For Lasting Improvement
I want to share 10 things I tell every golfer I coach. Whether you’re picking up a club for the first time or you’ve been playing for decades, there are some core principles I live by as a coach. These are the things I’ve learned from being coached. And from my coaching mentors. As well as through the 30+ years I’ve been coaching golf. These items are what any great coach will do for you. And what you should look for in any coaching relationship. These are the items I share with anyone coming to John Hughes Golf for golf training in Orlando. To help you play better, enjoy the game more, and achieve sustainable improvement.
1. Hitting Not-So-Good Shots Is Okay When You’re With Me
I’ll be the first to say it: bad shots are part of the process. That’s why clients hire golf coaches. When you’re training with me, I want to see the shots you do not execute well. Why? Because every errant shot is an opportunity for us to learn what is going on in your game. As well as a teachable moment for every client to learn how to alter and adjust on the golf course when your game goes south.
You should not be embarrassed by a poor shot. You should embrace it. Learning from your mistakes is one of the hallmarks of golf. Golf is the ultimate problem-solving game, and each bad shot gives us a new puzzle to solve about your swing or strategy.
Here’s a relatable example: Numerous times many clients have apologized after every bad swing on the range. Every time this occurs, I ask the client in front of me, “who are you apologizing to? Me or yourself?” No need to apologize to anyone!
Any coaching session is the place to hit those ugly shots. Coaching sessions are a safe space where you should feel comfortable with any shot you attempt. And feel comfortable with being uncomfortable when your shots do not live up to your expectations. Over time, your failed shots during our coaching sessions will lead to breakthroughs. Such as understanding why you slice a shot. Or why you constantly hit fat shots. Learning from your mistakes at a practice session can hasten the learning process. And any great coach will embrace those moments with you, evaluating and analyzing those moments together.
Remember, if you never hit any bad shots during practice, you’re probably not pushing your comfort zone enough to grow.
2. Change is Uncomfortable but Needed
Improving your golf game often means making changes. And changes can and will feel weird! If you’ve ever taken a lesson and thought, “This new swing feels worse than my old one,” you’re not alone.
As a coach, I’m there to prepare and guide you through the discomfort. In fact, you’ll come to any coaching session more consistent than when you leave. Because your brain and body are experiencing new sensations and having to adjust the new movements we worked on. All instruction introduces new movements that your brain and body must feel differently than the swing you produce right now. The changes can be subtle, yet your brain goes, “Hmm, this doesn’t feel like my usual swing!” It’s a funny quirk of motor learning. Your mind gets confused because you’re still holding the same club, making a swing, but it’s a different swing. For a little while, you might hit some clunky shots as your neuro-physical system sorts things out.
I like to say you have to “get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Being uncomfortable can feel awkward and have your shots go all over the place. Sticking to the process and getting a receiving reassuring feedback is what a coach helps you with at your most uncomfortable moments. Movement improvements take patience. And a great coach will support you through that uncomfortable phase. I know it’s difficult to create the new habits you’re seeking. But we also know that on the other side of that discomfort is a stronger, more consistent golf game. Don’t panic if improving has you a bit out-of-sync. That is a sign you’re doing something new and necessary!
3. Communicate!
If there’s one piece of advice I could give every golfer seeking improvement, it’s to communicate with your coach.
Golf coaching is a two-way street. It’s never just me speaking what you think you need to hear. I believe the core of a great client-coach relationship is listening and honest dialogue. In fact, you should choose a coach who’s a great listener and communicator. I pride myself on being exactly that. Before we dive into creating improvements in your game, I’ll ask you a lot of questions. In addition to the questions I ask within a player profile all clients are asked to complete before their first coaching session. Questions like, “Why do you play golf?” And “What are your goals?” are extremely important for you to answer. We need your perspective as the catalyst of your improvement program. Your perspective and insights are the driving force behind the coaching plan we’ll design together.
Don’t be shy about speaking up. Tell me when something we’re working on doesn’t make sense, or if you’re feeling a certain way about your swing. You’re not being rude if you’re telling the truth about how you’re feeling about your coaching session. Or how you’re feeling performing a drill. Contrary to popular belief, coaches are not mind readers. You’re going to have to tell us what is on your mind.
Great coaching welcomes and encourages your questions and feedback. Don’t hold that back from you coach. If you’re unsure about something, or you have an idea, or even if you disagree, just say it! When communication between you and your coach is open and free form, your improvement will skyrocket! Remember, you’re a team. Working toward your goals, and every team thrives using clear communication.
