know loads of ex-pros who mirror your experience. Life is so short Lester, get as much in as you can and keep laughing and smiling 😊
Thank you for being so honest Lester some truthful advise of how your journey has been, Glad to see you r love for the game returning . Hopefully see you out on the course again and catch you for a round . best of luck on your journey back to scratch, loving the videos.
One of the most interesting and honest vlogs that I've seen. You are experiencing a very interesting and varied life. Good luck to you. 'Forever blowing bubbles.' Stay safe and thanks
Great vlog Lester, the changes in the running of a Pro Shop now compared to a few years ago are vast. We now have 1 Head Pro, 2 Pro's and 2 Assistants who help with everything to do with running the shop and managing competitions. Interesting hearing your journey, as long as your happy doing what your doing and it pays the bills crack on I say. The PGA's loss is your subscribers gain!! Wishing Josh a very speedy recovery
Absolutely get where you’re coming from. I didn’t even get to the pga course back in 1990. sixty hours a week in the shop on a yts. That was before playing, practicing or learning about coaching. Getting told off by boss for not playing well. Said everything that I packed up and within two weeks shot the best round of my life
@@berniebarnesgolf Finally managed to get my love back for the game though got to get my brain to realise it’s good to think like a low handicapper but the bodies aged since those days!🤣
Just discovered your Channel & what a great vlog to begin with, a great honest insight into your golfing life and i will definitely be hitting the subscribe button and viewing past content good luck with your golf this year
i watch a lot of golf on TH-cam and your video (this vlog) appeared in the recommended ones to watch, and i’m glad i did, lovely insight into your pga career. i work at a golf club in sussex in the kitchen (also the home club i play at) and love the vibe you get working at a golf club
That’s cool Jason. Always interested to see and hear how people discover the channel. Great that TH-cam is actually pushing it! I’ve done a stint in the kitchen to as a waiter many moons ago.
Interesting vlog that Lester - I expect most young golfers have aspirations to earn a living through playing pro golf but the reality is that's very difficult. Jamie has just selected his options for his GCSE's with a view to pursuing a career in the golf industry, but at what level that will be we don't know yet. I've always supported his golf with regular coaching, not just for improving his game, but also to learn how to coach, if that's what he wishes to do as he gains experience.
Absolutely! I had lessons at the club, with a couple of county coaches and a south west coach too. I tried to base my coaching style on a combination of those great coaches, but with my own personal touch. Being a pga professional is great, but it’s important to remember there is some less glamorous aspects. Get Jamie to do some work experience in a pro shop if possible is the best piece of advice I can give.
Yeah, I've already got him lined up for some work in the pro shop when he's a little older - it'll be mainly taking phone calls and selling bottles of pop but it's got to be more fun than collecting and washing glasses at the local boozer... @@berniebarnesgolf 🤣
I always thought you were a natural at the game Bernie . Not had to practice to much . I hope this year goes very well for you . I will always support the channel .
Great video Bernie, only you can make the choice. I get selling mars bars isn’t exciting, but you’re wasted not coaching. Your an honest guy and say it how it is, good luck whatever you do. P.s. I’m still happy to take you on with 15 shots !
Great insight into your golf journey Lester, stick in mate and remember our little challenge this year to see who can loose the most shots off our handicaps mate👍🏌️🏆
Another enjoyable vlog Lester. Had a great chat with you at the Bunkered Golf Show in Birmingham a few years ago, not just about golf. Golfing You Tube needs honest characters like you - as its beginning to be flooded by too many plastic corporate dullards. If you ever go back to giving lessons, I'll be down to Devon in a flash! Keep up the good work👍
Thanks Marc. I felt last year I was turning into one of those people you describe 😂 so this year I really want the personal touch on the channel. I remember speaking to you.
Dear Lester, this is a really genuine opening to your fans, very impressive of you to do this. Is there a market in your South-Western region for a „Golf-Mega-Store“ along US lines, together with high grade fitting etc. Would that not be an enterprise for you together with Dan? Couple that with Vlogs & golf travel arrangements…
I’d say it’s more the cost of setting up a store and with the way the golf retail industry is at the moment it would be a massive gamble at the moment Geoff.
Bernie, currently enjoying your breaking scratch series, great info, helping me I hope when we get back on the track here in Augsburg, Germany, after the heavy snow, rain and storm damage over the past few weeks. Regards and best of luck to you all in the UK, keep up the good work & I hope for you all it pays off short term. Geoff
Coming from a different side of things most of the comments are saying what we all think. I just wanted to say it probably takes a lot of guts to be applying for your AM status back. Going from a Pro to a AM would eat at a lot of people just from the ego side of things. I'd think there are people out there that just refuse to go back to AM status just because of their ego. Fair play to you. Seems like you were very self reflectant on yourself and very honest at the same time.
Agree my friend and it wasn’t an easy decision. At the time my family parents were a little disappointed, but as soon as I explained the reasons for the decision they were fully supportive. Life is too short not to be happy!
