" We would accomplish more things if we did not think of them as impossible."

                                                                                                                          Vince Lombardi

"Coaching is in my opinion about creating an enviroment that facilitates learning, growth and performance within you,the golfer. This is achieved by use of a holistic approach to player development where you, the pupil, can take ownership and thus responsability of your own performance through enhanced self awareness."

            My belief's regarding coaching and performance have been shaped by many different people from a variety of fields as well as  golf including Psychology, Physiology, Biomechanics, Vision 54 principles , Motor Learning, the Institute of Heartmath and personal development. This approach has allowed me to develop a player centered approach to coaching where performance and results can be influenced in a number of ways.The diagram below represents the key elements that, when worked on in harmony, lead us toward peak performance and our golfing goals.

                                                 TECHNIQUE                                                 INNER GAME

                                                             PEAK PERFORMANCE

                       PRACTICE HABITS                                                                         EMOTIONAL CONTROL

                                                  SPIRIT OF THE GAME                                 PYHSICAL

                  So when you look at the critical areas of the game, ask yourself are you working to develop all of these areas or at least those that are most relevant to you at this time? Or do you, like most people spend all of your time in the Technique area where only working on the swing is the answer to all of the games problems? In my work with pupils one of the most important points i stress is which area will offer the greatest return on investment (ROI) of their time so as to reach nearer to their true potential.

MY TOP 10 BELIEFS ON GOLF COACHING, LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE:

        1.  Your understanding of the swing motion is what makes the proper motion. The proper motion does not create understanding.

         2.    If you have a target there can be no technical thoughts. If you have technical thoughts there can be no target.

         3.    Effective coaching is not about "putting in". It is about effectively drawing out.

         4.    An understanding of the task produces appropriate technique. Feel reproduces that technique.

         5.    Learners learn. Coaches only help the process. Sometimes.

         6.    It's your game, so you must own it. Be accountable and responsable.

         7.    Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.

         8.    Nothing can be learned without curiosity and exploration.

         9.    Great golf is about learning to control the ball rather than trying to develop a great swing. There is a difference.

        10.   A master of anything was first a master of learning.

MY ROLES:

          Director of Coaching - Cranfield Golf Academy

          English Golf Union Academy Coach

          Sussex County Coach

          Member of Sussex Coach Development Group

          Coach to Scottish Junior Golf Tour

          Member of Today's Golfer Instruction Staff

MY QUALIFICATIONS:

         Fellow of the PGA

         Authorised Instructor of The Golfing Machine GSEB

         NLP Master Practitioner

         CHEK Certified Golf Biomechanic

         Instinctive Golf Coach