Christopher Small, PGA
About
PGA Certified Head Golf Professional
14+ years teaching experience
Accomplished PGA Golf Professional offering over 14 years of experience in the industry, driving revenue through building and maintaining member/client relationships. Developed a creative teaching philosophy with proven expertise in the golf swing. Adept at working effectively to achieve goals both as a cross-functional team member and individual contributor.
My objective in teaching the game of golf is to help my students improve their skills and develop their abilities. My approach to teaching is to present a complete golf education that is plan based on making the student their own best teacher. I focus on improving what the ball does. What the golf ball does is my best source of diagnosing a golf swing, pitch, bunker shot, chip, or putt.
I, like you, enjoy the camaraderie of the game of golf. I also enjoy just being able to teach a game that mentally and physically stimulates me and challenges my students' playing ability. There are few sports and activities that are based solely on how you, yourself, perform. Also, the game of golf is my "church." It is the time, especially between shots, when I can reflect and evaluate myself. There is a reason when people ask me what church I attend I tell them, "I attend the church of the green grass." I love this game.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Someone who is making the effort to work with a teacher should expect to feel at ease and warmly welcomed from the get-go. They should feel that they are respected, listened to and really cared about. The student should expect their teacher to engage with them from the start. In general an instructor will want to know where you’ve been as a golfer and where you feel you want to go. You may have played golf for three years or for 30 years—we will want to know that. If you’ve had an injury or a surgery or there’s a medical issue, obviously the professional should be checking into that. Most important from my perspective is, what would you like to accomplish.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
PGA Class A-1 Head Golf Professional. 14 year member of the PGA of America. Extensive teaching background using a launch monitor, video analysis, and feel-based training.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$60 for 1 30-45 minute session.
What types of students have you worked with?
Beginner to Tour Player. Ages 7-70.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
The best way to prepare is to reflect on your experiences and your patterns out on the course and be able to describe them. That includes situations that make you nervous, particular shots that psych you out, etc. Don’t show up expecting to be critiqued about how much you’re willing to practice or how much you exercise or you don’t exercise. My job as a coach is to get results, without telling a student they need to be constantly stretching or doing yoga or beating balls all day.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
No question is a bad question in regards to learning the game of golf.