My coaching journey began when I was just 16 years old, a wide-eyed high school student eager to carve out a future in golf. With dreams of earning a scholarship, I saved up every penny to enroll in a four-week group lesson program. The anticipation was electric! However, I quickly found myself disillusioned, hitting balls with minimal guidance. That experience left a wound of mistrust toward golf coaches, but it also ignited a fire in me. I wanted to learn, to uncover the mysteries of the golf swing.
I dove headfirst into a world of golf literature, consumed magazines, devoured content on the Golf Channel and the PGA Tour, and meticulously analyzed swings of the pros, slowing them down to glean every nuance. It was a transformative period; the hunger to learn transformed me from a novice into a competent player, eventually landing scholarships to small Division II schools. Yet, the thought of college golf didn’t excite me; my ambitions soared higher.
Deep inside, I yearned for a career in golf, dreaming about the day I’d play professionally. My high school coach introduced me to Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. I arrived with a singular vision: to coach at the highest level, guiding tour professionals. But as I delved into my studies, reality set in—I realized playing professionally might not be my path. I pivoted with determination; coaching became my focus.
This decision spurred me to traverse the United States, seeking wisdom from the best golf instructors I could find. I reached out, cold-called, and emailed coaches from Golf Digest and Golf Magazine’s elite lists, eager to soak up their knowledge. The true treasures of my education came not just in understanding the technical aspects of the swing, but in mastering communication and effective coaching. I felt incredibly fortunate for the guidance I received.
As my senior year approached, I wanted to make a mark and stand out—so, I crafted an ambitious 10-year plan. By 30, I envisioned myself on Golf Digest’s Top 40 Coaches Under 40 List, recognized as a top 100 instructor by 36, and working with tour players. I meticulously outlined how I would achieve these goals, including various certifications, building relationships with top coaches, and more. I shared this plan with the scholarship committee, and to my elation, I was selected.
Throughout college, I began teaching lessons to family, friends, and referrals. Witnessing my students excel—some earning scholarships of their own—filled me with pride. I was working with a junior player who was a top prospect in the country. Graduating, I realized I had poured six years into understanding the game, but the next step was to refine my teaching skills. I had numerous job offers with well-respected names in the industry, yet I chose to work at Topgolf in Chicago. It was a place bursting with opportunities to teach.
In my first few months, world-renowned coach Sean Foley advised me to offer free 30-minute lessons. His wisdom resonated deeply. By embracing this approach, I went from teaching a handful of hours each week to building a booming lesson book. In years three, four, and five, I surpassed 3,000 lessons annually, coaching talented players headed to top college programs and into prestigious amateur tournaments like the U.S. Amateur.
My passion for learning never waned. I continually pursued certifications, reached out to coaches for guidance, and looked for ways to enhance my teaching. By 2018, I proudly coached three players participating in the U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach and guided a junior program that thrived in local tournaments. This had to be the year I would be recognized in Golf Digest, yet, success came at a slow pace, and I sometimes felt frustrated by the lack of accolades.
Then, a remarkable shift occurred. A close friend, a celebrated performance coach, helped me recalibrate my mindset. He reminded me that my students’ successes are theirs, not mine. They put in the hard work, and I’m merely a guide on their journey. It’s not about the recognition; it’s about sharing the joy of golf and fostering a love for the game in others. Reflecting on my coaching career, the heart of my fulfillment lies in the experiences and impacts I’ve created, whether with aspiring professionals, collegiate players, or even beginners, like a girl who reluctantly began golf but, after just three lessons, found a passion that led her to explore a career in the sport.
In 2020, while packing for a move from Chicago, I stumbled upon the ambitious plan I’d written for that scholarship interview five years earlier. Reviewing my goals, I marveled at how closely I had adhered to that vision, achieving milestones I once dreamt of: education, certifications, connections with prestigious coaches, and witnessing the success of my players. Although I still hadn’t appeared on any lists, the worry had faded away.
Not long after, several collegiate players transitioned into the professional realm. I became the Director of Education at a cutting-edge technology company focusing on 3D motion capture, crafting a certification program that allowed me to share my experiences globally. During nearly four transformative years with Sportsbox, I immersed myself in biomechanics and helped tour players enhance their performance backed by data-driven insights.
At 30, I achieved a long-held aspiration, earning a spot on Golf Digest’s Best Young Instructor List. By 31, I proudly secured a place on the Best Instructors list in Arkansas, being ranked #1. The hard work, commitment, and relentless pursuit of improvement all led to this moment. I’m deeply honored to be recognized, especially knowing where my journey began. More than a decade of dedication has molded me into the coach I am today, and I continue striving to learn more—I know there’s always more to discover. My wife often calls me obsessed or devoted to coaching golf, and I embrace that wholeheartedly.
Today, I am blessed to work with tour and collegiate players, humbled by their trust in me as a pivotal part of their high-stakes careers. Recently, I’ve also ventured into consulting, assisting professional players, coaches, and universities in understanding 3D motion capture for injury prevention, maximizing speed potential, and honing their swings with an analytical approach. The journey continues—filled with growth, challenges, and the invigorating prospect of shaping the future of golf.