Thanks for sharing your story, Bernie... Now get those Snickers restocked before Head Pro Harry finds out 😅😅😅 Good luck with the channel moving forward 🙏
I’ve got to say Bernie that was interesting listening to what you had to say on the matter of being a pro. Unless you can talk to people about being a pro you wouldn’t know. I did have some thoughts about it myself ,I didn’t do anything about it as it’s seemed I would have to go to Birmingham and as I was a single dad at the time I couldn’t. Thinking about it now I wasn’t really good enough on the playing side the best I ever was a handicap of 5.3 but also my age as I’m an old git now lol😅. So I would think your in a good place at the moment and I think that’s really worth something now days,especially if you had got to a place about gold that you did. First and foremost you have to be happy in your own skin. It was great list to what you had to say,so keep yourself going mate
Thanks David. It’s nice hearing the comments and realising that lots of people have had a similar experience to me. Being happy and content in life is what we should all aim for I guess.
Bernie, you didn't mention working at Thurlestone GC. How long were you there ? It was very interesting listening to your story. Good luck for the future and destination scratch. I look forward to the next instalment.
Thanks Malcolm. I was at thurlestone for a summer. Absolutely loved the place, the members and the staff. However it was a long way to travel for minimum wage and when Dan offered me a shop manager’s position it was a no brainer.
Your story is very similar to Lee's. Falling out of love with the game when it turned into a job. I'm sure you'll find a happy balance which suits you.
Yeah absolutely Phil, I’ve not really spoken to Lee about it, but guessing we had a similar experience although his transition back to an amateur was probably easier.
lester that was, with all the bullsh@ that’s happening in the pro game just listening to someone who clearly loves the game we all love is a breath of fresh air 👍
Lester, your journey seems very like mine, and I had meant to speak with you at the Belfry about it. I’m not about to go into the specifics why I didn’t complete the exams on this platform but all I would say is just do it, make sure you have no regrets, the PGA qualification on its own starts a business, never mind TH-cam. If I could go back or even now get an agreement with a local pro to do the 30 hrs on my days off while doing my current job while I do the course I’d jump at it so I could officially coach, when I retire. You know your destiny, just go grab it. Worst case scenario you’ll always find a mars bar or equivalent upside down in the fridge to rectify and keep you busy. 😉
I would have liked to have heard your story Stuart. The 30 hours now isn’t that strict and you don’t have to do them in a shop so lots of ways round it. Plus you can do your level one and two coaching, without doing the whole course if that’s what you are interested in!
The book in your thumbnail is excellent. Read The War Of Art and then Turning Pro amazing books for any youtuber. I have the audio book somewhere if you want it.
Intresting insight mate, i looked at the pga training course a while back but in the end realised that my heart would never be in sitting in the shop selling mars bars, sometimes making your hobby your job is a kiss of death to the hobby itself, like you said turns you off and not enjoying it which becomes a vicious circle 👍
Thanks Kevin. Not really, I do the odd day in the shop, I’ve done a few days labouring, run the bus tour and I’m sponsored so covering bills currently. Probably got another 18 months, hopefully I can make TH-cam pay by then.
I said on the podcast. The pga/golf England needs to align with sport england and develop levels of coaching badges like eg cricket so that club members can coach groups of kids etc or go into schools. it needs to be more limited to protect the living of pga pros tho. Trouble is many pros are attached only as remote coaches and have no interest in the growth of clubs and thus dont offer a junior pathway. Golf must develop new interest. It wont survive charging people over 40 top whack and relying on the kids of members to take up the game. You would be a perfect case study for this if they pull their fingers out!!
Your journey is so similar to mine albeit a few years after.. I was in the PGA from 1997 to 2001.. however mine was injury that prevented me playing, subsequently lost some sponsors and then just fell out of love with the game… took 2.5 years to get my amateur status back before finding a love again as the sport I’d do when not cricketing.. now I’ve retired from cricket I’m back loving it.. Just joined a new Golf Club (The Manchester GC) and can’t wait to attack scratch again.. if you’re ever up north feel free to hit me up for a knock.. 💥💥
Hi Barnesy, as a Professional tennis coach and have been since 1982 I can say that golf must be so out of touch to demand coaches to play Tournaments and attain a certain Standard of golf, yes its understandable to be able to have a certain technical ability, but that doesnt mean that you should have to be a super top player, like you said that takes time and if youre busy teaching and running a business you just dont have the interest and , of course, time to practice, the best assistants I ever had, based in Germany, where , without doubt , the unqualified naturals who I had taught as kids and they had developed into people with the patience and ability to teach, the LTA and PGA dont, in my opinion, teach people how to teach, its a God given talent, you have it, Ive seen the concern and help you give others , its a natural ability, England in general is so prehistoric with its badges etc, just look at Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes etc, useless, they have names but zero ability to coach, proven!!! You got to do what you feel is right for you mate, I think you"ll make a very good coach, regardsFraser(ps If you need an extra for apro am etc , shout me up, )
I agree with what you have said Fraser and I think the PGA is (slowly) changing but not at the speed it needs too! I guess it could learn a lot by following examples of other sports, such as tennis as you say.
Not sure what the issue was!? I used a rode mic for audio and no one else highlighted any issues. I listened to it through my phone and it was fine Gary.
Main reason you should turn pro is someone needs to take a run at James Ruth strangle hold on the South. If you do turn pro again they better stock up on Mars bars. I seem to remember you going through a lot of them.😂
snickers gettin a bit low bernst. Turning pro sure would sound like it would have a few benefits like playing other courses for free but that sounds completely fair enough given how much the cost is to pay for pro!
