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No time like the present to make some big changes in your game, contact us today to find out how!
"Spencer,
Practiced putting after the fitting using one ball. First half hour worked on alignment, eyes over ball and choking up on the handle. Good, but didn't make many putts. Then I remembered accelerating through the putt. For the next half hour, I made putts from everywhere on the green - 5', 15' 30' 50' and every putt I hit got to the hole. I have never experienced anything like this before in my life. The putts were so solid.
I think your observation will knock at least 5 or 6 shots a round off my scoring. When I combine the putting with accelerating through chips and pitches, I believe you will have enabled me to break through a barrier I have been trying to get over since I started 10years ago.
Thanks for the help. Cant wait to play a round."
~ Ted
Journeyman Golf believes the end result is never truly one's objective. Experience gained along the way is the true measure of success.
We empower golfers in order to help them become self aware, achieve their goals and take their games to the next level. It's time we make the process of getting better fun again, "Enter-trainment" is the way.
The best journeys in life answer questions you never thought to ask-
Spencer Dennis
Owner/Golf Development Coach
short bio-
Coaching beginners to pros, he's developed a unique ability to get to the root issue and create a simple plan for improvement. Believing it's never just the mechanics of the swing, but the person behind it, he creates strategies that allow the player to not only improve their game but their over-all well being. Spencer's years of tournament experience at the amateur and professional level, winning numerous events, have given him a rare insight on how to prepare and compete. Most recently, he was a Senior Coach at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy in Florida. Prior to that he was the Director of Instruction at Sunset Hills C.C. in Thousand Oaks, California. Spencer currently consults for Cal Poly's golf programs, Directs Nike Junior Golf Camps, coaches elite juniors, college players, professionals, and amateurs of all levels.
Jeff Troesch MA, LMHC
Mental Development
Consultant Coach
Internationally recognized expert in the field of mental skills training and performance enhancement since 1988. Jeff served for several years as Director of Mental Training for David Leadbetter's Golf Academies worldwide, where he assisted the development of their training programs and methodology. He currently is the Mental Game Consultant for UCLA and Cal Poly's mens and womens golf programs. Additionally, he works with several touring professionals and elite amateur players; assisting them in the creation of optimal training plans and developmental strategies. Jeff's work has been featured in numerous publications, including Golf Digest.
Michael Hughes
Physical Development
Unconventional and cutting edge techniques make every session
with Michael an effective, efficient and entertaining experience; helping
every client achieve the goals they once thought were impossible. He loves to see his clients push themselves and grow in self-confidence, which impacts the way they perceive themselves and the way they live their lives. Michael's formal education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science from California State University, Fresno. He is proficient in the biomechanics of sport and treating related movement dysfunction, as well as being a Fellow of Applied Functional Science from the Gray Institute . Michael is also a certified trainer (I.S.S.A), T.P.I certified and a fitness/rehab specialist.
www.gymnazo.com for more info
Technical
The technical phase is critical because it is the foundation of training. Players target problem areas and build confidence through a series of proven drills and strategies.Technical phase specifics will vary depending on each player's individual needs, and focuses on all areas of the game.
Pre-Competition
During the pre-competition segment, players prepare for competitive play and work on preparation and feel. Focus on topics ranging from warm up routine and course management to mastering different shots for tournament play. Mental training also plays a vital role in this phase and more time is spent on the course.
Competition
Competition is what we are training the players toward. Our ultimate goal is peak performance. We focus on competition during this phase, as this is where strength of character is tested.
Active Rest
Active rest and evaluation mark the final working phase in the cycle. In this stage we focus on allowing the players to slow down, let their bodies and minds rejuvenate, and prepare for the start of another cycle.
Game Assessment
Peak performance is achieved by understanding the relationship of the Technical, Mental and Physical elements of the game, all of which are vital parts of our comprehensive training program.
Build Confidence
By understanding which phase you are in you can gain confidence by having clear parameters to measure your successes. Not always is score or ball flight a true benchmark of getting better. With this in mind, confidence can be gained through the entire process of improvment.
vFar too often people take lessons without a clear plan for improvement; they merely receive band-aids. Through proven training methods you will not only become more technically sound, but take away a fresh perspective on your overall game. There are no quick fixes here, but a very simple approach to truly improving YOUR game.
