Opinion & Analysis

From 14 handicap to pro: 4 things I’d tell golfers at 50

Published

2 months ago

May 7, 2026

This year my 50th birthday. Gosh, where has the time gone?

As a teenager in rural Missouri, some of my junior high and high school years felt interminable. Graduation seemed light years away. But the older I get, the faster life seems to fly by.

I’m also increasingly aware of my mortality. My dad died recently. Earlier this year, a friend and fellow PGA of America professional and I were texting about our next catch-up. The next message I received was news of his unexpected passing at 48. Shortly after, a woman I dated in college succumbed to cancer at 51.

Certainly, one can share perspective at any age. Seniors help freshmen, veterans guide rookies. But reaching this milestone feels like as good a time as any to do one of those “what would I tell my younger self?” articles.

I’ve had a uniquely varied career in golf. I started as a 27-year-old, average-length-hitting, 14-handicap computer engineer and somehow managed to turn pro before running out of money, constantly bootstrapping my way forward. I’ve won qualifiers and set venue records in the World Long Drive Championships, finished fifth at the Speedgolf World Championships, coached all skill levels as a PGA of America professional, built industry-leading swing speed training programs for Swing Man Golf, helped advance the single-length iron market with Sterling Irons®, caddied on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and played about 300 courses across 32 countries.

It’s been a ride, and I’ve gone both deep and wide.

So while I can consult and advise from a lot of angles, let me keep it to a few things I’d tell the average golfer who wants to improve.

1. Think About What You Want

Everyone has their own reason for picking up a golf club.

Oddly, as a professional athlete, I’m not internally driven by competition. That can be challenging, as the industry currently prioritizes and incentivizes competition over the love of the game.

For me, I love walking and being outdoors. Nature helps balance my energy. I prefer courses that are integrated into the natural beauty of their surroundings. I’m comfortable practicing alone. I’m a deep thinker, and I genuinely enjoy investigating the game, using data and intuition to unearth unique, often innovative insights. I’m fortunate to be strong and athletic, so I appreciate the chance to engage with my abilities. Traveling feels adventurous. I could go on.

You don’t have to overthink it like I do. For you, it might be as simple as hitting balls to escape work, hanging out with friends, and playing loosely with the rules and the score.

The point is to give yourself permission to play for your own reasons, and let that be enough.

But if improvement is your goal, thinking about your destination—and when you want to get there—is important, because it dictates the steps you need to take. When I set out to go from a 14-handicap to the PGA TOUR as quickly as possible, the steps I needed were very different from those of a working golfer trying to break 90 in six months. That’s also different from someone who just wants a few peaceful hours outside each week, away from work or family.

None of these goals are better than the others, but each requires a different plan that you can work backward from.

2. There Are Lots of Things That Can Work

One of the challenges of golf is that, although there are rules for playing, there aren’t clear, industry-wide standards for how to best play the game. There’s a lot of gray area.

You might hear a top coach or trainer insist that a certain move is the best way to swing or train. Then you dig a bit deeper and, much to your confusion and frustration, another respected coach or trainer says something completely different. I don’t think anyone is trying to confuse you—at least I hope not. It’s just where the industry is right now.

You have to be careful with advice from tournament pros, too. They might be great at scoring, but they’re also human and sometimes just as susceptible as amateurs to believing things that don’t really move the needle. Tour players might describe what they feel, but that’s not always what they’re actually doing when assessed with technology.

I recently ran a test on my YouTube channel (which connects to my GolfWRX article “How to use your hands in the golf swing for power and accuracy”), and, interestingly, two of the most commonly taught hand actions produced the worst results in the test.

Coaches can certainly help. If you find someone you connect with to help navigate, that’s great. But there are many ways to get the ball in the hole. In the current landscape, you may need to seek multiple opinions, think critically, and use your own intuition to discern what seems true and whose advice resonates with you.

I’d recommend seeking someone who is open-minded and always learning, because things constantly change. Absolutes like “correct” or “proper” should raise a red flag. AI can be useful, but it tends to confidently repeat popular advice, so proceed with caution.

3. Get Custom Fit

If you’re serious about becoming a better player, getting custom fit is hugely important. There’s no sense fighting your equipment if you don’t have to. Most better players get fit these days and, if they don’t, they’re usually skilled enough to work around clubs that aren’t ideal.

