About
I specialize in beginner golf instruction. My objective in teaching the game of golf is to help my students improve their skills and develop their abilities. I feel an obligation to show a student how to benefit best from a lesson. The student will know and have an understanding of what will occur during the session. They will be given reasons for my suggestions and instruction for change. To quote the great Ben Hogan, “Don’t simply tell a player what he is doing wrong – that’s not much help. You must explain to them what they ought to be doing, why it is correct, and the results it produces. Then work like the blazes to get it across so they really understand what you are talking about.” I approach all our lessons clinics and schools with this enthusiasm and dedication.
My approach to teaching is to present a complete golf education that is a plan based on making the student their own best teacher.
All instruction is tailored to the player’s personal goals, physical abilities/limitations, and knowledge of the game.
“I don’t simply teach you how to hit a golf ball. I coach you on how to play the game of golf.”
There are certainly a lot of perks that come with the job! Meeting some really great people, being able to play golf during your free time. Receiving some great discounts at the pro shop and some of the tips are pretty nice too! Being outdoors all the time isn’t bad either
Highlights
Specialties
Experience level
How often
Student age
Goals
Owns golf clubs
Reviews
Erika O.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Golf Lessons Series for Beginners
For beginning golfers I always start with the same pre-lesson interview. I then explain the game and the equipment and the learning process. I suggest the following 5-lesson format:
- Lesson 1: I begin the lesson with a tour of a hole and give an overview of the rules. I then help them understand the equipment and how each club is used to control distance and trajectory. We then cover putting basics. Through putting, I introduce the basic posture and alignment skills that will be used for all shots. I always assign practice drills for clubface control, stroke path and tempo.
- Lesson 2: I review putting and then cover the basics of chipping. The most important concepts here are the importance of the grip for face control and compression (hitting down on the ball to make it go up). Once the student understands compression, they will be able to get the ball in the air. I assign them a simple chipping and putting game for a practice exercise.
- Lesson 3: I review chipping and then cover pitching. The pitch stroke involves added power from wrist hinge and requires body rotation toward the target on the forward swing and a grip that produces a square face at impact. These are key elements that will help in the full swing. Usually the practice assignment here involves toe-up to toe-up swings and the L-drill.
- Lesson 4: We cover full-swing fundamentals for irons, hybrids, fairway metals and driving. Ball position, posture and alignment are paramount to ball striking, so I introduce the use of a practice station that indicates ball position and alignment.
- Lesson 5: We go on the course and play one or two holes. During this session, I cover pre-shot routine, uneven lies, strategy and shot selection. I also go over basic rules and etiquette.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Life long golfer, Current PGA Jr. League Coach. I have spent the last five years working with beginners and juniors at local golf courses.