F
rom the course to the shop, PGA of America Golf Professionals are always looking for new perspectives or ideas that can improve their businesses and their lives. That search for innovative content includes books, podcasts, YouTube videos and a number of other avenues where experts share their thoughts.
PGA Magazine asked a number of PGA of America Professionals and golf industry experts what books and podcasts they’ve enjoyed, and why they’d recommend them to their peers.
by Adam Grant
This book by the author of “Hidden Potential” examines how curiosity and humility can transform the experience of being wrong about something into a chance to rethink our opinions and improve ourselves on the job and at home. The ideas in the book dovetail with the style of lifelong learning the PGA of America embraces in its education offerings, and embraces an open-minded approach to changing our minds in light of new information.
With Dr. Laurie Santos
This Yale professor teaches psychology – specifically, the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history. In her weekly podcast based on the class and its topics, Santos taps into her studies of the science of happiness and why so many of us sabotage our opportunities to improve our lives when presented with the opportunity. Recent episodes have examined happiness lessons learned by Olympic athletes and why we make decisions in the present that tend to make our lives more difficult in the future.
by Daniel Coyle
Whether you’re a manager of a large golf staff or a member of the team, you’ll find useful strategies in this book on highly successful groups. The author takes a look at what helps groups achieve greatness – and some common issues that can lead to their downfall. Examples as varied as the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team Six, the comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade and the San Antonio Spurs basketball team are examined for strategies that create an environment where individuals thrive as the group exceeds expectations.
by Jeff Wetzler
One of the timeless pieces of advice young PGA of America Golf Professionals are given is to ask their elders how they achieved their success. But what if you’re not naturally comfortable with striking up those conversations? This book could help through the author’s “Ask Approach,” a five-step way to tap into the wisdom of your peers with thoughtful questions that will bring you valuable perspectives – as well as turning those ideas into action that can help you build your own career.