[Mike O]

Compda,

Spot On??? I have to admit you're losing me here (as well as is Mike O). Why in the hell do certifications exist to begin with? Is a patient supposed to be in a position to question the doctor about his qualifications? Is the college freshman supposed to inquire as to his Physics professors credentials? If the title GSED means nothing... then the cert process is messed up. The golf student doesn't have the time nor the expertise to determine the teachers qualifications.... especially when it comes to TGM. I always viewed the TGM certification as a "stamp of approval" of sorts (unlike the "PGA Member" title) when it comes to teaching. From what I understand about TGM and the testing... I find it hard to believe you could get a certification (particularly a GSED) without knowing what you're doing.

I'm not saying you can't question the teacher. But at some point the student has to trust the teacher... and the process the teacher used to attain his credentials.

I could be wrong. Sure hope I'm not.

CG

"Is a patient supposed to be in a position to question the doctor about his qualifications?"
When it's my life- ABSOLUTELY! Remember, we're not questioning the certificate- it is what it is- we're questioning the skill level

"Is the college freshman supposed to inquire as to his Physics professors credentials?"
If you are majoring in Physics and you want the best- ABSOLUTELY! But we are not questioning the credentials- they are what they are- it's the skill level of first knowing, then the ability to communicate so that the student gets it, then does the physics teacher have the ability to motivate?, make it interesting?- but the knowledge is first

"The golf student doesn't have the time nor the expertise to determine the teachers qualifications.... especially when it comes to TGM."
Well, at first glance it's tough to argue with this comment- but when you look at it in relation to picking an auto mechanic- it allows you to cut to the bone- Anotherwords, you don't necessarily need expertise and know an engine inside out to ask or determine if someone is good in their field or not- and it doesn't really take alot of time- you don't need to read the automechanics manual before you go out and pick a mechanic. Can you make a mistake based on your limited knowledge - ABSOLUTELY! And what do you do if that happens- LEARN- and make a better decision next time!



I didn't say that the certification meant nothing. I just was trying to say as Compda and Lynn pointed out- that buyer beware in regards to any expertise in the marketplace. There are bad doctors. I think all mechanics that work on your car have some certification that they have passed. That said - There are lousy mechanics. There are great mechanics with lousy personal skills. There are great mechanics who lie. If all the mechanics in your area have the same certification- are you going to go to any of them? If you do are they all going to give you the same results and service? Don't all the people that cut your hair have some kind of certification or license- does that mean that you walk in to whoever -- to get your haircut- or when they cut it bad that you scream - "How can you have a license to cut hair!"

Yes, at some point the student should trust the teacher- after the teacher has proved himself. You don't have to trust the process the teacher used to get his credentials- in any field to me the credentials just says that this person took some training and "may" know what they are talking about or may give good advice.