4. Make Goals So We Can Plan to Achieve Your Goals Together
Walking into any coaching session and telling your coach, “I just want to get better at golf,” is a start, but it’s not enough.
I always ask new clients what they want to accomplish. The more specific their answers, the better. Setting clear goals gives your coach direction. And coaching and practice sessions purpose. Maybe you want to break 90 for the first time. Or eliminate your slice. Or feel more confident chipping around the greens. Whatever it is, your coach needs to know.
Once we have a goal, we become partners in achieving it. And we’ll do so by breaking down your big goals into smaller, actionable, and obtainable targets. For example, if your goal is to break 80, we’re going to need to break down that big goal into smaller statistical goals that when added together provides you a good chance of breaking 80. Breaking any scoring milestone requires you hit more greens. But how many more? Will you need to be more accurate with certain clubs? Or develop a new short game shot? Creating smaller goals gives you concrete things to work on that will ultimately lead to you reaching the bigger goal.
At John Hughes Golf, setting goals is built into our coaching process. We start every personalized program with an honest evaluation of your game. We then map out a plan with clear objectives. With each coaching session having a purpose aligned to those goals. I encourage all clients to set goals for their practice sessions. Having smaller targets to achieve keeps you motivated and accountable. It also means we can measure your progress together.
When you achieve a goal, we’ll celebrate and then set the next goal. The best coaches work with you to identify meaningful goals and then give you the roadmap to get there. With a clear destination in mind, your improvement will be faster and more satisfying.
5. Are You Okay? Do You Hurt?
Your golf improvement journey should never come at the expense of your health. I ask every client at every coaching session if they’re feeling okay. And are there any injuries, impairments, or other health issues I need to know about. If your back is stiff, your shoulder’s achy, or your knee is acting up, please tell your coach. We can’t develop a swing or training plan that suits you if we don’t know your physical condition.
A great coach will always put your health and well-being first. As a golfer, varying or adjusting set-up conditions and positions based upon what your body can or can’t do could be all it takes for you to play to your potential. I know this firsthand, having lower spine issues the past few years. All it takes is for me to set up to accommodate what my lumbar spine is capable of. And I play better golf.
Golf is a sport, and like any sport it can strain the body. If something hurts when you swing, that’s a red flag that needs addressing. Sometimes the fix is as simple as a slight grip change or a different warm-up routine. Other times, it might mean pausing to recover. Trying to “tough it out” may set you back more than you know. Be honest and upfront about any discomfort. If you need time off, a great coach will not only understand that. We’ll encourage it and be there when you’re ready to resume. When you’re healthy and comfortable, you’ll practice more consistently and improve faster.
6. Do the Drills. Do Not Look at Videos
In the age of YouTube and Instagram, golfers are drowning in tips and videos. I get it. And I’m contributing to a lot of golfers’ content consumption.
It’s tempting to watch one more swing tip at 2am hoping for a magic fix. But here’s the truth. Random videos won’t fix your swing. In fact, random tips of any sort often make things worse by overwhelming you with information. That’s why I tell my students to focus on their priorities when watching video tips. But more importantly, do the drills assigned and resist the urge to chase every tip of the day.
When providing a drill to any client, I think of 2 things. Does the drill address the biggest cause of your efficient movements while meeting your priorities of improvement? And what is the equal and opposite reaction of any drill I provide if a client does the drill incorrectly or over-emphasizes a particular part of the drill? When you watch the videos you do and self-prescribe drills, I bet you’re not thinking about either point I just mentioned. That’s why I am the coach and you’re the golfer who came to me for some assistance.
When I do provide you with a drill, be diligent. And be dedicated to the discipline it takes to accomplish the details of the drill. Repeat the drill with focus upon the details so when engrained, you are repeating what will be most efficient and productive for you. I’ve witnessed multiple clients drastically improve by sticking to a simple set of drills. And staying disciplined to the drill details. And I’ve also seen clients get completely sidetracked because they went down a YouTube rabbit hole. Trying 5 new swing thoughts that had nothing to do with their actual issues.
Now, I’m not saying that watching golf videos is counterproductive. That would be hypocritical of me as I continue to populate my John Hughes Golf YouTube channel. If you’re consuming video instruction through any YouTube channel, please keep in mind your improvement priorities. And watch only those videos that address those priorities.
