Welcome back to the 2025 California Teaching & Coaching Summit! We’re thrilled to gather again at the beautiful Journey at Pechanga—a facility that is always ready to host and support our section. A heartfelt thank you to PGA Members Randy Chang and Scott Mallory for their continued hospitality and partnership in hosting us.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible efforts of our Teaching & Coaching Committee, led by Jamie Mulligan and Randy Chang, our dedicated Section staff, and the unwavering support of our valued partners. Please take a moment during the Summit to personally thank them—our collective growth depends on their commitment and generosity.
Ongoing education and self-development are cornerstones of personal and professional success. In an ever-evolving coaching landscape, embracing lifelong learning sharpens our skills, expands our perspectives, and equips us to serve our students more effectively. It’s how we stay relevant, resilient, and inspired. By dedicating time to your own development, you’re not only investing in your future—you’re uplifting the entire SCPGA community. Your pursuit of excellence fosters innovation, builds credibility, and strengthens the collective standard of our profession.
Join me in enjoying the next two days. Let’s engage fully, ask questions, and share insights. I’m excited to learn, grow, and lead together.
Warm regards,
Dr. Alison Curdt, PGA
Dr. Alison Curdt is a dual PGA Master & LPGA Master Professional and is the current President of the Southern California PGA.
Owner of “Alison Curdt Golf” in Los Angeles, CA, she has earned countless Teaching & Professional awards such as 2019 SCPGA Golf Professional of the Year, 2018 SCPGA Clubfitter of the Year, 4-time LPGA Western Section Teacher of the Year, 2016 SCPGA Teacher of the Year, and 2015 LPGA T&CP National Teacher of the Year.
She was selected as a Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher in America, LPGA Top 50 Teacher, and is a member of the SoCal PGA Teaching Hall of Fame.
Photo Courtesy of Golf Digest
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday, October 6
7:00 – 8:15am Registration & Breakfast
8:15 - 8:30am Welcome
8:30 – 9:45am Rick Sessinghaus
9:45 - 10:45am Mo Martin / Tffany Joh
11:15am - 12:30pm Will Robins / Cordie Walker
12:30 – 1:30pm
Lunch & California Teaching Hall of Fame Induction Dave Phillips & Tom Rezendes
1:45 – 3pm Bill Harmon
3:15 – 4:30pm Dave Stockton & Ron Stockton
4:30- 7pm Welcome Reception Presented by
Tuesday, October 7
7 – 8:am Breakfast
8:30 - 9:45am Devan Bonebrake
10:00 - 11:15am Roger Gunn 11:30am – 12:30pm Lunch
1 - 2pm Randy Smith, Mark Blackburn, Dave Phillips, Michael Breed Moderated by Jamie Mulligan
2: - 3:30pm Jamie Mulligan
Keynote Presentation “Play the Game”
Contributing Writers
Issue No. 6, Fall 2025
Brandon
John
On the cover:
(Front & Back) The Journey at Pechanga
Nikki Gatch, PGA, is Executive Director / CEO of the Southern California PGA, the first woman to hold that role since taking the helm in 2023. Growing up immersed in golf, Gatch played collegiately at Oklahoma State. Her career spans hands-on roles—from assistant golf professional and junior golf director to coowner of a golf course—and leadership positions within both the SCPGA and PGA of America.
Her trailblazing leadership includes becoming the first female and PGA member elected to the Board of Directors of the SCGA, and then President in 2022. Throughout her journey, she has been dedicated to growing the game, expanding access, and supporting fellow professionals. Now at the forefront of the SCPGA, she is committed to furthering its mission and empowering its members and staff.
MESSAGE FROM THE SCPGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CEO
NIKKI GATCH
When the California Teaching and Coaching Summit first came to life nearly a decade ago, it began with a simple but powerful vision: to bring together the brightest minds and most passionate teachers in golf, creating a place where knowledge could be shared freely, and where our PGA Professionals could be inspired to take their craft to new heights.
Today, as we celebrate the 9th edition of this remarkable event, that vision has not only endured—it has flourished. Over the years, we’ve seen incredible innovation, heartfelt mentorship, and countless “aha” moments that have rippled outward, touching players, coaches, and communities all over the country. This summit has become more than an educational event—it’s a tradition of excellence, a catalyst for growth, and a reminder of the joy we find in helping others love this game.
This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the trailblazers who believed in it from the start. I want to give special recognition to Jamie Mulligan and Randy Chang, whose leadership, generosity, and passion have been cornerstones of the summit’s success. Their vision has been matched by the dedication of the SCPGA Teaching and Coaching Committees, past and present, who have steered this event with insight and creativity, ensuring it remains relevant and inspiring year after year.
We are especially grateful to Pechanga Resort Casino for welcoming us back for the fourth time in the event’s history. Your world-class hospitality provides not just a venue, but a home for the summit—one that elevates the experience for every attendee.
To our presenters, thank you for sharing your expertise so generously. To our partners, thank you for standing with us to make this event possible. And to every professional here, thank you for your commitment to learning, growing, and giving back to the game.
Here’s to the continued evolution of this summit—and to the countless ways it will shape the future of teaching and coaching in golf.
Photo Courtesy of Golf Digest
Game Changers In Golf Leading The Game Forward
words by Randy Chang, PGA
On behalf of California Teaching and Coaching Summit Co-Chair Jamie Mulligan and the Committee Members, we warmly welcome you to the 2025 CTCS at Journey at Pechanga.
It is a privilege to honor two trailblazing leaders whose vision, dedication, and achievements have not only shaped the Southern California PGA, but also set a new standard for leadership in the golf industry — Dr. Allison Curdt, PGA/LPGA Master Professional, and Nikki Gatch, PGA, Executive Director and CEO of the SCPGA.
Dr. Alison Curdt is a true rarity in the golf world — one of only two instructors in history to earn Master Professional status from both the PGA of America and the LPGA. Her academic accomplishments are equally impressive: a Doctorate in Psychology, along with master’s and undergraduate degrees in psychology and professional golf management. As a licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Curdt blends mental performance expertise with world-class golf instruction, helping students excel on the course and in life.
Her playing career includes qualifying for and competing in seven LPGA major championships, while her teaching accolades span some of the game’s highest honors: 2019 SCPGA Golf Professional of the Year, 2016 SCPGA Teacher of the Year, and 2015 LPGA National Teacher of the Year. She is a seven-time SCPGA Women’s Player of the Year, and is recognized as both a Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher and an LPGA Top 50 Instructor. In 2024,
she made history as the first female President of the Southern California PGA, leading with a focus on inclusion, education, and member engagement.
Nikki Gatch has carved her own groundbreaking path. In 2023, she became the first woman to serve as Executive Director and CEO of the Southern California PGA. Her career spans more than 20 years, with leadership roles in junior golf, PGA player development, and association governance. She previously served as the first female President of the Southern California Golf Association, and in 2025, was honored with the prestigious Hilda Allen Award from Golf Inc. for her leadership and service to the game.
A standout player herself, Nikki earned a full golf scholarship to Oklahoma State University, where she claimed two conference championships. Her leadership philosophy centers on engagement, empowerment, and elevation — values that continue to drive the SCPGA forward with inclusivity, innovation, and impact.
Together, Dr. Alison Curdt and Nikki Gatch represent the very best of what the game of golf can offer — skill, resilience, vision, and a shared commitment to paving the way for future generations. Their stories remind us that leadership in golf is not defined by tradition alone, but by those who break barriers, inspire others, and leave the game better than they found it.
We are proud to call these two pioneers in the golf industry our own.
THE LINEUP
Dr. Rick Sessinghaus
FLOWCODE
• PGA Member & Golf Coach –Longtime PGA Professional with over 25 years of coaching experience.
• Mental Performance Expert –Specializes in the mental game, combining golf instruction with performance psychology.
• Notable Coach – Best known as the longtime swing and mental coach of two-time major champion Collin Morikawa.
• Author & Speaker – Wrote Golf: The Ultimate Mind Game and frequently speaks on peak performance, leadership, and mindset.
• Educational Background – Holds a Doctorate in Applied Sports Psychology, blending academic expertise with real-world coaching.
Beginning in Southern California, the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), the Southern California PGA (SCPGA) and the San Diego Junior Golf Association (SDJGA) have launched a golf team (Team California) that will expand the pipeline for elite local golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP), a new initiative launched by the United States Golf Association (USGA). The SCGA is one of seven Allied Golf Associations (AGA) that will participate in the initial phase of the state team pilot program in 2024.
The Team California Committee will name 10 boys and 10 girls to the team each year. Athletes earn their way onto the team through outstanding competitive performance during the season.
Will Robins
Mo Martin & Tiffany Joh TEAM CALIFORNIA Cordie Walker
• Will transitioned into coaching with a mission: rather than selling lessons, he focused on guaranteed results— helping students lower their scores and rekindle their love for golf
• Will founded WRGolf Coaching in Sacramento County, CA, and also serves as CEO of Robins Golf Logistix (RGX)—through which he mentors over 80 coaches worldwide in implementing accelerated results-focused programs that also significantly boost instructors’ revenue
• Cordie hosts a content platform, Golfwell, dedicated to gathering and sharing what the best players, coaches, and researchers are doing. It features podcasts, articles, and videos aiming to help “a million golfers transform their game with proven strategies.”
#CASUMMIT
Bill Harmon
• Over 40 years of experience as a golf instructor.
• Taught at prestigious clubs including Palm Desert Golf Academy and Big Horn Golf Club in California.
• Specializes in blending swing mechanics with mental game coaching.
• Coaching Philosophy: Emphasizes simplicity, patience, and personalized learning.
• Known for a warm, story-driven style that connects deeply with students.
• Dave Stockton PGA TOUR Career: 2-time PGA Championship winner (1970, 1976) with 10 PGA TOUR victories.
• Champions Tour Success: 14 PGA TOUR Champions wins, including 3 senior majors.
• Ryder Cup: Played on 2 U.S. Ryder Cup Teams (1971, 1977) and served as Captain in 1991, leading the U.S. to victory.
• Putting Expert: Widely regarded as one of the best putters in golf history.
• Stockton Golf: Works alongside father Dave Stockton Sr. and brother Dave Stockton Jr. as part of the Stockton Golf teaching team.
• Specializes in helping players simplify and master the mental and technical aspects of scoring. Golf Analyst: Provides insight as a golf commentator and instructor, sharing expertise with a broad audience.
Dave
Stockton & Ron Stockton
Devan
Bonebrake
• PGA Teaching Professional: One of golf’s leading instructors with a reputation for simplifying the swing.
• Founder: Creator of the Southern California Golf Academy and The Golf Fix.
• Golf Channel Host: Former host of The Golf Fix on Golf Channel, succeeding Michael Breed.
• Instruction Background: Trained under and worked with top instructors including Jim McLean, Jim Hardy, and Mike Adams.
• Students: Has coached PGA TOUR players, elite amateurs, and dedicated recreational golfers.
• Content Creator: Known for producing accessible online instruction content reaching golfers worldwide.
Roger Gunn 2025 SCPGA
Eddie Merrins
PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year
• Developed juniors through free Saturday clinics and discounted lessons for students, military, police, and firefighters.
• Supported junior golfers in Ghana through online coaching and mentorship.
• Works extensively with seniors, Wounded Warriors, and adaptive golfers, using creative solutions to keep the game accessible and enjoyable.
• Creates a welcoming environment for female golfers through clinics and private lessons.
• Offers free swing/equipment evaluations on the range using Flightscope, helping recreational golfers make big improvements.
About Jamie Mulligan
Jamie Mulligan, a Southern California PGA Section Member and Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Country Club (VCC) in Long Beach, California for the past 20 years, is the 2021 PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year for his “outstanding services as a golf teacher, innovator and coach.”
Jamie Mulligan, PGA started his career at the historic VCC in the early 1980’s. Shortly after, he was the Head Golf Professional at Skylinks Golf Course in Long Beach, and eventually Director of Golf for both Skylinks and nearby Recreation Park Golf Course. During his tenure at these properties, Jamie founded the Smooth Swing Golf School (which had over 8,000 different participants) and the Jamie Mulligan Junior Golf Camp. He worked in conjunction with the late Payne Stewart to open Coyote Hills Golf Course. In 2000, he returned to VCC, where he continues to work diligently to grow the game of golf.
Jamie’s involvement in growing the game through juniors, women, minorities, seniors and the disabled is shown not only with programs that he has established, but through his everyday philosophy. Jamie’s culture of teaching involves analyzing individuals physical and mental capability in order to help them achieve their potential.
The Jamie Mulligan Junior Camp helped junior golfers of all abilities improve their game. The camp reiterated to the juniors that they all had high thresholds and the power to not only reduce their handicap, but have fun while doing it. Not every junior had the same swing, but every junior was shown how to use their assets for the better. The shirts of the golf camp said “Future Tour Player” on them. This gave juniors belief and confidence in themselves as well as knowing the excitement of golf. These principles and fundamentals are used currently in VCC’s Summer Junior Golf Program. In addition, for over ten years, Jamie has held the largest junior clinic on the PGA TOUR during the LA Open at Riviera CC. This clinic is done in conjunction with The First Tee and Tiger Woods Foundation.
Jamie has earned several teaching accolades in the Southern California Section and Metro Chapter. He is also a proud member of four halls of fame, including the SCPGA Hall of Fame.
Jamie has taught and consulted with Gary Hallberg, World Golf Hall of Famer Amy Alcott, Mark O’Meara, Craig Barlow, FedEx Cup Champion Bill Haas and Bill Lunde. Throughout his career, he has taught four different #1 World Amateurs. The stable of players that he coaches includes John Cook, Paul Goydos, John Mallinger, Luke List, Veronica Felibert, Nelly Korda and Patrick Cantlay. Jamie has been working with most of his players since their early days playing junior golf and has groomed and prepared them to compete on golf’s highest stages. He also consults with the Long Beach State Golf Program, where he was a collegiate athlete.
JAMIE MULLIGAN, PGA
Keynote Speaker
Play the Game
It has been the opinion of many in the golf world for some time that we can work more diligently as a team to teach our coaches how to coach better. That includes every one of us, and it is so important for our craft. We all work with individuals who are different and go about this beautiful game in completely unique ways to try and get an outcome. One common thing is that we are all trying to teach people to become golfers, and we would like to coach our coaches on how to coach better.
This concept is great for the health of our sport. We saw a boom for the game during COVID and now is the time to capitalize on that even more. We have joined forces to form a committee, that includes PGA Members Randy Smith, Dave Phillips, Michael Breed, Mark Blackburn, Jamie Mulligan, Will Robins, Michael Behan (PGA of America Board of Directors), Randy Chang (California Teaching and Coaching Summit Chair), and Eric Eshleman (PGA of America Secretary). We are working on a document as well as content for Play the Game that all 31,000 PGA Members will have access to. The idea is that we are the
largest sports organization in the world, and we should be masters of how we work with our fellow professionals to coach better. One keynote on the Summit you are about to see is the focus on playing the game; not that swing, stroke, mentality, or wellness are not important. These are all parts of the equation. The primary focus, however, is on people teeing it up and enjoying it – even if the only way they can tee it up is on a simulator at home.
Lastly, a big part of our inspiration is coming from the Southern California Section and the California Teaching and Coaching Summit, as we work towards inheriting the national teaching summit and presenting this concept. The national teaching summit used to be known as The Summit, and we will roll out Play the Game in Southern California next October. The Play the Game Committee is a group who have been friends and peers for years and everyone is excited about helping with what is a super important passion project for all of us.
Sincerely, Randy, Dave, Michael, Mark, and Jamie
TRY THESE THREE TIPS TO GET BETTER FASTER
words by Randy Smith, PGA
From GOLF DIGEST, December 2015
1) GROOVE A GO-TO SHOT
Everything here is about getting the most from your golf time. First, instead of working on a bunch of greenside shots, pick a wedge—a 56-degree is good—and groove one basic swing that returns the shaft at impact to where it was at address. This is what I taught my friend Frank Voigt, a business executive trying to improve on his 8-handicap. Your weight should favor your front side, and you want to skid the club’s sole along the turf and under the ball. By adjusting the ball position up or back, you can vary the trajectory to hit different shots.
2) LOCK IN YOUR TOUCH
From 20 to 40 feet is what I call the “sweet spot” in putting. It’s where most of your first putts come. The way many people practice—rolling random 10-footers and banging a few 50 feet across the green—doesn’t address this reality. To improve your speed, build a practice grid on a green. Use lengths of string to make two sets of lines in 10-foot increments. Create the first set at 20, 30 and 40 feet, and an identical set next to your starting spot so you can work in a loop. Roll putts up to each of the first set of lines, longest to shortest, then putt back to the second. Give it an hour a week, and you’ll drop a few shots by spring.
3) FOCUS YOUR WORKOUTS
If you’re going to the gym, don’t forget your golf game. Grab a medicine ball and get into your golf setup with a solid wall to your left. Mimic your backswing, then throw the ball into the wall with some force (watch out for the rebound). Do this several times. In addition to strengthening key muscles, the weight of the ball forces you to sequence body motion the same way you should with a golf club. Your lower body, arms and chest must work together. For muscular balance, turn around and throw lefty, too.
Claude Harmon, the Uneducated Genius
words by Bill Harmon Director of Instruction Toscana Country Club
My father Claude was perhaps the most unique and gifted club professional in the history of the game. His playing career was unparalleled, with a 1948 Masters victory and four other top 3 finishes in major championships, all as a club pro. He beat Sam Snead in a 42hole quarterfinal match in the 1948 PGA but lost in the semifinals. He still holds the course records at both courses at Winged Foot GC and Seminole GC. He won numerous sectional events in the Metropolitan NY section. He simply was a remarkable golfer!
Photo: Southern California Golf Association
His nickname among other playing professionals was “Proey” as his teaching credentials were perhaps better than his playing credentials. I believe if they ranked instructors then as they do today it’s very possible he would have occupied the #1 position.
He mentored over 50 assistant professionals who became head golf professionals at some of the finest clubs in America. And three of his assistants went on to win majors: Jack Burke Jr, Dave Marr, and Dick Mayer.
As he was doing all this, he was raising a family of four boys and two girls. His first son Butch has become arguably the greatest teacher of the tour professional in the game’s history. His students included Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson, Stewart Cink and Jimmy Walker, all major winners. He has also worked with Ricky Fowler, Seve, Jose Maria Olazabal, Darren Clark and many others. An incredible career.
His second son Craig was the Head Professional at Oak Hill CC in Rochester, NY for 42 years. In his time there he assisted in hosting a US OPEN, 3 PGA’s, a Ryder Cup, 2 PGA Senior Championships, a USGA Senior Open and a US Amateur. Craig was the recipient of the PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award and is also in the PGA Hall of Fame. He has been former PGA Champion Jeff Sluman’s instructor for over forty years. He is presently the Director of Instruction at McCarthur CC in Hobe Spund, Florida. He’s had a career as a club professional that matches Butch’s career as an instructor. He has also mentored many assistant professionals to become wonderful club professionals.
My late brother Dick was the Head Professional at River Oaks CC in Houston for 25 years. He opened his own golf school before his sudden passing in 2006 at the age of 58. I always felt that he embodied all my dad’s attributes as a club professional. He had wonderful teaching skills, tremendous
mentoring skills and was a very fine player. His work with junior golfers was one of his greatest attributes. When he retired from River Oaks he worked almost exclusively with junior golfers and college players. I once asked him why he worked with so many young people and he replied, “because I can make a difference in their lives”. He also coached Lanny Wadkins, Fred Couples and Craig Stadler.
I’m not comfortable talking about myself. I caddied for Jay Haas for approximately 300 PGA TOUR events, having the good fortune of being with him for five wins and with Ben Crenshaw for another. I caddied in 2 Ryder Cups and 2 Presidents Cups.
I served as the Head Golf Professional at Newport CC, Newport, Rhode Island and Bighorn GC in Palm Desert. I taught at The Vintage Club in Palm Desert and for the last twenty plus years I’ve been the Director of Instruction at Toscana CC in Indian Wells. I have been a “set of eyes” for Jay Haas, Bill Haas, Billy Andrade and LPGA player Nicole Castrale. And I’ve been fortunate to play a very small role in over 35 PGA, Champions, and LPGA tour victories.
The most gratifying endeavor in my life was when my wife Robin and I started the Harmon Recovery Foundation 15 years ago. I’m a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I’m presently humbled to say I’ve been clean and sober for over 33 years with literally the help of thousands of my brothers and sisters in recovery. We have had the great fortune because of the generosity of our donors to donate close to $3 million to various charities. Treatment centers, homeless shelters, programs for our military veterans, cancer research, abused children centers, senior centers and other various facilities. It has been Robin and my greatest gift.
Two years ago I started the HRF FOOTPRINTS TOUR. I’ve participated in 16 free golf clinics at public facilities for junior golfers throughout North America. I’ve had the help of many, many wonderful tour players and club professionals.
I’ve been to San Antonio, Texas, Calgary, Greenville, SC, Denver, Co, Webster and Albany, NY, Twin Falls, Idaho, Seattle, Washington, and Las Cruces, NM. I’m doing these schools to honor my father, my mother and my brother Dick, who taught me to “give back”.
Why do I call the HRF JR clinics the “FOOTPRINTS Tour”? Six years ago, I was at Jack Burke Jr’s 95 birthday party at The Champions. Jackie “babysat” the Harmon brothers when he was Dad’s assistant at Winged Foot. They wanted “a Harmon” to be there and I was humbled to be invited, and I attended. There were hundreds of his friends and members there and they had me sitting between him and his daughter, who I had never met. At one point she asked me “did it ever bother you that people only thought of your father as a golfer”? I thought it was an intriguing question. I told her I would tell her something about my dad she didn’t know if she told me something about her dad I didn’t know. She said that the day before the birthday celebration, she called her dad at 11:45AM on a Thursday and asked him what he was doing. He replied, “I’m going to church”. She replied “there are no masses at noon on Thursday’s. He replied” you don’t need a Mass to go to church, I’ve been going every day at this time for over 50 years”. She asked him why he went and what did he do. He said, “it’s quiet, it’s peaceful and I just think and sometimes I talk to the man upstairs”. She said what did the “man upstairs talk about to you”? He replied, “yesterday he admonished me that just because I only gave you two feet, it doesn’t mean you can’t leave more than two footprints when you leave”. Thus, I call my junior clinics “The HRF FOOTPRINTS TOUR”. I do them in honor of my mother, father, brother Dick and all the people that have helped me in my life.