So interesting, I had not a clue about what it takes to attain PGA status. It appears to me that a critical interest for you to consder becoming a professional would be to coach. However, I am shocked to understand that you cannot coach without maintaining your proffesional status. This just defies logic. What could the PGA do if you decided to start providing lesson to individuals, groups and via the internet if you did not have a proffesional card? Could you be charged under some criminal code and locked away? Could you go to work as a coach as an amateur golfer with an established golf school or under the wing of a "professional" golfer? What if I wanted to pay you as an "amateur golf coach" to teach my kids to play? Bernie, thanks for sharing your story and in my view this is a benefit to gain from your experience and views.
There’s a lot there Graeme. The rules and regulations have changed and become less strict. Years ago if you breached amateur rules (say started teaching) you would be banned and unable to play in amateur golf events.
@@berniebarnesgolf Hi Bernie. Sorry, I did ramble on a bit on my comments to your post. If your intent is to make a living at golf while satisfying your passion to coach you will find a way to get there. Look into getting hired by an established golf school? Have a great day Bernie, Cheers!
Can you just redo your PGA, as a teaching Pro? That coupled with your repairs experience would be good? Yes/no? I know there are different levels to PGA, but I don’t know what each level is.
The PGA / turning pro scenario needs to change, I had my place for the degree along long time ago and decided against doing it at the last minute, I had a job and wanted to get a house etc and the PGA course is just designed for rich kids living at home. They also wrap far too much useless garbage into the course, like you say, you needed to have a job selling mars bars at a club and do many different sectors of the industry. I knew I was never going to be a tour player, had no intention of wasting my time on the mini tours so my passion was coaching. Why can you not just do your coaching degree on its own...... Now If I would do anything in golf it would be club fitting/building, again where are courses/qualifications for that? Without your "PGA" its near impossible to get manufacturers onside. On the plus side, I enjoy my golf so much more now, I took a few years off and have no intention wasting 5hrs of my time playing in comps, I much prefer playing with friends or just testing myself to get better v the course. I dont need to be a "pro" nor do I need a handicap, I just enjoy the game!
I more or less agree with everything you have said Dan. The biggest surprise for me was the actual fees and cost of the course now! When I did it, the whole course was less then 5k and I’ve heard now you won’t get any change out of 20k! Plus you have to pay a membership every year to keep your status! I agree the course isn’t specialised enough and is now outdated!
Lester I think you found your calling a while ago and perhaps didn't realize it? You said you loved being a Pro and teaching kids and from what little I know about you I'm guessing you were really good at it. What also seems to be the case is there really isn't a lot of children only golf teaching content on TH-cam. With your connections to refer students to you, your ability to turn Pro and your TH-cam knowledge why not give it a shot?
Such a shame you cant coach still , Harry must be doing okay in the pro shop to holiday in Dubai!!! Sure a few members will be making a comment or 2 about his prices 😂😂
It sounds like the priority for the PGA scheme is purely to keep money coming into the game & shops, and little about development of professionals, if the priority is having their aspiring pros spend a lot of time in retail. Or am I missing something?
I’d say most of what you say is correct Wayne. I love retail and teaching, but playing golf was the reason I turned pro and as soon as I lost the enjoyment of the it affected the other two aspects.
Great video Bernie. To be a pro you need money behind you and yet LIV are happy to give millions to one man to 'grow the game'. What about our own tour though ? All the money the PGA rake in and their best idea is to have a comp with no cut. That's sh***. Nobody wants that. Golf should be 72 holes with a cut. When you see guys trying to qualify for comps (like James Ruth and Paul) and there's only one or two places available. The European Tour is dead and the PGA don't give a monkeys
I’ve always been a fan of Lester when he appeared in dans channel but this just hits on another level; the honesty and sheer humbleness; never change Lester.
Thanks Richard, really appreciate the kind words.
Great vlog Lester, your a genuine guy, don't ever lose that.
Thanks Tony! Will always be open and honest on the channel! You all deserve that.
Great Vlog nice to hear the journey both good and bad
Cheers John! Glad you enjoyed.
Great story and good content Lester .
Appreciate that John!
Great vlog, honest as always keep it up 👍
Thanks Tommy!
Really interesting - the PGA need to do something as your story of falling out of love with golf seems quite common for assistant pros. However, it's been our gain as we get to follow your current journey and it's really enjoyable to be along for the ride!! Keep up the great work and diverse videos.
I would be interested to know the completion rate of those who start the course and how long they remain as a pro. It’s a great career, but different to how you imagine it to be.
I don't think people know how much is expected of a pro. People can be so critical of them, and they think you sit around all day. You are a retailer, a club fitter, and give lessons. My game got so much worse, and if I practiced or spent time with my family the members complained. People are so cruel, so take that into consideration next time you think about insulting your pro.
@@berniebarnesgolfI completed my training in 2016 and easily 20% dropped out between 2013-16 and easily another 10% from then till now.
Great video 😊 great to have a heart to heart chat about real life 👍👍
I like doing them Dave, sort of a bit like therapy 😂
Really interesting, thanks for making and sharing this. A fascinating insight in to how difficult it can be turning pro.