If you plan to play for a long time, it’s worth spending a little more upfront to get something that truly fits you and your game, rather than continually buying and discarding equipment.

Equipment rules haven’t really changed significantly since the early 2000s. To stay in business, manufacturers keep pushing those limits. If you pull a bunch of clubs and balls off the rack and test them, you’ll find differences. I’ve tested two new drivers and seen a 30-yard total distance gap. Usually, the issue isn’t bad equipment; it’s that the combination of components simply isn’t the best fit.

It’s like wearing a new pair of floppy clown shoes. Sure, they’re shoes—but you won’t sprint your best in them compared to track shoes that fit perfectly.

Be wary of what’s called custom fitting, too. Sometimes the term is used as a marketing strategy rather than an actual fitting. In some retail settings, fitters may be incentivized to steer you toward higher-priced components. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s not the best fit, but you should be aware of potential biases.

I learned a version of this lesson outside of golf. Years ago, I bought a tennis racquet at a big box store from a seemingly knowledgeable employee who thought it would suit me best. The racquet gave me tennis elbow, and I spent months recovering with rest and acupuncture. The next season, I invested more time and money to find what actually fit me, and I walked away with something amazing that I still play with years later.

So if you’re going to get fit, be smart about it.

Find someone you believe has deep knowledge—possibly with certifications, but not necessarily. Make sure there’s a wide inventory across many brands. Check recent reviews for the individual fitter if possible. Make sure you trust that the fitter has your best interests at heart. If they’re wearing a hat or shirt with a specific brand’s logo, proceed with caution. Unless you specifically want a certain brand or look, be wary of upsells, especially if two options perform nearly the same.

Also, while golf is called a sport of integrity, there’s a thread of manipulation in the industry. I once drafted an equipment article for an industry magazine, structured just like one of their previous popular stories, with matching word count and great photos. The assistant editor loved it; it was useful to readers and required little work on his part. But the editor-in-chief nixed the story. When I asked why, I was told it was because I wasn’t an advertiser. It turned out the article I’d modeled mine after was a paid ad cleverly disguised as editorial content.

I really dislike games, clickbait, and fear-based manipulation. I hope this changes, but golfers deserve to know it exists.

4. Distance and Strategy Matter

There’s a real relationship between how far you hit the ball and your scoring average, even at the PGA TOUR level.

I experienced this early in my pro career. I started as a power hitter, swinging in the high 120s and breaking 200 mph ball speed with a stock driver.

Back then, some instructors advised swinging at 80%, so I tried slowing down for more accuracy. That worked fine on shorter, tighter courses. But on longer setups, I was coming into greens with too much club, and par 5s stopped being realistic opportunities. Later, when I tested the “80%” idea with a radar, it wasn’t 80% at all. For me, and for most golfers I’ve tested, it was more like going above 92 to 96% of max before full swing control started to noticeably drop off.
If you want more distance, there are swing technique changes that can help. See my author profile for previous articles. Technical changes can be dangerous to play with, though. A lot of golfers want consistency too, and it can be disruptive when you constantly change swing thoughts and mechanics.

The low hanging fruit is usually custom fitting, as mentioned above.

From there, if you have a big banana ball swing that’s fairly reliable but you just need more distance, consider swing speed training at Swing Man Golf. If you’re starting from zero, the first level program using driver swings, a radar to measure speed, and simple resistance bands can move the needle quickly to the tune of 12 to 16 mph and 30 to 40 yards, plus what you gain on iron distance as well.

Strategy matters too. For a golfer shooting in the 90 to 100 range, I’ll share a demo I’ve done when golfers have hired me for their golf vacations. I’d play at average golfer speeds and distances, hitting a smooth hybrid off the tee, maybe 190 yards. I wouldn’t aim at the fairway. Instead I’d aim between the biggest trouble, like the center of the tree line. Then I’d cruise a 6-iron about 160 to a safer area short of greenside bunkers or other major trouble. From there it might be a wedge or a simple pitch, depending on hole length. Go middle unless you are almost 100% confident you will keep it on the green by aiming closer. Then it’s a lag putt for par, followed by a tap-in.

It’s not flashy, but if you want to break 90 or 100 more regularly, something that keeps you out of big trouble like this can be super effective.

