Why The PGTAA Surpasses Golfzon Leadbetter’s GLE Program In Every Way That Matters
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2025-06-19
Dr. Barry Lotz, Inside Golf
We Teach You How to Teach
It’s simple. The 28-year-old PGTAA teaches you how to be an effective, successful golf instructor — without wasting your time or money on fluff, gimmicks, or upsells. Our comprehensive program covers everything from swing mechanics, impact laws, and short-game fundamentals to social media marketing, business development, and how to build a thriving client base.
We don’t just certify instructors — we create elite golf teaching professionals.
The GLE $749 “Certification”? It’s a Gateway to a $4,749+ Upsell Funnel
Golfzon Leadbetter Education advertises a “Level 1” certification for $749. What they don’t highlight is this:
|
Level |
Cost |
Notes |
|
L1 |
$749 |
Entry only. Can't advance without L2. |
|
L2 |
$1,000 |
Must complete L1 first. |
|
L3 |
$3,000 |
Requires L2 completion. |
|
Total |
$4,749+ |
Not including annual recertification costs. |
Meanwhile, the PGTAA’s tuition is all-inclusive, with no tiered pricing, hidden upgrades, or forced summits.
Side-by-Side Comparison: PGTAA vs Golfzon Leadbetter (GLE)
|
Feature |
PGTAA |
GLE (Golfzon Leadbetter) |
|
No Pro-Shop Hours |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Focused on Teaching |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Online & Self-Paced |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Certified in Months |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Social Media Training |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Flat, One-Time Cost |
✅ ($995) |
❌ ($4,749+ total) |
|
Direct Access to Founder |
✅ (Dr. Barry Lotz personally mentors every student) |
❌ (Generic mentor assigned) |
|
Complete Business & Marketing Training |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Annual Recertification Required |
❌ |
✅ (Mandatory summits) |
|
Class "A" Master Certification Included |
✅ |
❌ (Level 3 optional at extra $3,000) |
|
Time Limit to Complete Program |
❌ None |
❌ None |
|
PGA Affiliation |
❌ (Neither is affiliated) |
❌ (Neither is affiliated) |
|
PGA MSR (Continuing Education) Credits Available |
✅ |
Supposedly |
|
Job Placement/Business Guidance |
✅ (How to run your own business) + Sphere of Influence |
❌ (No job guarantees) |
NO, Neither the PGTAA Nor GLE Are Affiliated with the PGA
Let’s be clear. Neither the PGTAA nor GLE has any official affiliation or endorsement from the PGA of America.
However, PGTAA graduates, who decide to join the PGA or are also Class A or Apprentice members of the PGA, can earn PGA of America MSR (Member Service Requirement) Credits, which are valuable for continuing education and recognized in the golf instruction community.
Personal Mentorship: The PGTAA Difference
At the PGTAA, you’re not “assigned” to a stranger. From day one, you deal directly with Dr. Barry Lotz, the PGTAA’s Founder and Director, and one of the most respected minds in golf instruction and psychology. You get immediate access to his personal line, direct answers, real mentorship, and no bureaucracy.
We Interview Every Prospective Student
Before admission, each applicant undergoes a phone interview to discuss Playing Ability Test (PAT) considerations, teaching goals and experience, and learning expectations.
This ensures the integrity of our certification and sets each student up for success. Unlike cookie-cutter programs, the PGTAA is selective, personalized, and professional.
What You’ll Learn – Real-World Teaching Tools
Our curriculum is designed for real careers, not just credentials. It includes:
Fundamentals of swing mechanics and putting.
Advanced techniques in short game scoring, ball flight laws, and shot shaping.
Psychology of teaching and learning.
How to structure lessons, retain students, and increase referrals.
Social media strategies for instructor branding.
How to start and run your own teaching business.
There are no extra charges for exams, no time limits, and no surprise fees.
Join a Global Network of Elite Instructors
PGTAA graduates teach at country clubs, golf academies, driving ranges, resorts, schools and universities, and golf manufacturers.
Most importantly, they teach on their own terms.
The Bottom Line
If you want a transparent, comprehensive, and respected golf teaching certification, there is no comparison.
|
PGTAA |
GLE |
|
One-Time Fee |
Tiered Pricing Trap |
|
Direct Mentorship |
Assigned Mentors |
|
No Recert. Fees |
Annual Fees |
|
Business Success Focus |
Instruction Only |
|
Elite, Personal Brand |
Big Box Model |
Enroll in the PGTAA Today
Call Dr. Barry Lotz directly and begin your journey toward becoming a Class “A” Master Teaching Professional with the personal support and credibility you deserve.
PGTAA — The Gold Standard in Golf Instruction Certification
About the Writer
Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D., is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. Visit www.facebook.com/PGTAA to see all the latest mental strategies, travel, and equipment reviews. Currently, he also works with between 10 and 12 PGA TOUR players on the mental side of golf.
He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and serves both as a consultant and mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his previous book, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf,” which is still on the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. His current book, “The Right Mind for Golf,” is now in its 13th reprint and is available on Amazon and at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. In 2024, he released “The Right Mind for Putting” and “The Right Approach to Golf.” His new book, “The Back Nine: Embracing Golf and Life as a Senior,” is available at www.pgtaa.com.