What’s in the Bag, an innovative golf performance coaching programme, has appointed Belfast PGA Professional Wayne Telford as an ambassador in Ireland.
WITB is a new performance development program for golfers created by Master NLP practitioner John Taylor, focused on personality profiling, enhanced self-awareness and holistic philosophies, including mindfulness and meditation.
Taylor, founder of What’s in the Bag, said: “I started working with Wayne earlier this year to relaunch his own dreams of playing high level professional golf, following a long recovery from serious injury. We connected immediately. We both understand the importance of managing your thought processes, being aware of self-talk and building positivity in the way we approach golf and life. I’m delighted to welcome Wayne to the team and to be helping him achieve his goals.”
Telford was tipped to join fellow Northern Irishmen Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy at the top of the professional game after winning the North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2009, representing Ireland, and earning full playing rights on The Challenge Tour. But he suffered a serious neck injury just months into his rookie season and underwent surgery to try and realign herniated discs in his spine.
“The last decade has been tough, battling injury and ultimately having to change my path from tournament golfer to being a PGA Professional,” said Telford. “The experiences I’ve had and the challenges I’ve faced have led me to appreciate just how important mental resilience and a strong mind are in playing your best as a golfer. I’m delighted to be joining the What’s in the Bag team as an ambassador, introducing NLP and John’s ground-breaking coaching to golfers across Ireland.
Taylor is a Master NLP practitioner and an ex-soldier who served in the Infantry and Royal Artillery for 15 years. He left the Army to work for a military charity helping veterans suffering with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and difficulty adjusting with resettlement into civilian life. He then turned a lifelong passion for golf into an easy-to-access coaching programme and launched WITB in 2019, with support and assistance from one of golf’s leading psychologists, Dr. Joe Parent, author of Zen Golf. Taylor is one of a handful of Zen Golf Associates working in the field of golf performance psychology.
WITB is already benefiting professional and amateur golfers including Ashley Harris, a disabled professional golfer and former World number one ranked player.
To find out more about What’s in the Bag, visit: https://whatsinthebag.club/