Spencer Dennis (Golf Development Coach) is available for private sessions to assess your current game and create a personal improvement plan with you. Your plan will not only cover the technical aspects of the game from putting to full swing, but more importantly, will teach you to embrace implementing these changes effectively and efficiently.
Want some one-on-one time to get your game looked over?
Book your session today
THE CENTRAL COAST GOLF EXPERIENCE
Train Like The Pros!
A 2-3 hour clinic experience that will give you an inside look at how the top players in the world train and prepare to play their best. Located at the beautiful Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles, CA.
Who's It For?
Golfers looking to have fun and improve their game.
Corporate Outings
A group of friends
Families
Individuals
A variety of clinic options are available as well as other additions to your experience.
Some Popular Clinic Options
Make Your Central Coast Golf Experience Complete
Price determined by options chosen for your experience
Click here to create your experience today
About Your Coaches
Golf Development
Spencer Dennis: Coaching beginners to pros, he's developed a unique ability to
get to the root issue and create a simple plan for improvement. Believing it's
never just the mechanics of the swing, but the person behind it, he creates
strategies that allow the player to not only improve their game but their over-all
well being. Spencer's years of tournament experience at the amateur and professional
level, winning numerous events, have given him a rare insight on how to prepare
and compete. Most recently, he was a Senior Coach at the Gary Gilchrist Golf
Academy in Florida. Prior to that he was the Director of Instruction at Sunset
Hills C.C. in Thousand Oaks, California. Spencer currently consults for Cal Poly's golf programs, coaches elite juniors, college players, professionals, and amateurs of all levels.
Jeff Troesch, MA, LMHC: Internationally recognized expert in the field of mental
skills training and performance enhancement since 1988. Jeff served for several
years as Director of Mental Training for David Leadbetter's Golf Academies worldwide,
where he assisted the development of their training programs and methodology.
He currently is the Mental Game Consultant for UCLA and Cal Poly's mens and
womens golf programs. Additionally, he works with several touring professionals
and elite amateur players; assisting them in the creation of optimal training
plans and developmental strategies. Jeff's work has been featured in numerous
publications, including Golf Digest.
Michael Hughes: Unconventional and cutting edge techniques make every session
every client achieve the goals they once thought were impossible. He loves to
see his clients push themselves and grow in self-confidence, which impacts the
way they perceive themselves and the way they live their lives. Michael's formal
education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis
in Exercise Science from California State University, Fresno. He is proficient in the biomechanics of sport and treating related movement dysfunction, as well as being a Fellow of Applied Functional Science from the Gray Institute . Michael is also a certified trainer (I.S.S.A), T.P.I certified and a fitness/rehab specialist.
Regardless of your goals on or off the golf course, Journeyman can bring something to the table. Train Like The Pros in your hometown or the golf course of your choice. Bring the Journeyman Golf experience to you!
Why not create a once in a lifetime experience for you or your golfing buddies? Perhaps, suprise your staff with a golf outing that really helps them improve and have fun? How about a day on the course with the family?
Create your custom package today!
Together as well as separately
Spencer, Jeff and Michael(Bios Click)
have coached some of the best Juniors in the world helping them become AGJA Major Winners and All-Americans,
IJGT/ FCWT Major winners, as well as receive D-1 scholarships to some of the top schools in the country. Schools such as Oklahoma State, Cal Berkeley, Florida State, UCLA, USCB, UC Davis, San Jose State, Cal Poly, University of Arkansas, University of Alabama, and many more.
Juniors on the Central Coast now have an opportunity to strengthen their game like never before. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned vet, Journeyman Golf has the ability and passion to help you achieve your goals.