This is also where a playing lesson can help. If a coach tells you what to do and where to aim, you’d be surprised at how many shots can get dropped just having the coach be your decision maker until you get the hang of it. In some of those cases, you don’t even need to make much if any technical changes. You might already be there with a playable swing. It could just be better decision making that gets you around the course with a lower score.

Okay, I hope something here was useful for you.

Thanks for being with me all these years, and I wish you and your game the best.

Opinion & Analysis

Robotic golf course caretakers? — GolfWRXers discuss

Published

1 day ago

Jun 30, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user is sharing photos of a robot lawnmower and ballpicker they saw at the LPGA International. The photos sparked a debate about their use on the golf course, and whether they will eventually turn on golfers and take over.

@EiDave wrote:

“Saw this bad boy cruising along the 15th fairway today at LPGA International.

“Robot lawnmower that works by GPS.

“They also recently got some GPS ball picker uppers called “PIKr”

Our members in the forum shared their opinion on the “Pikr.” Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below. Additionally, check out a photo of the robot in action below.

“CPT_LHR_ATL: “They will eventually kill us all. It’s a given.”
“LaurieK: “We’ve got two of the big ones from FireFly Automatix that do all of our fairway mowing now. They’re awesome. And they free up our maintenance team to do other things, like more frequent and better mowing of the rough. It’s had a very positive impact on our course conditions.”
“tatertot: “We have a local course with a HUGE fairway bunker. They have a robot to rake it.”

Entire thread: “Robotic Golf Course Caretakers”

If you’re not already a member, join the GolfWRX forums today.

Opinion & Analysis

In the GolfWRX forums — My journey forward 3 tee boxes, so far

Published

2 days ago

Jun 29, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user is documenting their journey playing from a different set of tee boxes than they’re used to.

@RoyalMustang shared an in-depth story about their decision to change up their playing routine, inspired by a professional’s advice.

They wrote:

“I play the same course 5x a week; almost always 9 holes after work or after church/brunch on Sunday. Sometimes front 9, sometimes back 9. 18 is a big commitment and I usually don’t have the 5+ hour blocks necessary for 18. The course is in great shape! For whatever reason, I was conditioned to play the tips (7k at my course, but plays more like 7200 due to a few layups. Only one par 5 is regularly reachable for me in 2 shots at 530). I have the distance to do so; my long irons never make an appearance outside of our long par 3s most days.

“After reading the Johnny Keefer article in The AthleticI began to think why am I not doing this? Why do I go out, day after day, carding between a 36 and 42 for that really tough front 9 (37.2/139)? Sure, I’ve played shorter tees before, but only due to extreme conditions like high wind, and only for a round or 2. What if I bounced up to the 6K tees and played to score, rather than to survive, long term?

“My last 4 rounds have all been at the 6k tees (bronze at our course). I still mostly suck, playing exactly to par through those 4 rounds, but it’s taught me a lot and gotten me excited about playing again! I’m trying to get to a place where I’m consistently shooting 34, which would be playing to roughly scratch. I’m averaging 2 birdies/round, but also 2 bogeys.

“1) My mentality is different. I need to score on certain holes. Par 5s namely. With winter conditions and hard fairways, these 465 yard par 5s can be driver (290 carry-60 degree rollout) and 54 degree wedge. In fact, on the 8 par 5s I’ve played, the longest approach I’ve had is 170 yards, and that was into a stiff headwind the whole way. A 5 is not really acceptable if I’m hitting a 2nd shot approach with a 3/4 swing gap wedge. The pressure is on to score, not par. On a par 4, a bogey is a disaster; it’s a double bogey for all intents and purposes. Again, you can’t afford to make a bad shot, and if you do, you’ve got to recover for par.

“2) Par 3s at my course are, again, somewhat “survival” mode from the tips. 2 play at 210-220, one with water and trees lurking at the edges. The 175 yard par 3 has no room for error and a hazard left-side. If I play these at par from the tips, it’s going to be a good day. But now, I’m looking at 120-145 yards on each of these holes. I’ve got to be on the green or just off, which means the pressure is on to put a crisp strike on the ball. Theoretically it’s an easier swing but I also know that I really want to avoid bogeys. It’s almost more pressure-packed somehow.