Cheers Duncan! Glad you enjoyed it!
I'm sure you will get back to scratch just keep playing with a smile and look forward to the weather letting you get some course content again. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us
Cheers for watching Nick! Praying it stops raining!
@@berniebarnesgolf we all are Lester ☀️☀️
Great video Bernie, cool to hear about your story and the challenges a pro faces
Thanks Cameron! Hopefully I outlined the positives and negatives of turning professional at golf. Cheers for watching.
Great honest vlog really enjoy your stuff and the course vlogs all the best going forward
Thanks Gary! Hoping to film on the course at the end of this week!
Excellent insights Bernie. I know it’s generally overlooked, from the few pros I know, that you end up playing a lot less golf and end up frustrated and falling out of love with the game, as you did for a while. Golf club retainers aren’t that big so a lot of time has to be spent in the shop or providing lessons to earn a living which comes at a cost, and that is actually playing the game.
I think you’ve summed up exactly how I felt John! It’s hard not to chase the money through teaching as well, never turning lessons down and finding space when you are fully booked! Management of time is key!
well done Lester, as usual good refreshing honesty, good luck for the future
Cheers John! Will always be on this channel.
Interesting to hear you filling in some of the gaps in what we've learned of your history in golf watching you on youtube over the past four years or so.
I’ll fill in all the other gaps too David and happy to share / discuss anything on this platform.
Nice to hear your journey. The one thing with golf you meet so many people. They all test your skills. Never look back think of the next challenge.
Absolutely Phil and I’m looking to the future!
Very interesting & not everyone’s path is the same. It is amazing how many Pros say their game isn’t in a good place between shop hours & teaching lessons!
I’ve also seen golfers massively improve from amateur to turning professional, Head pro Harry being one of those David.
I couldn’t put up with a large percentage of members Lester! Absolute chops
I feel exactly the same after today Paul. 😂 makes me want to work harder at TH-cam 😂
Use it as your motivation😂
Absolutely Paul!
Great video Bernie, wish you all the best on your journey and love your honesty 👍
Thanks Peter! Appreciate the kind words.
Great honest vlog life has its ups and downs mate but you have still got the love of golf in you as your life travels further you will make the right decision where you want to go…..so carry on what you are doing and let’s see where you go 👍
Cheers Garry! Life is a funny things but as you say it’s important to enjoy the journey.
Really enjoy your honesty Lester and sharing very interesting information about becoming a pro.
Thanks Andrew! Thought as I was in the shop all week it was a good subject to address.
Nice insight Lester. Keep the great content coming 👍🏼
Thanks Michael, appreciate all your support.
Lester, massive respect to open up like that !! They say good guys come last , but now and again the deserved get what they deserve !!! You mate and i mean this , have do e the hard yards and now is your time andwhatever you decide itwill be for the greater good !! Respect ! Regards phil❤
Cheers Phil! Nice of you to say! Appreciate it.
Thanks for that information Lester! I knew a lot of that but you filled in some gaps. Growing up playing and working at a few courses here 🇨🇦, I definitely noticed most of our head pros rarely got to actually play. Most time was spent with retail, organizing tournaments, marketing, some teaching, and most didn’t get to play and sadly didn’t really want to play. Seeing as you can do things there year round is different then it is here, and you laid out some absolute positives to being a pro, but there’s a lot to think about for sure! Side note, I worked at one course where we had just over 200 tournaments for the year, keep in mind we’re only open for 6 months! Lot of organizing!! Plus we had members and were a public course as well! Busy!!
That is a lot of tournaments in a short space of time Tyler!
Hopefully I’ve highlighted the positives and the negative aspects of being a pga professional.
@@berniebarnesgolf Yeah it was wild! 27 holes so we’d have 3 tournaments a day sometimes! I thought you did a good job explaining things. Sounds similar to how it works here, but I don’t think we have as much focus on needing to teach as far as a requirement. More if you want to do it to make money then go ahead. Definitely pros and cons so I get the challenge of making a decision!
Great to see & hear your story - the general public only see the glamorous side of golf, as opposed to the graft & grind of the club professional..hope you can find the opportunity to get back into bring a professional, as I am confident that you could enrich a club as a professional!
Thanks for the kind words Martyn. At the moment I’m very happy with where I am, but never say never!
Bernie to me it is a no brainer....you would make a brilliant coach as you have the human touch. The game is often said to be played in the 6inches between your ears and with your experiences, insight and refreshing view on life, you would be a brilliant coach. If I lived in the West Country I would certainly have lessons with you and if my golf didn't improve ( which I am sure with your guidance it would ) I would still have an absolute blast and crack and wouldn't think I had wasted my money on lessons. Go for it !!!
Cheers David! It’s something I may do in the future and it’s good to have options I guess.
Good chat 👍
You have such a common story in golf, I know loads of ex-pros who mirror your experience. Life is so short Lester, get as much in as you can and keep laughing and smiling 😊
Cheers Craig! The weather’s been awful and I’ve been in the shop lots this week so thought It would make a good vlog.
Interesting journey in this vlog, Lester. Been following you and Dan for many years. I hope Josh GWS, he is my favourite in your channel.
Thanks Dan! Josh is feeling a lot better thanks! He shot -3 yesterday!
Quality honest insight there mate
Thanks James!