All of what I just shared with you about myself and my brothers had a constant theme…..we learned everything from Claude and Alice Harmon.
I’ll share with you some random pearls he shared with us about teaching:
A good teacher can diagnose where the infection starts and suggest one change that will influence five things, not five things to change one thing.
When working with a good player, the first thing you should do is figure out why their swings work not what’s wrong with it, then be very careful what you change, Because they wouldn’t be a good player if they had a bad swing.
Photo: Southern California Golf Association
Good swings “match up”. He once told me that Lee Trevino was the second-best ball striker he ever saw because everything he did “matched up”. He went on to comment that he watched my brother Dick work with Lanny Wadkins. He had never seen Lanny up close. He told Lanny that his ball flight with a driver was very similar to Hogans, high praise for both players. He told me one time if you suggested to Lee to have Lanny’s downswing or vice versa, neither one would break 85! Why? Because they “didn’t match up”. Oddly enough none of the “YouTube swing geeks” ever post Lee or Lanny’s swings as model swings. Hmmmm…...
He never thought a “pretty swing” was necessarily a good swing. He felt a good swing held up under pressure and duress. The Hall of Fame was filled with different looking swings.
He felt there were certain requirements to become a good teacher: accrue as much knowledge as possible, diagnosis, good communication skills and a personality that people would want to spend an hour with you. Never ever stop learning. You can’t possibly know enough about “cause and effect”.
He once told me when he was teaching someone for the first time “that he looked at the grip and the club face at the top and that provided him with all the clues he needed”.
You must cater your teaching to each player’s abilities. “Don’t teach physics to 3rd graders”.
I had just double bogied a hole at Winged Foot by short siding myself with a pitching wedge. I was running a little warm going to the next tee when he turned to me and said, “do you know what the laws of the jungle dictate”? I wasn’t real keen on listening to one of his “different observations”! He said, “animals that walk with their heads down get eaten”. So, I muttered under my breath “what’s that got to do with golf”? He replied, “well you just made a double bogey with a good swing, you had 40 feet of green to the left of the flag and only 12 feet to the right, you weren’t paying attention!”!! He learned the importance of golf course management with the many rounds he played with Ben Hogan.
I believe the “Stat guys” advise players today not to shoot at many flags.
He once told me “Rank has no privilege, just responsibility”. The thing I’m most proud of as a Harmon brother, is that all 4 of us were workaholics. There is no doubt our last name “got our foot in the door but once in, we had to furnish the room”.
The better the teacher you became the more pressure you had to perform each and every lesson.
Seems that perhaps science validates some of the things “he dug out of the dirt”. He wanted you to get “ahead of the ball with irons and stay behind it with drivers off a tee.
Bunker shots were played with a more neutral path, not cutting across the ball too much.
When he finished 3rd in the US OPEN at Winged Foot in 1959 as the 43 year old head professional his sand wedge was 63 degrees! Another indication of the “uneducated genius”!
He felt (at least with the equipment he used) he controlled the ball with spin, so he was “talking low point” 75 years ago.
He loved to practice curving the ball. I asked him one time “why do you look at the target so long before you address the ball”. Because he did it all subconsciously, he had to think of the explanation. He peered at the green and said “that’s the canvas, the club face is the paint brush, and the ball is the paint. One must visualize the shot they want to hit so the body understands what’s required of it”.
If you practice all different types of shots, you can “play golf with your eyes”. You “see the shot and the body movements follow”.
I could go on and on about “Claude’s pearls”, but I just wanted to share just a few insights on why he was perhaps” the greatest club professional that ever lived. Oddly enough “his tree” is still growing…. the Harmon brothers are making sure of it!!
Coaching Coaches to Coach
words by Jamie Mulligan, PGA California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
Throughout our career we have had the opportunity to analyze just about every aspect of coaching golf at all ability levels. I have fond memories of being mentored by the late and great Ken Venturi, who was mentored by the late greats Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. That sentence is a mouthful! The message was always that you can become wiser at being a golfer if you do it daily. As far as coaching goes, one of the most important things is to realize you don’t know it all and to always be learning. Equally as important would be to learn to communicate as well as possible and to gain an understanding of people and the different ways they learn.
Five years ago, we stopped coaching a stable of 10 Tour Players as well as teaching any other lessons to work exclusively with Patrick Cantlay and Nelly Korda. It’s been a pleasure to watch our coaches at Virginia Country Club coach and to also see the Club prioritize not only a golf course and a short course, but areas to practice and learn to play the game as well.
When we made this career shift, we realized what we were doing with Patrick and Nelly in every instance was working on playing the game. They both swing beautifully, have fantastic short games, are very intelligent, and have won on every level. However, we continue to always work on playing the game. A lot of golf instruction is solely focused on the swing, stroke, or some other singular aspect of the game as opposed to the idea of trying to build a complete golfer. To become a complete golfer, you must learn to play the game. This led us to change our mentality in how we coach. What people want to do is learn to play golf and this is what we, as the 31,000 Members of the largest sporting organization in the world, can coach.
When I learned to play golf, my coach didn’t teach me anything about the swing or stroke, or the
chipping/bunker shot motion. He taught me the important elements of playing the game: how to warm up properly, how to exercise, what to eat, how to move the ball around the golf course. For example, if the pin was in the left corner of the green and the wind was moving to the right, how to position myself to make my second shot better. We encourage coaches to watch as much golf as they can. If you have a high-level player, seeing how she plays in competition is important. To help a 16-handicap become a 12, a lot of times it doesn’t have to do with the motion… And trust me, we love motion.
Below are some helpful keys to add to your toolbox to assist your students with playing the game better.
1. When profiling your student, ask him if he plays golf. Find out what he is doing to play golf. Think about the best golf you have ever seen played (this is different for each person) – what are those players doing to get better?
2. Help your student to understand subtly that golf isn’t just the swing or stroke or chipping motion, or the thing that is giving her trouble now. Golf is understanding how to move the ball from Point A to Point B to create a score. This includes preparation, follow-up work, and analysis. Other important elements include a nutrition program, physio program, a warmup before the round and a warm-down after the round. Time is not important here, but quality is essential. Perhaps most important is the ability to analyze what happened during a round to be better the next time. We love asking the student to identify three things that she did well during a round and three things she does not want to repeat.
3. In a closet of tools, rhythm and pace are the hangers for mechanics.
4. Having a consistent routine is so important to playing the game to the best of your ability. Patrick and Nelly have similar routines that they adhere to very carefully on competition days. Below is a sample of what components this might include.
• Wake-up time that affords the same number of hours for the routine below prior to a morning start time
• Pre-round breakfast, the same every time
• Warm-up in the gym
• Pre-round physio work
• Distance putts for speed, texture
• Calibration putts on a line
• Breaking putts
• Pitches from various distances
• Bunker shots from various distances
• Practice range warm up: 8-iron, 6-iron, 4-iron, hybrid, fairway wood, driver
• Roll a few more putts
• Arrive at the starting tee 4 minutes prior to starting time
The gentleman I referred to earlier that taught me to play golf was Chuck Wallace. He played collegiate golf at Long Beach State, was a former Long Beach City Champion, and one of the better players in our state. He was six years older than me, and I looked up to him as an older brother. When he passed away, I was flattered to be asked by his family to eulogize him. It was one of the hardest things I have done in my life as he was the one who made me fall in love with this beautiful game. During the eulogy, I asked for everyone who was a golfer, anyone who had watched golf, thought about playing, competed, been one of the best players ever – there were a couple of World Golf Hall of Fame Members in the audience – to make a swing for Chuck.
If you want to become a great coach, make a swing for yourself and know that any person (regardless of experience or ability level) could benefit from you teaching them how to play the game.
RULE THE SHORT GAME
4 STEPS TO DEVELOPING CONSISTENCY AND TOUCH AROUND THE GREEN
words by Michael Breed, PGA From GOLF DIGEST
MY FIRST YEAR AS A HEAD PRO, I gave a clinic one afternoon on chipping. After we finished, a student came up to me and said, “I didn’t like that. You never told us what club to hit on those shots.” Even though I was a novice teacher, I got it right that day. I could’ve told her what I would do in those spots, but she would’ve tried to memorize that and not discover it for herself. The right way depends on the golfer—the shots you like, your comfort level in different situations, the clubs you have confidence in. It’s not one-size-fits-all. In this article, I’m going to give you a few mechanical keys for playing around the greens but then encourage you to try different variables that affect the shots you hit—variables that alter trajectory, distance, spin and roll. So it’s part mechanics and part feel. If I gave you only mechanics, you’d be a robot and not very good at reacting to situations on the course. If I said it’s all feel, you’d have no starting point—no structure. My goal is to get you started, then set you on a path to self-discovery. A great short game is not given; it’s learned. Learned by practicing a few musts, yes, but mostly through experimentation. Let me put a bow on my story. Months later, the woman came back and said she understood what I was doing. She had developed a system for picking clubs and playing shots. She owned her short game—and so will you.
1. SWING THE HANDLE TO THE HIP
THE FIRST SKILL to learn in the short game is swinging the grip end of the club to the left through impact. This might seem oddly simple, but it’s absolutely critical. Swinging directly toward the target, which so many amateurs do, causes poor contact because the low point of the swing comes behind the ball. It also causes deceleration, because the club runs out of room going straight. Poor contact and deceleration are killers around the green.
Swinging the handle to the left moves the low point of the swing forward, so you hit the ball and then the ground. It also helps you make contact with the center of the face. And then there’s acceleration. You’re creating more space for the club to travel. Swinging left is the master move of the short game. So how do you do it? Get in your normal chipping setup, and practice swinging the handle through so it finishes very close to your front hip.
I call this “holstering the handle,” as if you were sticking the grip in a holster on your front hip (opposite page). Another way to think about it is that the heel pad of your right hand leads the knuckles at the top of the hand as you swing through. (You can focus on the left hand the same
way—heel leads knuckles.) If swinging through this way feels strange, it’s because you’re used to pushing the handle toward the target, which seems logical for a lot of golfers. But you have to get the handle going left.
2. PRE-SET TRAJECTORY IN THE SETUP
THE NEXT PIECE of the short game is how high you set the handle at address. This allows you to vary trajectory. Put simply, when the handle is high, you hit a lower shot; when the handle is low, you hit a higher shot. Let’s discuss.
Wherever you set the handle, the clubface will find its natural loft. Unless you manipulate it, the face will open or close, so the sole of the club sits flush to the ground. If you raise the handle, the heel comes up, so you have to close the face to get the sole to sit flush. If you lower the handle, the toe comes up, so you have to open the face to get the sole flush. Closing the face produces a low shot; opening it produces a high shot. That’s how handle height affects loft.
These variations cause changes to the stance as well. The more you raise the handle, the closer you have to get to the ball and the more you grip down. The more you lower the handle, the farther you stand back and the longer you hold the club. I teach three positions: standard (above, center), handle high (left) and handle low (right). Try them—they produce very different shots.
Final point: Handle position also helps you from different lies. If the ball is down in the grass, you need more dig. You get that from a closed face or a high handle. If the ball is sitting well, you can drop back and use more loft with an open face or a low handle. Now you’re building sophistication into your short game.
3. HAVE A PLAN BEFORE YOU PICK A CLUB NOW WE NEED TO ADD the most obvious variable for hitting different shots: club selection. Why didn’t we start with this? Because to be a good short-game player, you first have to understand how to hit the ball solid—that’s the handle going left. Then you have to know how the setup affects the shot—that’s handle height and the angle of the face. The next step is picking the right club for the job.
When I miss a green, I take four or five clubs to my ball. I then look at the lie, how far I need to fly the
ball and the ideal rollout. Different clubs give me different flights and rolls. But that’s not where it ends. I can use any of my clubs in any of the three setups we discussed—standard, handle high, handle low—to hit at least three different shots per club.
There’s another piece that alters trajectory, and for that we go back to Lesson 1: swinging the handle left. You always want to swing it left, but how sharply you go left affects how high the ball flies. Think of a highway with three consecutive lefthand exits. If you swing the handle down the first exit, it moves quickly to the left and gets very close to your left hip. That produces a higher shot. If you take the second exit, that’s the standard shot. If you take the third—still going left the same amount, just on a longer arc—that produces a lower shot. Put these exits into the mix, and the number of shots you can hit multiplies. The fun part is playing around with them.
4. CREATE A FRAMEWORK USING FLIGHTTO-ROLL ON THE COURSE, you want to play with clarity. Develop a club-selection system with the standard positions. For example, with your sand wedge at the middle handle height and taking the middle-left exit, how far does the ball fly and roll?
For me, that s my 50-50 shot (see my ratios, right). Now here’s the question: To hit a higher shot, do you grab the lob wedge, or do you lower the handle or go left faster? It’s self-discovery. For consistency, use one type of ball—the ball you play with— when experimenting. And after you have flightto-roll ratios, be willing to adjust them for course conditions, like fast greens, or the situation, like an uphill lie. You’ll get there, and remember, there’s no substitute for doing it yourself.
‘SWING THE GRIP AROUND TO YOUR FRONT HIP. DON’T PUSH IT TOWARD THE TARGET.’ ‘HOW CLOSE YOO STAND TO THE HALL HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON THE SHOT YOU HIT: MOVE IN CLOSE FOR ALOW SHOT; STAND HACK FOR A HIGH ONE.’
‘DIFFERENT CLUBS CAN PRODUCE DIFFERENT SHOTS—OR THE SAME SHOTS. YOU DECIDE BY HOW YOU SET UP AND SWING.’
THE ART OF MOVING FROM MECHANICS TO MASTERY COACHING THROUGH PSYCHOLOGY
words by Dave Phillips, PGA Co-Founder TPI
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
“ ”
The real measure of a coach is not how well their students follow instructions— it’s how well they perform when the instructions fall away.
Opening Analogy – Letting Go of the Seat
Imagine teaching someone to ride a bike. At first, you run alongside them, holding the seat steady, reminding them about balance, pedaling, and steering. But you know the goal isn’t to keep holding on—it’s to let go. Golf works the same way. When teaching or learning complex movements like the golf swing, we start with a simplified, step-by-step approach. The aim is to make the task digestible—breaking it down into clear, bite-sized components.
1. Starting With Structure
We begin by isolating each part of the action: stand tall, hinge from the hips, bend the knees, grip the club. In sprinting, the cues might be “drive the thigh” or “push the ground away.” In driving a car, it’s “clutch in, shift, clutch out.” These early-stage instructions are like training wheels—essential for stability and understanding. But they are not the final destination.
2. From Instructions to Integration
“At first, you tell the body what to do. Eventually,
the body tells you what’s possible.” Real skill emerges not from perfecting isolated parts, but from the interactions between them. At the start, explicit instruction is essential: how to stand, where to position the ball, how to hold the club. But over time, a skilled coach steps back, allowing the athlete to feel their way through, letting instinct take the wheel. Elite athletes aren’t reciting mental checklists mid-performance—they’re responding to feedback from the club, the ball, and the environment in real time. This is the critical transition: from mechanical execution to embodied performance. The training wheels come off, and coordination takes over.
3. The Architecture of Skill
In the beginning: arms, torso, hips, legs operate separately; cognitive load is high; movement may look stiff and unnatural. With repetition: components link into efficient, repeating patterns; these patterns become “sticky” under pressure; movement flows with adaptability and confidence. When this happens, the golfer no longer uses their body—they are their movement.
4. The Misconception of the “Perfect Part”
A common error is believing mastery comes from perfecting each part in isolation. While we start by breaking down movements, true expertise lies in the relationships—how parts work together and adapt to the moment. Skill shows itself in adaptability, responsiveness to environmental cues, and balance maintained under pressure.
5. Understanding Your Student’s Unique Movement Patterns
“No two athletes move in exactly the same way. Coaching is about discovering, not imposing.” Each student brings a movement signature—a combination of physical traits, strengths, and tendencies. Recognizing this is the cornerstone of effective coaching.
Why It Matters
1. Personalized Instruction – Tailor cues to the individual, speeding up progress and reducing frustration.
2. Movement Efficiency – Refine natural tendencies rather than forcing rigid templates.
3. Injury Prevention – Identify and correct risky patterns before they cause harm.
4. Confidence & Trust – When athletes feel understood, they engage more fully in the learning process.
5. Skill Transfer – Align training with natural movement for seamless real-world application.
6. Long-Term Development – Track movement evolution for sustainable growth and skill retention.
Case Study: Jon Rahm – Turning Limitations Into Strengths
One of the clearest examples of the power of understanding an athlete’s movement pattern is Jon Rahm, currently one of the most consistent and successful golfers in the world. Rahm was born with a clubfoot, a condition that required extensive surgery on his right leg when he was an infant. As a result, his right ankle has limited mobility and his right leg is slightly shorter than his left. These physical realities mean he cannot make the same long, high-turn backswing seen in many tour players. Instead of forcing Rahm into a “textbook” swing that his body couldn’t comfortably perform, his coaches built around his natural range of motion. He developed a shorter, more compact backswing, paired with explosive rotational speed and precise sequencing. This not only reduced strain on his body but also created a motion that is repeatable under pressure. His swing may not match a traditional model, but it perfectly matches him—and that’s why it holds up in the biggest moments. This is the essence of great coaching:
- Understanding the athlete’s physical realitiesBuilding a technique that works with their body, not against it - Focusing on consistency, efficiency, and pressure-proof mechanics Rahm’s story is a reminder that physical “limitations” often contain the seeds of unique strengths. By embracing an athlete’s movement signature instead of trying to overwrite it, coaches can help them reach—and sustain—elite performance levels.
6. The Coach’s Role in True Mastery
A great coach provides structure early, gradually reduces verbal guidance, encourages exploration and self-discovery, and values adaptability over mechanical perfection.
Call to Action
As a coach, your mission is to balance structure with freedom, instruction with exploration. Guide your students early, but remember—the goal is independence, adaptability, and joy in movement. Teach them to ride with the training wheels, but mastery only arrives when you let go of the seat.
Photo: PGA of America
FIVE THINGS THAT I PREFER TO SEE IN A GOLF SWING AND WHY
words by Tom Rezendes, PGA Owner, NorCal Golf Academy California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
As golf instructors we know that there are endless ways to swing the golf club. We see it all the time on the different professional tours as well as at our facilities and on the range. I think most if not all instructors tend to have things that they prefer to see in the golf swing. After teaching Golf for the past 20 years, here are the top five things that I like to see in a golf swing, and why.
WHAT: A stable trail femur and some trail side hip adduction on the back swing.
WHY: Stabilizing the femur and creating adduction in the backswing allows a lot of good things to happen. From improved foot-ground interaction to activating the glutes and deep hip rotators you will have a more consistent pressure shift and take advantage of the stretch shorten cycle of the muscles involved. This move also allows the hip to function as designed and helps minimize trail knee hyper extension and stress on the lumbar spine.
WHAT: A lead hand to Club face orientation that matches the players desired ball fight and their pivot.
WHY: Depending on how the player pivots and maintains structure of the trail arm and wrists the grip can and does play a big role in creating advantageous conditions for impact and consistent clubface relationships. Too strong a grip and the player will have to extend the lead wrist coming into Impact and will probably not have a flat lead wrist coming into the ball. I see this a lot in juniors who have overly strong grips. Consequently, a lot of these players will typically hang back and have low point issues.
WHAT: The lead side of the pelvis slightly lower than the trail side with an iron, and a level pelvis with the driver.
WHY: A common fault I see with the average golfer is that they set up with their pelvis either level or lead side low with an iron, which is fine in my opinion. But when they switch to the driver, they will maintain this pelvic relationship, and it can cause path and angle of attack issues. I routinely look at my students from behind to keep this characteristic in check.
WHAT: A centered torso relative to the pelvis on the backswing for all clubs.
WHY: Keeping your upper and lower centers stacked on top of each other has many benefits. When the upper and lower centers get too far off from each other at the top of the back swing, it can cause some issues on the downswing with low point control, and with rotation. Once the golfer starts applying vertical force with their lead leg that force will move up through the body, and if the upper center is off the lower center too much it can cause excessive side bend and hanging back. An upper center too far behind the lower center on the downswing can also put additional stress on the low back.
WHAT: From a down the line view, no in and out of plane motion of the club shaft on the back swing or the down swing.
WHY: Since we grip the club at a distance from the center of mass, any force applied to the grip will cause a rotation in the opposite direction of the force applied. This angular response needs to be controlled with torque. One of the more common examples of this is when the average amateur golfer gets the club too far across the line at the top of their backswing. When their hand path starts to move down and out in the downswing, you will see the clubhead have very little movement as the club shaft rotates around the center of mass of the club. At that point the hands and grip are too far out to control the center of mass and the clubhead in a desirable fashion, and you will get an early steepening of the club in transition that will then turn into a late shallowing. I have found that if you can keep the club’s center of mass more in line with the pulling motion of the arms, you will have a much more consistent swing, and the accompanying body motions will be much more desirable.
The Business of Golf Instruction
words by Devan Bonebrake Partner, Studio Golf
Within the business of Golf Instruction there are many pillars in which we can generate revenue, and even within those Pillars are a variety of buckets to fill up. I was fortunate enough to spend the first 8 years of my career working for Jim McLean and see firsthand how one of the best of all time was able to monetize and scale his business.
Fast forward to today many of those opportunities still exist, however the advent of social media, in addition to the golf explosion from Covid has absolutely opened additional doors for all of us to capitalize on our expertise.
I think it is important for teaching professionals to understand the different avenues available, and although having multiple revenue sources is a plus, make sure that they pursue the 1-3 that really fit their skillset and interest.
The way I like to look at this is to separate the opportunities into four different categories, with multiple directions within each one. Instruction
• In Person Private
• Golf Schools
• Corporate Clinics
• Corporate Outings
• Group Lessons/Playing Lessons
• Virtual Live
• Virtual Video Review
• LTD Coaching Programs
• Elite Junior Boarding Schools
• Exclusive Client Retainers
• Tour Players: Day Rates/ Percent Splits/ Bonuses
• Coaching Coaches (Coaches Camp Andrew Rice, TPI, Plane Truth, Jeff Smith – Inner Circle
Physical Spaces
• Driving Ranges (Carlsbad Golf Center, Stadium Driving Range etc.)
