My Journey to Becoming a Golf Professional
My path to becoming a golf professional has been shaped by a lifelong passion for sports and a dedication to excellence. From an early age, I was immersed in both golf and tennis, but at the age of nine, I chose tennis, driven by a dream to become a professional player.
Tennis became my focus, and years of hard work paid off as I became a top-ranked junior player and earned a college scholarship to the University of Miami. Despite my success in tennis, golf was always a part of my life and sport I fell in love with at the age of fourteen. Golf became a passion and sport that I pursued from that moment on.
While playing at the University of Miami two knees surgeries ended my competitive tennis career. At this point I decided to fully commit to playing professional golf. Over the next six years I trained and competed at the highest amateur level until my game was ready to play professionally.
This journey, marked by resilience and a deep appreciation for the sport, has brought me to where I am today—a golf professional dedicated to sharing my knowledge and passion with others, helping them achieve their own successes in the game.
How I Teach and Develop Young Players
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe in a structured yet adaptable approach to teaching golf, designed to nurture young players at every stage of their development. My philosophy is rooted in guiding players through the essential phases of growth:
Crawl - Establishing fundamentals with smaller swings,
Stand - Adding length and speed to swing but still focused on solid contact,
Walk - Taking fully built Swing to the golf course to understand feels and learning course management,
Run - Curving the Golf ball on command, knowing all 9 shots, Tournament prep.
This progression ensures they build a strong foundation while gaining confidence and skill at their own pace.
Building Fundamentals While Staying Athletic
Golf is as much a sport as it is a skill. I focus on teaching proper fundamentals and techniques without losing sight of the athleticism required to excel. This balance helps players develop into well-rounded athletes who can approach the game with both precision and power.
Mastering Ball Flight Laws
Understanding the science behind ball flight is crucial to becoming a complete golfer. I teach players how to hit every shot in the game, giving them the tools to adapt to different situations and challenges on the course.
Quick Solutions and Kid-Friendly Communication
Kids learn best when they feel understood and engaged. I excel at providing quick, effective solutions while communicating in a way that resonates with young players. By relating to their unique perspectives, I create an environment where learning is fun, practical, and productive.
I also discovered key differences in the player-coach relationship between golf and tennis. In golf, I had the opportunity to act as both coach and instructor, spending more time with my players and witnessing their progress firsthand during competitions. This deeper involvement allowed me to better understand their strengths and challenges, shaping my coaching philosophy and setting the foundation for my career.
On-Course Work is Essential
To truly excel, players must experience the game where it matters most—on the course. On-course work is an integral part of our practice schedule, helping young players develop situational awareness, problem solving skills, and coarse management.
Learning Through Play
Every drill and exercise is designed to feel like a game. This approach keeps practice engaging and fun while fostering creativity and competition, which are vital for long-term success.
Comprehensive Skill Development
Each practice session focuses on a balanced blend of key areas: full swing, short game, on course play, and daily competition. This approach ensures players are prepared for all aspects of the game and competition.
Coach and Caddy Insight for Rapid Growth
With the combined expertise of a coach and caddy, we offer players a unique advantage. This dual perspective accelerates their improvement and scoring in tournament conditions.