Thank you for being so honest Lester some truthful advise of how your journey has been, Glad to see you r love for the game returning . Hopefully see you out on the course again and catch you for a round . best of luck on your journey back to scratch, loving the videos.
Thanks Dean! Really enjoying playing at the moment. Always around if you fancy a game.
Good vlog Lester nice to hear about your journey be it up or down in your past so honest
Cheers David! Will always be as honest as I can!
One of the most interesting and honest vlogs that I've seen.
You are experiencing a very interesting and varied life.
Good luck to you.
'Forever blowing bubbles.'
Stay safe and thanks
Thanks David! I’ve had a great life and lucky to have had the experiences I’ve had. Up the hammers!
Great interesting honesty as usual good on you Lester
Thanks for watching Mick!
Interesting insight to your golf life, cheers.
Glad you like it Mark, pleased to share.
Great vlog Lester, the changes in the running of a Pro Shop now compared to a few years ago are vast. We now have 1 Head Pro, 2 Pro's and 2 Assistants who help with everything to do with running the shop and managing competitions.
Interesting hearing your journey, as long as your happy doing what your doing and it pays the bills crack on I say.
The PGA's loss is your subscribers gain!!
Wishing Josh a very speedy recovery
Thanks Andrew! More than happy with what I’m doing currently, but never say never!
Love your videos !
Thanks so much!
Loved this Bernie. Well done
Thanks Colin! Appreciate the support.
Absolutely get where you’re coming from. I didn’t even get to the pga course back in 1990. sixty hours a week in the shop on a yts. That was before playing, practicing or learning about coaching. Getting told off by boss for not playing well. Said everything that I packed up and within two weeks shot the best round of my life
I remember when the assistant pro was on a YTS wage Ken as you say! It was bad enough trying to survive off minimum wage in those days.
@@berniebarnesgolf Finally managed to get my love back for the game though got to get my brain to realise it’s good to think like a low handicapper but the bodies aged since those days!🤣
Just discovered your Channel & what a great vlog to begin with, a great honest insight into your golfing life and i will definitely be hitting the subscribe button and viewing past content
good luck with your golf this year
Thanks so much Jason! How did you find the channel? Hope you enjoy the content past and in the future.
i watch a lot of golf on TH-cam and your video (this vlog) appeared in the recommended ones to watch, and i’m glad i did, lovely insight into your pga career.
i work at a golf club in sussex in the kitchen (also the home club i play at) and love the vibe you get working at a golf club
That’s cool Jason. Always interested to see and hear how people discover the channel. Great that TH-cam is actually pushing it! I’ve done a stint in the kitchen to as a waiter many moons ago.
Interesting vlog that Lester - I expect most young golfers have aspirations to earn a living through playing pro golf but the reality is that's very difficult.
Jamie has just selected his options for his GCSE's with a view to pursuing a career in the golf industry, but at what level that will be we don't know yet. I've always supported his golf with regular coaching, not just for improving his game, but also to learn how to coach, if that's what he wishes to do as he gains experience.
Absolutely! I had lessons at the club, with a couple of county coaches and a south west coach too. I tried to base my coaching style on a combination of those great coaches, but with my own personal touch. Being a pga professional is great, but it’s important to remember there is some less glamorous aspects. Get Jamie to do some work experience in a pro shop if possible is the best piece of advice I can give.
Yeah, I've already got him lined up for some work in the pro shop when he's a little older - it'll be mainly taking phone calls and selling bottles of pop but it's got to be more fun than collecting and washing glasses at the local boozer... @@berniebarnesgolf 🤣
Absolutely 😂 that way he knows what he’s going into or it may motivate him to practice more! 😂
I always thought you were a natural at the game Bernie . Not had to practice to much . I hope this year goes very well for you . I will always support the channel .
Cheers Jeff! I was a 4/5 hours a day practicer before I turned pro.
Great video Bernie, only you can make the choice. I get selling mars bars isn’t exciting, but you’re wasted not coaching.
Your an honest guy and say it how it is, good luck whatever you do.
P.s. I’m still happy to take you on with 15 shots !
Thanks Tom! Appreciate the kind words and I’m happy to give you 15 shots! 😂
Like other comments interesting insight and great you have covered for Josh although with course close expect it was quiet
It was very quiet in the shop David, although back open yesterday so slightly busier thankfully.
Great insight into your golf journey Lester, stick in mate and remember our little challenge this year to see who can loose the most shots off our handicaps mate👍🏌️🏆
I won’t forget Mark 😂 good luck with the handicap reduction. Hope the weather improves so we can actually get on the course 😂
Some great content coming out lately Lester, the lessons at Torquay especially 👍
Thanks Paul! Hoping to add some course vlogs soon!
Another enjoyable vlog Lester. Had a great chat with you at the Bunkered Golf Show in Birmingham a few years ago, not just about golf. Golfing You Tube needs honest characters like you - as its beginning to be flooded by too many plastic corporate dullards. If you ever go back to giving lessons, I'll be down to Devon in a flash! Keep up the good work👍
Thanks Marc. I felt last year I was turning into one of those people you describe 😂 so this year I really want the personal touch on the channel. I remember speaking to you.