• Golf Courses (Goat Hill Park)
• Functional Training Gyms: Fit Motion Lab
• Custom Fitting and Building: True Spec, Club Champion
• Simulator Rentals and Clubs (Entertainment): 5iron Golf, X Golf, The Golf Bar
As we can see there are a lot of options and it’s very difficult to be great at all of these. For me, I want to pick the 2-4 areas that I feel I am best at, and that I can leverage my strengths and or network. Ideally where they can play off each other and are mutually beneficial.
Scalability: In general, the area where teaching professionals spend the most time is Private Instruction. However, this is probably the least scalable business model listed above. Again, not saying everyone does, and not saying it’s a bad thing because that is still where I spend a lot of my time. However, if we are looking at growing our business, ideally you would be able to scale on some level.
For me I wanted to leverage my expertise and visibility on The Golf Channel, and network to fill a gap in the industry that I could potentially scale across the country or even globally. I saw through teaching day in and day out that it wasn’t just the lesson itself that was so important, it was the time in between the lessons that really was the differentiator if someone improved or not. Although at times students may progress slowly due to lack of practice, I would also argue it is even more due to lack of practice quality. I wanted and needed to find a way to give my students and really all golfers the ability to practice with the same feedback they got in their lesson. That is where Studio Golf was born.
Model vs. Capital? Although it can seem daunting, capital can be somewhat easy to acquire given the right business plan coupled with personal background. The key is having a sellable concept to potential business partners or investors (I will use Studio Golf as an example)
Why is the concept unique or better?
We wanted to bridge the gap between the luxury gym/wellness club and the typical indoor simulator rental businesses. Somewhere people could call a second home and really feel as though they had a place to go daily.
How much capital Is needed to launch?
Studio Golf Locations range from $1-2 million to open.
How long until profitability?
When ran correctly (very important) they should become profitable within 6 months or less.
What’s the payback timeline? 2-3 years depending on the size and location.
What are the margins during payback, and then after?
30-50 percent margins per location.
Is this scalable? Any potential for a large exit?
Absolutely, however quality is key, and we have found less locations that are larger and location specific may be better than a larger number of small locations.
How much time can you spend on this without jeopardizing your income or savings too much? For me it was about 30 hours per week for 3 years. Teaching less but leveraging higher paying coaching opportunities made this easier. Such as corporate clinics, endorsements, golf schools, TV etc.
Figuring this out first can make it much easier to pull the trigger and or get help in pushing the business concept to the finish line.
This is just one example, however. Within California and throughout the country there are so many coaches that have excelled in the Golf Instruction Business via one or more of the avenues I listed at the start. Golf is such an incredible game that introduces us to so many successful and intelligent people that can help us. I would encourage all coaches to really take some time and methodically look at their passion, skillset, network, and goals. From there strategically pick which avenues would most likely lead to success and start a plan. It’s a very exciting, rewarding, difficult and eye-opening experience that can absolutely change your life.
SECTION 1
Excellence in Coaching
The Mind Behind the Swing: Coaching Through Psychology
words by Dr. Alison Curdt, PGA, PGA Master Professional, LPGA Master Professional
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
For decades, golf instruction has focused primarily on technique—mechanics of the swing, ball flight laws, and physical movement patterns. While these elements are undoubtedly important, they represent only part of the performance equation. The modern coach must also consider what’s happening between the ears of the golfer. To truly coach the whole player, we must understand the mind behind the swing.
At every level of the game, players carry with them mental habits, emotional tendencies, and internal narratives that shape how they learn and perform. Some students arrive on the lesson tee motivated and open, while others may be anxious, self-critical, or resistant to change. As coaches, our ability to recognize these traits, and adjust our approach accordingly, can be the difference between a productive session and a frustrating one.
Understanding a student’s psychological profile is a game-changer. Is the student internally or externally motivated? Do they respond better to process-based feedback or outcome-based goals? Are they perfectionistic and overly focused on results, or are they disengaged and unsure of their potential? Learning to ask the right questions and listen actively allows coaches to go beyond swing corrections and truly connect with the human being holding the club.
One of the most common psychological challenges golfers face is fear of failure. For many students, a poor shot in a lesson isn’t just a physical miss, it can be perceived as personal failure. This fear leads to tension, second-guessing, and reluctance to make changes, even when change is necessary for improvement. When we, as coaches, ignore this reality, we risk reinforcing those negative experiences.
Another common barrier is information overload. Well-meaning coaches often give too much verbal instruction or too many swing thoughts, assuming more input equals better understanding. However, most players, especially under pressure, can only process a limited amount of information. A psychologically informed coach knows when to simplify, when to focus on one key task, and when to step back to allow space for learning.
One of the most powerful shifts a coach can make is moving from a one-size-fits-all model to an athlete-centered approach. This means adjusting not only what we teach, but how we teach it. Some players thrive on external cues (“Brush the grass”); others benefit from internal sensations (“Feel your trail elbow stay connected”). Some students need detailed explanations to feel secure, while others improve faster with constraint-based or gamebased learning.
Additionally, understanding emotional intelligence, both your own and your student’s, can improve the tone and tempo of a lesson. A frustrated student may need encouragement before correction. A distracted player may benefit more from goal setting than technical feedback. By reading body language, tone, and facial expressions, coaches can better time their interventions for maximum impact.
Coaches also have an incredible opportunity to help students build mental performance skills while working on their game. Even without being a trained psychologist, a coach can help a student develop routines, improve focus, manage emotions, and reframe negative self-talk. For example:
• During short game drills, help students set process-oriented goals and evaluate success based on execution, not outcome.
• When working on mechanics, encourage selftalk that supports patience, effort, and growth rather than judgment.
• Use pressure-based practice (e.g., challenges with consequences) to simulate performance environments and build coping skills.
Integrating even small mental coaching strategies into lessons can boost a student’s confidence and help them develop psychological resilience that translates to the course.
Finally, coaches must be intentional about creating a psychologically safe environment. A student who fears embarrassment or judgment will not take risks—and learning requires risk. Praise effort, celebrate small wins, and encourage curiosity. Mistakes should be reframed as opportunities to gather feedback rather than proof of inadequacy. A simple but powerful phrase to use with students: “What did you notice?” This question invites reflection, autonomy, and self-awareness—key components of long-term development.
Ultimately, coaching through psychology is not about adding more to your plate—it’s about deepening your impact. By understanding your students’ minds, you can better guide their swings. You can help them move past fear, embrace challenge, and find joy in the learning process. The best coaches are not just teachers of technique. They are motivators, mentors, and mind-readers. They help players build confidence, trust themselves under pressure, and approach the game with clarity and composure.
When we see the person inside the player, we open the door to more meaningful, lasting improvement—and we remind our students that their minds, like their swings, can be trained.
Practice vs. Play 100% Mental
words by Randy Chang, PGA California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
the same motion becomes tense, forced, or unrecognizable.
Sports psychologist Dr. Joe Parent captured this paradox best when asked what percentage of golf is mental versus physical. His response: “Golf is 90% mental and 10% mental.”
1. Hit-the-Ball Mode (Photo Above)
This is where almost every beginner—and many average players—live. Their entire focus is on making contact with the ball. The problem? This mindset blocks learning. It reinforces one of the
biggest myths in golf: that success depends on hand-eye coordination and “keeping your head down.” In reality, the ball isn’t moving. The task is simply to return the club to its starting point.
When players are locked in “hit mode,” making mechanical changes becomes extremely difficult. Our job as coaches is to help them move past this stage and shift their focus away from the ball itself.
because there’s no reaction to an outside stimulus like in baseball, hockey, or tennis.
The conflict comes when a ball or a target with hazards is introduced. Suddenly, a third thought creeps in—and the original swing focus is lost. For beginners, swing mode accelerates physical change. For advanced players, it provides a fallback when their feel disappears, and target/feel mode breaks down.
advanced players, keeping them anchored in target/ feel mode is the key to playing their best golf.
3. Swing Mode (Photo Top Right)
This is the purest practice mindset. In swing mode, there’s no ball to hit and no target to reach. The focus is solely on executing a specific physical motion—just as in a practice swing. In this state, players can use one thought going back and one thought through the finish. It’s the only sport where you can “think your way” through the motion,
A.I. On The Tee
words by Gregg McHatton, PGA Vista Valencia Golf Course
In an era where swing speeds are measured to the decimal and biomechanics are no longer reserved for tour vans and labs, one truth is rising like a well-struck drive into the morning sun: AI isn’t coming to golf instruction—it’s already here. And the best part? You don’t need a subscription. You just need your phone.
Picture this: you’re on the tee, sun on your shoulders, a student beside you wrestling with the mystery of their own swing. Something’s off—tempo, transition, maybe something deeper. In that moment, AI becomes your quiet coteacher. No fanfare, no tech drama—just a quick question into your phone: “What’s a good feel drill for a 60-year-old with lumbar issues who early extends?” The answer arrives in seconds, tailored to your student’s needs, rooted in biomechanics, and ready for you to deliver in your own teaching style.
Why Every PGA Teaching Professional Should Carry AI in Their Pocket
(Even Without a Subscription)
A New Level of Awareness
One of the biggest changes with the jump from GPT-4 to GPT-5 is how much better it “sees” and understands visuals. In the past, you could ask AI about a picture, but its answers were limited. Now, you can drop in a still image or even a frame from a swing video, and GPT-5 can describe exactly what it sees—the shaft lean, the hip rotation, the pressure shift—and relate that to the mechanics you’re working on.
This is more than just labeling parts of an image. GPT-5 connects what it sees to golf knowledge, so it might say, “Your lead wrist is flat, trail elbow is tucked, but the right heel is still grounded — that could be holding back your rotation through impact.” It’s like getting a second set of eyes with an encyclopedic memory for swings, drills, and biomechanics.
For teaching, this means you can capture a swing, feed it into AI, and get instant, relevant feedback— even on the tee. It’s not replacing your judgment, but it’s giving you another angle, literally, on what’s happening.
Why You Can Trust What It Sees
When AI describes a swing image, it’s not guessing. It uses computer vision to map joints, lines, and club positions, then matches those patterns to thousands of golf swings, biomechanics studies, and instructional examples from its training. It cross-references what it sees with golf-specific movement models—tour pro positions, common swing faults, and kinetic chain principles—before describing it in plain teaching language. If image quality, camera angle, or lighting make something unclear, it will flag that rather than invent details. This means the feedback you get is grounded in real swing patterns, biomechanics knowledge, and transparent reasoning—making it both useful and reliable.
The magic doesn’t stop when the lesson ends. AI follows you home. It helps you dig deeper into each student’s learning style, suggests alternative ways to teach a concept, and cross-checks your ideas against solid research. It’s like having a panel of experts in your pocket, ready when you are.
Every great instructor collects ideas—drills, seminar notes, tips from mentors. But too often they’re scattered in notebooks, emails, or buried on your phone. A personal teaching knowledge base is simply one place to keep it all. It could be Apple Notes, a folder on your phone, or whatever you already use. Save it, give it a short title, add a couple of keywords.
Here’s where AI changes everything. Instead of digging for that one great drill, you just ask: “Show me all my drills for players who struggle to clear their left hip.” In seconds, your library appears— ready to help you on the tee, between lessons, or while planning a clinic.
And this is only the beginning. Very soon, keeping your knowledge base will be as easy as keeping score. The tools will get smarter, faster, and more connected, organizing your notes automatically, spotting patterns you didn’t see, and handing you
the perfect drill at the perfect moment. What’s a nice-to-have today will become something you simply can’t teach without. Start yours now, and it will grow with you—lesson by lesson, idea by idea.
AI can also help you become a better presenter. It can structure a junior camp so each session builds on the last, script a one-minute introduction that captures attention, or give you three different ways to explain ground reaction force depending on whether your audience is a beginner, a junior, or a tour player. On the tee, if a student isn’t connecting with your explanation, you can ask AI for two more analogies and a quick visual, keeping the momentum without skipping a beat.
Best of all, the most powerful tools already have free versions you can use today—no subscription required. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, and others work right from the phone already in your pocket.
The instructors who start building their knowledge base now will have years of organized wisdom ready when this becomes the norm—and that day is coming fast.
Your First Step Starts Today
Don’t wait for the “perfect” time or the “perfect” setup. After your very next lesson, open a free AI app and ask it one question about what you just taught. Let it give you a fresh drill, a clearer cue, or a better way to explain it. Save that answer in your knowledge base. Do it once a day for a week. By this time next week, you won’t remember how you taught without it.
This isn’t about replacing you—it’s about amplifying you. AI is a second set of eyes, a research assistant, a practice planner, a biomechanics consultant, and a master explainer that never tires. You already carry tees, alignment rods, notebooks, and swing aids. Why not carry the most powerful assistant you’ve ever known?
The great instructors of tomorrow won’t compete with AI—they’ll collaborate with it. And those who do won’t just teach the game. They’ll evolve it.
With AI in your pocket, you’re not just giving lessons. You’re shaping the future of instruction.
FROM INSTRUCTOR TO COACH:
ARE WE TEACHING GOLF SWINGS OR SCORING?
words by Glenn Deck, PGA Pelican Hill Golf Club California PGA Teaching Hall
of Fame Member
My Fellow PGA Professionals,
A quick question for you: Are you coaching players to score—or just to swing like a tour player? Too many lessons focus on flawless mechanics, textbook positions, and the picture-perfect swing! But even Tour pros only hit 66–72% of fairways and greens. So why obsess over perfect swings when our role as coaches should include preparing amateurs for real-world golf and how to shoot lower scores.
Real coaching starts with helping golfers manage their game, not just their motion.
1. Keep It in Play
It is important to instruct students in solid fundamentals that are suited to their bodies and optimal movement patterns. Focus on a golf swing that works for them to produce solid golf shots with greater ball flight control. Many amateurs struggle off the tee, and trouble compounds quickly. Prioritize teaching a repeatable, reliable swing that matches each student’s body type, physical capabilities, and strengths. The goal is to minimize lost balls, out-of-bounds shots, and penalties, not to create a tour-caliber swing for every player. Too often, instructors aim for technical perfection at the expense of teaching golfers how to control their ball and playing the game. Teach them a reliable swing that can reproduce ball control on the golf course.
2. Build a Solid Short Game (Inside 30 Yards)
Most of your students will miss a majority of greens in regulation during a typical round. Teach them a variety of chip and pitch shots that enable them to consistently leave themselves within 8 feet of the hole. While improving proximity from 25 feet to 12 feet is progress, the real breakthrough in scoring happens when they regularly get their ball inside that critical 8-foot circle. Work with each student to develop a repeatable short game motion tailored to their physical traits with solid ball control.
3. Become a Great Putter, Especially Inside Eight Feet
Putting is the most accessible area for rapid improvement with the right coaching. Help your students become consistent lag putters and great from inside eight feet. This is critical to improving their scores. Technical putting skills should be approached with the same seriousness as the full swing, but once again develop a putting stroke that matches the individual. If you don’t teach putting consider sending them to one of my putting schools. You are welcome to watch and learn new skills to help your students in the future. Final Thought- High handicappers hit 2–4 greens in regulation. Mid handicappers hit 4–7. Most golfers miss more than half their greens. The players who keep it in play, who chip and pitch it close, and average 30 putts or less are the ones who shoot lower scores. Teach all aspects of the game. That’s coaching—not just instructing. Let’s shift the focus. Coach smarter, not prettier.
THE FUTURE OF GOLF COACHING:
INTEGRATING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL PERFORMANCE
words by Dr. Rick Sessinghaus, PGA Co-founder of FLOWCODE
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
As the game of golf continues to evolve, so does the way we approach training and coaching. While traditional methods have focused on the technical and physical aspects of performance, there’s a growing recognition that mental and emotional elements play a crucial role in a golfer’s success. The future of golf coaching lies in understanding the integration of these psychological components and creating an environment where players can unlock their full potential.
The Shift Towards Mental & Emotional Training
The “mental game,” requires players to perform under pressure, navigate challenges, and maintain focus across an entire round. More than ever, top-level athletes in all sports recognize that a strong mind is just as important as a strong body. This understanding is shifting the paradigm of golf coaching. While technical skills—like swing mechanics and course management—remain vital, emotional regulation and mental conditioning are becoming key components of a player’s toolkit. The emphasis on mental and emotional performance is reflected in recent innovations in coaching tools. Technologies such as HeartMath for emotional regulation, FocusCalm for focus and brainwave training, and the Neuropeak NTEL belt for breathing mechanics are transforming how coaches prepare their players. These tools enable players to train their brains just as rigorously as their bodies, leading to more consistent performances and better decision making under pressure.
Bringing the Flow State to the Forefront
One of the most exciting advancements in golf coaching is the concept of the “flow state”, a psychological condition where athletes experience peak performance, often referred to as being “in the zone.” When in flow, golfers can perform at their best with minimal effort, often feeling as though the game is effortless and every shot is instinctively perfect.
As a coach, creating an environment conducive to entering flow is crucial. This involves integrating mental priming techniques, pre-shot routines, and emotional regulation exercises that help players transition from a fear or stress state into a calm, focused, and confident flow state. Developing a flow-inducing training environment—which includes fun and challenging exercises, focused routines, and the use of biofeedback devices—can significantly enhance a player’s ability to perform under pressure.
Training the Mind: The Role of Cognitive Behavioral Techniques
Golf’s mental game can often be hindered by anxiety, self-doubt, and negative thinking, especially in high-pressure situations like tournament play. I have been integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques into golf coaching to help players identify and challenge negative thought patterns. By replacing selfcriticism with positive affirmations and constructive self-talk, players can stay focused and present during their rounds.
Additionally, cognitive skills such as resilience and mental toughness are critical in helping players recover from mistakes and stay composed throughout a round. For example, using “mental resets” after a missed putt or errant shot can refocus the mind and quickly restore confidence.
The Importance of Emotional Regulation
Emotions play a pivotal role in golf. From excitement after a great shot to frustration after a poor performance, emotions can significantly influence how a player approaches the next shot. Effective coaches will teach their players not just how to hit the perfect shot, but how to handle their emotions before, during, and after a round. Emotional regulation techniques, such as controlled breathing, mindfulness, and visualization, help players maintain composure
and avoid the “rollercoaster” effect of fluctuating emotions. I use tools like HeartMath and the Neuropeak NTEL belt which provide real-time feedback on emotional states, allowing players to learn to regulate their breath, heart rate variability (HRV) and maintain focus and calm throughout their game.
The Intersection of Technology and Coaching
As golf coaching continues to embrace the mental and emotional aspects of performance, we are seeing an increasing reliance on cuttingedge technologies that integrate biofeedback, neurofeedback, and VR-based mental training tools. These innovations enable players to visualize shots, simulate high-pressure scenarios, and track their mental and emotional states, enhancing their overall performance.
Virtual reality (VR) applications, such as immersive golf simulations, allow players to simulate tournament conditions and practice managing emotions in high stakes situations. VR can be a powerful tool in preparing golfers for the mental demands of the game, providing a safe space to experience and overcome performance anxiety.
FLOWCODE: Advancing Mental Performance Training
In the realm of mental performance, I created FLOWCODE as a comprehensive platform designed to help individuals achieve and sustain the flow state—the optimal mental state for performance.
FLOWCODE provides a structured approach to mental training, offering over 700 flow triggers and programs that encompass various aspects of performance, including focus, emotional regulation, and cognitive enhancement. The platform combines the latest neuroscientific research with practical techniques, integrating elements such as breathwork, kinesiology, and mindfulness to facilitate the flow state. For golf coaches, FLOWCODE presents a valuable
resource. It offers a white-labeled portal that allows coaches to deliver personalized mental game training to their students, creating a powerful new revenue stream. Through this platform, coaches can provide structured programs, track progress, and offer tailored support to help golfers master the mental aspects of the game.
The future of golf coaching is not just about refining a player’s technical skills; it’s about developing their mental and emotional fortitude to help them perform at their best when it matters most. By integrating technologies like HeartMath, FocusCalm, and the Neuropeak NTEL belt, and adopting mental training techniques like flow state facilitation and cognitive-behavioral strategies, coaches can prepare players for the mental and emotional challenges they will face on the course. Golf coaching is moving into a new era where the mind is just as important as the body. Coaches who embrace this holistic approach will be at the forefront of training the next generation of golfers, helping them not only master their swing but also their minds. The integration of mental, emotional, and physical training is the future of golf coaching, and it is here now.
Become a Mind Reader with this Powerful Exercise
words by Tim Mitchell, PGA Pelican Hill Golf Club
Catchy Title, is it not? Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, I really don’t know how to read minds or teach that skill set to others. Because I can’t read minds, and playfully tease my students of my limitation, I’ve learned to ask one powerful question. A question that allows for open communication with my clients and makes mind reading unnecessary. Let’s see if the following discussion is a noteworthy tool that can help you positively impact your student’s golf games with fewer negative consequences.
You’re at your coaching facility working on an important concept that should dramatically improve your student’s ability to play golf at a higher level. Your student dutifully attempts to implement the new swing motion and displays any one of a wide array of emotions, from intense happiness to defeated frustration. Regardless of
the displayed emotion, it’s incredibly important for us, as coaches, to be able to dig a little deeper. We need to understand how much more energy needs to be implemented into that new technique or whether to pivot to plan B, C or D. What does that conversation look like?
I begin with this simple question linked with the following measurement instrument. How easy was that concept for you to implement and execute? I then ask my student to measure themselves on a scale of 1 to 10. Ten is something that is easy to do and one is on the opposite side of the spectrum. I have been playing this game for over 40 years. One notion I wish I’d learned earlier was this specific skill of measuring how I perform. If I had been introduced to this question earlier in my own journey of playing this game, I believe I would have had the power and voice to move on
from techniques that were too difficult for me to learn or did not match up to my own personal background. I’d love to give that skill to golfers of all levels, as well as help develop your ability to pivot away from swing concepts that do not match your student. Let’s take a deeper look into some of the possible scenarios you might experience with this question.
If our student gives you a response of 10, give yourself a pat on the back. You shared the most impactful concept that is incredibly easy for your student to do. They’re going to be walking away from their lesson thinking that is money well spent, and the game of golf just got more enjoyable and easier. You will be on your way to earning the title of “Wizard” and will hopefully see your lesson book grow based upon your client telling all their friends of your amazing abilities.
If our student’s response is a one, how can you pivot to more positively impact your student’s needs?