“3) my putting feels more consequential. Put an approach within 10 feet and it’s not “nice” to make birdie: it’s almost essential given that I’m going to screw up somewhere and make bogey. Whereas before, a par is just fine. Again, it feels more “pressure-packed” in a tournament sort of way.

“4) I’m forced look at the course differently. There are choke points that are newly relevant; things I’ve never noticed before. On hole #8, the bunker that sits 370 and uphill is just never in play for me. I’m well short from the tips and hitting far past it on my 2nd shot. I never noticed how the fairway slopes down L to R into the bunker. Now, I have to hit a tee shot that has R to L spin on it to stay up and out of trouble, or hit 3W and lessen my chances of getting home in 2. Some “bombs away” holes aren’t that anymore. On others, the foward tees mean I can carry the dogleg with ease and make a 470 yard par 5 play 435.

“All this hasn’t “improved” my game so far (again, I’m playing to my cap by shooting par) but it’s getting me in a scoring mentality, away from a survival mentality. Functionally, 72 from the 6k tees is the same as 78 from the 7k tees. Mentally, it’s a different feel.

“One other benefit: my normal “walk” time for an evening round is 85 minutes. This drops by 10 minutes by playing 3 tee boxes forward. Fewer shots and a more direct path of walking. It’s not nothing when I’m finishing at 6:10 before last light sets in and I can barely see the pin on hole #9 for my approach shot!”

Our members in the forum shared their thoughts on playing from forward tees. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

@596: “I play all 4 sets of tees at our course. Not near as long as yours as it was built in 1925. Small pedestal greens. Puts high priority on approach shots.The mentality changes when moving around on tees. I have to score under par from the 2 sets of forward tees to match my handicap. Absolutely zero bogies. They are a disaster. Playing smart comes into play from the forward tees. You can’t afford any recovery shots.I love playing all the tees. It changes the course and your mental and physical approach to the game.”
@Ironman_32: “Reminds me of when tour pros switch drives with amateurs and then play in from there. A lot of times it’s skill when you get to the hole.Also, I’d add, it helps to look at stats or rounds on the PGA tour, not just the leaders, but guys who miss the cut, and guys who barely make the cut. I think there’s that stat that Tiger in his prime missed something like ~20% of greens from 125 yards (don’t quote me may be wrong). So while it’s also about making good swings, it’s managing the bad ones, but also managing the good ones, i.e., a good swing one yard off of where you are aiming to a tucked pin could lead to a bogey.I do agree that playing forward tees helps you get into the go low mindset.”
@bazinsky: “I played D1 tennis in college and became good buddies with a lot of the guys on the golf team that were in the dorm suite next to us. They told me the coach often had little mini competitions from the up tees to teach guys to go low, and the guys that finished in the back of the pack had to do extra conditioning drills.Guys said it really helped with getting used to scoring under pressure, since if you weren’t converting a lot of birdies and eagles, you basically got left in the dust.”

Entire thread: “My journey forward 3 tee boxes, so far”

Join the GolfWRX forums today, if you aren’t already a member!

Instruction

Elliott: Remote golf coaching is no longer a backup plan

Published

2 days ago

Jun 29, 2026

Brendon Elliott

For a long time, golf coaching had one accepted image.

A student stands on the lesson tee. A coach stands nearby. The coach watches, explains, adjusts, demonstrates and sends the player away with something to work on.

That model still matters. It always will.

But it is no longer the only serious way to coach.

Remote instruction used to be treated like a backup plan. It was something you did when distance, weather or scheduling made an in-person lesson impossible. That view is changing fast, and the combination of FlightScope data and Golf Live’s coaching platform helps explain why.

The lesson tee is still valuable. It just has more competition now.

Coaches Were Right To Be Skeptical

Good coaches are not wrong to ask hard questions about remote instruction.

How do you help a player with grip pressure if you are not standing next to them? How do you explain a backswing position through a screen? How do you know whether a player is actually changing the pattern or just feeling like they are changing it?

Those are fair questions.

In a recent interview, Jordan Vogler, who helps lead FlightScope’s work with affiliates, influencers and creator partnerships, talked about that skepticism during a conversation on FlightScope’s partnership with Golf Live. The most honest part of the discussion was the acknowledgment that remote coaching is not magic. It still requires clarity, communication and a coach who understands what matters.