I can certainly relate to you, not the journey to scratch part though😂. Sad news about The Gulls
My game is off today, so may go over and watch Torquay too. Not seen them for over a year and I was a regular at one time.
Good chat as always 👍
Thanks for watching Steve!
Dear Lester, this is a really genuine opening to your fans, very impressive of you to do this. Is there a market in your South-Western region for a „Golf-Mega-Store“ along US lines, together with high grade fitting etc. Would that not be an enterprise for you together with Dan? Couple that with Vlogs & golf travel arrangements…
I’d say it’s more the cost of setting up a store and with the way the golf retail industry is at the moment it would be a massive gamble at the moment Geoff.
Bernie, currently enjoying your breaking scratch series, great info, helping me I hope when we get back on the track here in Augsburg, Germany, after the heavy snow, rain and storm damage over the past few weeks. Regards and best of luck to you all in the UK, keep up the good work & I hope for you all it pays off short term.
Geoff
Cheers Geoff!
Coming from a different side of things most of the comments are saying what we all think. I just wanted to say it probably takes a lot of guts to be applying for your AM status back. Going from a Pro to a AM would eat at a lot of people just from the ego side of things. I'd think there are people out there that just refuse to go back to AM status just because of their ego. Fair play to you. Seems like you were very self reflectant on yourself and very honest at the same time.
Agree my friend and it wasn’t an easy decision. At the time my family parents were a little disappointed, but as soon as I explained the reasons for the decision they were fully supportive. Life is too short not to be happy!
Thanks for sharing your story, Bernie... Now get those Snickers restocked before Head Pro Harry finds out 😅😅😅
Good luck with the channel moving forward 🙏
Thanks Kev and low on stock on snickers 😂
I’ve got to say Bernie that was interesting listening to what you had to say on the matter of being a pro.
Unless you can talk to people about being a pro you wouldn’t know.
I did have some thoughts about it myself ,I didn’t do anything about it as it’s seemed I would have to go to Birmingham and as I was a single dad at the time I couldn’t.
Thinking about it now I wasn’t really good enough on the playing side the best I ever was a handicap of 5.3 but also my age as I’m an old git now lol😅.
So I would think your in a good place at the moment and I think that’s really worth something now days,especially if you had got to a place about gold that you did.
First and foremost you have to be happy in your own skin.
It was great list to what you had to say,so keep yourself going mate
Thanks David. It’s nice hearing the comments and realising that lots of people have had a similar experience to me. Being happy and content in life is what we should all aim for I guess.
Bernie, you didn't mention working at Thurlestone GC. How long were you there ? It was very interesting listening to your story. Good luck for the future and destination scratch. I look forward to the next instalment.
Thanks Malcolm. I was at thurlestone for a summer. Absolutely loved the place, the members and the staff. However it was a long way to travel for minimum wage and when Dan offered me a shop manager’s position it was a no brainer.
Your story is very similar to Lee's. Falling out of love with the game when it turned into a job. I'm sure you'll find a happy balance which suits you.
Yeah absolutely Phil, I’ve not really spoken to Lee about it, but guessing we had a similar experience although his transition back to an amateur was probably easier.
Do it Lester, Turn Pro again!
I’m happy where I am Andrew! But definitely something I’d consider in the future.
Lester at The Open, would love to see that!
I’m not good enough but I’d love to go enter the pre-qualifiers Jim!
lester that was, with all the bullsh@ that’s happening in the pro game just listening to someone who clearly loves the game we all love is a breath of fresh air 👍
Thanks mate. I guess we all have highs and lows in the game of golf! But what a game it is!
Lester, your journey seems very like mine, and I had meant to speak with you at the Belfry about it.
I’m not about to go into the specifics why I didn’t complete the exams on this platform but all I would say is just do it, make sure you have no regrets, the PGA qualification on its own starts a business, never mind TH-cam.
If I could go back or even now get an agreement with a local pro to do the 30 hrs on my days off while doing my current job while I do the course I’d jump at it so I could officially coach, when I retire.
You know your destiny, just go grab it.
Worst case scenario you’ll always find a mars bar or equivalent upside down in the fridge to rectify and keep you busy. 😉
I would have liked to have heard your story Stuart. The 30 hours now isn’t that strict and you don’t have to do them in a shop so lots of ways round it. Plus you can do your level one and two coaching, without doing the whole course if that’s what you are interested in!
@@berniebarnesgolf good to know. When I contacted the PGA they didn’t mention any flexibility.
I’m sure it’s changed in the last year. I’ll admit they aren’t the most helpful 😂
The book in your thumbnail is excellent.
Read The War Of Art and then Turning Pro amazing books for any youtuber. I have the audio book somewhere if you want it.
Thanks Paul. I’ll check both out. If I could borrow the audio book that would be brilliant!
Thank for the bio!😊
No problem 😂
I like to see "behind the scenes" stuff. A Full Swing with Bernie if you will....
I plan to film some of the trips this year in that sort of idea Ryan. Like the travelling and down town 😂
Weather looks nice 😮
It doesn’t stop raining here Kev 😂
@@berniebarnesgolf I played 7 holes b4 lovely b4 lovely after ... Proper shite whilst playing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Just your luck Kev 😂
Intresting insight mate, i looked at the pga training course a while back but in the end realised that my heart would never be in sitting in the shop selling mars bars, sometimes making your hobby your job is a kiss of death to the hobby itself, like you said turns you off and not enjoying it which becomes a vicious circle 👍
Unless you are an elite player unfortunately for at least 3/4 years of your life you will be in the shop Terry.
