In this episode of Don't Get Me Started, host Christopher Smith interviews Nathalie Sheehan, known as Nattiegolf on social media, who serves as the Director of Women’s Golf at Pelican Golf Club and is recognized as a Golf Digest best young teacher. The discussion explores the intersection of golf instruction and content creation, addressing the challenges posed by social media influencers, the role of technology in coaching, and effective teaching strategies for diverse audiences.

Nathalie expresses significant concern about the rise of online golf influencers, particularly female creators, who post instructional content without substantial teaching experience. She argues that such content, often designed to attract attention rather than educate, undermines the credibility of golf instruction. She emphasizes the importance of "street cred," gained through extensive time teaching on the lesson tee, and questions the legitimacy of influencers who lack this experience.

As Nattiegolf, Nathalie navigates the dual roles of content creator and coach. She views her online presence as a form of free advertising to attract students, particularly targeting the growing female golf audience post-COVID. Her content focuses on simple drills, fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle tips, but she ensures it is backed by genuine teaching expertise. This balance allows her to maintain credibility while leveraging social media’s reach.

Nathalie’s teaching philosophy prioritizes understanding the golf ball’s behavior and tailoring lessons to individual needs. She advocates for simpler communication, especially for women, who may prefer less technical detail and more focus on comfort and competence. For men, she provides more detailed explanations. She also stresses the importance of asking students about their goals and providing clear, actionable advice to address misconceptions often fueled by online content.

While acknowledging the utility of tools like Trackman, Swing Catalyst, and pressure plates, Nathalie cautions against over-reliance on technology. She finds pressure plates particularly useful for setup feedback but emphasizes that exceptional coaches rely on observation and communication. She draws inspiration from coaches like Brad Faxon, who use simple, effective methods, such as one-handed putting drills, to make students feel valued.

Nathalie sees personal branding as essential for golf coaches to stand out in a competitive industry. However, she encourages aspiring coaches to overcome the fear of criticism, embrace failure, and focus on helping students improve. Her own journey reflects this resilience, as she has built credibility through persistent effort and a commitment to authentic instruction.

The episode highlights the challenge of information overload from online sources, which can confuse students and lead to ineffective practices. Nathalie advocates for coaches to filter this information, focusing on what is relevant and empowering students to understand cause and effect in their game.

Nathalie notes distinct approaches to coaching men and women. Women often require a more empathetic approach to address nervousness and prefer simpler instructions, while men may seek technical data. This tailored approach ensures students feel supported and confident.

Discover the secrets of elite junior golf with Jack Kelly, named one of America's best young golf instructors by Golf Digest.

In this exclusive interview, Jack shares his passion for coaching young talent and the strategies that led 27 of his juniors to compete in the Washington State Junior Championship, with two claiming victory. Learn how Jack makes golf fun and engaging for younger players, ensuring they develop a lifelong love for the game, while providing advanced technical coaching for elite juniors aiming for top competitions.

Perfect for parents, coaches, and aspiring young golfers, this video offers invaluable insights into junior golf development, coaching techniques, and the importance of parental support. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the top junior golf instructors. Like, share, and subscribe for more expert golf instruction and elite junior golf tips.

In this episode of Don't Get Me Started, Christopher Smith welcomes renowned golf coach Hugh Marr for a no-nonsense discussion on the state of modern golf coaching. They tackle the rise of so-called "experts" on social media, the widespread lack of true coaching ability, and the struggle for golfers to find real, effective instruction. Hugh shares insights from his decades of experience coaching on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and beyond, explaining why he shifted his focus to mentoring the next generation of coaches.

The conversation dives into the pitfalls of coaching certifications, the misuse of sports science, and the over-reliance on technology. Hugh argues that data alone doesn’t make a great coach—interpretation and application are everything. They explore why the best instructors can adapt their teaching to fit each student rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Christopher and Hugh also take aim at the flawed concept of "average" golf swings, emphasizing that every player is unique and should be coached accordingly. They discuss how misguided attempts to "fix" a player’s natural tendencies can do more harm than good, sharing real-world examples of elite golfers whose careers suffered due to overly rigid coaching.

For anyone passionate about golf instruction—whether as a player, coach, or fan—this episode is a masterclass in what great coaching should look like. It's a deep dive into the art of teaching, the science of improvement, and the mindset required to make a real impact in the game.