1. First, don’t panic. Don’t let your student panic. Let your student know there are many solutions to solve this problem. I always like using the following analogy as an example. Can two whole numbers be added together to equal ten? The obvious answer is yes, but there are multiple examples to use. One plus nine works and so does four plus six. If you add negative numbers to the equation, there is an infinite number of variables to help us solve your problem. In my humble opinion, golf works the same way. There is an infinite number of ways to solve any student’s problem.
2. Provide an alternative feel. Perhaps the technique you provided is your first preference. Use that same concept, but have your student apply a different feel. Instead of, “Make a bigger shoulder turn”, encourage your student to feel like they, “Get their right shoulder closer to the target”, or “Feel like their left shoulder gets behind the ball at the top part of their backswing movement”. Be creative!
3. Provide an alternative concept. If your student is fighting a slice ball flight, how many ways can you help your student add draw ball flight characteristics to their technique, through movement or set up? A stronger grip, more forearm rotation, a different downswing sequence. Let your knowledge of the game dazzle your student!
4. Be ready and even consider implementing a game plan for your students to try many concepts. Let your student hit five to ten golf balls with each concept. Encourage your student to start rating each idea to identify which technical concept performs best, is easiest to execute, and performs at the level and consistency that they prefer.
There are so many positives to implementing this form of communication with your students.
First, it encourages you, as a golf coach, to keep learning. All your students have unique athletic backgrounds and physical make ups. There are going to be certain skills that are easier to implement than others. There is a smaller chance that your students leave frustrated. You evolve into a coach that is less of a method teacher.
Second, when one skill is failing your student for the day, they have a series of back up plans that they have already tested, under your direct tutelage. That is a recipe for better confidence and results.
Third, we as an industry start to change the culture that suggests there is only one way to resolve problems within our game. I want to encourage you to feel like you need an infinite number of tools to help you impact your student’s ability to play at a higher level. Never stop learning. It will foster your love of the game and your student’s will love you for it.
I hope you’ve found this information to be thought provoking and interesting. I’m confident this question will help you achieve better results at a higher rate with your students and help all involved parties avoid poor performing rabbit holes. Good luck!
words by John R. Thomas, PT, DPT, OCS Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical
Specialist
TPI Certified Level 3 Medical Next year I turn the big 5-0 and become eligible for the Champions Tour. Dream big, right?
A few years ago, I noticed my distance vision was starting to decline. I was playing golf with my brother and after hitting an approach shot, he said “great shot man!”, but I thought my ball was short of the green. The other day on a par three I thought my ball was going long and yelled “fore”, causing some fear in the players a group ahead of me. As I got close to the green, I noticed my shot went nowhere near them. That got me thinking about vision and how it applies to this great game of golf.
CANYOUBELIEVEWHATYOUSEE?
The visual system plays a role in every aspect of your golf game. How you set up to the ball, read a putt, how well you see a target, maintain your balance, and even release your body during the swing. In this article I wanted to just highlight a few things that could be useful tools and applicable to a player you may be working with. I’ll also reference a few websites to help find a “Developmental or Behavioral Optometrist” if you or your student is looking for someone.
I want to share with you some things that really helped me. First off, I’m right eye dominant. You can find this out by having your player make a circle with their thumb and index finger with both hands. Have them place the circles on top of each other and look through the circle at your nose. Whatever eye they use to see your nose is their dominant eye. 80% of the population has their dominant eye on same side as their dominant hand (sameside dominance). 20% of the population has their dominant eye on the opposite side of their dominant hand (cross-dominance).
Eye dominance rules of thumb for putting:
• Same side dominance players like to have the ball back in their stance
• Cross-dominance players like to have the ball forward in their stance
• Same side dominance players like to open their stance
• Cross-dominance players like to have a square stance
Alignment Test:
Speaking from experience I have trouble aligning myself square to a target. This is one of the hardest skills for many golfers and things we need to constantly work on. For ball striking have the player set up to a visible target and check the alignment with the following segments:
• Heels
• Pelvis
• Thorax
• Club Face
For putting you can perform an alignment test by placing a tee on a flat putting surface 15 feet away from a cup and tie a 20-foot string to the tee. Have the player stand over the tee as if it were a golf ball and try to pick a spot between the tee and the hole that is a direct line between the tee and the cup. Mark the exact spot the player chooses with the tip of another tee. You can then take the end of the string and pull it tight over the players spot to see if the player picked the right spot. If the string is right or left of the cup repeat the test with the player standing behind the tee versus hovering over top of it. See which angle of alignment works best for the player.
Stereopsis – Depth Perception
Lastly, I wanted to talk about numerical and perceived depth perception. One way to test the players numerical depth perception is by throwing two golf balls at various distances. Have the player guess that exact distance to the inch for each ball. Once they guess the distance use a tape measure and compare. You can test the players perceived depth perception by throwing the golf ball out in front of a player and once they are ready have them close their eyes and try to walk out the exact distance to the ball in front of them. With their arm extended holding out a ball have them drop the ball when they think they are at the exact distance.
If the player consistently guesses short or long during the numerical depth perception test or drops the ball consistently short or long during the perceived depth perception test, this may be a clue to them having esophoria or exophoria, which are types of eye misalignment.
I hope this offers or reminds us of some things we can look at to help make the golfer better.
Websites to check out and reference: www.visualprocessingintitute.com www.covd.org
The Importance of “Why” and “Style” in Modern Golf Instruction
words by Marc Minier, PGA Glen Annie Golf Club
In today’s information saturated landscape, where instructional content floods every conceivable platform, it is easy to view this overload as a possible threat to our profession. But as experienced instructors we should see this abundance as an asset, one that when properly harnessed can enhance our teaching and empower our students. With more tools and resources available than ever before, it is a great time to be in the business of golf instruction.
After forty years of teaching, I have come to rely on two core concepts that have only become more essential in this modern era: helping students understand the “Why” behind a movement and identifying their individual “Style” of play. These two principles, when integrated into our coaching, can create more independent, confident golfers who not only perform better but also navigate the sea of online content more effectively.
Teaching the “Why”
Too often, golfers absorb online tips without understanding the underlying principles, leading to confusion, regression, or even complete derailment of their swing. When students grasp the “why” behind a desired swing movement, it gives them a mental framework for learning and enables them to self-correct more effectively. The goal is not just to fix a swing flaw, it is to develop a player who understands their own game.
Many of us have had students come in for lessons in near panic mode after trying a tip from YouTube or Instagram that did not suit their swing mechanics. Some show up unable to make clean contact, occasionally even shanking the ball, without realizing the root cause was a mismatched idea from a well-meaning online instructor. This is why we, as professionals, must equip our students with the tools to critically evaluate information through the lens of their personal swing profile.
Embracing “Your Style”
About a month into working with a new student, I start introducing the concept of “your style.” This is more than just swing characteristics, as it includes how they manage their tempo, shot shape preferences, course strategy, and even emotional demeanor. Once a student understands their own style, they are better positioned to filter outside information and apply only what is relevant to their game.
This personalized approach helps players take ownership of their development. They learn to research content that aligns with their style, making their learning process more efficient and less confusing. Our job is not only to instruct, but to coach them into becoming their own best teacher when we are not standing beside them.
Debunking Common Misconceptions
At several PGA Teaching Summits where I have had the privilege to present, I often challenge conventional thinking with a statement that sometimes causes a stir: “Straight is overrated.” To the average golfer, hitting it straight sounds like the pinnacle of success. But we know that this mindset can lead to restricted motion, inhibited clubface release, and a lack of speed—all from trying to “guide” the ball.
Similarly, the adage “keep your head down” persists despite being counterproductive in many cases. These misconceptions highlight why personalized instruction remains crucial. By teaching players their own unique tendencies and encouraging a mindset rooted in understanding, not just obedience, we help them break free from destructive myths.
Individual vs. Group Instruction
While there is certainly a place for group lessons, particularly for fostering community and making instruction
accessible, the “one-size-fits-all” model is rarely ideal. Swing mechanics, course management strategies, and even the emotional approach to the game vary significantly from one player to the next. Some students hit low-running shots, others prefer to carry and spin it. Some thrive with a quiet intensity; others need adrenaline. These variables make individualized instruction invaluable. In my own programs, I encourage students to complete several one-on-one sessions before joining group clinics, ensuring we share a common vocabulary and an understanding of their personal game.
Final Thoughts
Every student we coach, whether in person or through video content, wants to improve and understand their game better. “Best” means something different for each player, but the desire is the same. By helping them uncover their “why” and embrace their “style,” we give them more than swing tips, we give them ownership of their game.
To my fellow teachers and coaches: take care of yourselves. Our work demands energy, focus, and passion in every lesson. It is easy to pour everything into helping others and forget to recharge. Remember, we are not just instructors, we are mentors, motivators, and lifelong learners ourselves. Let us be proud of the difference we make and the care we bring to every swing, every student, every day.
FROM SERVANT HEART TO SERVANT LEADER:
RECLAIMING BALANCE AND VALUE AS A PGA PROFESSIONAL
words by Will Robins, PGA WR Golf Academy
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
As PGA Professionals, we get to spend our days around the game we love. We help people achieve breakthroughs that can transform their golf games. We’re driven by our passion and our desire to help others—which means we say “yes” a lot.
It’s a beautiful thing, but it’s also dangerous.
Our greatest strength—our servant heart—is also our Achilles’ heel. We say yes too often. We teach seven days a week. We give extra time, waive missed lessons, and wedge people into the schedule until there’s no space left for our own golf game, our family, our health, or our mental well-being. Yes, to get to the top, we must work hard, be disciplined, and give more than everybody else—but we don’t know when to stop. That’s when the slow drain begins. We go from being leaders—energized, focused, and inspiring—to simply serving, running on empty, and pushing through exhaustion. Eventually, burnout sets in, and the very passion that brought us here begins to fade.
This isn’t a sob story. Every great coach has been there. The problem isn’t our willingness to serve—it’s that we’ve forgotten our own value.
You’re Not Selling Time—You’re Solving Problems
The wealthiest, most successful people in the world play golf. They can run a billion-dollar company yet can’t escape a bunker. They can close multi-milliondollar deals yet can’t shake the chipping yips.
These aren’t small annoyances—they’re problems they desperately want solved.
When we think in terms of “five lessons for $500,” we dramatically undersell the transformation we deliver.
A Challenge for Every Coach
Over the next week, I challenge you to have this conversation with five students:
1. “What is an audacious goal you have for your golf game?”
2. “If you achieved that, what would it be worth to you?” (Make sure you’re not asking what they’d pay—this is about the value it would bring to their life.)
Then listen. You won’t hear $500 or $1,000. You’ll hear $50,000, $100,000, or “priceless.”
The point isn’t to start charging six figures—it’s to help you see that you have the solution they truly want.
From Coach to Expert
Experts don’t sell time; they sell results. Like a doctor, you:
1. Assess the problem.
2. Prescribe the treatment.
3. Expect the patient to follow it.
The same applies to coaching. You set the process, they follow it, and they get the result. This requires boundaries: no bending over backwards, no free sessions for no-shows, no cramming people into every spare minute.
When you lead this way, you stop being “just the pro at the club” and start being the trusted expert who delivers results.
Why This Shift Matters
When you position yourself as a servant leader rather than just a servant heart, everything changes:
• Better Players – You work with students who want and value your expertise.
• Better Referrals – Results create raving fans who send others your way.
• Better Schedule – You earn more in less time, freeing space for your own golf game and your life.
This shift isn’t about serving less—it’s about serving better. You protect your energy, your passion, and your ability to make a lasting difference in your students’ lives.
The Takeaway
Your value is too high to sell yourself short. Stop seeing yourself as someone selling a block of time. See yourself as the problem-solver, the resultsbased coach, the expert who can take students from where they are—and don’t want to be—to where they desire to be.
You need to make the shift from being simply servant-hearted to becoming a servant leader. When you do, you’ll deliver greater impact, earn greater respect, and build a career that thrives without sacrificing the life you want to live.
Working With a New Student
for The First Time
words by Brian Hollenbeck, PGA Head Golf Professional
Bella Collina San Clemente
Working with a new player can be a difficult task. In that first lesson, you want to make a good impression, give them some great information, and provide a solid path forward for their improvement. Here are some things I rely on to make sure I have a productive and meaningful initial lesson with a student.
I always start with the interview process, where I get to know the person and their golf history.
• What is their golfing experience, skill level, and handicap?
• What do they do for a living?
• How much time will they allocate to practice and playing?
• Do they have any physical issues that might impact their swing?
• Have they played other sports before?
• Have they had golf instruction before?
• What type of mishits or bad shots are common with them? Often students will try to explain what they think they do wrong with their swing, but I try to get them to explain to me what happens with their SHOTS. Do they slice it, top the ball, chunk it, etc.
Once I have some background information, I start their swing evaluation by watching them hit about a dozen or so shots and recording their swing on video. I will review their swing with them and point out some noteworthy things they do in their swing and how they affect their shot patterns. After a brief explanation of how their swing works, I will lay out a plan in terms of what we will be working on for the remainder of the session. Usually this consists of just a couple key changes. Keeping things simple is key.
Let’s say my new student slices the golf ball. Upon reviewing their swing, I notice they sway their hips in the backswing, they have a weak grip and open club face and come ‘over the top’ in the downswing. Obviously, there are probably some other things
that need work, but for today, I will show them how to strengthen their grip to close the clubface, as well as how to pivot correctly, to help shallow out their downswing. Essentially, the student only needs to focus on two things – one set up key, and one in-swing feel. That’s it. Simple enough, but if done well, these two changes will really move the needle in what we are looking for.
Now, getting the student to do what you tell them is the real challenge. Instead of just having them start making swings and hitting balls right away, I will build out this player’s new swing motion and then insert the golf ball at the very end, after we are happy with the swing design.
Let’s go back to the example of the player who slices again. I will first have them do a pivot drill (without a club) to feel how their body needs to move differently in the backswing (eliminate the hip sway). After they can successfully coordinate the correct body turn, I will put the club back in their hands, introduce the stronger grip and have them perform a backswing. Once I get them to create a solid pivot and backswing motion, it’s time to let them make a forward swing. All of this is done WITHOUT a golf ball. The ball would simply be too much of a distraction for the student. Once the student can produce a practice swing that meets my expectations, I will ‘add a layer’ and will have them swing to a tee, while making sure they are still performing their new moves correctly. Once able to correctly perform their swing keys AND hit the tee, I simply place a ball on the tee and have them try to do the exact same thing. Fitting the golf ball into the swing design at the end of the lesson is key – it minimizes the distraction the golf ball will have on the student.
Utilizing this lesson structure has helped me become a much more effective coach, especially with first time lessons.
SECTION 2
Teaching The Game
California Teaching & Coaching Hall of Fame
2017 Inaugural Induction
Bob Harrison Sr., Alan Ochiai, Jamie Mulligan, Tim Miskell, Randy Chang, Eddie Merrins, Dr. Alison Curdt, Carrie Jena, Eric Horve, Brady Riggs, Zach Allen, Glenn Deck, Gregg McHatton, Marc Minier, Kip Puterbaugh, John Mason, Don Parsons, Roger Gunn, Larry Brotherton, Jim Petralia, Derek Hardy
2018 Induction
Bob Madsen, Kevin Hanssen
2019 Induction
Billy McKinney, Ross Kroeker
2020 Induction
Tasha Bohlig
2021 Induction
Matt Flenniken
2022 Induction
Dr. Rick Sessinghaus & Keith Lyford
2023 Induction
Blake Jirges & Will Robins
2024 Induction
Josh Alpert & Philip Dawson Jr.
California Teaching & Coaching Hall of Fame 2025 Inductees
Dave Phillips, PGA
Tom Rezendes, PGA
THE ZONE OF TRUTH
words by Roger Gunn, PGA
Golf Development Complex
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member 2025 Eddie Merrins Teacher & Coach of the Year
Many of us are lucky enough to teach with a Trackman, Flightscope, or a Foresight Quad. This technology brings a world of data to our fingertips, greatly increasing the possibility of an accurate diagnosis. Over the years I’ve written that diagnosis is certainly the most critical element to get right BEFORE rolling up your sleeves to make swing changes. An incorrect diagnosis can set the stage for a wrong fix, likely making the student worse, not better. That’s a lose/lose situation for you and your client.
But let’s say you don’t have access to one of these diagnostic instruments, or you do and it’s on the blink. Now what? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. What follows is a good old-fashioned discussion of reading ball flight without the use of technology. This will be incredibly useful for your on-course lessons too.
The first variables to talk about are the start line and curve of the ball. But before we go there, I want to describe the Zone of Truth. When analyzing ball flight, the point of contact on the face must be considered. A perfect example would be a shank. Because the ball takes off at a 45- degree angle to the target line, does this mean the club was 45 degrees open? Of course not! The ball is lying to you, telling you that the club orientation was something other than what it was.
I talk about the Zone of Truth, which is an area that horizontally goes from ½ inch to the toe side of dead center of the clubface, to ½ inch to the heel side of center. If the contact is here on the club, then the ball is telling you the truth about the swing, which is critical for a good diagnosis. Vertically the Zone of Truth runs ½ inch above and below dead center. Mishits above or below will affect launch and spin, but not direction.
Assuming contact is in the Zone of Truth, you want to first observe where the ball started. This is going to indicate where the clubface was looking at the moment of contact. The following question can then be asked: “If it had stayed straight from where it started, would it have been a good shot?” If the answer is yes, then the clubface is fine, indicating that the approach of the club (swing direction and angle of attack) needs some closer scrutiny if the ball didn’t end up on target. An example would be a player trying to hit a straight shot down the fairway. Let’s say the ball starts right down the middle of the fairway but then curves hard to the right, ending up in the trees. As I just mentioned, the clubface
is perfect RELATIVE TO THE TARGET in this scenario (it started straight). Then why did it curve like that? Because the swing’s direction at impact was well left of the face, imparting clockwise spin on the ball.
Once you know that it was the swing’s direction that caused the issue, then the source of the issue and the fix will jump out at you. It’s easy enough to spot whether the stance is too far left. If the stance was fine, then the problem is either in the backswing or downswing (or it could be a combination of both). Simple! The amount of curve in this scenario is determined by how far left the club was swinging at impact. If it’s a slight curve, then the path is slightly left of the face. A big curve means the swing path is a great deal left of the face.
At this point, I’d like to go over shots that fly straight, no matter their direction. In other words, a ball that doesn’t curve. The only way to hit a straight shot in the Zone of Truth is to have the clubface and the swing direction match each other. Any other combination of face and path will curve the ball. Therefore, when you see a straight shot, it’s telling you the swing direction. In fact, it quantifies it exactly.
How nice as a coach to be able to read within a very tight tolerance where that swing direction is! An example would be the player who is trying to hit a straight one down the fairway but hits a solid and straight flying shot directly at the left edge of the fairway. This indicates that the swing’s direction was at the left edge of the fairway, or around 4 degrees left. Obviously if the player is trying to hit it straight, he probably shouldn’t swing 4 degrees to the left. Once again, the fix will be easy enough to see now that you know what you’re looking for.
Curving shots that start offline are a bit more challenging to quantify the exact elements of the face and path. But let’s get you in the ballpark. Let’s say we have a shot that starts down the left cut of the fairway on a shot we’re trying to hit straight. So,
the face is a bit closed to the target. The ball turns a very few yards to the left and ends up 10 yards off the fairway. This would mean that the ball didn’t curve very much, even though it started noticeably to the left. We know that the path was right of the face but couldn’t have been very far right of where the face was pointing, since the curve was not dramatic. Well, where is slightly right of that start line? The left center or middle of the fairway! This means that it’s quite possible that our player’s swing direction was in a very good place for the shot he was trying to hit. Therefore, it’s unlikely that this player needs to change his swing direction at all. Now you’re looking at elements that would affect the clubface, such as grip, release, etc. But once again, the ball struck in the Zone of Truth is helping us make a great diagnosis on the fly.
What if that ball had started on the left cut and then hooked badly, curving a great deal. The clubface in this scenario is in the same place: Slightly left. But now the swing must be well right of the face. The amount of curve will indicate the degree to which the club swung to the right. Tons of curve means the path was well right of the face, and likely more right than the player needed for the straight shot he was looking for. Now you’re looking at possibly two elements that need attention…the clubface and the path. But once again, you know what you’re looking for because you read the ball’s flight correctly.
We’ve spoken a great deal about impacts in the Zone of Truth. But I don’t want to finish this discussion without addressing shots that are outside the Zone of Truth. Because of horizontal gear effect and the torque of the head on an offcenter hit, the ball’s start line and spin will be altered from the actual face and path delivery of the club at contact. To put it simply, if the ball is struck on the toe of the club, the ball will 1- Start more right than it should have for the actual clubface position at contact and 2- The horizontal gear effect will put draw spin on the ball OR impart much less slice spin. The heel of the club does the opposite: 1The ball will start more left than it should have for
the actual club face position and 2- The gear effect will put cut spin on the ball OR impart much less hook spin.
I think a couple of real-world examples will help to clarify this concept. I once had a golfer that was a whopping 17 degrees outside-in. The ball started at the target and flew perfectly straight. How was he doing this, when it should have been either a tremendous straight pull to the left, or a gigantic slice? He was hitting it a mile on the toe. The ball started much more to the right than it should have, which was straight, and the gear effect took away all the elements of the ball slicing. Now of course the smash factor was extremely low, but if you didn’t understand this concept, you might have a tough time getting to the bottom of this golfer’s issue of being dead straight but the ball going nowhere.
Conversely, while watching a golfer at a seminar on a Trackman, this player hit a dead straight ball with a hybrid, contact being well in the heel. The swing direction was about 7 degrees to the right, setting up for a strong draw action. But the heel contact made the ball start well left of where it should have, and the gear effect took off any right-to-left spin.
This same phenomenon explains a common miss of the fine player: A toe hook that starts straight and curves badly to the left. In this scenario, the ball is starting well right of where it should have. But it started straight, which means the ball should have started much more to the left. In other words,
the club face was much more closed than the start line would have indicated. The closed club face would put hook spin on the ball. Add to it the draw spin imparted by the gear effect, and you now have a ball that starts relatively straight and snap hooks.
IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE CLUBFACE WAS DELIVERED STRAIGHT WITH A PATH WELL TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT.
That shot can be hit in the Zone of Truth, but that’s done with a club face straight at impact and a path that’s way too far to the right.
