Effective Coaching Methods with Andy Hayes of The Golf Practice
NewClub > https://www.newclub.golf
In partnership with Titleist > https://www.titleist.com
The Golf Practice > https://thegolfpractice.com/
Summary
In this episode, Matt interviews Andy Hayes, a senior coach at The Golf Practice, about coaching kids and adults in golf. They discuss the importance of creating a safe and fun environment for kids to learn and develop their skills. Andy emphasizes the need to let kids lead and discover the game on their own terms. When it comes to coaching adults, Andy highlights the importance of effective teaching and learning methods, focusing on problem-solving and self-discovery. He also emphasizes the value of asking questions and helping players understand the cause and effect of their swing. In this conversation, Matt and Andy discuss the importance of asking questions in golf coaching and finding a balance between providing instruction and allowing students to problem solve. They also explore the mindset and patience required for improvement in golf, as well as the role of fitness and body awareness in the game. Andy shares insights from his coaching experience and highlights the value of the coaching relationship and the enjoyment of the struggle in golf.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:27 Playing Golf with Kids and the Importance of Safety and Fun
04:36 Coaching Kids at Different Ages and Skill Levels
09:45 The Role of Birdie Balls and Other Tools in Junior Coaching
12:43 Transitioning to Junior Golf and High School Golf
18:24 The Short Season of High School Golf
23:38 Coaching Adults and Effective Coaching Methods
27:08 Effective Coaching: Teaching vs. Learning Environments
30:48 Asking Questions and Helping Players Understand Their Swing
31:20 The Power of Asking Questions
38:28 The Coach-Golfer Relationship
41:14 The Number One Thing Holding People Back
44:26 Embracing the Difficulty of Golf
50:08 The Role of Fitness in Golf
55:26 Enjoying the Process of Improvement
Creators and Guests
Host
Matt Considine
Founder of NewClub and our resident feel player. Matt’s junior golf career led him to the University of Akron where he met our co-host. During his junior year, Matt Studied abroad in Ireland and discovered golf societies. Subsequent trips to Scotland fed his passion for the history, ideals, and culture of accessible, affordable, and sustainable golf, a concept he would later bring to the U.S. with NewClub. Known for his interviewing style, quick wit, and compelling storytelling, Matt brings thoughtful, reflective conversations to The Bag Drop. His professional journey before NewClub included multiple leadership positions in growth-stage startups, where he managed teams responsible for more than $250 million in revenue. Matt actively gives back to the game as a Board Member of the First Tee of Akron and past chair of the Evans Scholar Foundation. Proudly based in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, Matt finds inspiration in family life with his wife, their three children, and their golf dog, Gypsy.
Host
The Professor
NewClub's Chief Ambassador and every golf sicko's favorite educator. Kevin is a thoughtful and deeply curious host. His studied, constructivist approach adds intellectual enrichment and balance to the show. As a professor of Math Education at the University of Georgia, Kevin's background in applied mathematics and cognitive psychology uniquely informs his insights on golf strategy and performance. Originally from Ohio, Kevin was a Division I collegiate golfer at the University of Akron, where his passion for understanding mathematical thinking began. After earning his doctorate from Arizona State University, he combined his analytical expertise with his love for golf by co-founding Golf Blueprint, an organization aimed at helping golfers optimize their games through data-driven strategies. Kevin enjoys balancing deep philosophical discussions with simple pleasures, such as indulging his sweet tooth, cheering on college football, and spending relaxed evenings with his friends, his wife, and their beloved dog, Nole.