Expanding Junior Golf has always been a passion of the Journeyman Golf coaching team. When working with Juniors it is not only important to focus on golf specific training but to help them become a well rounded human being. Our objective is to help young men and women become better on and off the course, giving them the tools to lead a balanced life and achieve their goals. We give our Junior Players a clear plan, and benchmarks to measure their success along the way to insure they gain confidence in their games and themselves, all while enjoying the ride. Just because improvement is a process, doesn't mean it can't be FUN!
Popular training options include-
* Private Sessions with Spencer (Golf Development Coach)
- Spencer is available for private sessions to co-create a plan that can help the Junior Golfer become more self-aware, reach their goals, and take their game to the next level.
* SLO JR Golf Select
- Selected Juniors are invited to train and compete as a team. This unique opportunity provides players with bi-monthly group sessions that truly give the JR access to world class training at a fraction of the price. Along with training players will recieve tournament evaluations, video analysis, personal tournament preperation plans and much more. For more info on the program and how to be selected - click here.
* Group Hourly Sessions
- Juniors can learn together in a fun competitive group setting, by the hour with Spencer Dennis
* Mini-Camps
- 3 day camps usually over Holiday weekends where advanced players can come and experience the Journeyman Golf training philosophy. Players will receive full game assessments (on the practice ground as well as the course), a custom practice plan, and learn how to take their game from the training ground to the golf course. Great for High School teams!
* Weekend Golf Schools
- Sessions where Juniors get a taste of what it’s like to train like the best players in the world. Players will receive a full game assessment, custom practice plan, and the tools necessary to start on a path to success.
Contact us to find out more and to start your Journey!
"I was first introduced to Spencer when I was playing on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour. My game was sideways and I was looking for a fresh new perspective. Spencer was able to quickly reignite my enthusiasm and passion for the game of golf. He helped me to formulate and apply a more present, knowledgable and fun outlook to the game.
Spencer not only provides a sound understanding of the golf swing but he is an immense resource for an overall holistic approach to the game. Someone once told me that your golf game is a direct reflection of your life. Spencer believes that you must first work on yourself and through this journey you will learn to become a more successful golfer.
His approach in many ways transcends the traditional methods of instruction for the game of golf and rather proves as a strong model for a more positive way of living. Through reevaluating goals and formulating purposeful practice with Spencer, I am having more fun in golf and in life. It is for these reasons that I give Spencer Dennis and Journeyman Golf my highest recommendation. "
~Michael Wilson, Player-Canadian Professional Golf Tour
"I love working with Spencer every chance I get. He is full of knowledge technically and more importantly mentally. Anyone can learn the techniques but in order to take it to the next level, you have to be mentally prepared. Spencer has taught me, not only how to hit a golf ball, but how to actually play the game of golf. Including scoring, golf course management, and feeling peacefull and comfortable on the course.
His teaching techniques are fantastic, because he is able to break it down into a process, which really helps keeping it simple and having fun with short term goals. Thank you Spencer for helping me take my game to the next level!"
~Josh Lipman, Former College Player and Club Professional
"Before I started working with Spencer Dennis and Journeyman Golf, I really didn’t have much of a routine for my practice. I was getting frustrated with my game and seemed to constantly be working on different swing thoughts, which hurt the consistency of my golf game. Through the help of Spencer Dennis, I learned about the importance of having the right preparation for tournaments with the implementation of the technical, pre-comp, and competition phases.
Since working with the Journeyman Golf my preparation has become more enjoyable for me during the weeks I am working on my game, and it always gives me the momentum I look for when going into a tournament. "
~Russell Boring, College Golfer - U.C. Santa Barbara
"Spencer Dennis is someone who has helped to change the course of my life through not only his approach to the game of golf but also his approach to life. He has the most special talent of affecting people all around him in a positive manner. I have not only been lucky enough to work side by side with Spencer and be inspired by his creativity and effectiveness with students but have also been blessed with the opportunity to work on my own golf game with him.
He has been able to transmit and break things down for me in a way that has accelerated my ability to make corrections and better my golf swing. I am always amazed at how fun it can be to practice when I am with Spencer and this is thanks in part to his ability to keep us moving towards the vision we see together. Spencer is my coach and he simply allows me to move towards my goals and ultimate potential with effective drills, thoughts, and ideas that inspire my creative mind and encourage me to continue to improve. I know that Spencer genuinely cares about me as a person and my golf game. If you get the chance to spend time with Spencer either on the lesson tee or just over friendly conversation you will be struck by his ability to intuitively know how he can be of service to you.