I hope you’ve found our discussion of reading impact and ball flight helpful! As I’ve always said, diagnosis is the most important part of a golf lesson. These principles will help you to make a great diagnosis every time, allowing you to give your students the exact prescription for success!
CLARIFYING SHAFT
“Shaft Lean” is a term that has been around golf instruction for many years. It generally means that the shaft should be leaning forward at impact, with the hands leading the clubhead, especially with irons. While I do not disagree with this statement, I do have problems with how it is demonstrated. Specifically with the emphasis on making sure you are “hitting down” to create a divot and compression on the ball.
I imagine most instructors have several “Aha” moments that help formulate their knowledge and thoughts on the swing. Two incidents helped me on my journey. When I was around 14 years old, I was on the range watching players practice for the San Diego Open. I ended up watching Gay Brewer, who had won The Masters the year before. He was using a metal clothes hanger that was cut down and bent into an “L” shape. It was stuck in the ground about 2 to 3 inches behind the ball forming a little bridge over the ground that a club could fit under. So, to hit a ball the club would have to be fairly low to fit under the bridge when swinging. As I was the only person watching and was close to him, I asked him why he used the device. He said the object was to force him into hitting “into”, not “down” on, the ball. As he was practicing with this device, he was hitting a 5-iron and taking a small divot with each shot!
LEAN
words by Kip Puterbaugh, PGA
Aviara Kip Puterbaugh Golf Academy
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
This created some conflict with me. How do you hit into the back of the ball and still take a divot? I remembered this “aha moment”, and when I started teaching, I bent some hangers for my students who were swinging from the outside, and found they helped. But the green superintendent did not like his mowers running into them when my students accidentally hit them out into the range!
My second “aha moment” happened while I was playing for the University of Houston golf team. The Houston International was played at Champions, which was started and run by Jackie Burke and Jimmy Demaret. The year was 1967 and Ben Hogan was playing there as a warmup to Augusta. He got paired with Lee Trevino who had finished in 6th place in the 1966 US Open and was a fellow Texan. I watched them play the first round together and it was an amazing display of ball striking. After the round I was near Mr. Hogan when a reporter did a brief interview with him. He asked what he taught of “that funny looking swing of Lee Trevino?” Hogan’s reply was, with a disdainful look, “that is no funny looking golf swing, he has the longest
flat spot in his swing since I retired!” Obvious conclusion: he thought this was important. Later I heard Trevino say that his goal was to get the club on the ground about 3 feet behind the ball and drag it across the ground through the ball.
So, what do these two incidents have to do with shaft lean? Lee Trevino, though trying to drag his club along the ground, would still create shaft lean at the ball, and the handle of the club would still be rising as he went through the ball. What actually happens is the club head is going down, but the handle of the club is raising. You cannot have both descending and hit a ball on a full swing.
When I began teaching, I started using the phrase “low to high” with my students. The club must be coming into the hitting area low enough to allow you to rotate upwards into a tall finish, or as Hogan said, “return upwards to your natural height.” This was “vertical force” instruction before anybody had ever heard the term. Now, with the aid of high-
speed cameras it is clearly a consistent trait of all championship swings. The butt end of the club reaches its lowest point on the downswing when the shaft is parallel to the ground and from that point to impact the handle of the club is rising to where it is higher than it was at address. How can you create upwards vertical force with your hands going on a downward trajectory to the ball?
This brings me to where clarity is needed. I have seen countless examples in instruction tips and articles where the player is at their address and to demonstrate shaft lean, they lean the shaft forward and down. This is an impossible position to achieve in an actual swing unless you want to hurt yourself. If the handle is lower at impact than at address you’re smashing into the ground. You cannot create vertical force with the hands going lower at impact. All teachers know casting is a constant problem with our students. Telling a student to hit down to the ball forces a casting motion in order to hit the ball.
Sometimes as a drill, I will place my club opposite their right thigh at roughly the height of the club at address. From there, they need to do some slowmotion swings to where their hands could go under my shaft. The next step is to take them to roughly the point of my extended club on their downswing and ask them if they can generate power though an imaginary ball. They generally say yes. Then place them with hands higher than the shaft at the same point and they cannot feel power.
This action of the butt end of the club is not the same on pitch shots, but I believe once you are going to 1/2 and 3/4 swings the same forces are in effect. One of my favorites photos is of Ben Hogan finishing what I suspect is a 3/4 swing. It can be easily seen how his body has rotated up and through the ball by looking at the creases in his clothing.
The Secret Sauce SOLID CONTACT
words by Don Parsons, PGA Twin Lakes Golf Course
At our facility, the most important thing we help 90% of golfers with is making solid contact. In my experience, most players are happy with their best shots. As coaches we need to make sure that we help them hit more of their best shots. While good mechanics make it easier to make solid contact, helping players become aware of their contact, to prioritize it and actively pursue it, has been the secret sauce to helping the average player enjoy the game more and help the tournament players shoot lower scores.
Stage 1- Awareness
Everyone knows what a good shot feels like; for many it’s why we play. Helping people become aware of where they are deficient is crucial to helping them. I believe it is crucial to explicitly explain what constitutes solid contact:
“Solid contact on a golf shot involves both the centeredness on the face, but also the ability to strike the ground in the right spot relative to the ball. I want you to let me know on each of these next 5 shots- whether you hit the ground in the right spot, behind the ball, or didn’t hit the ground at all AND was it center, towards the heel or towards the toe?”
Enlist your players to be aware of their ground strike and centeredness of face contact, then figure out if there is a pattern they have: fat/heel, thin/ center, solid/toe, and then ask them to change it.
“Do you notice you are failing to strike the ground on most of your shots? See if you can hit the ground just after the ball is gone. Or are you are consistently hitting behind the ball? Hitting the ground is good, see if you can hit the ground after you hit the ball.”
If they can fix it themselves by being aware and shifting their perception, everyone wins.
In some cases, such as egregious path errors, complete breakdown of arm structure, and very poor rotation or side bends, a mechanical intervention may be necessary. In those cases, state that we are making this change to help the player make better contact.
Stage 2- Prioritize
Any swing changes you make are irrelevant if they degrade contact.
The mechanical changes we introduce should be oriented towards improving the ability of the players to hit the golf ball solidly and reducing their dispersion pattern. While we are in the phase of mechanical changes the player will have an internal focus. The player should also have some sort of feedback mechanism that allows them to know whether their efforts are creating the desired outcome. Feedback can come in the form of a hitting station, swing aid, video, or the coach providing verbal feedback. During the internal focus period the priority is to change mechanics that will enhance the player’s original motion.
I generally would prefer that the player train the mechanics for a given number of swings or time.
The shorter period the better. Then move to the external focus of hitting shots with good ground strike and contact with their new mechanics. I’ll often have them train in one area and hit shots in another to create separate physical locations for each of the areas of focus.
“How does it feel to maintain arm structure on that swing? Do you see how that is helping you to get the club traveling along the target line more? That looks great, let’s hit five shots from over here. Let yourself feel the new arm structure but focus on the contact.”
One of the things that made Tiger great is his ability to make very solid contact with a wide variety of deliveries. The above style of training will result in your players enhancing their ability to do so as well.
Stage
3- Pursue
Making solid contact to some degree is an athletic skill that needs to be developed. Each player should develop that skill to the level of their intended competence.
A common way to help people get better at contact is to have them practice bouncing a ball on their wedge. It is shocking how many people can’t get more than one or two bounces.
For a decent player 10 bounces is the minimum expected competency. Better players should have no trouble with 20 bounces. Beyond 20 bounces is the land of diminishing returns and likely wasted time. So, for your more accomplished players have them focus on really hitting the dead center for their 10-20 bounces and move on to more pressing issues, they’re good enough at this skill.
What do you do with a player who struggles with even a single bounce on the wedge? We have ping pong paddles and have them start there. Bounce a ping pong ball on the paddle 10 times standing still. Then, 10 times while walking across the room. We also have ping pong paddles with 12” golf shafts they can progress to.
A side benefit of the above training is that it will also require a level of club face control for success. They’ll be building complementary skills and won’t even know it.
I have a theory that learning in golf happens when the player is having success 40-60% of the time. If they are successful 30% or less the task is too hard and should be adjusted. If they are successful 70% or more of the time, they have mastered that task and we should move to a more demanding task.
Design a series of contact skills that a player should be able to accomplish. If they are successful 70% of the time, go up a level. At 40-60% keep practicing the same level, and if less than 40% drop back a level.
• Small chips with a 7 iron.
• Small pitches with a gap wedge.
• Rib to rib swings with a 54- or 56-degree Wedge.
• Shoulder to shoulder with a Pitching Wedge.
• Shoulder to shoulder a little faster with an 8-iron.
• Full swing with a 7-iron.
• Full swing with a driver off a tee.
• Full swing with a 3-wood off the ground.
To observe solid contact, you can use face tape, foot powder or a launch monitor. Pay particular attention to ground strike as it is often more detrimental to the shot to fat or skull it than hitting it on the toe or heel.
Here is an example of an objective that I gave to a 13-year-old junior who is playing at the Toyota Tour Cup level, he has access to practice on our GC Quad:
PW-7 iron- Practice with the club face view.
1. Contact-Vertical -4mm to -12 mm, Horizontal +/-8mm @70% success rate.
2. FTP +/- 4 degrees and target side of path @70% success rate.
3. Per Club understand modal carry distance and expected dispersion of the 70% as well as the 30%.
I have never had anyone tell me they are hitting it too solidly. Again, if that’s all you ever helped your players do, it would satisfy 90% of the golfers on the planet. Learn the levers you can pull to help players understand ground strike and center face contact and your lesson book will be full.
YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOU CAN COMMUNICATE
words by Bill Hulbert, PGA SCPGA Past President - 2017 SCPGA Hall of Fame
That’s right, you are only as good at instruction as your ability to communicate to your student. How are you delivering information? How well is it being received? Is the player comprehending your message? How information is delivered is equally if not more important than what information you are providing. Communication is the most important component of any golf lesson.
It’s very important to build a relationship with your players. With a new student you should get to know them and their golf history. Develop a comprehensive pre-lesson interview. Two-way communication starts with “How can I help you?” Ask good questions. Listening is an important communication skill. And always strive to create a comfortable atmosphere so they are not afraid to ask questions of you.
There are many reasons people come to you for a lesson. You are dealing with different personalities, emotions, and motivations, not just a golf swing. Add to that the different styles of learning and it’s up to you to model your approach accordingly. Organize and direct your information in a way that the student can understand it and apply it. Do not overdo it. Apply one or two things at a time. Watch for confusion. Create understanding!
Here’s a sample process of communicating to a new student.
1. The ball is doing this
2. Because the club is doing that
3. And you are creating these movements that cause the club to move that way
4. We are going to change your motion by doing A and B
5. Demonstrate or move the student and the club accordingly
6. If A and B don’t work, drop them and try C and D
7. Ask for their input and feedback
8. Ask why questions? Why do you think the ball went that way? Help them learn.
Don’t make assumptions. Does the player know where on the club a shank is coming from? And if they do know, that’s insight into their knowledge base.
Keep it simple. Avoid complex and unnecessary information. Organize the information and relate it to the individual in front of you. While people may have a dominant style of learning, use multiples because we all use a mixture to learn. Be clear. Repeat. Explain the why! Explain ball flight when appropriate. Guide them as you narrow their attention and change their perception.
How you speak during a lesson is a major part of good communication. Vary your rate of speech. Slower can be dynamic. Don’t speak too softly! A monotone loses impact. Speaking with melody
makes what you say more memorable. Use emotion and body language to highlight points. Facial expressions can be good or bad. Be good. And finally, PAUSE! Pausing can be very powerful and gives the student time to accept and process what you are saying.
Speak with clarity. Articulate. Your voice is an instrument, use it accordingly. Form a connection with your client. People do business with people they like. Build chemistry. Deliver content and a message that motivates. Deliver value.
And do a lesson recap! Have them summarize and confirm the changes we are looking for. What drills are recommended? Provide a practice plan. Ask for feedback and answer any questions. Evaluate their retention. Did you effectively communicate the concepts, movements, and feels that will help them get better? Evaluate how you did as well as how they did.
A last communication method that will help your student and your business is the follow-up. Send a text or email or give a call a week or two after the lesson. Ask how things are going. Are you doing the prescribed drills? Do you have any questions? The appreciation for you reaching out after a lesson is huge.
Each of us should periodically look at how well we are communicating during our lessons. Video yourself giving a lesson and watch it and learn. Have someone watch you give a lesson and ask for feedback. Watch videos on communication skills.
And be curious. You need to know as many swing methodologies as possible to be able to help the most players. Keep learning. Have multiple ways to correct any swing fault.
But remember, no matter how good your diagnosis and corrective info is, it’s only as good as how well it was received and understood by the student!
How the Kinematic Sequence Has Transformed My
Teaching Philosophy
words by Geoff Dean, PGA Director of Player Development
PGA West Private Courses
Lessons From over 25 Years on the Lesson Tee
As a PGA Member and active teacher for over 25 years, I’ve taught a wide spectrum of players, from tournament contenders to weekend warriors. Most of my students are over 50 with physical limitations and chronic injuries, along with decades of bad habits. Early in my teaching career I spent a lot of time trying to fix isolated swing flaws. Today, my teaching is built around something far more fundamental: the kinematic sequence. This concept has been a true gamechanger in how I teach and how my students improve.
Why the Kinematic Sequence Matters
As a TPI certified instructor, I’ve learned that the kinematic sequence describes how energy travels through the body during the golf swing—from the ground up to the pelvis, the torso, the arms, and the club. This is not theoretical. It’s the blueprint behind every powerful and consistent golf swing. When the sequence is correct, each part of the body accelerates and then transfers energy to the next. The result: effortless power and reliable contact. When the sequence is wrong, golfers overuse their arms, lose balance, and struggle to find consistency.
From Ground to Club Head: Building the Motion
I teach my students that the swing starts from the ground up. It’s a combination of:
• Linear Weight Transfer – Pressure shifts to the trail side during the backswing, then toward the lead side in transition.
• Rotational Motion – The body rotates around the spine, creating coil and unwinding through impact.
• This sequence of shifting and rotating sets up the chain reaction that produces club head speed. Rotation without weight shift can make the swing weak. Rotation with pressure shifts will make the swing powerful and connected.
Tempo: The Glue That Holds the Sequence
Together
Even with the right mechanics, poor tempo can
ruin the sequence. Many golfers rush from the top, breaking the chain before it has a chance to build speed. I encourage a smooth transition where the lower body leads and the arms “fall” naturally into place. This allows the club head to reach peak speed at impact, and not before.
Teaching Older Golfers: Respecting Limitations
Golfers over 50 often have restricted mobility or past injuries. Rather than forcing textbook positions, I work within their capabilities:
• Enough turn to create coil
• Functional weight shift to start the backswing and downswing
• Rotation in service of swinging the arms and club
The goal is a swing that is efficient, repeatable, and physically sustainable.
Diagnosing Flaws Through Sequencing
Some common swing faults are casting, the reverse pivot, and early extension. These are symptoms of poor sequencing. By training the correct kinematic sequence, these faults often disappear without direct intervention. The body organizes itself more efficiently when the chain reaction is correct.
The “Secret Sauce” Philosophy
My philosophy is simple: build the swing from the ground up, respect individual differences, and focus on sequencing and tempo as the foundation. This is the roadmap to better golf for every player, from the elite to the recreational.
The Path to Better Golf
The kinematic sequence is more than a technical term. It’s the heartbeat of an efficient golf swing. When golfers understand how to use the ground, shift and rotate in sequence, and maintain tempo, they tap into a source of power and consistency they didn’t know they had. As teachers, our role is to help them find that rhythm and flow. That’s the true “Secret Sauce” that keeps golfers improving and loving the game.
CREATING THE ULTIMATE JUNIOR EXPERIENCE:
FROM HANDOUTS TO A PUBLISHED BOOK
words by Heidi Richardson, PGA Owner and Director of HRG Golf Academy Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
Over my 30 years as a PGA Class A Member, my passion for the game and its ability to shape young lives has driven me to continually evolve how I teach juniors and adults alike. After years of developing handouts, swing notes, quizzes, goal sheets, and folders stuffed with photocopies, I realized there had to be a better, more inspiring, organized and professional way to deliver the full junior golf experience. That’s when I created my junior golf book, ‘Junior Golf, A Sport of a Lifetime’ – a complete educational tool that’s now the heart of every camp and clinic we run.
This book isn’t just about swing mechanics – it’s about sharing the spirit of the game that I so deeply cherish. It includes engaging sections on the Tradition and History of Golf, the Spirit and Etiquette of Play, and the values of Character Development such as honesty, focus and perseverance. A Golf Glossary helps juniors understand the language of the game. Other favorite pages include Sports Psychology tools and a Careers in Golf section.
From a practical standpoint, the book offers everything a junior golfer needs to grow: a Personalized Yardage Chart, Launch Monitor Data Logs, the Parts of the Course map and a ‘What’s in My Bag?’ equipment checklist. One useful and favorite page is for Impact Tape to show proof of ‘sweet spot’ shots!
One of the kids’ favorite sections is the interactive ‘My 100 Chart Tracker’. The goals include 100 putts, 100 chips, 100 Sweet Spot shots, a 100 word ‘Essay’ and other challenges. One inspiration for this page was to honor the PGA of America’s 100th anniversary. There is plenty of space for Swing Notes and a Personal List of Goals and how to achieve them.
Using the book across all my camps and clinics has made organizing weekly itineraries and month to month clinics far more efficient. Each day is planned with themed lessons, challenges, and activities that tie directly into the content of the book. The juniors love the fun layout and sense of ownership, while parents greatly appreciate the structured format and visible evidence of what their children are learning – both on and off the course.
This book has not only improved the way I teach but has helped me communicate the deeper values of golf: honesty, focus and personal growth. It’s a game changer – for me, for the juniors and for their families! I am working on an adult version as well!
THE #1 FUNDAMENTAL IN GOLF INSTRUCTION
words by John Mason, PGA
Director of Instruction
Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
I believe the most important foundation of any golf swing is how the hands are placed on the grip of the club, and all the rest is preference. To accomplish this, I have been using rubber grip trainers since 1982. This basic grip trainer forms the hands into what I call a “fundamentally sound” position, where both hands are married together and work as a unit. Whether this grip is turned stronger, remains neutral or is weakened is up to you as the instructor. The main point here is to keep both hands in this “fundamentally sound” position from the start of the swing to the finish.
Photos Courtesy of PGA of America
If you watch PGA Tour pros, you will see how this affects their swing technique. For instance, Dustin Johnson has a very strong grip, and he holds on through the impact zone. Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, has a neutral grip and releases freely through the impact zone. So, as you can see from these two examples, it will be very important that the swing technique you choose to teach your students matches the position of their hands on the golf club right from the start.
I have included two pictures of a student of mine, before using the grip trainer and after using the grip trainer. Notice in the first picture his right hand is not married to his left, which promotes a dominant right hand in his golf swing, resulting in big time left misses. Then, because he is hitting it left, he starts to hold on, which causes a right miss. Or he aims more to the right and hooks the ball even more. So instead of changing his golf swing, which isn’t that bad, I put a grip trainer on one of his clubs and in about 30 days he started getting it. Now he hits the ball somewhat straight, and we are working on his short game, which always needs work.
Teaching & Coaching golf is a lot like playing the game - you are not going to be good at it right away - it takes years to fine tune. You will not find a golf game or coaching expertise in a book. Work hard and be patient, learn all you can, go to PGA seminars, and observe other instructors whom you admire. Most of all, dedicate yourself to the profession full time, and if you do this you will be successful. I would also add that continuing to play and experimenting yourself is good to keep you current with new information, whether it is technical or mental, as this will help you to communicate better with your students.
Good luck!!!
BEFORE AFTER
CLEARLY
COMMUNICATING
SWING CONCEPTS
DO YOU HAVE TO REPEAT YOURSELF?
words by Ross Kroeker, PGA Lead Instructor Pebble Beach Golf Academy
A new instructor was recently sharing his excitement in teaching. He asked me… do you find yourself having to repeat yourself, over and over again? I quickly acknowledged that I used to, but thankfully, I don’t anymore.
One of the first things I learned from my mentors was that a swing correction always begins with discussing the student’s concept of the swing. I remember that Laird Small always told me that golfers “do what they do, because they think that’s what they are supposed to do”.
I heard the words, but honestly, when I was a young teacher, I didn’t really know what they meant. So, I would explain the related concept first and then begin explaining the correction. But when the student wasn’t getting it (the correction), I didn’t understand that I needed to take the conversation about the concept to the next level. There was still a disconnect. As a result, I found myself repeating the same instructions, over and over again.
During years of teaching, Laird’s words began to ring true to me. These days, I can recognize when there is a disconnect between the student’s concept and what I am asking them to do. This leads to effective communication and better results rather than the frustration I sometimes experienced as a new teacher. If you ever find yourself frustrated in a lesson, it’s easy to blame the student: they’re not paying attention, they aren’t athletic, they don’t practice enough…etc. In those cases, I suggest that you take a step back and try to recognize the disconnect and clarify the concept. A student may also have misconceptions that are interfering with their ability to do what you are asking.
A perfect example can be seen in a common short game mistake. A student isn’t pivoting and turning through to the target and they are flipping the shaft through impact as they try to lift the ball. Consider that they have probably been told repeatedly to “keep their head down!” and that this thought is literally holding them back. It’s likely why they are not moving properly.
The phrases “you decelerated”, “keep your head
down”, and “keep your lead arm straight” are all prime for misconception. It’s important to find out what a student is thinking, because their thoughts may not be compatible with your instruction.
A student may say that they understand and even have the right answers to your questions regarding a concept, but if it’s not showing up in their swing, they need a different or fuller conversation about the concept.
As their instructor, it’s our responsibility to sort out a student’s misconceptions so we can help them improve. I have found that asking good questions is vital to this goal. In the interview phase of the lesson, I let them tell me about their journey in golf for as long as they want and I ask questions based on the conversation. In addition to getting to know them, I ask if they have taken lessons recently and are they working on anything specific?
When watching their initial swings on video, I may ask them to tell me what they see. This gives insight to their swing thoughts and provides an opportunity to ask specific questions, such as, why are you doing that?