@@berniebarnesgolf do you get discount at the bar lol
Yep 😂
Nice insight Lester. Hope Josh is recovering well?
He’s feeling a lot better David! He shot -3 yesterday!
@@berniebarnesgolf perhaps pneumonia is the answer
It is if he keeps shooting under par 😂
Good honest video Bernie. I sincerely hope you make it back to scratch ( just not before me 😉 )
😂 hope you make it there too Andrew! Good luck!
Enjoyed that one very interesting. Do you have a job now outside TH-cam apart from the repairs?
Thanks Kevin. Not really, I do the odd day in the shop, I’ve done a few days labouring, run the bus tour and I’m sponsored so covering bills currently. Probably got another 18 months, hopefully I can make TH-cam pay by then.
Good video
Cheers Neil!
Great honest vlog Bernie, looking good for 7,000 subs by the end of march id say, has Dan gone to get some turkey teeth 😂
That would be great Paul! Spread the word 😂 I’m not sure what Dan is up to 😂
Good vlog mate. I need some help with my chipping…..can you help? Nah thought not 😂😂😂😂😉
Definitely not Dave 😂 😂 😂
Best Mars bar seller in the South West
😂 you’ve seen me in action Lawrence 😂
I said on the podcast. The pga/golf England needs to align with sport england and develop levels of coaching badges like eg cricket so that club members can coach groups of kids etc or go into schools. it needs to be more limited to protect the living of pga pros tho. Trouble is many pros are attached only as remote coaches and have no interest in the growth of clubs and thus dont offer a junior pathway. Golf must develop new interest. It wont survive charging people over 40 top whack and relying on the kids of members to take up the game. You would be a perfect case study for this if they pull their fingers out!!
Totally agree Tim! The best players don’t make the best coaches either! Look at football!
Really like that style of vlog. How easy is the process for you to be reinstated as a professional ?
I think as long as you pay your training fees you are good to go David.
Your journey is so similar to mine albeit a few years after.. I was in the PGA from 1997 to 2001.. however mine was injury that prevented me playing, subsequently lost some sponsors and then just fell out of love with the game… took 2.5 years to get my amateur status back before finding a love again as the sport I’d do when not cricketing.. now I’ve retired from cricket I’m back loving it.. Just joined a new Golf Club (The Manchester GC) and can’t wait to attack scratch again.. if you’re ever up north feel free to hit me up for a knock.. 💥💥
Good luck getting back to scratch Nigel! I’ll definitely message you if and when I’m in Manchester.
Great video. I’ll take a lesson, help you get back in swing!
Thanks Michael! Glad you enjoyed it.
👍
Cheers Mark!
Hi Barnesy, as a Professional tennis coach and have been since 1982 I can say that golf must be so out of touch to demand coaches to play Tournaments and attain a certain Standard of golf, yes its understandable to be able to have a certain technical ability, but that doesnt mean that you should have to be a super top player, like you said that takes time and if youre busy teaching and running a business you just dont have the interest and , of course, time to practice, the best assistants I ever had, based in Germany, where , without doubt , the unqualified naturals who I had taught as kids and they had developed into people with the patience and ability to teach, the LTA and PGA dont, in my opinion, teach people how to teach, its a God given talent, you have it, Ive seen the concern and help you give others , its a natural ability, England in general is so prehistoric with its badges etc, just look at Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes etc, useless, they have names but zero ability to coach, proven!!! You got to do what you feel is right for you mate, I think you"ll make a very good coach, regardsFraser(ps If you need an extra for apro am etc , shout me up, )
I agree with what you have said Fraser and I think the PGA is (slowly) changing but not at the speed it needs too! I guess it could learn a lot by following examples of other sports, such as tennis as you say.
Hopefully your channel will fly and you will be too busy on TH-cam to turn pro, fingers crossed. Great vlog again
Yeah I hope so John! Really concentrating on building it this year! Thanks for watching.
Nice video. Please sort the sound out. Just through one headphone ear.
Not sure what the issue was!? I used a rode mic for audio and no one else highlighted any issues. I listened to it through my phone and it was fine Gary.
Main reason you should turn pro is someone needs to take a run at James Ruth strangle hold on the South. If you do turn pro again they better stock up on Mars bars. I seem to remember you going through a lot of them.😂
James is in the form of his life currently Brian and it’s great to see! I did and do love a mars bar! 😂
Couldn’t catch the radio station this time, but sounded better mate 🤣🤣
You… Snotty nosed junior.. Lester I just can’t see it mate 😂😉
😂 Chris 😂 still capital fm
@@berniebarnesgolf if one thing is gunna help you lower that handicap it’s defo gunna go be listening to an age appropriate radio station 🤣🤣
😂 nothing I do is age appropriate 😂
@@berniebarnesgolf you’re only as old as you feel bro 😎
Exactly!
What’s willber Up to now as he was try to get a tour card and we never see him now?
