August 2023 www.insidegolf.com.au www.facebook.com/InsideGolfIndustry IG business 36 Martine Dennis working with a student at The Golf Institute. At 79, Edwin remains a driving force in golf GOLF coaching legend Gary Edwin has joined forces with one of his early proteges Brad Lamb and Martine Dennis opening a state-of-the-art indoor golf training, coaching and conditioning facility in Geelong. The Golf Institute (TGI) is part of a trending worldwide obsession with indoor golf. Edwin, now 79, was ahead of his time in the early 1980s when he established what is believed to have been Australia’s first indoor golf training and coaching centre in Canberra. He is widely regarded as the elder statesman of indoor golf coaching and training in this country. “I’ve never seen anyone get seriously better that doesn’t have a good relationship with the coach who’s teaching them the fundamentals,” he says. “A lot of people have one lesson a year before the club championships or main event, a quick fix or polish, and expect to go out and play well. “A lot of golfers are buying $2000 drivers thinking it will improve their game off the tee. They think they are getting a Ferrari but all they’re getting is a little VW.” “The Golf Institute is one of the best facilities in the country,” Edwin says. “Brad Lamb is one of our top instructors as well as being one of the best balls strikers in his pro career. This facility will offer the best instruction to suit beginners, club players and professionals as well. “My philosophy on golf is to make the game as simple as possible at all levels. My method is angular and repetitive to develop power and accuracy. This facility will provide all those things needed to improve your golf – gym, clubfitting, teaching, and physical fitness programs. “All this complements the coaching staff. I coached Brad as a tour player and have been amazed by his great passion and knowledge when it comes to technique. Brad has patience and skill and the ability to make golf fun while improving.” Edwin says most people don’t have the fundamentals right when they start playing golf. “You must have the right start as you can’t fix things in the middle. Ninety per cent of golfers that come to me haven’t had the right start,”he says. “I believe if you start in the right place and get the angles of your body and arms right, then, when you swing, you have a better chance of hitting the ball.” Edwin also says the coach that “knows everything is no good if he can’t relay that knowledge one-on-one”. “Most pupils don’t want to do any work to get better. All they want is to be told what to do and then do it. “Some are serious about learning properly and want to put the work in. “Those who put work in get better and those who don’t stay the same and buy new clubs.” www.sagca.org.au Michael Davis michael.davis@insidegolf.com.au FOOTNOTE: Christened Gary Player before changing his name to Gary Edwin (because of the name clash with the other Gary Player), Edwin once coached 14 players on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Five of his pupils have played on the US PGA Tour – Peter Lonard, Rod Pampling, Paul Gow, Anthony Painter and Gavin Coles. All up, players he coached won close to $100 million in prize money. Gary Edwin keeps a watchful eye on a student. Gary Edwin with Brad and Justine Lamb at the new Golf Institute in Geelong. NOOSA SPRINGS GOLF & SPA RESORT Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort's championship course is located in the heart of Noosa. Play & Stay, just minutes from the main beach and vibrant Hastings Street. For more information scan the QR code, visit www.noosasprings.com.au or phone 07 5440 3333 Open everyday to everyone....
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