Understanding where a student is coming from and what they “think” they should be doing is where I determine my strategy and priorities for the lesson. It all starts with a proper concept. I stay tuned-in to the possibility of concept miscommunication throughout the lesson and adjust accordingly.
Remember that your ability to communicate clearly and concisely to your student will ultimately determine your shared success. If you find yourself repeating the same things over and over, it’s likely that you need to adjust your message. Helping your student find a clear concept of the swing correction is a winning formula. As they “get it” and start hitting better shots their confidence increases, and their love of the game grows!
STILL LEARNING:
Golf Instruction in the Age of Change
words by Billy Ray McKinney, PGA
PGA Life Member
California PGA Teachers Hall of Fame Member
Whispers through the game, echoes of those who taught us, now, we pass them on.
If there’s one lesson this game has taught me — as a teacher, player, and seeker — it’s this: the moment you think you’ve got it all figured out, you’ve stopped growing.
In the early years of my teaching career, I poured over ball flight laws and swing planes, charted drills on legal pads, and spoke in terms of arcs, levers, and pivot centers. The craft was an art form. My swing model was precise, mechanical, maybe even a little rigid. I had success. Students improved. But something gnawed at me — a whisper that golf instruction, like golf itself, should always evolve.
Now decades in, I realize that I wish I had kept my mind even a little more open. I wish I’d studied not just what people learned, but how. I wish I had embraced learning science earlier: neuroplasticity, cognitive bandwidth, chunking, the role of dopamine in motivation, and how feedback loops shape behavior. These aren’t just buzzwords — they’re the hidden levers behind lasting improvement.
As golf teachers, we are no longer just explaining the swing. We’re shaping minds, guiding emotions, and helping students navigate the ever-faster information age. The modern student doesn’t show up empty-handed — they bring a phone full of Instagram drills, YouTube theories, and AI swing breakdowns. If we’re not tuned in to that world, we risk becoming obsolete — not because we’re unqualified, but because we’re unseen. I don’t say this to alarm you. I say it as a friend and fellow teacher who loves this game — and who has missed a few boats. I should have kept pushing along more with social media. I resisted the idea of putting myself on camera. I thought, “That’s not real teaching.” And maybe some of it isn’t. But when students are spending two hours a day scrolling, why wouldn’t we meet them there? Your credibility doesn’t suffer when you embrace new mediums. In fact, it often grows. Share swing tips, yes, but also share you. The teacher behind the drills. The process. The failures. The lessons
you’re still learning. That’s what resonates. That’s what builds trust. A 30-second reel might reach more people in a day than a lifetime on the lesson tee.
AI is here too — and it’s not going away. Tools now exist that analyze swings frame-by-frame, compare them to models, and suggest drills. They don’t replace us. They extend us. They make it possible to coach at scale, to give quality feedback asynchronously, and to reach golfers around the world. The teacher who learns to leverage AI becomes more valuable — not less.
Of course, nothing replaces the human element — the way we see things others don’t, or how we feel a tension in someone’s swing before a camera does. But imagine pairing your intuition with AI’s data and reach. That’s not giving in to the machine — that’s expanding your toolbox.
If I could offer one piece of advice to a younger me, it would be this: stay curious longer. Study not just golf mechanics, but even more about learning mechanics. Watch how people absorb and retain information. Become fascinated with what motivates different personalities. Explore how neurodivergent students might experience your lesson structure. Ask questions even when you think you know the answers-especially then.
In a time when many cling to “the way we used to do it,” the best teachers are the ones who are openminded — flexible, adaptable, willing to be wrong in pursuit of what’s right. They’re the ones who admit when a new idea might be better, even if it threatens their old models.
Adaptability is not weakness; it’s wisdom and leadership.
So, I invite you to document your journey. Post that tip. Try that app. Read the book on habit formation. Join the conversation. Teach with humility. But don’t stand still.
The world is changing fast. But we’re golfers. We know how to adapt to the wind.
THE SECRET OF THE RIGHT FOREARM
words by Alan Ochiai, PGA, Master Professional Oak Creek Golf Club
California
PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
Yes, this is from “The Golfing Machine”.
And of course, the most elegant communicator of the principles within this book is our own Gregg McHatton. If you’ve never taken a lesson from Gregg, do yourself and your students a favor and take as many as you can. The following is inspired from one of his lessons. Typical of a great lesson is how a simple key or feel can have many benefits.
The principles presented in this drill are plane line control, timing to produce correct impact alignments, pivot turn, and tilts to deliver the forearm.
(Photo Above: Step one: right (trail) arm only)
Assume a golf posture with the right arm bent as shown, so the forearm is on the same plane as the club shaft and pointed at the plane line (approximately the target line). Make small swings attempting to keep a constant bend in the right elbow with the forearm pointed at the plane line during both the backswing and past impact. It’s harder than it looks! This is the feel to remember. Of course, the elbow will bend up to 90 degrees in a real backswing and gradually straighten through and past impact, but as you know, a standard fault we see daily is too much trail arm bend going back and premature straightening into the ball. The early straightening of the right arm is related if not synonymous with the dreaded bent left wrist! Keeping the forearm bent past the ball induces proper pivot mechanics.
(Photo Above: Step two: add the club)
As the swing was lengthened into a functional full swing, I was reminded of Lee Trevino’s low and forward right shoulder transporting the bent forearm through impact and into the finish. You can tell how old a teacher is by the references he uses. Gregg told me that up to that point in his research, Trevino had the most right-arm bend observed. Important note: this is not a drill for the short game. This is to benefit mechanics of the full swing.
(Photo Above: Step three: add the ball)
As you can see, I can’t do it as well when the ball is there, but as with any drill, you often must go a mile to gain an inch. I’ll keep working on it!
ONE HOUR PUTTING LESSON TEMPLATE
words by John Ortega, PGA Costa Mesa Country Club
In my career, I’ve given thousands of putting lessons. My process now involves evaluating how well a person aims the putter, what compensation they make or need to make in the stroke, how accurately they read greens, and how well they control the speed.
I’m very familiar with the practice putting green at Costa Mesa Country Club. I know where the straight five-to-twenty-foot putts are, and where the 2, 3 and 4 percent putts are. If you want to give more putting lessons, I recommend you do the same for your putting green. It will make the session move along more smoothly.
I begin with a straight putt from 10-20 feet. This gives me the opportunity to see if their aim is open, square, or closed. Also, it reveals their pull or push tendencies. At this time, I’ll make the necessary adjustments. I use a 5-foot yellow ruler for alignment, wall corner guards to improve clubhead path and a digital level to find a straight putt. I’ll spend 15 minutes at this station.
Next, I’ll move to a 10-foot putt that has a 2 percent slope at roughly 90 degrees to the zerobreak line, more commonly known as the fall line. The approximate break will be between 10-12 inches in most cases- an inch per foot on a 2 Percent slope. Faster green speeds will break more. I’ll see if they are intuitive enough to figure out this margin. (22-24 inches at 20 ft). This will determine an approximate break margin. I’ll have them use an alignment stick or a ruler to mark their estimate, positioning the stick on the high side and the ball on the low side. This ensures that they do not push or pull the ball online. I’ll repeat the same thing on 3 and 4 percent slopes. As you will expect they will misread the line if they lack this skill. Make the adjustment to a better start line then look where the ruler is aimed. The whole time I look at their aim, stroke and ability to hit their predicted start lines. This should take between 20-30 minutes.
Up to this point, I’ve helped them understand and adjust their perception of aim, stroke fundamentals, and green reading.
Last, I move around the green with the ruler standing up as though I was a tending flagstick and have them putt to the ruler. I start at 30
feet then move around the green to as much as 90 feet. It typically reveals that the backswings are too short, and their tendency is to come up short. Generally, you’ll need to encourage them to make longer and faster strokes. All the while I’ll evaluate their proficiency at aiming, stroke mechanics efficiency, and ability to hit start lines. I’ll do this for 10-15 minutes.
Depending on how effectively the session has gone to this point, you can do a recap or fill in the rest of the time with short putt testing. I’ll use 4 balls and arrange them from 4-8 feet. After putting in 5 different holes, they make a score. I usually won’t have less skilled players do the test if I think it will stress them out.
The above should take 1 hour. You’ll find if you practice this regimen or something like it, your students will gain great awareness and will have a template for effective practice.
GROUND FORCE AS A SPEED SOURCE:
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF THE LEAD LEG
words by Jim Hartnett, PGA
Complete Golf Performance
Introduction
If you’re chasing more swing speed, forget trying to muscle the ball. Real power comes from the ground up. The lead leg — your front leg during the swing — plays a pivotal role in generating speed by applying ground force. Learning how to leverage it correctly is a game-changer for players of all levels.
Understanding Pressure: Physics in Motion
Elite ball-strikers know how to use the ground. They don’t just shift weight — they push into the ground with their lead leg to trigger the kinetic chain. Here’s what happens:
• Vertical ground force is generated by pressing into the lead foot.
• That force rebounds through the body, fueling rotation.
• It drives the torso, arms, and clubhead at higher speeds.
In essence, your lead leg becomes a launchpad. The better you use it, the more effortless your speed becomes. Think of it like jumping: the harder you push down, the higher you go.
What the Pros Do: Pressure Patterns on Tour
Modern force plate data from top instructors and technologies like SwingCatalyst and BodiTrak reveals consistent trends among tour pros:
• Pressure shifts toward the lead leg before impact, not during.
• Vertical ground force peaks during transition into the downswing.
• Many professionals apply over 150% of their body weight into the lead side.
This isn’t just a feel — it’s a measurable, repeatable pressure pattern that separates elite ball-strikers from the rest.
Training the Move: Drills for Lead Leg Power
1. Step & Launch Drill
Start with your feet together. As you initiate the swing, step forward into your lead foot, then launch the club through impact.
Purpose: Helps develop timing and ground force loading.
2. Impact Brace Hold
Swing to impact and freeze. Is your lead leg straight and braced? Or soft and collapsing? Purpose: Builds awareness of lead-side stability and support.
3. The Line Drill
Place a visible line just inside your lead foot at address. On the downswing, try to get your pressure over the line and rotate. Purpose: Ensures you’re getting left before rotation — not spinning behind the ball.
Coaching Insight
“Get left, then spin. Not spin while you’re falling.” — Jim Hartnett, PGA
If you’re rotating before you’re planted, you’re throwing away speed. Pressure into the lead side creates stability, which unlocks rotation and power.
Visual Aids (Included Below):
Figure 1: Pressure Trace Graph
A visual showing lead foot pressure spiking before impact on a SwingCatalyst-style chart.
Figure 2: Skeleton Golfer with Force Vectors Anatomical sketch showing force arrows from the lead foot upward through the body.
Figure 3: Step & Launch Drill Sequence
Three-frame motion image breaking down the drill steps visually.
Photo Courtesy of PGA of America
MERRY-GO-ROUNDS, FERRIS WHEELS, AND TRADING PLACES
(MY SECRET SAUCE)
words by Shawn Larson, PGA Temecula Creek Golf Club
Arnold Palmer famously said, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated”. I have thought about that quote a lot over the years and there is a great deal of truth to it. But when I became an instructor, I started thinking about rearranging those words to help turn a game that can be deceptive and complicated into something that is endlessly simple. Let me share my thoughts on using merrygo-rounds, Ferris wheels, and the phrase “trading places” to simplify the path to a fundamentally sound swing.
First, let’s talk about merry-go-rounds and Ferris wheels. If you reduce the golf swing to its core, it is one-part horizontal rotation provided by the big core muscles between your shoulders and hips, aka
the merry-go-round; and onepart vertical swing provided by the tiny muscles in your arms and hands, aka the Ferris wheel. Too much of either one can cause ball flight problems. But blending them together produces a fundamentally sound swing that starts on a good plane and never really leaves it.
Think about the merry-go-round. Stand up straight and extend a golf club directly in front of you, parallel to the ground. Now rotate that club back and forth around your body using only the big core muscles between your shoulders and hips, resisting the use of your arms and hands. That would be an entirely horizontal swing, or 100% merry-go-round, on a horizontal plane. Next stand straight up with the club hanging straight down in front of you. Using only your hands and arms swing the club up over your head, resisting the use of your core muscles. Of course that would be an entirely vertical swing, or 100% Ferris wheel.
You cannot play golf on a horizontal or a vertical plane. But, if you blend the horizontal rotation with the vertical swing, blend the merry-goround with the Ferris wheel, you will end up with a fundamentally sound swing that starts the shaft on plane at roughly 90° to your spine, and keeps it on plane all the way back and all the way forward. So, we all know there are a lot of ways to swing the club back and forward while still getting the job done at the point of impact. And, as Seve Ballesteros said, “it’s OK to be a beast before impact and after impact, as long as you’re a beauty at the point of impact”. In that vein, I regularly use the analogy to merry-go-rounds and Ferris wheels with all skill levels. It helps new golfers understand the basics using familiar terms
that are easy to remember. It has also worked well with intermediate and advanced golfers because it quickly gets to the core of ball flight and swing issues without getting buried in detail that can be deceptive and complicated.
For example, if I have a skilled right-handed student that is struggling with centeredness of contact, or a pull-slice ball flight, and we see a swing that is too steep causing toe-snag, out-to-in path, and/or a face pointed too far right, all I need to say is, “you have too much Ferris wheel; we need a little more merry-go-round”. That student will quickly understand the core of my message, and we can get to work on the fix without getting buried in too much detail. Conversely, if I have a student that is struggling with sometimes a dead push and sometimes a snap hook, I may confirm with video what I am already inclined to say, which is “you have too much merry-go-round, we need a little more Ferris wheel”. And then we get to work on the fix.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to make every student’s swing the same. We all know there are a lot of ways to swing it back, swing it forward, and get the job done. But I suggest no matter how different any player’s swing may be from another, fundamentally sound swings all have a lot of things in common as the club head travels through the hitting zone, and there is a pretty good chance any ball flight issues they are having due to path or face can be remedied by finding a better blend of merry-go-round and Ferris wheel.
Next, let’s talk about “trading places”, another teaching methodology that has worked well for me. Think about how your body moves in the back swing and then how it moves in the forward swing. I suggest the fundamentals of any sound swing are heavily driven by body parts that simply trade places from back swing to forward swing. Let’s work top to bottom:
• The lead shoulder brushes your chin in the back swing, then trades places with the trail shoulder, which brushes your chin in the forward swing. That’s a pretty good indicator of sound shoulder rotation and spine angle retention.
• The lead arm stays as straight as possible in the back swing, then trades places with the trail arm, which straightens out in the forward swing. A pretty good indicator of sound extension.
• The wrists hinge in the back swing allowing the lead arm and shaft to form a beautiful “L”, then release and re-hinge to form another beautiful “L” in the forward swing. A pretty good indicator of sound lag and release.
• The trail hip rotates away from the ball into that imaginary wall we all know about in the back swing, then trades places with the lead hip, which rotates away from the ball into that same wall in the forward swing. A pretty good indicator of sound hip rotation.
• The trail leg straightens out as best it can in the back swing to provide a pivot point for the trail hip, then trades places with the lead leg in the forward swing, which provides the same pivot point for that lead hip. Another pretty good indicator of sound hip rotation.
• Finally, starting from a balanced position at address with your body weight going through the arches of your feet, you shift a little bit of that weight to your trail heel and lead toe in the back swing, then trade places in the forward swing, getting all the way up on that trail toe while shifting weight to your lead heel. A pretty good indicator of weight transfer, balance, and proper use of pressure and ground force.
Every golfer has a move. New golfers are learning their move. Intermediate golfers are trying to improve their move. Advanced golfers are constantly tinkering, trying to perfect their move. But in every instance, they are trying to get their body parts working together, flowing in harmony, without deceptive and complicated swing thoughts. So, regardless of your student and their skill set, if they are struggling to learn or struggling to make progress, try taking them back to the basics of their golf move, which is simply a handful of body parts trading places from backswing to forward swing. If you are like me, many of your students will have an “aha” moment, where detailed swing mechanics they have heard from other instructors or seen on social media are replaced with the simplicity of trading places.
Getting the club to bottom out in the right place in the swing is fundamental to good ball striking. Most of the people you will encounter have their swings bottom out too early. There are many reasons that can cause the problem. Probably the most common is when people overaccelerate the clubhead and the shaft lines up with the lead arm too soon. This results in fat or thin shots with the irons. Skilled players figure out how to thin it more often, because thin plays better than fat.
Try this with your students who have an early low point. Place an alignment stick perpendicular to the intended line of flight and in the center of their stance. Then have them make practice swings so they take a divot in front of the stick. If they can perform that with some consistency, then move the stick more forward, an inch or two. If the student can perform this task put a golf ball two to three inches in front of the stick and see if they can get to the ball. They may discover what they need to do to make that happen. But no guarantees. In my experience if I just give them the task, they do better. Don’t over coach. Ultimately, they need to figure it out on their own.
words by Jim Petralia, PGA
Los Angeles Country Club
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
FINDING THE BOTTOM
MY ONBOARDING QUESTIONNAIRE
words by Bob Madsen, PGA Director of Instruction
Singing Hills Golf Club
California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
Before every first lesson, I email my Student Profile and request the student’s golfing bio. This gets my feet in the person’s “shoes” and my “supercomputer” running before we start. Doing this will make you more valuable to your client. It shows you care and are genuinely interested in being of service. I am going to share the questions with you here:
Madsen Golf Student Profile
NAME: Age please:
Please share specific details about...
• Any physical challenges
• Other sports you have played/are playing
• What you are doing in terms of physical fitness
• All about any lesson experiences you have had. What you liked/didn’t like, good, bad, indifferent, particular teachers, what was covered, what worked, didn’t work, drills, games, etc.
• How often do you practice?
• What are the most range balls you have ever hit in one session?
• How often do you play golf?
• Golf books you have read
• Instructional videos you have seen (including YouTube, etc.)
• Have you seen yourself on video, how did that go?
• Favorite players and why they are your favorite
• What your problems are with the short game?
• Your average scores
• What are your reasons for playing golf?
• What are your scoring goals?
• How much practice time do you have?
• How long have you been playing?
• And any other details you would like to share.
• How did you hear about me?
•
If you care a little extra about your students and their game, they will recognize it. Begin right away to show this extra caring to your incoming students with a set of customized onboarding questions. It’s a touch of class in my book.
RE-PROGRAMMING THE PIVOT: THE HIDDEN KEY TO SHAPING BALL FLIGHT
words by Victoria Peng, PGA Associate
Complete Golf Performance
Laguna Niguel
Complete Golf Performance
Most golfers chase ball flight with grip tweaks or hand action. But elite players know — the real control starts far earlier, with how the body pivots. Here’s how I discovered it, and how you can own your shot shape.
The Shot That Changed Everything
The ball sat perfectly on the fairway. I wanted a soft draw that would bend gently toward the pin. I took my swing — and watched it peel into a screaming cut. It wasn’t the first time. My range sessions were a lottery: some draws, some cuts, some wild misses. My hands were working overtime, desperately “saving” the clubface. Under pressure, they betrayed me.
Walking off that green, I realized something had to change. What I didn’t know then was that the solution wasn’t in my grip, stance, or even my clubface — it was in how I pivoted my body.
Why Pivot Dictates Ball Flight
At a basic level, ball curve comes from clubface direction and club path. Most golfers try to adjust these directly. But at higher levels, there’s an upstream control that sets both in motion — the pivot. Pivot isn’t just “turning your shoulders.” It’s a coordinated movement of thoracic rotation, spine side bend, pelvic rotation, and center of mass shift.
Research in Applied Sciences shows:
• Draws: More right-side bend during the downswing, with the torso rotating more toward the target — encouraging an inside-to-out path.
• Cuts: Reduced right side bend earlier, with the upper body “covering” the ball sooner — creating an outside-to-in path.
• Straights: Balanced side bend and rotation, keeping the path neutral to the target line.
Your pivot is the steering wheel of your ball flight. If it doesn’t match the shot you’re trying to hit, your hands will always be in damage-control mode.
How I Re-Programmed My Swing
My coach and I went to Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon for a comprehensive analysis of my swing, conducted in his high-tech biomechanics lab at Texas Woman’s University, equipped with a 3D motioncapture system and AMTI force plates. He told me:
“If you want to hit a cut, straight, or draw — it’s not just about changing your clubface. It’s about changing your pivot.”
I started a deceptively simple drill: hit cut > straight > draw in the same set, changing only the pivot.
• Cut: Upper body covers the ball earlier, less side bend, right shoulder stays “on top” through impact.
• Straight: Neutral pivot — balanced thoracic rotation and side bend.
• Draw: Maintain right side bend longer, rotate chest more inward to create an inside-to-out path.
At first, it felt like learning three different languages—like mastering R, Python, and Stata at the same time. But once I could switch pivot modes on command, my shotshaping freedom exploded.
Coaching With Pivot in Mind
Many amateurs have a “default” pivot — either habitually standing up or habitually covering the ball. They rarely realize that changing their pivot pattern is the fastest way to change their ball flight.
Quick Pivot Cues for Shot Shaping
CUT
• Side Bend: Reduce earlier
• Right Shoulder: More “on top” through impact
• Torso: Covers the ball sooner
• Path: Outside-to-in
STRAIGHT
• Side Bend: Balanced
• Right Shoulder: Neutral arc around the body
• Torso: Square to target at impact
• Path: Neutral to target line
DRAW
• Side Bend: Maintain longer
• Right Shoulder: Moves “under” through impact
• Torso: Rotates more inward before release
• Path: Inside-to-out
Remember: The hands react to what the pivot creates — own the pivot, and you own the shot.
The Bigger Lesson
Mastering pivot gave me more than shot control — it rewired my game. It taught me that the smallest upstream changes can drive the biggest downstream results.
Now, when I coach, I don’t just teach how to hit a draw or cut. I teach players how to pivot into it — because once you own the pivot, you own the shot.
THROUGH THEIR EYES: HOW BEING A DAD HAS MADE ME A BETTER COACH
words by Blake Jirges, PGA Director of Player Development, Coto de Caza Golf Club
California
PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
When my daughters Adeline (6) and Juliette (5) joined the First Tee of Orange County, I thought I was simply introducing them to the game that has shaped my life. What I didn’t realize was that they were about to reshape me — not just as a father, but as a coach.
