Why I Started Teaching Golf
Why I Started Teaching Golf
It's actually a question I get asked a lot. Or some version of it. Often it comes with a tone of "you seem like a capable guy, why are you teaching golf?" Other times there's a hint of jealousy. And the rest of the time, genuine curiosity.
The short answer? Golf is a game, and games should be fun. But golf is hard, and often frustrating.
I remember when my dad introduced me to the game around age 7. Golf was a winter sport for us, and we'd go out early on Saturday mornings to be the first ones to tee off. Winters in Durban, South Africa are pleasant, and even though the sun hadn't yet peeked over the Indian Ocean, being out there with my dad in the semi-dark was a happy time. Until that first tee shot… :) If you've played, you can relate.
Don't misunderstand — those were wonderful times, and I know what a blessing it was to have my dad want me out there with him. But golf is hard, and often frustrating. In fact, the only time I ever heard my dad swear was on the golf course, after a series of horrible hits. For my part, as a now lifelong golfer, I know exactly how it feels to perform below my own expectations.
I don't have any photos of my dad teaching me golf as a kid, but he still likes to try and school when he gets the chance :)
So part of the answer to "why golf?" is that I'm able to bring more joy and peace to your golf experience. That's not just a nice sentiment — it's a reality. I've had students on the brink of quitting, and I've helped them improve their skills, lower their scores, and have more fun again.
If you're a parent trying to teach your child the game, I can bring you both more peace and more joy by being your child's coach ;)
A little more background will help answer the question fully.
In high school English class, we did an exercise called a precis. You are given a piece of text, a quote or a news article, and shorten it without losing its essential meaning. We did them constantly, and it turned out I was good at it: taking something long and complicated and distilling it into something simpler, without losing what mattered.
Fast forward to my freshman year at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah — my first education experience in the U.S. — and I learned my undergrad degree could be whatever I wanted. The path I wanted for grad school didn't require a specific bachelor's. That realization kinda blew my mind. I switched majors and spent the next four years earning an English degree, where reading, writing, researching, and communicating was all I did. I loved it.
During those years I also worked as a coach in a training program, helping young adults learn how to study, express their thoughts clearly, manage their time, and work toward their goals. I loved that too -- enough that I stayed on for five more years after graduation.
In 2006, I pivoted from the training world into golf. Eighteen months at a specialized golf school taught me how to run golf facilities and how to teach the game. Then came five years chasing management positions at a golf resort in Virginia. I got those positions. And did not like them. I was buried in schedules, budgets, staff meetings, and (worst of all) organizational politics. I worked very close to the game, but felt further away from it than I had ever been.
So when I had to choose how to keep working in golf while still doing the things I loved -- communicating, coaching -- the answer was obvious. Teach it.
I started teaching full-time in 2015.
Now I'm approaching 12,000 lessons given. The satisfaction of helping a student, you, have more fun and shoot lower scores is my biggest motivation. Seeing your success is why I do it.
Some of those successes are big. Alexis, my first student to earn a college scholarship to play. Darren winning the Utah Senior Open. Luke winning a high school tournament. David playing his first PGA Tour event.
Other successes might look small to an outsider, but to me they're just as major. Stephani, a beginner, learning to hit a 200-yard drive. Bill, starting golf at 83 to stay active. Don fixing his ball flight and winning his men's club flight. Ralph breaking 80 for the first time. Blake breaking 90 for the first time. Palmer, seven years old, beaming after an incredible shot. Jeff, watching his daughters learn the game he loves, knowing they'll be his playing partners for life.
I could go on all day. Simply: I teach golf because I can help you, and I live to see your success.
In future posts, I'll share more about how I help my students, how I run lessons, what Movement Matters actually means, how to choose the right equipment, and more.