If you are looking for something you have never experienced before and want to improve your golf game with a clear direction of where you are going, what your goals are, and at an accelerated more functional pace you need to get in contact with Spencer and Journeyman Golf."
~Alex D. Berlin, PGA Professional - La Cumbre Country Club
Prepare Like A Pro!
Pics and Video from the event click here
"Spencer, want to thank you for all your efforts and the great clinic last Saturday. Honestly, I enjoyed every aspect of the day and definitely feel empowered in my commitment to golf."
~Judy Soeten
"I truly enjoyed myself and learned new aspects of the Golf game that I'm sure I will take with me for the rest of my golfing life. My score has already improved just by using some of the tips I learned from Journeyman Golf. The instructors not only helped with the mechanics of the swing but also the mechanics of the mind which I believe is the most important in the game of golf. "
~Jeff Clark
"I most benefited from the stretching and fitness advice of Michael Hughes. The way he described the use of the hips and glutes in a powerful golf swing was enlightening. Michael's stretches and "Range of Motion" drills were innovative. I especially like that he later watched me hit on the range and help me apply his principals right away!"
"I really like the way Spencer Dennis simply described the "Goal" of the golf swing is to consistently return the club head to the lowest point of an arc. Anything I do to disrupt that arc will change the location of the low point."
"Jeff Troesch's experience and depth of knowledge is amazing. I felt privileged just to have access to him for the day. He was receptive to my questions and gave me straight answers. His advice on putting, pre-shot routine, and shot commitment was insightful. I liked his comment: "While on the course, "Fill your mind with a plan" to "push away negative thoughts.' Jeff gave us straight talk, for example: "You have to put in the work if you want to succeed", is refreshing. There are no quick fixes! Jeff is an asset to the Central Coast and we are lucky to have him in the area!"
~Ron Baldal
Effective Putting Practice
Only have 10-15 minutes to practice putting? Lets spend this time wisely and work on building strength and awareness in our hands and arms. For most of us our strokes aren't Tour Pure, good news is that you're probably closer than you think to getting that ball rolling end over end and making more putts.
Next time you practice try only using one hand at a time, making sure to get in the best posture and alignment that you can with both hands (important so you don't sacrifice set-up and alignment for the drill), then remove one hand and make the stroke. If you like you can put the other hand on the shoulder of the hand still on the putter to help feel what the shoulder joint is doing. At first the putter will feel a bit wobbly, but after a few strokes you'll start to feel in more control.
This method will serve you in many ways:
•Will show you which hand is the culprit when it comes to poor strokes
•Help identify any Grip problems, most people that struggle with this exercise tend to have the putter Grip to much in the fingers, we want it more in the palm for control
•Build strength in your hands and arms
•Help create a nice even tempo - with only one hand on the club the putter head will have more weight to it allowing the club to swing due more to momentum than force
Drill-
Take 3 tees and put them around the 4 sides of the hole starting from 3 feet, 4 feet, and 5 feet. From there see if you can make a putt from each tee using just your left arm, then your right arm and then both arms. (3 putts from each tee- then move)
By switching back and forth it will allow each arm to be trained how to work individually making it much easier for them to work as a unit when both hands are on the club.
Take Care and Go Low,
Poor Weather ='s More Practice Swings!
The great thing about poor weather is that you can still get in some great reps with your swing, you don't always have to go to the course to improve.
Set a goal for yourself to take 25-50 practice swings a day working on whatever changes you have been prescribed and you'll notice a huge difference the next time you hit the range. Be sure though that each swing is to the best of your ability so that you simply not practicing bad habits.
During this time it will be helpful to make swings of different speeds (10%, 25%, 50% and so on) and swings with your eyes closed to really feel what your body is doing. For most of us when we introduce the ball we can't feel anything because the ball becomes the focus.
