Chris Johnston, PGA Golf Instructor
About
I've been a PGA Golf Instructor since 1994 (29 years) and before moving to the United States, was a Canadian class 'A' PGA Golf Professional. I'm also a TPI certified fitness instructor (Titleist Performance Institute) and was 2018 New Jersey PGA Teacher of the Year.
Throughout my teaching career, I've built countless golf training tools in order to teach the necessary fundamentals, and to conquer ALL of Golf's worst swing faults. I also believe that training exercises and drills act as medicine to 'heal' the suffering golfer.
Before moving to the Orlando area in November 2021, I was teaching in the New Jersey PGA section and had the honor of receiving the 2018 New Jersey PGA Teacher of the Year award.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rw05qw-FYk&t=5s
From 2015 to 2019, I wrote 11 articles for Golf Tips magazine and had a 'feature' article in PGA Magazine's December 2016 issue.
Several of these Golf Tips magazine articles can still be seen on Golf Tips magazine's website. One of these articles is titled: "Clean up Your Sand Shots".
Article: https://www.golftipsmag.com/instruction/short-game/clean-up-your-sand-shots/#.Vo-ukBF9adk
During the peak of the Covid pandemic, I took it upon myself to do 40 straight days of one minute "CREATIVE" Instagram Golf Tip videos, titled, "A Tip a Day to Get us to May". It was May that 'Golf' was to 'open up' in New Jersey again.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjohnstongolf/
I use video in my lessons and students receive a "Video VoiceOver Summary", 1 - 2 days following their lesson in order to help them remember and understand what they need to work on. I explain to my students that this 'summary' video is 'Gold' and will never lose its value and having the ability to refer back to it is 'Priceless!'
I also have a website where lessons can be booked with more information related to me and my teaching philosophy. https://www.cjohnstonpga.com
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My passion for teaching golf comes from seeing my student progress and achieve their goals.
When a student can make sense of what they are doing and see their improvement, either in the video, with their score or shots is extremely rewarding.
Specialties
Experience level
How often
Student age
Goals
Owns golf clubs
Photos and videos
Reviews
Steve V.
elaine H.
Alex A.
George S.
Jacob F.
Anthony P.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
As most golf instructors should do, the first lesson starts off with getting to know your student, along with your student getting to know you. The first 8 to 12 minutes will be where I will find out more about my student's motivation for taking lessons, along with their history, related to past lessons, how long they have been playing, the sports they have played in the past, or still play presently in addition to their average score or handicap. Are usually finish up this 'meet and greet' portion of the lesson by asking the student if they have any 'goals' in mind. If they do not, I help them with setting short and long-term goals for them to achieve. After the 'meet and greet', over the next 5 minutes, I go into the 'framework of my philosophy' as it relates to 'swing and game improvement'.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been a PGA of America class 'A' Golf Instructor since 1994 (29 years) with 'continuing education' as a prerequisite to keeping PGA class 'A' member status and a TPI Golf Fitness Instructor, level 2 since 2007.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My standard 'one hour' lesson rate is presently $89.00, which was my '3 pack' series rate, but I made it my 'special' hourly rate with lessons purchased one at a time.
How did you get started teaching?
I was a born teacher, which came from me teaching myself without any golf instruction when I was 10 years old. Older golfers gravitated towards me because I would help them with their game. I must have known what I was talking about, because they kept on asking me to help them.
What types of students have you worked with?
I teach golfers of All LEVELS. I also feel that not only can I teach the beginner golfer, the struggling weekend, warrior, or single digit handicap shooter, I can teach the 'High Level' tournament player with specialized golf training tools I have built to work on there very specific needs.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Although not too recent, having been awarded the 2018 New Jersey PGA Teacher of the Year would have to be my fondest event I have experienced on a personal level.
As it relates to students, having "Tarek" go from shooting in the high 90s to now being a seven handicap and consistently shooting in the 70s is definitely rewarding.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Since I teach in the very 'transient' state of Florida, where my students will 'come and go', I will often tell a student to make sure to continue to take lessons and to find a good golf instructor at home.
I will inform the student to make sure that their teacher back home focuses on 'key fundamentals' that they need to continue to work on if they are too have a chance of achieving their goals.
I will also inform them that I am their teacher for life and can be contacted at any time through email, phone or text.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students need to ask themselves if they are committed to improving and doing the work that is necessary for them to achieve their goals.