About
I have a genuine desire to help those yearning to learn or improve, for their own good and that of the game.
As a former police officer and state investigator, I use to routinely share my personal message with others: Believe in yourself and in your dreams. Follow your heart and life will bring you much success, but more importantly, happiness.
Now I am following my heart and living my dream - sharing my passion for golf and helping others enjoy the game even more themselves.
Seeing people enjoying themselves as they improve then them sharing what they have learned with someone else.
Details
Experience level
How often
Student age
Goals
Owns golf clubs
Reviews
Lauren B.
Jimmie S.
Andrea C.
Inaki S.
Wendy Z.
Luann F.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Meeting with student to see where they are and discussing where they want to be. A quick review of basics and fundamentals of swing. Identification and correction of flaws. Once corrected, moving on to more advanced aspects or facets of the swing and the game. Keeping it simple and fun all the while.
One lesson is generally not enough to learn golf. Usually 3 - 5+ is a more realistic minimum. Golf requires dedication, commitment, and practice (hitting balls on own). One lesson is okay for a tune-up for people who already have an idea of how to swing or play. My 'first lessons' with people new to golf are generally more like an orientation and introduction to the game and the fundamentals of the swing; people are pretty eager to get started hitting balls ASAP, so I cover the fundamentals enough to get them started so they can do just that.
I am currently working under PGA Master Professional Gene Mitchell - Founder and Owner of The Sport Shoppe in Houston, TX, and at Edwin Watts golf near the Galleria.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Born in 1972. Started playing Putt-Putt at my dad's Putt-Putt location in Houston, at 4. Started playing golf with my dad, grandpa, and uncles at about 8; before that I just liked to hunt for golf balls and drive the (golf) carts. Been playing ever since (minus below). Member USGA since 1987.
As a youth, I attended HGA Jr Golf Clinics. Later I worked with Jerry Clouse at Shaver Golf. Then Coach Steve Hyatt at San Jac Central. I worked with Bob Ellis at Texas A&M. I worked with Steve Schweizer who introduced me to PGA Tour Pro Carl Cooper ('92-'94) and PGA Pro Paul Donnelly, whom graciously let me 'tag' along (play with them). After playing 24/7 for a year and a half in highschool I got burned out; took a 7-year hiatus.
Had I only known then what I know now: I could have gone to Rice U. where my mom and maternal grandparents went. Hence the reason I CONSTANTLY advocate to parents, and kids alike to this day: FUN IS FOREMOST...
... but I didn't go to college on a free (even partial) 'ride' [scholarship]). Kids - DO NOT TAKE THE GAME TOO SERIOUSLY OR SO SERIOUSLY THAT IT BECOMES 'work' ("grinding") and STOPS BEING FUN. [Remember 1st rule of golf: It is a game. Fun was primary intent. Fun is STILL foremost.]
Instead I went to San Jac on my parents' 'dime' (moreso than my own). Being an Eagle Scout, I got my 60 hours and became a police officer like my big sister. Then my partner and co-workers asked if I played golf - "no, use to but not anymore". How long has it been? Do you still have clubs? Can you play? Do you want to? "Several years. Yes. Yes. Okay, sure, I guess." And been playing 'again" ever since. Later I got my BS in Sociology from UHCL (instead of Rice).
I later went on to work at The First Tee and with Lone Star Golf Association.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Generally $30/lesson + range balls. People frequently pay, or tip, me more but I try to keep it reasonable - not everyone can afford $30 and FRANKLY golf is aleady TOO expensive. Save your money and use it to actually get out and practice; better yet, play. Depending on distance and other considerations I might quote $35-$50 (max) but assure you it is well worth it and you WILL get your money's worth and then some; I am not in 'it' for the $ (granted the wife doesn't share this sentiment, lol). I do it for the good of the game and my passion for its future growth and development and future generations. I kind of give lessons on a sliding scale: I have given lessons for free to those not able to afford such a luxury, and I give discounts to students and recent college grads and young professionals.
I can work with students individually OR as a pair (be it husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, parent/child, etc.; 3 people max (i.e. friends or co-workers); any more and the student-teacher ratio deprives each student of my full attention and efforts.
ADDITIONALLY, for the same of keeping student cost down: students need not buy a large bucket of range balls, especially for their first couple of lessons; a small will suffice just fine.
Lastly, in addition to above savings and for the sake of students' convenience, a range is not always necessary. HBU and UH have large expanses of grass available, as do most schools and churches; and other places, too, like parks, and some businesses. This has a 2-fold benefit, the 2nd being fewer people around (other golfers) because all too often you will see a 'contest' of sorts, and this presence of others (often "better") can be intimidating and make the affair a little less fun.
OH, ONE MORE THING, TOO: I offer ON-COURSE (not at a range, or other location) lessons to 'practice' the game. Course Mgmt (playing strategy and tactics) [not same as aforementioned on-course, above]. These entail extra costs for (my) greens and cart fees.
How did you get started teaching?
I started off as a student while in my youth and developed a passion for the game. Later I wanted to share what I had learned and knew to facilitate and expedite others in their pursuit of mastering the game.
What types of students have you worked with?
Adults, seniors - men and women, kids - boys, girls, left and right handed, persons with special needs, highschool golfers and amateur, weekend recreational golfers, handicapped and disabled (blind) golfers, and those with back (or other) injuries (pain), Amish golfers, homeless golfers, too.
I especially enjoy working with "underprivileged", but no deserving people - kids and adults; I have 4 + "homeless" golf acquaintances.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Impromptu family lesson for Amish family: grandpa, dad, 2 boys (Landon & Stevie Allen); visiting Houston because mom at MDA Hospital in TMC.
Met my dad's blind neighbor, Joe Thompson, who had never tried golf because completely blind since incubator as a newborn. He had heard of completely blind golfers but had never partaken himself. Went to a nearby school yard to allow him to feel and hear what he couldn't see.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Generally a shorter, slower, smoother swing focusing on solid impact benefits most golfers. Otherwise, to keep it fun.
Student-instructor chemistry is key. Work with someone who you can easily understand and you enjoy working with. Find someome who can help you find your swing (game).
Be patient. Work on ONE thing at a time; NOT a dozen. Patience (again).
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What their goal(s) are. Specific needs or desires. Maybe a guy wants to impress his fiancé's dad (or mom); maybe a girl wants to impress hers. Maybe someone wants to play in a tournament after being asked by a coworker or friend and agreed even though they don't play (never have) or just better than before.