Also think quality over quantity. A bucket of balls spent doing a drill that targets your specific weakness is worth far more than hours of scrolling golf forums or videos looking for a silver bullet. Trust the plan we create. Do the drills, put in the reps, and you’ll see the payoff on the course.
7. Provide Me Feedback
This one ties closely to communication, but it deserves its own focus. I need your feedback just as much as you need mine. This might be considered the most important items of the 10 Things I Tell Every Goler I Coach. Simply because without it, we won’t be going very far along your improvement journey.
A great coach doesn’t just talk. We observe. We measure. We adjust. During your coaching session, I’m constantly giving you feedback. Whether it be through any technology we use to assist your improvement process, video, FlightScope, or Smart2Move. Or, simply through my trained eyes informing you of what I see. Improvement is maximized when feedback goes both ways. I constantly ask clients questions like, “How did that feel?” or “How did that feel different?” “Where was the golf club face at impact?” Or “How did the drill make your swing feel different?” The answers to those and other questions I pose are gold! Your answers provide me with clues to either explain differently or try another approach.
I also encourage my clients to take notes about coaching sessions, practice sessions, and notes about their rounds of golf. I also encourage all clients to send me a text or email after a round to tell me not only how they did, but what they experienced. And how we can take that experience to the coaching sessions we have scheduled.
Feedback is a two-way street. I’ll give you plenty of coaching feedback. And I want you to give me user feedback on the coaching! Tell me if you’re confused, tell me when something I suggested isn’t working. And tell me when it is working. When you stripe a shot exactly how we visualized, I want to hear that excitement in your voice. When you’re frustrated, I want to hear that too. The best improvement happens when a coach and a client are in sync. Constantly fine-tuning the plan based on open feedback.
8. There are Lots of Different Ways to Reach the End Result
There is no single “right” way to swing a golf club that fits everyone. One thing I love about coaching golf is figuring out the unique recipe for each golfer. A method that works for one player might not click for another. And that’s perfectly okay. During my days serving as the National Director of Instruction for Golf Digest Schools, the philosophy I asked all our coaches to live by was, “There is not a right or wrong way. Only the way that works for the golfer you are coaching now. And we must beg, borrow, and steal from all methods for that golfer to achieve their potential.”
A great coach has a big toolbox of techniques and isn’t married to just one method. My philosophy is to use whatever method gets results for you, as long as it’s fundamentally sound. If you need to feel like you’re swinging a baseball bat to fix your takeaway, we’ll use that feel. If you’re a technical thinker who likes numbers and data, we’ll leverage that with launch monitor feedback. If you’re a visual learner, I’ll pull out video and even demonstrate the motion myself. In other words, there are many roads to the same destination. My job is to find the road that suits you best.
I’ve coached golfers of all ages, professionals and absolute beginners. Doing so has proven that being adaptable as a coach is an absolute necessity. Which is why, when interviewing potential coaches to represent my brand, I get a bit wary of coaches who teach a rigid method as if it’s gospel. Golf swings are like fingerprints, no two are exactly alike. What matters are the results the golfer receives from the coaching they ask for. How we get to that end can vary. Which is why I am consistently ranked as one of the best golf instructors in Orlando!
At John Hughes Golf, we emphasize immediate and sustainable results for golfers of all backgrounds, which comes from a willingness to adjust our coaching style to everyone. As a student, you should feel that your coach is customizing the journey for you. If one explanation isn’t making sense, a good coach will find another. If one drill isn’t working, there’s always another drill. When you find the right fit of coach for you, your swing, and your personality, improvement accelerates and the game gets fun.
9. Look for the Best Information, Not Any Information
This point is so important in today’s world of instant gratification and access, be selective about your sources of golf instruction. Not all information is good information.
Everyone on the internet has an opinion about your swing. So does the golfer in your group who provides you with free advice while they struggle to break 90. But that doesn’t mean you should listen to all of them! I advise my clients, and any golfer reading this post, to seek out qualified, proven coaches and reliable resources. Rather than just gobbling up every random tips and comments from unvetted “gurus.”