For the first time in a long time, I experienced junior golf entirely through a parent’s eyes. I wasn’t the one leading the station or explaining the drill. I was watching my own kids laugh, get distracted, cheer for each other, and discover the joy of hitting a ball — sometimes 10 yards, sometimes 50, sometimes not at all. And I realized
something powerful: at its core, golf is just a game. A game we play because it’s fun, no matter our age, skill level, or competitive goals. That reminder has transformed my coaching philosophy.
As a dad, I’ve learned to slow down and be present. I’m more patient. I’m more aware of my students’ emotions, their excitement, frustration, or nervousness, and how much those feelings impact their performance. I’ve learned that progress at any stage, especially early in development, takes time. You can’t rush it. The love of the game must come first.
Because here’s the truth:
• If they love the game, they’ll practice more.
• If they love the game, they’ll play more.
• If they love the game, their growth will feel limitless.
My goal now, as a coach, is to make “love of the game” the foundation of everything I do. The relationship and the experience matter more than any single shot or score. I want my students to know that I’m present for them, not just in their lesson slot, but in the bigger picture. Within reason, I want to be there when they need encouragement, perspective, or just someone to celebrate with. Bad shots will happen, in golf and in life. What matters is how we respond. I’m teaching that to my daughters now, and it’s the same message I give my students: learn from it, persevere, and move forward. The ability to overcome setbacks is a skill that extends far beyond the course.
Being a dad has been the greatest blessing of my life. Watching Adeline and Juliette grow, laugh, and learn has reminded me why we all started playing in the first place. And as both a father and a coach, I know that wherever my kids or my students go in life, I’ll be there to support them every step of the way.
A BUSY GOLF PRO’S GUIDE TO BETTER TOURNAMENT
GOLF
words by Steve Saunders, PGA Director of Instruction
Club
Temecula Creek Golf
It has been said that “If you want to play a lot of golf, don’t work in the golf industry.” As golf professionals, our demanding schedules and responsibilities on and off the course can make finding the time to maintain your own game and play regularly quite a challenge. This is especially true if you want to make the extra time and financial commitment to play in Section tournaments or Pro-Am’s.
Practicing and preparing adequately for an event is unrealistic most of the time. The simple act of taking the day(s) away from work and home to play in a tournament also can place a lot of expectations upon that time to make it worth your while.
So, as busy golf pros, what (if anything) can we do about this if we still want to compete? As someone who came into the golf industry from the playing side of things, I used to have all the time in the world to practice and compete. Since starting to work at a golf facility, it feels like I have had next to none. This change has given me some perspective as I reflect on it since I’ve been able to experience both sides of the coin for almost a decade. It’s also given me empathy for my students and helped me become a better coach because of it.
So, without further ado, here are a few things I think could help you play better tournament golf without really spending more time to do it:
Don’t just bang balls. Hit shots and work on process.
In the few precious moments that you do get to hit balls and practice, consider that it might be a lot more effective use of your time to try to focus on hitting golf shots, and working on your process, rather than banging as many golf balls as you can working on something technical. As a coach, you know how much effort and diligent practice is required from a student to make a swing change for it to become second nature.
We’ve all had students who took a lesson a month ago and now they’re on your lesson tee again and they tell you that they haven’t even been to the range once since last time. Where are they going to be with their swing? The answer is right where they were at the beginning of the previous lesson.
Trying to make a material change to your swing with minimal practice is not easy. Something simple like setup or grip can very quickly be implemented, and I love the idea of being able to capture a simple “feel” to use in the swing. But I think it would be wise to think about what you’re trying to accomplish and the likelihood that you will get it ingrained enough to use in a tournament round before you start to tinker too much with mechanics.
Perhaps the best thing you can do is “practice like you play”. In a tournament you must hit golf shots and do whatever you have to do to get the ball in the hole in the fewest strokes. Having perfect technique is not necessarily a requirement to do that. So, work on your process. “See it. Feel it. Do it.” Make even a handful of swings where you practice visualizing the shot, capturing the feel of the swing you want, going “all-in” and committing to that swing. Practicing this way might go a lot further in preparing you for a tournament round than trying to work on something mechanical, and it’s something you can put into play right now in competition. These are all things that you need to be able to do to hit a ball well under pressure, regardless of what your swing looks like.
If you have a golf swing that can ever produce a good shot, then theoretically, if you have perfect process and mindset, you should be able to hit lots of good ones, even with an imperfect swing.
Don’t be afraid to take lessons periodically. Even coaches need coaches. If you do want to work on your swing and truly try to elevate your game to a higher level, then
consider finding a coach that you can work with to help you. Even if it’s a mental coach and not one for golf swing. Firstly, it’s professional development for you. You’re improving at your craft and livelihood, you’re learning things from another person about teaching, and you’re networking and building relationships. Taking periodic lessons also makes you want to be more accountable to that person and to yourself. If you’re going to invest in taking a lesson, then you’ll also be likely to invest more time and resources into practicing and getting your money’s worth. Not only that but having a trusted outside perspective can give you direction and belief in what you’re doing.
Be yourself and don’t overthink it when it comes to tournament rounds.
This comes back once again to the adage “Practice like you play”. Say your non-tournament golf experience is usually laid back, good vibes, jokes, not taking a long time over the ball, and not taking yourself too seriously. Then, by what logic would it serve you well to go to a tournament and then
suddenly become hyper-serious and over-analyze every shot as soon as you arrive at the first tee? Yes, it’s a tournament. Yes, you want to play well. Unfortunately, the answer to playing good golf is not as simple as “try harder”.
It’s ok to be your authentic self in a tournament and trying to be someone else is not typically a route to success. Be yourself out there and trust that if you can play your own game to the best of your ability then you are going to be able to compete. Most people are not doing that, and this gives you an advantage.
Simplify your course management.
Doing a couple of things to make it easier to get around the course can do wonders for your confidence and comfort in a tournament round. A good game plan mitigates the risk for double bogey or worse while maximizing your opportunities for birdies. It’s not about playing conservatively or aggressively. It’s about thinking like a casino and trying to stack the odds in your favor so that you
can have an easy, stress-free day on the course. Over the duration of a round or a tournament you increase your likelihood of coming out ahead. Two good mantras that have worked for me over the years are “Conservative target. Confident swing.” and “Let the round come to you.”
We all know that golf is not a game of perfect, and mishits happen far more than perfect shots. So, when creating a strategy for a hole or a round, if the decision you are making requires everything to be perfect for it to work out just “OK”, then red flags and alarm bells should start going off in your head to indicate that maybe this is a poor strategy. It is very rare in a round of golf for you to truly have no other option than to pull off a perfectly executed shot, otherwise you face total disaster. Usually there is a target, a shot shape, or a club you can use that allows you to still have a good result without having to be perfect in your execution.
A great shot selection, if perfectly executed, ends up in fantastic position, and if you slightly miss it, your tendency on that miss might make you hit it even closer to the hole than a perfect shot, and a slight miss the other way will still leave you in a playable spot. Doing this repeatedly over a round will greatly reduce the stress and anxiety you have while you play. You’re making the game easy, not putting yourself in as many challenging situations, and not requiring yourself to be perfect to get a decent result.
By freeing yourself up in this way, you give yourself the opportunity to string together easy pars, and when you do that, then you might accidentally hit one close on one hole, make an 18-footer on another, and get lucky and hole an easy chip from the fringe. Suddenly, you’re 3-under par now and you haven’t had to play lights out by any means to get there. So, try to leave yourself easy putts and chips. Uphill, into the wind, and having green to work with is always going to be easier than downhill, downwind, short sided. Conservative target. Confident swing. And play easy golf.
Enjoy the journey.
This last piece of advice has to do with separating process from outcome and having gratitude for the privilege we have as golf professionals to work and play at the venues we do.
Playing tournament golf can give you incredible highs and lows, from exhilaration and joy when it goes well and frustration and demoralization when it doesn’t. Sports psychologists and professional athletes talk constantly about “process”, which is the idea of trying to only worry about the things one can control and trying to let go of the things that one can’t as much as possible. By trying to fully control the outcome of any shot, round, or tournament, you are taking yourself further away from the very things you need to focus on that eventually lead to the good outcomes we all strive for.
In golf, you can only influence the outcome. You can’t control what the other players in the tournament shoot, you can’t control the weather, or good and bad breaks. If you hit a perfect shot that lands exactly in the spot you’re trying to in the fairway and it takes an erratic bounce into the rough right behind a tree, did you hit a bad shot? Of course not. If you shoot your best tournament round ever, and someone else comes in with an amazing round to beat you by one, was the tournament a total failure because you didn’t win? Again, of course not.
These types of things can be frustrating regardless of your mental state. However, if you are too outcome oriented, they can utterly poison your mindset for the future and lead you farther away from success. The only thing we can truly do is to strive to stay in the present and give our best effort on executing the task at hand. Try to give equal weight to the process as well as the outcome and you will find that not only will you play better, but you will also enjoy the journey more along the way.
“DCE ARC” THE ANATOMY OF A GOLF SHOT
2. DECIDE - I would like to highlight two decisions that players need to make to prepare for their next golf shot. These are obvious to the experienced player, but nonetheless crucial to being consistent and thorough. The goal here certainly doesn’t need to take a lot of time and can be accomplished in as little as a few seconds. The goal is to have made a clear and specific decision.
a. External Decisions
words by Josh Alpert, PGA Good Swings Happen, Founder FlowCode Academy, Junior Golf Director California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame Member
There isn’t just one way to build your own specific golf routine. The goal is to become habitual about the process of hitting a golf shot so it becomes an automatic system that you cue into every time you step up to the ball.
The DCE ARC “Anatomy of a Golf Shot” was created as a 6-step playbook for players to follow each shot played. It begins with an attitude and perspective before arriving at the golf shot, leading the player toward a productive place so they are optimally prepared to hit the next shot.
1. Clear (Set/Reset) This initial phase is simply about getting yourself into the present moment and in a neutral mindset, prepared to focus only on the next shot. Imagine that you have a stopwatch and your job is to click the button showing all zeroes across the screen. Reset your mind, zero everything out, and prepare to narrow your focus on the next shot. It begins with making a decision. If you are still thinking about the last shot, you aren’t going to be fully focused on the shot ahead of you.
Lie; yardage (front/back/pin etc.); carry distance; wind; elevation; temperature; obstacles; where is the trouble; - these are some of the external factors a player needs to assess leading toward the ultimate goal - to hit the ball as close to the target as possible. Although a player should certainly factor where they don’t want to hit the ball, assessing these data points creates greater clarity on where you want the ball to go.
b. Internal Decisions
Let’s assume the external shot is a net carry distance of 145 yards. What is the club selection, the shot shape, the ball position and the effort of swing to be selected to accomplish the mission. This aspect of the decision-making process is unique to each individual player, depending on their skill set.
Once a player has made a clear decision based on the factors at hand and established their preferred method of hitting a shot, they are ready for phase 3.
3. Commit - I recommend three ways of aligning a player with the shot they are about to perform.
a. Visualize - Stand behind the ball and imagine it flying to the exact spot you intend. You can use shot tracers as seen on TV, the actual flight of the ball
or even imagine a bullseye target (like a dartboard) on the ground where the ball will go. There are many kinds of visualizations a player can explore to see what a good shot looks like before it happens. Decide on the one that works best for you.
b. Self -Talk - An extremely powerful tool as it becomes the story about the upcoming shot. Talk yourself through the shot you are about to hit as if you were a director explaining the lines of a movie scene to an actor. Once again, describe the scene exactly as you want it to be played out, not as you don’t.
c. Feels - Practice swings or practice motions are a great way to align the body with the intended shot at hand. Focus could be on the rhythm and tempo, the amount of swing or the shape of the swing. It matters less about where a player places their practice swing focus as long as it helps align the body to successfully accomplish the shot at hand.
Imagine a basketball player at the free throw line before they take the shot. Visualize the ball going in the hoop, swish, confidently tell yourself the shot is going in, feel the rhythmic motion and the flick of your wrist… you are now ready to let it go.
4. Execute - At the moment of execution there are two areas of awareness that will always benefit a player. Additional swing thoughts are at the discretion of the player, but I recommend limiting the number. Less is more.
a. Target Awareness - Sense where the target is while taking a swing. In other sports, we literally are looking at the target. Basketball players look at the rim and baseball pitchers at the catcher’s mitt. We know where that target is in other sports because we are looking directly at it. Golf is unique in that we aren’t looking at the target (except perhaps Jordan Spieth at some stages of his putting career :) Keeping your mind’s eye on the target as you prepare to take your swing helps you know where to send the ball.
b. Rhythmic Acceleration - I encourage players to be aware of what it feels like when they hit their best shots. In my experience with all the sports I have played throughout my athletic career,
I experienced a sense of rhythm, balance and fluidity during my best and most consistent shots. You know great shots when you see them while watching the best players in the world. You know what it feels like when you hit your best shots.
5. Assess - Watch the ball to completion. Watch it in the air, watch it hit the ground and come to rest. Once it is has completed its journey and the result is final, evaluate the shot you just hit in one of the following ways.
a. Anchor Great Shots - If you hit a truly great shot, or one that you are happy with, give it some emotional value. When we give ourselves kudos for a shot well played, it creates a stronger memory that allows us to recall it more easily in the future. Atta baby!
b. Learn - When you hit a poor shot (or a really poor shot!) instead of reacting in anger, embarrassment or disappointment, try using a learner mindset to figure out what happened to create the shot in the first place. Was it due to a poor club choice (decision), was the player distracted and focused in the wrong areas (commitment) or simply executed poorly (execution). In any regard, solving the mystery of the poor shot to avoid the same mistake in the future is far more productive than a negative and unproductive emotional reaction.
6. Recharge- Take a mental break, hydrate, grab a snack, enjoy a good conversation with fellow players, close your eyes and breathe, and enjoy that you are playing the greatest game ever played. Store up some energy so that you are recharged and ready to clear that stopwatch for your next shot. I am amazed by the amount of anguish and negative energy that gets spent recalling past moments. This recharge phase encompasses over 3 1/2 hours of a typical 4-hour round. The actual preparing and playing the shots themself doesn’t take very long. Recharge the battery so it is full of juice when you need it most!!!
I believe strongly that implementing DCE into one’s golf game will help players shoot lower scores and lead toward a greater enjoyment of the golf experience.
SECTION 3
Embracing the Endless Season: Success
Strategies for Southern California Golf Professionals
words by Junko Harkins, PGA Player Engagement Consultant
We are fortunate to be golf professionals living in the sunny paradise of Southern California, where perfect golfing weather graces us year-round. It’s no wonder I was drawn to this vibrant locale after graduating college and becoming a PGA Member. My journey began with an unforgettable internship at Riviera Country Club, a dream come true for someone raised in northern New Jersey. Sixteen years later, I’m still living that dream without a single regret. However, the perpetual sunshine means that seasons don’t exist here, which can be exhausting. The constant demands of the job leave little downtime or off-season for most of us. Are you tired? I know I am, and I don’t even work at a green grass facility anymore.
Despite the exhaustion, Southern California offers tremendous benefits. We enjoy a consistent revenue stream through programming and coaching that others across the country envy (maybe) but it provides us with the ability to make MORE. Our stable climate also leads to job security, minimizing turnover. But how can we ensure we are always at the top of our game, offering the best experiences to our consumers and community?
Whether your focus is on adult or junior programming, PGA initiatives or otherwise, success often lies with the following essentials:
1. Pre-planning: Just as golf courses schedule their maintenance a year in advance, professionals should plan programs well in advance. Determine registration periods, promotion strategies, and maximize signups by being proactive.
2. Communication: Respectful, timely responses to customers, members, and fellow professionals are crucial. No one likes to be ignored, whether by phone, email, or text. Even a simple acknowledgment can make a big difference. You would be surprised to hear how many golf
professionals will ignore each other when they agreed to work on a schedule together for PGA Jr. League. Let’s not do that to each other.
3. Continuing Engagement: Keep connections strong with your players, even after programs end. Host season-ending events like a PGA Family Golf event with your PGA Jr. League program or themed events for various groups. For example, consider a Couples Twilight event to encourage everyone out on the course, or a Nine and Wine with your ladies.
At a recent PGA Junior League All-Star event, I witnessed a heartwarming interaction. A coach, known for consistently leading teams to the National Championships, greeted his players by asking, “Did we meet our goals today?” Expecting to discuss their scores and performance, the players were reminded that the day’s true goals were to have fun and stay connected. This approach emphasized the experience over the score—an ethos that the team carried into their Section Championship. By prioritizing fun, respect, and professionalism, you will always craft successful programs and maintain a steady income, regardless of the season. This for us, can keep us energized even through the tiring months.
THE BENEFITS OF PGA HOPE FOR YOU AND YOUR FACILITY
words by James Davenport - PGA Associate
SCPGA Section Staff - PGA HOPE Program Coordinator / Ambassador US Navy Senior Chief Ret.
What is PGA HOPE?
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active-Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing. The program runs through a developmental 6-week curriculum, taught by PGA and LPGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and PGA Section Foundations, so participation is free for Veterans, Reservists, National Guard, and Active-Duty Personnel.
Who is eligible to attend?
This program is open to all Veterans, Reservists, National Guard, and Active-Duty Personnel at no cost. PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), allowing VA Doctors and Staff to refer Veterans as a form of therapy. PGA HOPE strives to create a healthier Veteran and Active-Duty community through golf. Veterans may have visible or invisible disabilities, and all are welcome regardless of disability rating, status, or VA affiliation. PGA HOPE provides a safe space for Veterans to connect, build community, and enjoy the rehabilitation process.
What are the changes to the PGA HOPE Program for 2025?
Due to budget constraints, the PGA now only reimburses for range balls and course fees. Graduation tee gifts will come from the PGA HOPE Coordinator and SCPGA Section. Food and beverage are no longer covered, and Lead Pro Stipends are set at $500 per 6-week session.
What are our mission and goals of PGA HOPE?
Our mission is to use golf as a rehabilitative tool to help Veterans overcome life’s adversities and improve their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
• Serve our Veterans in Southern California through PGA Professionals and the game of golf.
• Create a safe environment and build trust with PGA Professionals.
• Encourage camaraderie and fun.
• Teach golf basics including etiquette and course management.
• Empower Veterans to feel confident playing golf independently.
• Provide a free adaptive golf program tailored to any participant.
Why PGA HOPE?
PGA HOPE is a way to give back to those who have given so much to us—and it works. Golf heals, builds camaraderie, and creates a sense of community and belonging.
• Showcase your skills and build your resume.
• Strengthen ties to your community and Foundation.
• Positively impact lives by giving Veterans a break from their challenges.
• Provide peace of mind for families.
• Create safe spaces that can shape, change, or even save lives.
What can PGA HOPE do for you and your facility?
PGA Professionals who teach a six-week HOPE program will receive PDR Credits and an honorarium for their time.
• PGA Professionals and Associates are offered $100/hour or $200 for a two-hour session.
• Lead PGA Professionals receive an additional $500 stipend.
• Approved for 6 PGA credits under activity code (28).
• Reimbursement available for range balls, course access, and graduation rounds.
• PGA members can earn deferred compensation benefits by participating in PGA HOPE and other grow-the-game programs.
Golf is the mechanism by which we build community, challenge ourselves, learn new skills, share camaraderie, and define our path forward.
BEST PRACTICES: Learn about Golf in a Day
words by Nicole Weller, PGA Compass Pointe Golf Club Leland, NC
In today’s society, time and tight schedules dictate much of how golf programming has evolved compared to 20 or even 5 years ago. To help provide golfers with a taste of golf in a single day instead of across a span of 4-5 weeks, I’ve created, tweaked and absolutely enjoy hosting a Learn about Golf in a Day Program that has had remarkable success for over 10 years now. Many women have enjoyed attending this initial taste-test of our game and once bitten by the golf bug they can continue into other program and lesson options. Learn about Golf in a Day is held over a 6-hour period, usually from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We have weekday and weekend offerings to accommodate retirees or those still working. Three to six students make a perfect number for a special learning experience. The program runs $299 per person and includes lunch, demo clubs, balls, a swag bag, instruction, learning tools and drills, a graduation certificate, a welcome email with lunch menu RSVP, carts and practice facility access. The class only uses a putter, pitching wedge and 8 iron to keep club choices simple.
THE AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS:
9:00 - 9:30am Introduction, The 1-Minute Mention (icebreaker), Old Clubs and Golf Balls Show and Tell, Equipment and Attire Chat
9:30 - 10:15am Putting (basic motion, accuracy and speed drills, green reading, contest)
10:15 - 10:45am Chipping (basic motion, contest)
10:55 - 11:35am Basic Swing (P.G.A. intro and Y/L Motion), 3-Tee Start Drill, Stick the Finish Contest
11:45am-12:35pm Working Lunch with Manual Overview, Detour through Golf Shop
12:45pm Visit with Starter / How to Check-In
1:00pm First Hole Demo Overview (Terms, Basic Etiquette / Pace / Rules) followed by Scramble from short course tees holes 2 through maybe 4-5
2:30-3:00 Return to classroom, scorecard overview, What’s Next, Graduation Certificates with Pomp & Circumstance Music
Following the initial 101-style class, I offer multiple spin-offs. The 202 Next-Step Mini School is a 3-hour program covering full swing with driver, longer clubs and ground shots, pitching, bunkers and a putting learning team drill. A free clinic twice a year for 101 Grads, followed usually by a chance for students to join me for lunch at the Club. That brings in F&B revenue as Club members put charges on their accounts and non-members pay by credit card. And a 303-custom option for classes to meet up again and have a skill practice or on-course time with me at a Lesson Share rate.
TESTIMONIALS FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE PROGRAM ARE AS FOLLOWS:
I walked in not knowing a thing about golf… I walked out ready to sign up for the Tour! “ ”
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“As a person who has NEVER golfed, I didn’t know what to expect. Signing up for your 101 class was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. My only wish is that you lived in my area!”
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This is the program that started my golfing journey and found me ‘my girls’ to go on my golf journey with and gave me what I needed to find a group of friends in our new community.
My husband and sons love golfing and often invited me to join in. Nicole’s 101 program gave me the comfort and confidence to finally join them. Golf has now become a frequent family activity that we all enjoy together!
Nicole makes her 101 class relaxed and fun. I was terrified to swing a club in front of others but how the class is structured, you feel fully confident by the time you are out on the course playing a hole!
