About
As a PGA Golf Professional for over 20 years, my passion is teaching and coaching. I have worked hard at honing my skills as a well-respected teacher and have developed a style that is positive, effective and fun.
To be a successful teacher and coach one has to be able to connect with people on many levels and understand that each student has their own individual strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies.
We are not all created equal when it comes to swinging a golf club. There are certain common fundamentals-a sound grip, good balance and proper set-up, that are present in the swings of good players. But, people and their golf swings are as unique as the human thumbprint and there are no two alike. There are many ways to swing a golf club and contrary to popular belief, your body is your most important piece of equipment, not your driver! It will determine how and why you swing the way you do. My job is to establish an instructional plan that is tailored to fit the needs and wants of the student and personalize it based on their previous golf experience, physical capabilities and limitations, skill level, time, and what they want to accomplish.
My philosophy when it comes to teaching and coaching is pretty simple. You must start from the ground up in what I call the “Building Blocks of Learning”. It is very much like building a house. You need to build a solid foundation before you put up walls and the roof can't go on before you have good, strong walls. The same principles apply to the golf swing. The basis of any good swing depends entirely on solid foundations.
The ground floor of the swing are the basic fundamentals: Posture, stance, arm hang and grip. When you have a solid understanding of these basic fundamentals, your game will progress to the next level. Contrary to the popular saying, practice does not make perfect. PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Learn and develop the basic principles of the swing and you will learn how to develop a golf swing instead of always trying to find it! Understand how to put the building blocks in place in your practice sessions and you will more quickly realize your golfing potential and increase your enjoyment of the game.
Finding the pieces to every student's puzzle and getting them to improve and feel good about what they are accomplishing is an amazing and rewarding part of teaching. Golf can be a very humbling game but it can also be exhilarating. I teach because I want to share in the journey of a student hitting a shot that brings a smile so big that it brightens their entire day. I want to be a part of the process in watching a student's confidence and love for the game grow. And in turn, I can experience the joy of their happiness and success. To inspire confidence, passion and a feeling of self-esteem are top priorities.
I am devoted to my craft, my students and their expectations. I have taught thousands of lessons, including individual and group lessons, and encouraged hundreds of aspiring and experienced golfers, from the young to the young at heart. I want to improve golf swings while imparting the love of the game to my students. My goal is to develop players whether it be for leisure, fun, competition, making the high school team, obtaining college scholarships, business or merely to learn and enjoy a game that can be played for a lifetime.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Teaching is synonymous with communication. My effectiveness as a teacher depends on my ability to communicate with the student and to recognize how he/she learns, whether it is visual, verbal, kinesthetically or a combination of the three.
Golf instruction should never lead to a student feeling overwhelmed and confused. With quality instruction, a student is diagnosed properly and receives a prescription for improvement that is logical, simple, and understood.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been certified by the PGA of America and have been a PGA golf professional for over 20 years.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
30 minutes $60
45 minutes $80
60 minutes $100
Series of 3 10% Discount
Series of 5 15% Discount
Group and playing lessons are available
How did you get started teaching?
I played professionally for 5 years and then decided teaching was my passion. I became an apprentice at a club in Bloomington, MN and during my career have studied, watched and taken lessons from the best teachers in the world. I attained PGA Class A membership in 1995.
A good teacher possesses the knowledge of the game and mechanics of the swing and the great teacher knows how to communicate that knowledge. Great teachers are as passionate about learning as they are about teaching. They constantly are reevaluating what they are doing and looking for ways to improve their performance and effectiveness.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with beginners to professionals, aspiring golfers to accomplished and everything in between. I work with the very young to the young at heart. I've worked with 3 year olds and I've given lessons to an 85 year old. I love working with all students regardless of their age and skill.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I was able to be a part of the Ryder Cup experience at Hazeltine this past September. The Monday before the tournament, I was part of a group of PGA professionals who taught a wonderful group of veterans and help them with their games. It was a very rewarding experience.
I was also able to see the Ryder Cup players up close and personal while working at the range a couple of days during the tournament. It was great fun!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would tell them to hire someone who is passionate about their teaching and explains and coaches in a way that they understand. I would also say that if you do take lessons, make sure that you see a difference in your ball flight and ball striking in your first lesson. If you don't, you may not have the right teacher.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Basically, I think they should ask themselves what do they want to get out of their lesson time.