Also put something on the ground to help you measure where you are bottoming out or striking the ground...the best players will hit the ground in the same spot every time ='s no chunks or thin shots!!
Short Game Woes?
Next time you have a chance to hit some pitches or chips, lets isolate! Practice these short shots off only your lead leg (left leg for right handers), this will help with balance and help create a solid impact position. Be sure the ball position is just inside your front foot at set-up to insure proper balance and contact.
Some reasons you may want to try-
*Inconsistent Direction/Distance Control
*Poor Contact
*Poor Balance
*Poor Rhythm
Drill- Hit 10 balls off 1 leg then another 10 off two and do your best to mimic the feelings of the 1 leg shots. As you improve take this drill and bring the target more into focus, see how many out of 10 you can get within 3 feet.
Good luck out there, let's use our practice time to improve-not get worse!
Are you having trouble translating your range work onto the golf course?
All players at some point have difficulty taking their success on the range onto the golf course. My experiences though as a player and as a coach show that the real issue is the player's inability to accurately measure success the range. What do I mean? Well for most of us we are lulled into a false sense of accomplishment on the range because we are hitting into an open area with no real target. On top of that we use the same club over and over with little or no routine attached to it. To be clear though this process is perfectly fine when working on technical changes, the ball flight and routines are less important when making changes to positions and movement.
(See Periodization Phases here for more info)
After the work has been done on the swing and ball flight is becoming more repeatable, it's time to shift the focus of the practice. In the simplest terms, try to make the practice on the range and short game area as realistic to playing as possible.
Change targets as much as possible, going from left to right as well as short to long. Change clubs every few shots, play holes on the range by selecting mock fairways and greens. Most importantly go through your routines (Pre-shot, Execution, Post-Shot) for every swing to mimic the course. Also do your best to add stress to your practice, create challenges and goals for every session before you are allowed to finish.
As Jack Nicklaus used to say, "Achieve then Leave."
**Most importantly and I can't stress this enough is that understand where you are in the developmental process, it is crucial to grasp this so your measures of success are accurate. Far too many of us expect changes in technique to come to quickly and scores to immediately go down. There is a clear difference between swinging better and playing better. Those of us who have learned how to score already will notice results faster vs those that haven't. Keep things in perspective and your measures accurate and this game will be a whole lot more fun.
Extra Note - During a practice session I definitely encourage all my clients when they are READY to make the shift from technical work to more of a playing mindset maintain balance in what they do.
Ex. 2 hour session would include tech. drills in the beginning to get the body warmed up and on track followed by more game like practice to close it out and get ready to play.
Trouble Hitting Putts Solid?
Next time you get a chance to work on your putting try this simple exercise. Alternate hitting "putts" with your putter, lob wedge, 8 iron, Hybrid, and 3 wood.
**When using other clubs it's helpful to hover the club above the ground so that it's easier to hit to the equator of the ball - this practice method will really help people that tend to have their putter move up and down to much in their stroke. The goal is not to let the ball get air-born but to keep it rolling along the ground.
Hit putts from 3-5 feet as well as 20 feet and beyond, while doing this you will really have to rely on your athleticism and hand eye coordination, something that many people forget when it comes to putting. Far to often people try to be too perfect when they putt rather than realize that it's just like any other shot in golf, and that it does require an athletic attitude.
Practice --
Set 3 tees on 2 sides of the hole ranging from 3-5 feet. Make 3 "putts" from each tee then switch clubs. At the end go back to your putter and feel the difference.
Play your best golf and get a truly unique experience by bringing your own pro. Make the most of your golf vacation at home or your dream destination.
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Journeyman Golf empowers golfers of all agesand skill levels to become more self aware, achieve their goals, and take their games to the next level. You're in-store for a truly unique golfing experience whether you are looking for personal instruction or planning a group or corporate outing. Journeyman Golf brings together experts in all the areas necessary for complete improvement; technical, mental and physical aspects are all covered for a total training model. Located at Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles, CA - in the heart of the Central Coast wine region. Contact us today to start your journey!
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