Gavin Ryan has gone from golf pro to golf fitness specialist as he embarks on a crusade to educate golfers on this most overlooked area of their game.
Ryan, former head pro at the London Club and assistant director of golf at the Westchester Country Club in New York, has launched a new business – traininggolfers.com– offering online, one-to-one, group and bespoke VIP fitness coaching.
The Kent-based coach, who spent 20 years as a PGA pro and was a columnist for Golf Monthly, is looking to use traininggolfers.com to work in tandem with PGA pros and their players in a bid to help golfers maximise their full potential on the course.
Ryan, who is a registered exercise professional specialising in golf and a Titleist Performance Institute golf fitness expert, is bringing something radical to the world of golf fitness and coaching.
He is drawing on his past experiences as a pro and from developing scientifically tested golf training programmes with renowned US-biomechanics specialist Skip Latella, who has worked with leading US sports bodies such as the USPGA, LPGA and EPGA, and top US Collegiate Golf Programmes and US Olympic teams.
“Golfers need to understand the positive impact bespoke golf specific training can have on their game. It can totally transform them as I have seen it time and time again,” said Ryan.
“It’s convincing players that this is big win in improving their game. Nearly all golfers think nothing of spending hundreds of pounds on a new driver for a solution but when it comes to spending it on the improving the physical elements of their game isn’t event considered.
“I know from my 20 years as a pro that everyone I coached just wanted to hit it the ball longer and straighter. It’s the same now and golf fitness, especially designed around an existing coaching programme with a pro, can help a player achieve that. If you are physically unable to reach a golf specific position which would help maximize your swing performance, then it doesn’t matter how many clubs you buy – nothing will change.”
Ryan also expressed how his golf knowledge enables him to work in harmony with any standard of golfer and to grasp the finer details of the coaching programme they are working to.
He added: “It doesn’t matter whether they are beginners or elite players or what age or gender, I have worked with all types of player. I think having been a pro is key, as I understand where coaches are coming from and know exactly what the golf coach is trying to do with their pupil This is a unique proposition, having a golf fitness specialist who can relate exactly to that.
“I know I can deliver a fitness programme to suit them and their ambitions and one that will work in tandem with their existing coaching. Within a short-time these players will have better mobility, stability, strength and power, which will lead to more distance and straighter shots and a more consistent swing.”
“It is providing the individual/coach relationship with more performance-driven ammunition. This leads to an appreciation of what the coach is asking and the golfer better understanding the technique improvements being asked of them.”
Ryan has already started promoting his abilities amongst the network of PGA pros based around Kent and the south east, who are keen to forge a two-way partnership, while other opportunities are also starting to spring up.
“I have already spoken with some pros who are keen to see how we can develop players together,” he added. “The main aim for me is to work with people who really want to improve. I ask people, do you guess at how you do your job? When they say no, I say there’s no point at guessing at golf either, especially when you think of the financial and time invested in playing.”
To discover the full range of golf fitness coaching options and online tips from Gavin Ryan go to https://traininggolfers.com/