No idea Derek. Not seen or heard from him in a couple of years. Messaged him but no response.
snickers gettin a bit low bernst. Turning pro sure would sound like it would have a few benefits like playing other courses for free but that sounds completely fair enough given how much the cost is to pay for pro!
Yeah agreed Matt. I’m happy where I am currently, but never say never.
When I saw the title of this video I thought you were gonna resort to the Lee Whittaker method of getting to scratch 😂
😂 No as tempting as that is Stephen 😂
So interesting, I had not a clue about what it takes to attain PGA status. It appears to me that a critical interest for you to consder becoming a professional would be to coach. However, I am shocked to understand that you cannot coach without maintaining your proffesional status. This just defies logic. What could the PGA do if you decided to start providing lesson to individuals, groups and via the internet if you did not have a proffesional card? Could you be charged under some criminal code and locked away? Could you go to work as a coach as an amateur golfer with an established golf school or under the wing of a "professional" golfer? What if I wanted to pay you as an "amateur golf coach" to teach my kids to play? Bernie, thanks for sharing your story and in my view this is a benefit to gain from your experience and views.
There’s a lot there Graeme. The rules and regulations have changed and become less strict. Years ago if you breached amateur rules (say started teaching) you would be banned and unable to play in amateur golf events.
@@berniebarnesgolf Hi Bernie. Sorry, I did ramble on a bit on my comments to your post. If your intent is to make a living at golf while satisfying your passion to coach you will find a way to get there. Look into getting hired by an established golf school? Have a great day Bernie, Cheers!
I’m happy with where I am at the moment, it never say never!
Can you just redo your PGA, as a teaching Pro? That coupled with your repairs experience would be good? Yes/no? I know there are different levels to PGA, but I don’t know what each level is.
I’m honestly not sure Andrew. I have my level 2 coaching qualification so I presume I could turn pro and teach. I’d have to do more research.
Question, do all pro golfers have to do their PGA training, or do the worlds elite Woods etc just play as they are that good
No it’s only if you want to be pga qualified and coach / work at a golf club. Ian poulter is one of the most famous pga qualified tour pros.
Maybe you should skip doing your PGA and just go straight out on tour 🏌️♂️🏆🏆🏆🏆
😂 legends tour in 6 years time Allan 😂
Ey up Bernie. Looks like your skills never,left you. All the mars bars sold, and only the two snickers left! 🤣🤣
Sold out of mars bars Dave! 😂
Give me a couple of lessons for my channel my friend.
Always up for that!
The PGA / turning pro scenario needs to change, I had my place for the degree along long time ago and decided against doing it at the last minute, I had a job and wanted to get a house etc and the PGA course is just designed for rich kids living at home. They also wrap far too much useless garbage into the course, like you say, you needed to have a job selling mars bars at a club and do many different sectors of the industry. I knew I was never going to be a tour player, had no intention of wasting my time on the mini tours so my passion was coaching. Why can you not just do your coaching degree on its own...... Now If I would do anything in golf it would be club fitting/building, again where are courses/qualifications for that? Without your "PGA" its near impossible to get manufacturers onside.
On the plus side, I enjoy my golf so much more now, I took a few years off and have no intention wasting 5hrs of my time playing in comps, I much prefer playing with friends or just testing myself to get better v the course. I dont need to be a "pro" nor do I need a handicap, I just enjoy the game!
I more or less agree with everything you have said Dan. The biggest surprise for me was the actual fees and cost of the course now! When I did it, the whole course was less then 5k and I’ve heard now you won’t get any change out of 20k! Plus you have to pay a membership every year to keep your status! I agree the course isn’t specialised enough and is now outdated!
Lester I think you found your calling a while ago and perhaps didn't realize it? You said you loved being a Pro and teaching kids and from what little I know about you I'm guessing you were really good at it. What also seems to be the case is there really isn't a lot of children only golf teaching content on TH-cam. With your connections to refer students to you, your ability to turn Pro and your TH-cam knowledge why not give it a shot?
Issue I’ve got as I love playing as an amateur golfer and you can’t do both unfortunately.
Such a shame you cant coach still , Harry must be doing okay in the pro shop to holiday in Dubai!!! Sure a few members will be making a comment or 2 about his prices 😂😂
😂 his girlfriends dad lives over there Martin 😂
It sounds like the priority for the PGA scheme is purely to keep money coming into the game & shops, and little about development of professionals, if the priority is having their aspiring pros spend a lot of time in retail.
Or am I missing something?
I’d say most of what you say is correct Wayne. I love retail and teaching, but playing golf was the reason I turned pro and as soon as I lost the enjoyment of the it affected the other two aspects.
Just up to about 1 minute into the video and all I can see is the chocolate 😬😬😬. Haven't a clue what Bernie is saying 🤣🤣🤣, anyway, back to the video
I love chocolate too Dave 😂
Great video Bernie. To be a pro you need money behind you and yet LIV are happy to give millions to one man to 'grow the game'. What about our own tour though ? All the money the PGA rake in and their best idea is to have a comp with no cut. That's sh***. Nobody wants that. Golf should be 72 holes with a cut. When you see guys trying to qualify for comps (like James Ruth and Paul) and there's only one or two places available. The European Tour is dead and the PGA don't give a monkeys
I agree with you Dave! Tour golf is in a difficult position currently and they don’t seem to have any answers!