Just bringing this up. I understand the argument that the best players don't necessarily make the best instructors, but you would think some of the more famous instructors and video content providers would at least have some sort of fargo rate.
Unless they are purposely afraid to get one?? But to be fair, some areas of the country don't use fargo (dominated by the APA, like here in Chicago) so maybe that's why?
There’s multiple problems here. First, as you mentioned, Fargo is not used everywhere in the States, let alone the rest of the world. Second, as you also mentioned, not every instructor is a great player. One of the best English billiards coaches in Australia hardly ever touches a cue. In fact, I’ve never even seen him play. However, he has coached some world class billiards players. In fact, you could ask the same question of nearly any sport. Barry Stark is a great snooker coach, but doesn’t have a professional ranking, nor does he try to get one. He’s retired, and when he did play, it was in a different era. I’m not going to continue with examples, but I’m sure there’s plenty more.
In fact, it could be argued that coaches getting a Fargo rate is only a losing proposal. Having a low Fargo rate will lose them business when the reality is that their Fargo is completely irrelevant to their coaching skill or knowledge of cue-sports. Conversely, you could end up with coaches showing off their great Fargo rate and wasting people’s money because they are in fact rubbish coaches. Attaching a hard number to something, regardless of it’s relevance, tends to be a significant factor is a person’s decision making process.
Personally, “What’s your Fargo?” would be the last question I’d ask a prospective coach.
