Peter Knight Golf

Peter is a great communicator. He listens attentively, diagnoses the problem and offers solutions that are clear and easy to understand.

Under Peter’s coaching I have a better understanding of why the fundamentals of golf – including grip, set up and posture – are so important.

My practice has become more deliberate and focused because I have a greater appreciation of the importance of getting the basics of the swing right.

Golf is still hard, but I am more confident and relaxed when standing over the ball and more likely to hit a shot I’m happy with.

I started working with Peter in August 2015, having met him a few years previously when he was working with the Tasmanian State Team (I was on the Board of Golf Tasmania at the time).  I was very clear that I didn’t just want lessons, but was looking for a coach – a very important and clear distinction in my view.  At the time I was struggling to feel comfortable and, having recently recovered from a serious long term injury, was keen to feel progress towards my former golfing standard.

When I started with Peter I was a 7 handicap but very inconsistent.  I had a long term elbow injury from which I had recovered with specific weights and rehab programs.  Over time, my swing had become flat and I was getting “stuck inside” often, causing either blocks right or snap hooks as I flipped my hands through the hitting area to compensate.  In turn, this placed pressure on other areas of my game.

In just 6 months, I have reduced my handicap from 7 to 3 and have set a goal for 2016 of getting down to 1.  I believe that I am now playing at least as well as I ever have before.  I am a member at the National, where conditions are often challenging, to say the least.

Most importantly, I believe that I have the genuine potential to improve further within this calendar year and beyond and to maintain that level of play over time.

I feel like I have found a coach with whom I can communicate at technical, strategic and psychological levels about the game and about my performance.  Mutual respect is extremely important to me and I look forward to my weekly sessions with Peter.  Most importantly, I am once again thinking about where I’m hitting it and not how (mostly).  And I’m enjoying the game much more as a result.

When I came to see Peter for the first time on Friday 4th of December my Australian Handicap was 23.4. He made an assessment of my swing problems and also a plan to overcome those problems. Since then I have had an hourly lesson on 5 occasions.

I am 54 years old and I started playing golf 3 years ago. I had never played before but caught the bug. At the time I saw Peter for the first time my main problems were: tension throughout the  swing with slow club head speed. Short and jerky back and downswing.  Hardly any body pivot – only arm movement. Flight path too shallow.

I had tried a few coaches – some I liked and understood – some I didn’t. My frustration drove me to see a promoter of the “right sided swing” developed and described by Gary Edwin. I tried it for 6 months but I realized this method is not for me.

What I liked about Peter’s approach was that he looked at my whole game and didn’t try to apply a band aid to my problems. He systematically tried to improve my tension, my body movement (pivot), grounding during the swing, wrist movement and swing path.

After every lesson he sent me coaching notes, sometimes with videos and training instructions.  This helped enormously when I went to the range by myself.

I am very happy with the process so far. I had the 3 best rounds during the last 3 weeks – improving from high 90s and hundreds to 91, 93 and 94. Friends have commented on the changes in my swing – it appears to be much smoother and controlled. I have gained at least 20 metres in length and the number of good shots during a round has increased.

We worked systematically and I could see my improvements straight away. My handicap is now 19.9 – under 20 for the first time ever.

I have never enjoyed my golf more than in the last 2 months. I feel progress and and I feel much more confident. I am looking forward to keep on working with Peter – I have a long way to go. I also enjoyed his book – An Iron Golf Mind. I learned so much about the mental side of the game as well as the swing mechanics.