Sarah Bennett: Coaching At The Open

I am delighted to be included in the team of PGA Professionals selected by the Association to coach at The Open at Royal Troon.  I often get asked who I am coaching along with a number of other key questions, so I thought I would explain a typical day during the most coveted Major of the year.

For those golfers who have visited The Open, an early alarm call is part of the excitement of the week. Long queues are to be expected, and it’s certainly worth arriving very early to gain the most advantageous views to watch the best in the world practicing and preparing for the week ahead.

Cameras are permitted during the practice rounds, providing unrivalled views of the sunrises and sunsets.  Capturing these images is high on my agenda, along with enjoying ice cream with my colleagues while watching from the stands before our allocated shifts.

The Swing Zone is available to every ticket holder who attends The Open and wishes to receive a free 15-minute lesson on any part of their game.  Our visitors range from new players to professionals to celebrities, so pop along and visit this year.

I have been privileged to coach at 10 Opens now, with many golfers returning year after year, armed with their glove ready for their annual 15-minute lesson, which is wonderful.

There are 8 individual covered bays with access to a chipping zone and putting green, which is outside, so bring your waterproofs. I generally arrive no later than 6:30am daily, which is 2 hours prior to the morning coaching shift from Thursday to Sunday. The coaching shifts are 5 hours in duration and are covered by two professionals, with teamwork being an absolute key element of the week.

The bays are equipped with a variety of the latest Titleist irons and woods, accommodating the visiting golfer.  The area must be kept tidy with safety paramount, as the days are always fully booked, generally by late morning or early afternoon.

The lessons are booked by a fabulous team of PGA staff, ensuring the golfer knows the complete process.  It is now the professionals responsibility to cover the key elements of a productive lesson and experience in 15 minutes.  I have designed a blueprint of key questions which allows me to “shape” my lesson in such a way that within the first few minutes, I have an idea of what I will be looking for. The golfers receive a written summary of the key points I have worked on, along with a drill, but more importantly, they are informed about where and how they can access information to progress their golfing journey.  It may well be one of my colleagues who are based locally to my client, so a recommendation ensures the process is seamless.

We often receive requests from various media sources to carry out interviews and occasional lesson filming.  This is authorized by the Coach Development Officer with the client’s permission.  It is important to promote the overriding benefits of receiving sound coaching from a qualified PGA Professional at every opportunity.

The knowledge passed to the golfer will assist with the overall longevity and enjoyment of the game, which is my key philosophy.

I must admit, when I first started my journey coaching at The Open, I could have never envisaged the team would be coaching in excess of 2,000 lessons… quite staggering. One of my fondest memories to date has to be at St Andrews, where I held the role of PGA Captain and managed to join the team for three days prior to my official duties as Captain.

It’s the reaction from every visitor and the incredible camaraderie of the team that makes the experience so special—a feeling which is impossible to put into words. The collective experience of my colleagues provides a unique opportunity to learn and bounce ideas off each other, which is irreplaceable.

This special week is certainly one I apply for annually and is a highlight of the every year.

Images supplied by Sarah Bennett