Fall 2009
Tristan Mullally
Head Professional
Moyvalley Golf club
WHERE DO YOU TEACH?
Moyvalley Golf club
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OWN APPROACH?
My approach varies according to the wants and needs of each individual student. Whether that is a quick solution for a members competition or a player looking towards long term development our agenda is set to match the needs required .
DO YOU PLAY MUCH YOURSELF?
I like to but play with my students and get out on the course with them as often as I can. During the summer I am a regular competitor within the Irish region of the PGA.
WHAT CLUBS DO YOU USE?
I use a Callaway FT9 driver, Callaway Steelhead 3 wood, Callaway forged irons 2-pw, Titleist Vokey wedges in 52 and 58 degrees and an odyssey Putter
THE MOST MEMORABLE LESSON YOU HAVE HAD AS A PLAYER?
I spent two days with Mr. Fred Shoemaker at his course in California. It inspired me to be a better player and a better coach.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A PUPIL?
I love my students to have a very firm idea of what they would like to achieve and to have fun doing it.
FAVOUIRITE COURSE?
Royal Portrush golf club, I was privileged to train there as an assistant professional and relish any opportunity to go back.
FAVOURITE OTHER TEACHER?
There are a number of excellent teaching coaches in Ireland now, Neil Manchip, David Kearney amongst others but Shaun Donnelly must get a mention. Shaun is the pro at castlehume Golf club and has a fantastic way with people, his students go as much for his company as the content and that’s a very rare quality to have.
GIVE US YOUR BEST TIP!
Emotional attachment
I have the opportunity to work with a lot of very talented players and it never ceases to amaze me how they don’t get excited about their good
shots. Think back to your last birthday, a special occasion or date that means something to you. You will recall these days much more easily because they have an emotional link. Your brain stores information all of the time but add emotion and these files get put on the top of the pile. When was the last time you gave a fist pump when you hit a drive down the middle? Golfers tend to add emotion to their failed shots which is why they have a particular hole or shot they don’t not like. Try and use the result as feedback and not failure and only add emotion to the shots you are happy with. This will help you recall positive results when that all important shot arises.
Spring 2009
Neil Manchip
G. U. I Head Coach
WHERE DO YOU TEACH?
I mostly teach at the G.U.I. National Academy at Carton House, however I also travel to tournaments with Irish teams. In the last 12 months we have been to South Africa, Spain, Denmark, Scotland, Wales and England.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OWN APPROACH?
I take into account that each player is different and will respond to different types of coaching; in my experience the trick is to find out what the player really wants from their golf and work out an improvement strategy that will fit in with their lifestyle, learning stlye and ambitions.
DO YOU PLAY MUCH YOURSELF?
I used to compete reguarly especially on the P.G.A. Irish region circuit. It can be helpful for someone who coaches for a living to play competitively, as it keeps them in tune with the thoughts and emotions that are going through the heads of the players they coach.
WHAT CLUBS DO YOU USE?
I use a Titleist D2 driver, Taylor Made 3 wood, Sonartec 19degree hybrid, 3-PW: Titleist 660 irons, Titleist 52 and 58 degree Vokey wedges and a Scotty Cameron american classic putter.
THE MOST MEMORABLE LESSON YOU HAVE HAD AS A PLAYER?
I have had great lessons improving my technique from my old boss Kevan Whitson at Royal County Down GC. I improved my thinking a lot on the course working with Karl Morris and Jamie Edwards, and my physical condition improved greatly under my trainer Hamish Abbie and physio Orlaith Buckley.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A PUPIL?
Every pupil is different and it is the coach's responsibility to get the best out of them. The hardest bit is finding out what is going to improve the player the most; this is sometimes a slow process but a good challenge.
FAVOUIRITE COURSE?
My favourite courses so far are: Royal County Down, Sunningdale old and Casa de Campo (teeth of the dog).
FAVOURITE OTHER TEACHER?
The only teacher I've ever had on a consistent basis is Kevin Whitson. I enjoy reading books by Mike Hebron and Fred Schumacher.
GIVE US YOUR BEST TIP!
It is important for people to be aware of the state of mind that they are in when they play their best golf, and to find ways of replicating this state with the help of a good coach. I find that most people try too hard to play well and get frustrated or demotivated when things don't go their way. All that we can really do on the course is:
Assess the shot conditions, lie, stance, wind etc.
Rehearse a swing that feels good for the shot at hand, while visualising the ball flight/roll if you can
Commit to copying the practise swing