I’m developing how I coach and pass on information to players all the time, and I’m enjoying every minute of my new role, writes Chris Paisley
Since my last column, I’ve been finding my feet in my new role at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club with Pathos Golf Performance – and I’m loving it. I feel extremely fortunate to have landed in such a special, and fairly unique, environment.
Having an elite coaching team based at an exclusive private country club is quite rare. We’re very aware of the opportunity we have to create an environment where members feel they have access to something special, while also providing top-level coaching and facilities for some of the world’s best golfers.
What I love most about Pathos is how the team is structured. Rather than having several coaches covering every aspect of the game, each person has a clearly defined area of expertise.
Daniel Gray is our head of instruction, and he works predominantly with tour pros, college players and ambitious juniors. Our strength and conditioning coach works closely with Daniel and those players, helping align their physical training with their golf. We also have a master club fitter – who has already helped me develop my understanding of the equipment and fitting side of putting so much – and two assistant coaches focusing on the membership and junior programmes. I specialise in putting, short-game, and on-course performance.
What makes it particularly enjoyable is the team atmosphere. There have been many occasions where several of us have worked with the same player on the same day. We’re constantly communicating about what we’re seeing and how one area might influence another. That collaborative environment has been one of my favourite parts of coaching here so far.
My diary is getting busier too. Summer is traditionally the quieter season in Florida because of the heat, yet I’m getting busier almost every week. Once the membership returns and more professionals descend on the area in October, I have a feeling things will get pretty hectic!
I’m continuing to learn and slowly forge my own identity as a coach too. Communicating with high-level players comes most naturally after spending 15 years playing professionally, but I’m really enjoying working with golfers of every level. It’s teaching me that the information might be similar, but how you communicate it needs to change depending on the player.
One thing I’m increasingly convinced is crucial to good coaching is that the lesson shouldn’t finish when the time is up.
You can give someone the correct information during an hour together, but feelings don’t last long and they need to know what to do when you’re not there.
I’m trying to give players simple reference points and a clear practice plan to combat this. This covers questions like: What are we trying to change? How can you check you’re doing it correctly? What drill/s can you use? How will we know if it’s improving?
The more I coach, the more I realise my job isn’t simply to give someone a good lesson; it’s to help them practise better and eventually become better at coaching themselves.
Next time you have a lesson, don’t be afraid to ask your coach what you should work on between sessions.
The hour you spend with your coach matters, but what you do during all the hours in between matters even more.