The fact is quality coaching yields results. Studies back this up. The average golfer who goes it alone might only shave half a stroke off their handicap in a year. Whereas those who work with a coach are far more likely to lower their scores. A good coach can spot subtle flaws and root causes that you simply won’t catch by yourself or through generic advice. For instance, maybe your slice isn’t just because of an open clubface, but because your grip pressure is too tight. This is a nuance that a trained eye will identify. An experienced coach can pinpoint those hidden factors and address them properly. Random tips often treat the symptom rather than the cause, essentially putting a band-aid on the issue.
So, what should you look for? Look for coaches with credible backgrounds, client testimonials, and reputable affiliations. Look for content that aligns with sound fundamentals and is relevant to your needs. I’m proud that I’ve been recognized as a top instructor. And work hard every day to earn that recognition. I’m also proud that my team of coaches and I have a track record of helping golfers succeed. That didn’t come from fads or clickbait tips. It comes from solid principles and personalized coaching.
Whether you get coaching from me or someone else, do a little homework. Find the best information. Not just the most readily available. Sometimes that means investing in a lesson instead of a new driver. Or reading a well-reviewed golf book instead of a random blog post promising “one weird trick to drop 10 strokes.” Remember what your parents told you, if it sounds too good to be true, it is!
Golf improvement is a journey. And you want trustworthy guides on that journey. Be picky about your instruction sources. When you feed your game high-quality info and coaching, you’ll progress faster and avoid the frustration of misinformation. In golf, as in anything, knowledge is power. But only if it’s the right knowledge.
10. We’re Here to Help You Fix Yourself
My ultimate goal, as well as any great coaches’ goal, is somewhat paradoxical. I want to teach you so well that eventually you don’t need me. Or at least, you become your own best coach.
I’m always honored and happy when a client chooses me to work with them for an extended amount of time. Many of my clients have been with me for years, continually advancing. But they don’t come to be continually for me to hold their hand. The come to me because I empower them with the knowledge and understanding of fundamentals pertinent to their golf skills. As well as self-belief and sufficiency to use that wisdom when they need it most, by themselves on the golf course. The “take ownership” mindset is what will help you continue improving even when a coach is not by your side. We coach you so that during a round, when you hit one off-target, you can diagnose, “Ah, I left the face open because I didn’t turn through.” Then on the next swing, you can self-correct and stripe it. That is the real payoff of good coaching. Not just a one-time fix. But the ability to fix yourself whenever things go awry.
At John Hughes Golf, we genuinely believe that real progress starts with honest self-review. We encourage you to reflect on your rounds, note your patterns, and understand your tendencies. My role is to give you the tools and knowledge for that. Think of it like this. We’re not just caddies giving you a club. We’re teaching you why we chose that club so that eventually you can make that call confidently yourself.
To do that for yourself, I always explain the “why” behind what we are doing to make you a better golfer. So you’re not just doing it blindly. You understand the cause and effect. If we’re working on your grip, I’ll show you how that grip affects the clubface so you recognize it later. If we’re adjusting your swing plane, I’ll explain the ball flight laws so you know what’s happening when the ball curves. The idea is that down the line, you become your own coach on the course. With my voice maybe echoing in your mind at times.
All great players continue to seek the benefits from coaching. Whether it be a tune-up or overhaul, good golfers actively participate within their improvement process. In the end, gaining the confidence and autonomy in their game that is needed for them to succeed when I’m not there.
Conclusion
Improving your golf skills is a deep personal journey. But you don’t have to walk it alone. The right coach will guide you, support you, and empower you every step of the way. I hope these ten coaching principles provide you with insight into how I approach golf coaching. And what you should expect from any top-notch golf coach. Whether it’s creating a judgment-free learning environment, pushing you through necessary changes, keeping communication wide open, setting goals, minding your well-being, prescribing focused drills, or tailoring methods to your unique style. It all boils down to one thing, helping you play your best golf.
At the end of the day, a great coach-client partnership is about working together to turn your aspirations into reality. At John Hughes Golf, we’re passionate about helping players like you achieve their best. We combine experience, proven methods, and personal attention to ensure you see results that are both immediate and lasting. Most importantly, we give you the understanding and confidence to take charge of your own improvement. Sustainable, individualized improvement is the name of the game. No quick gimmicks, just real growth built for the long run.
So, if you’re ready to elevate your game, seek out one of the best instructors in Orlando. A coach who embodies these qualities. Better yet, come see me! You deserve a coaching experience that is fun, supportive, and effective. When you find it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner. Golf is a game you can enjoy for a lifetime, and with the right guidance, you’ll keep getting better year after year.