”
Overall, this one-day investment of time, preparation and hosting provides multiple benefits to you and your facility. Private Lesson and Series Follow-Up Income to Instructors and courses, potential for Follow-Up Clinics and Group Practices, Increased Rounds to the Facility, F&B Add-On’s and Covers, Range Ball Revenue, Increased Tournament & League Participation ++ Member Engagement (a big lifeline at a private Club), Increased Merchandise Sales (training tools, accessories, soft & hard good sales), Increased Golf Cart Rental Sales and Staff Retention, and enjoyable team-teaching opportunities. Just one simple day can lead to a lifetime of new golf memories and adventures for a person and the start of a cascade of revenue into the facility and for the instructor!
Taking Player Development to
the Next Level
words by Jackie Riegle, PGA Director of Player Development and Marketing
Monarch Beach Golf Links
When I think about growing a player development program, it goes far beyond teaching individual lessons. The real magic happens when we create experiences that not only improve skills, but also build connection, accountability, and community.
One of the strategies that has worked best for me is keeping a detailed list of every player I’ve coached—organized by who I enjoy working with the most and who thrives in my coaching style. This allows me to invite my most engaged students first when I launch group events. Their energy sets the tone, creating an environment where golfers learn, laugh, and grow together. As that culture takes shape, I can extend invitations to others and help them feel at home within the community we’re building here at Monarch Beach Golf Links.
Offering a variety of group programs alongside private lessons has been a game-changer. My Short Game Sessions focus on chipping and pitching from different lies around the course. In Putting with Purpose, players rotate through six stations that develop mechanics, alignment, and distance control. And during Play with the Pro on-course rounds, we dive into strategy and course management in real time. These sessions give players clear direction on what to practice, while also creating opportunities to connect with each other beyond their individual lessons.
The results have been powerful. Many of my students have chosen to transition into Titleist clubs and Scotty Cameron putters, trusting me with both their game and their equipment decisions. All those purchases flow directly through our Monarch Beach Golf Links golf shop, benefiting the club as well. At our first ever Titleist Wedges & Wine Clinic, 10 students joined me for a 90-minute session at $100 each, and five new wedges were sold that same day. With this coaching model, my goal is to consistently reach $300 per hour in revenue, while also building loyalty and driving meaningful results for the club.
At the end of the day, player development is about more than swings and scores—it’s about creating a community where golfers can learn, connect, and grow together.
A Letter to The Next Generation of Golf Coaches Five Lessons
That Shaped My Journey
words by Brandon Bittner, PGA Associate
Rick Smith Golf Academy at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles
Dear Aspiring Golf Coach, You’re stepping into one of the most meaningful, rewarding, and misunderstood roles in the game of golf. Yes, your players will look to you for swing advice — but what they truly need goes far beyond technique. They need a leader. Someone who can see past their current struggle and help them progress with clarity, accountability, and compassion.
This letter is written for you — the passionate coach at the beginning of your journey, or even the seasoned pro who wants to reconnect with what really matters. I have spent over 17,000 hours helping golfers improve and these lessons were learned on the range, on the course, as well as in the quiet moments between workdays, wondering how to be more effective, more present, and more impactful.
My hope is that this letter helps you to shortcut some of the lessons that took me years to learn the hard way. Because your players don’t just need instruction. They need you, the coach. Let’s begin.
1. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Everything I have achieved and every opportunity I have been blessed with has come as a direct result of stepping into uncertainty.
In 2014, I left a small hometown and a comfortable Country Club job to pursue a full-time teaching opportunity in Tampa, Florida. That single decision was intimidating since everyone in my family was local. From there, I moved crosscountry to Palm Desert, California in 2016. Over the next seven years I taught at 16 different golf school locations in 10 different states to golfers from over 35 countries, with their different languages, and cultures.
Living that way, moving from one location to another, often staying just weeks or months at a time, isn’t for everyone. But doing so in my mid 20’s to early 30’s was a crash course in life. I learned about the world, I learned about people, and most importantly I learned what I was capable of. None of that would have happened if I’d played it safe. It only happened because I said yes to opportunities
that were uncertain, intimidating, or flat-out uncomfortable.
You may not need to travel solo across the country to step outside your comfort zone. Maybe for you it’s inviting a more experienced coach to observe you teach and give you feedback. This can really challenge you. I’ve had mentors and senior professionals watch me teach more times than I can count.
At first, it’s nerve-racking. You think, “They’re judging me. What if I mess up?”
But over time, I realized something important: they weren’t there to judge me. They were there to help me. That shift from fear to support is powerful because it sparks insightful and energetic conversations, which builds your confidence and helps you grow much faster.
2. Get A Mentor, Like Yesterday!
Early in my career, I didn’t have one. I spent most of my time in the Golf Shop and was looking to teach to make some extra money. In hindsight I knew what I wanted my players to do, but I didn’t know how to communicate it. I couldn’t diagnose root causes with enough precision, and I didn’t have a coaching process.
As a result, I was spewing theories & assumptions, throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something stuck. Doing so, I messed up some swings and wasted some people’s time, no doubt about it.
Jim Rohn said it best, “You are the average of the five people closest to you.” But I didn’t understand what that meant yet. I was surrounded by great friends and coworkers, but I hadn’t prioritized putting myself in rooms with people who were way ahead of me.
The truth is, there were people out there who would’ve gladly helped someone eager like me. Sure, golf instruction wasn’t thriving in rural Western Maryland, but that was just an excuse. I could’ve driven an hour or two to observe a fulltime coach to learn what it took. I could’ve asked more questions. I could’ve built relationships with
the members at my club who were business owners & entrepreneurs and learned more about client management, leadership, personal development, and how to grow a coaching business.
Eventually, someone gave me an opportunity to teach full time. That’s when everything changed. I started to observe what real coaching looked like, and how much I had to learn. But I think about how much farther ahead I’d be if I had sought mentorship sooner. Don’t wait. Find a coach you respect. Train with them and ask questions. Watch them work. Be persistent, be respectful, and be curious. Your growth will skyrocket.
3. Be Patient, But Don’t Get Complacent Either
Growing up in a small town I saw a lot of people build long, stable careers by working at the same company their entire lives. They started in entrylevel roles, put in the time, gained experience, earned respect, and eventually moved into leadership positions. That environment taught me a lot about loyalty and relationships, as well as earning your keep and working hard over time. I’m incredibly grateful for that foundation as it helped shape my character.
But that mindset also came with a blindspot. One that held me back through the first 10 years of my coaching career. I stayed in a position for too long, but not because I wasn’t growing. I had a great mentor, I was getting better, and I felt respected and senior. But over time, that security became a trap. I’m by no means suggesting that you should move on from any position after a certain amount of time. But I wasn’t being challenged in new ways and deep down, I knew I was starting to plateau. In hindsight, I can see that my confidence was growing, but deep down I was nervous to find out what I was really made of without that safety net.
Eventually, I made the move, and it was, again, uncomfortable. This time to a new city, with zero clients, and no guaranteed paycheck. But it was also the best decision. Because once I stepped into something unfamiliar, I had to grow again. I had to
evolve, learn new things, build new relationships, and figure things out on my own. That’s what kicked my development and confidence into overdrive.
So, here’s my advice: don’t rush your journey, but don’t fall asleep at the wheel either. Be fully present where you are but stay alert. Keep an eye out for opportunities that push you forward. If you have a great mentor where you work, trust that they want to see you succeed, even if that eventually means outgrowing the environment you’re in.
4. Coaching Golf Is About Relationships and Building Trust
There was a point in my coaching career when I realized that sometimes I wanted my players to hit great shots more than they did. I care that much. I wanted the swing to develop and the ball to launch higher and farther. Not for my ego, but because I genuinely wanted it for them. I was so invested in their improvement that I found myself overcoaching, filling every silence, commenting on every shot, trying to fix everything all at once. But over time, I learned something far more powerful than any technical correction: Coaching is about connection, not control.
If you’re constantly talking, you’re not listening. And if you’re not listening, you’re not learning what your player really needs. God gave us two eyes, two ears, and just one mouth. Use them in proportion. Observe and listen. Let the player show you who they are, what they care about, what frustrates them, what scares them, and what lights them up. Don’t just hear them, actively listen. You’ll begin to see how much easier it is to help that person. You can’t coach someone effectively that you don’t understand. And you can’t understand someone if you haven’t built trust with them first.
It’s easy to get caught up in all the technology we now have. Those tools are amazing, but they’re not why people stay. What keeps someone coming back week after week, month after month, is how you make them feel. Safe. Seen. Encouraged.
Challenged. Valued. Obviously, results are huge factor, but players ultimately stay for the relationship. For the honesty, the vulnerability, the patience, and the compassion. For the coach who truly gives a damn.
Every golfer you meet is carrying something you can’t see. Insecurities, stress, doubt, hope. Your ability to be present with them, to listen deeply, and to care genuinely… that’s what separates a coach from an instructor. That’s what earns you the trust that unlocks real transformation in their golf game. When you put the person before the player, you get both in return.
5. Become an Expert in On-Course Coaching! Do you want to make your job easier or harder? Do you want to make it easier or harder for your players to improve? Obviously, easier!
After more than 6,500 hours of coaching golfers out on the course, I can say with absolute confidence: nothing will make your coaching more effective than spending time with your players where it matters most, the golf course.
The benefits are endless:
• You get to work on the golf course (a dream come true).
• Your players get help in the environment where they compete.
• You connect the dots between range work and a real round.
• You can teach course management, expectation management, simulate pressure, track stats, improve green reading, refine pre- and postshot routines, tackle awkward lies, and—most importantly—have fun with your player.
• You spend more time with your players, strengthen the relationship, and yes, add more value (and revenue) to your business.
How often do players stripe it on the range, only to watch it completely unravel once we step onto the first tee. Not because they’re lazy or not trying, but because the range doesn’t prepare them for
the stress, distractions, and decision-making of a real round. Often, the breakdown starts with something as simple as aim. I’ve lost count of the number of players I’ve seen aim 30 yards right of their target without realizing it. At that point, their swing has no chance. But what do they blame after the bad shot? Their swing mechanics!
On-course coaching changes that. It gives you a front-row seat to see why your players really struggle, what shots scare them, how they handle adversity, where their decision-making derails. It allows you to coach with clarity, not guesswork. You stop relying on their emotions and start building plans based on facts and objectivity.
If you want to become the kind of leader your players deserve, don’t just fix their swing—help them learn how to play golf. The range is where they learn skills and technique. The course is where they turn into a player and learn to win.
Final Thoughts: Be The Coach Your Players Deserve
If you’ve made it this far, I hope one thing is clear: coaching golf isn’t just about swing mechanics, Trackman numbers, or a perfect takeaway. It’s about people. It’s about who you are and who you’re willing to become for the benefit of your students.
Be the kind of coach who listens more than they speak. Be the kind of leader who remains steady through highs and lows. Be the kind of teacher who’s never above learning. Be the kind of professional who’s patient enough to grow slowly and intentional enough to never settle. And most of all, be the kind of coach who cares deeply. Not just about the results, but about the human beings who show up to work with you, trust you, and look to you for guidance. Your players don’t need a one-off lesson or a quick tip. They need a guide. A mentor. A coach.
Thank you for the work you do to make this game better for your players. Keep leading with passion and purpose. Your players deserve nothing less.
RUNNING A PROFITABLE GOLF ACADEMY: WHAT MOST COACHES OVERLOOK
words by Jordan King Thomas, PGA Director of Instruction, Lead Master Instructor, Rick Smith Golf Academy at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles Owner, KingThomas Golf
To build a successful career as a golf instructor, you need to learn to operate your business like a professional, not just teach like one. Too many instructors focus solely on improving their knowledge of the swing or their ability to break down video. Those skills matter. But they’re only part of the job. You’re also a business owner and entrepreneur. If you want a thriving academy with loyal students, a full calendar, and room to grow, there are foundational business habits that many coaches overlook, but you can’t afford to ignore.
After 15 plus years as an instructor and building a seven-figure academy from the ground up, I’ve learned that there are 7 keys to building a successful golf academy.
1. Focus on Results and Relationships to Drive Revenue
Your students need to believe that they’re getting better, and they need to believe in you.
Their results and success drive your retention, referrals and revenue. Motivating your students to improve and have fun comes from more than technical knowledge. It comes from connection. Strong communication skills and taking a genuine interest in your clients’ lives outside of the lesson tee helps to create trust and mutual respect.
You must make it simple for students to understand what they’re working on and why it matters. If your lessons are a confusing or overwhelming mix of swing thoughts, they’ll get frustrated and struggle to improve. Focus on one clear priority. Give them a visual or feel they can take to the range. Build trust by showing them where they’re improving and remind them that this is a process. When students see progress, they stay. When they feel supported, they commit. That’s how you build a calendar full of serious players, not just one-time lesson takers.
2. Treat Your Space as Your Brand
Presentation matters. You wouldn’t trust a restaurant with a dirty kitchen. Don’t expect students to invest in your coaching if your workstation looks like an afterthought. Your teaching area should be clean, organized, and professional. Think alignment sticks, fresh golf balls, a clean hitting mat, towels folded, tees and aids in their place. Your environment is part of your product. Make it look like you take pride in it because it reflects how seriously you take your work. You don’t need the biggest facility, but you do need to treat your space with care. When students walk up, they should know they’re in good hands before you say a word.
3. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Today’s students expect technology. But that doesn’t mean you need to have every tool on the market. What matters is how you use it. Launch monitors, video analysis, pressure plates, and 3D systems can be powerful when they’re integrated into your coaching in a meaningful way. Use it to reinforce a concept, track progress over time, or validate a change. Always connect the data back to the student’s goal.
A TrackMan isn’t a magic wand. It’s a tool. But when you know how to apply it and explain it in plain language, it becomes a competitive advantage.
4. Track Student Progress and Reflect it Back to Them
You don’t need to turn into a data scientist, but some kind of progress tracking is essential. It can be as simple as a shared note, a spreadsheet, or a folder of swing videos. Keep track of key metrics and revisit them every few lessons. When you can show a student how their ball flight and carry have improved, that builds belief and retention. People want to feel their investment is paying off. Don’t assume they’re noticing the improvements. Help them see it.
5. Build a Smooth Operation
6.
Schedule the Next Lesson Before They Leave
This one is simple but often skipped. The easiest way to keep students coming back is to get them on the schedule before they walk away. Build in five minutes at the end of every lesson to review their focus, outline a personalized practice plan, and book their next lesson. Don’t leave it openended or up to chance. If you wait for them to reach out, they’ll get busy, forget, or lose momentum. This isn’t just about filling your calendar. It’s about guiding the student through a long-term development process. You’re the coach. Own that role and help them stay on track.
7. Invest in Yourself Like You Want Others to Invest in You
If you expect students to pay premium rates for an hour of your time, you should spend time and money improving too. Attend trainings like the CornerStones of Coaching. Get mentored. Watch your own video sessions. Learn how to run a business, not just teach a swing. The best instructors are always evolving their technique, and how they serve and lead. You’re not just building a business. You’re building a reputation. Every interaction, lesson, and follow-up is either reinforcing or eroding that reputation.
Final Thoughts: Running a profitable academy doesn’t require an MBA. It requires doing the simple things consistently and professionally. Focus on results. Show students you care. Keep your space sharp. Use tools that support your teaching. And build habits that support your growth. It’s not just about filling your book this week. It’s about building something that lasts.
If you’re spending all day reacting to texts, shuffling lessons, and handling payments on the fly, you don’t have a business, you have chaos. Set up a consistent sales funnel for communicating and engaging with clients. Create a system for responding to and filing emails and text messages. Set alerts to re-engage with potential clients who reached out to you but haven’t responded yet. Craft a sales script to show potential clients the value of your lessons and programs. Set cancellation policies that protect your time. Automate receipts and reminders. These small steps save time, reduce no-shows, and make your academy feel more professional. The smoother your operation, the more energy you can put into teaching and the more confident your students will feel in working with you.
CA Summit Through the Years 2017
The inaugural California Teaching & Coaching Summit hosted on October 2324, 2017, was born out of the SCPGA Fall Teaching Summit. The revitalized CA Summit was hosted by Virginia Country Club in Long Beach and has raised the bar on teaching and instruction for golf professionals.
Virginia Country Club
Virginia Country Club
EDDIE MERRINS, PGA
SEAN FOLEY
MARK BLACKBURN, PGA
JAMIE MULLIGAN, PGA
AMY ALCOTT
JOHN COOK
DR. TIM BROWN
JAMES SICKMAN
The Lineup
2018
The Fairmont Grand
The Lineup
HANK HANEY, PGA
PHIL MICKELSON
MIKE BENDER, PGA
GREG ROSE
SCOTT HAMILTON
DAVID PHILLIPS, PGA
STAN UTLEY, PGA
DEREK UYEDA, PGA
2019
JOURNEY AT PECHANGA
The Lineup
KEVIN DUFFY
DR. ALISON CURDT, PGA
BRAD FAXON
JOSH GREGORY
SETH WAUGH
CHRIS COMO
FRED COUPLES
JAMIE MULLIGAN, PGA
2020
VIRTUAL
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the originally slated CA Summit at Riviera Country Club needed to adapt to the current guidelines and protcols. The 2020 Summit moved virtual and was a resounding success as it informed 300 attendees on the golf industry’s current teaching techniques and practices.
The Lineup
MARK BLACKBURN, PGA
KEVIN KIRK, PGA
JAMIE MULLIGAN, PGA
JUSTIN PARSONS
DR. BHRETT MCCABE
NEALE SMITH, M.S.
TASHA BOHLIG, PGA
BOB MADSEN, PGA
RICK SESSINGHAUS, PGA
RANDY CHANG, PGA
PXG staff program
Preferred (PUD) pricing
Sr. PPC sponsorship nationally
2021
JOURNEY AT PECHANGA
The Lineup
JAMIE MULLIGAN, PGA
JIM MCLEAN
MARCUS POTTER
MICHAEL BREED, PGA
CHRIS MAYSON
DR. BHRETT MCCABE, PHD
MELISSA “MO” MARTIN
BRANDEL CHAMBLEE
2022
Virginia
The Lineup
MARK BLACKBURN, PGA
STEPHEN SWEENEY
JONAH OLIVER
DAVE PHILLIPS, PGA
SUZY WHALEY, PGA
RANDY SMITH, PGA
JIM RICHERSON, PGA
JAMIE MULLIGAN, PGA
MARK O’MEARA
2023
Virginia Country Club Virginia Country Club
JAMIE MULLIGAN, PGA
TODD ANDERSON, PGA
BOYD SUMMERHAYS
LEO ROONEY
CRAIG WELTY, PGA
JIM MCLEAN, PGA
MICHAEL BLOCK, PGA
2024
The Fairmont Grand
ANDY PROUDMAN
PIERS WARD
NORV TURNER
PARKER MCLACHLIN
ANDY PLUMMER
TODD SONES, PGA
TRILLIUM ROSE, PGA
GABRIEL HJERTSTEDT BUTCH HARMON
Coaching & AI: A Winning Pair
BY CHRIS ARDOLINA, PGA
There’s no denying that golf technology and students’ expectations are rapidly evolving. In golf, where small changes can yield significant results, the ability to deliver precise, personalized feedback in real-time is what sets great coaches apart. That’s why I’ve embraced XView AI Pro, a golf app built with and for golf coaches.
XView, launched in May 2025, is endorsed by World Long Drive Champion Martin Borgmeier and renowned coach Pete Buchanan. It’s a portable 3D studio that fits in your pocket and doesn’t require the internet, bulky equipment or a controlled, indoor environment. XView lets me analyze and deliver insights to students right on the course or range. XView isn’t just convenient; it has transformed my coaching — more so than any other golf app or tech.
My coaching follows Hall of Fame golf instructor Jim McLean’s “3 Steps to Improvement”
Step 1. What Are You Doing Now? I start by recording the student’s swing to understand their current motion.
Step 2. What Should You Be Doing to Improve? With XView’s AI-powered analysis, I compare their motion to ideal movement patterns and pinpoint the areas limiting their performance.
Chris
uses
records a student’s
AI
while
Image of student’s swing using XView’s Path for Hand and Club
es? I combine handscoaching with XView’s powerful visuals to optimize
With XView, I’ve eliminated time-consuming manual processes that exist with other tools, so I spend more time on coaching, tactical preparation, and helping each player reach their full potential
New tech can seem intimidating, but XView was easy to learn and incorporate into my coaching. In particular, XView’s golf-specific AI provides unparalleled visuals and analyses that strengthen my connection with my students. I use XView Path, Contour, and Skeleton in my lessons. With one touch, I get accurate, visually powerful feedback that my students instantly understand. The precision of XView means no misread movements — only reliable analyses. It doesn’t get confused by backgrounds or clothing that interfere with motion detection on other apps. XView is simple, fast, and far ahead of other apps on the market today.
Since integrating XView, I’ve also seen increased interest in my coaching. Golfers want to understand the ‘why’ and appreciate coaching that blends the latest technology with hands-on instruction.
Coaches: I recommend incorporating XView to better serve you and your students — it won’t change who you are as a coach, but it will enhance what you do best.
Chris Ardolina is Director of User Relationship Development at XView. He is a Methodist University’s PGM Program graduate and PGA Member (since 2007). He teaches over 1,700 hours annually and has been awarded Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America (2021–2026), GRAA Top 100 Teaching Professional (20222024), and honors from NFPGA and US Kids Golf.
and Spine Angle. Chris used these tools to ensure the student didn’t take the club too far inside while increasing his forward bend. Bottom right: Chris shows the student his XView swing analysis and provides instruction on how to improve. Chris recommends students use XView Free or Plus between coaching sessions. Get XView
XView AI Pro, Plus, and Free are available in the Apple App Store. Learn more at www.ideaslab.com/xview and @xview_golf.
Above:
Ardolina
XView
Pro
coaching. Top: Chris
swing using XView. Bottom left:
Head, Skeleton,
PGA COACH RESOURCES
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PGA COACH
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SCPGA COACH / SCGA SWING TIPS
Interested in being part of the SCGA Swing Tips Presented by the SCPGA? Contact Matt Rogers, mrogers@pgahq.com, at the SCPGA Headquarters.
Be featured on @scga and @scpga for exposure to thousands of golfers!
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
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Sign up today for the PGA of America’s Deferred Compensation Plan and get credit for: PGA Junior League, PGA HOPE, volunteer with a school program, set up a PGA COACH profile, Mentor an Associate, and much more!