But once you add reliable video, data and follow-up, the model becomes much more powerful than many old-school coaches may assume.

This Is Where My Own Coaching World Has Changed

This is the story where I can speak most directly from experience.

As a PGA Professional and coach, I still believe deeply in face-to-face instruction. There are things you can see, feel and communicate in person that are hard to fully replace. A player’s setup, rhythm, tension level, comfort, questions and body language all matter.

But I also know this: remote coaching is no longer some watered-down version of a lesson.

When it is done correctly, it can be extremely effective.

That is where the combination of video, communication and FlightScope data becomes so valuable. A player can send swing video from another state. I can look at the motion, listen to what they are feeling and then match that against actual numbers. If the club path is changing, we can see it. If launch and spin are improving, we can see it. If carry distance or dispersion is trending in the right direction, we can see it.

That gives both coach and student confidence.

In many ways, data becomes a form of coaching validation. It tells the student, “Yes, the work is starting to show up,” even before the swing feels completely natural. It also tells the coach whether the plan is working or whether the priority needs to change.

That is a very different experience than sending a student away with one swing thought and hoping they practice it correctly.

Remote coaching still needs a coach. It still needs interpretation. It still needs a plan. But with tools like FlightScope and Golf Live, the conversation between coach and student can continue long after the lesson ends.

That is not a small thing. That is where golf instruction is going.

Data Gives the Coach More Evidence

Video is useful, but video alone can still leave room for debate.

A player may feel like the club is moving more from the inside. The video may show part of the story. But the launch monitor data can confirm whether the path, face, launch, spin or carry numbers are actually changing.

That is where FlightScope becomes such an important part of remote coaching.

The coach is no longer only saying, “This looks better.” The coach can say, “Here is what changed, here is why it matters and here is the number we are trying to keep moving.”

That gives the student a better roadmap. It also gives the coach more evidence.

Sometimes a student does not feel better right away. Sometimes a swing change feels strange before it becomes productive. But if the numbers begin moving in the right direction, the player can build confidence before the final result fully shows up on the golf course.

That matters.

The Best Remote Lessons Still Need a Real Coach

There is a trap in golf technology.

Some people assume more data automatically means better instruction. It does not.

A launch monitor can tell you what happened. It can show club path, face relationship, ball speed, launch, spin and carry. It can reveal patterns that the naked eye might miss. But it still takes a coach to decide what matters most for that golfer.

That is why the FlightScope x Golf Live model makes sense. It is not technology replacing instruction. It is technology giving instruction more structure.

A student can send video. The coach can review the swing, pair it with data, draw lines, record voice notes and give the player a plan. The player can practice indoors or outdoors, then send new swings and new numbers back.

That loop is the key.

Not one lesson. Not one tip. A loop.

Remote Coaching Removes Barriers

One of the biggest strengths of remote coaching is obvious: geography matters less.

A player in New York, like the two I work with, Brevin and Bennett, can work with a coach in Florida- that being me. A junior golfer can send swings during a tournament week. A busy adult can practice indoors after work. A player who feels intimidated at a public range can start in a more comfortable environment before taking the work outside.

That last point is important. Many newer golfers do not love the idea of struggling in front of strangers. They worry about taking up space, hitting bad shots or not knowing what they are doing.

An indoor setup, paired with launch monitor feedback and remote coaching, can create a safer first step. It allows a player to build contact, confidence and understanding before bringing the work to the golf course.

That is good for instruction. It is also good for participation.

The strongest coaching model going forward will not be remote-only or in-person-only.

It will be blended.

There will still be times when a player needs an in-person lesson. There will still be moments when a coach needs to see ball flight, body movement and setup live. But there are also plenty of times when remote coaching can be more efficient, more consistent and more trackable.

The best teachers will not fight that. They will use it.

FlightScope and Golf Live are part of a larger shift in golf instruction. Players want access. Coaches want better information. Technology can help both sides stay connected between lessons, between tournaments and between practice sessions.

Remote coaching is not a lesser version of instruction.

Done well, it is an extension of good coaching. It gives the player a plan, gives the coach better evidence and gives both sides a way to measure progress.

That is not a backup plan anymore.

That is the future arriving on the lesson tee.