To Whom It May Concern
When I first met Chris Chaplin in August 2003 I had no idea about golf. A good round was 120. I was so embarrassed about my golf that I would decline invites to corporate days.
I thought I would have a lesson to sort me out. I called the club and asked if one of the coaches could have a round with me and tell me where I was going wrong. I figured that would fix everything. Of course, they said “it doesn’t work like that; I’ll book you in for a lesson”.
On the way to my lesson (I was only going to have one!) I figured I had better have an objective. Single digit handicap I thought. I didn’t know what it meant but it sounded good.
When meeting Chris he asked me about my sporting history (only Archery), if I had time to practice and what I wanted to achieve with my golf. I had a good answer for that one - single digit handicap I said proudly. He just smiled and said “OK then, let’s get started”.
When he saw me swing he must have shaken his head in disbelief. I had no idea how to score never mind swing. I had no idea about course management; I had no idea about the rules. Even Chris said to me one day (whilst in a bunker) “you have no idea have you”? He was right.
Every week I had a lesson. Every week I practiced. Every week I played. And every week I asked Chris “how long before I will have a single digit handicap”? He never once answered the question. How could he – I was terrible. He just encouraged me and I kept plugging away doing what he said.
Chris persevered with me. He had faith in me and he never said I couldn’t do it. He encouraged me to join the club. He encouraged me to start playing competitions. He always was there to listen to me. Slowly I got better and better. First it was to break 100, then 90 and then Chris said you need to break 80. I had never been close. After 15 months I finally broke 80. That was a momentous day. But that was not enough. Hitting 80 once was not my goal. We worked harder. Every time I had a lesson there was always something new to learn. I did everything he said.
My 2 year anniversary of working with Chris and playing golf was nearing and I told Chris I wanted to be on single figures before the anniversary. I was on 13 at the time. Chris laid out a plan for me on how to do it. How many competitions to play, how much practice to do. What sort of practice.
Finally with 1 competition day to spare before my 2 year anniversary I did it. I went to 8.9 and for the first time I would be playing off 9 the next week. I was so excited. I had achieved my goal.
I hear so many people say “if only I played more I would get better”. That’s probably true but not much better. More playing with the wrong habits just cements those wrong habits even deeper.
Golf is such a challenging game that you need to be taught it by a professional. Someone who has been taught to be a teacher. Someone who knows what they are talking about. Someone who has got the runs on the board and someone who is patient and encouraging.
Chris Chaplin is such a person. He knows what he is talking about. What he says might not always make sense but you have to trust him and do precisely what he says. I reassessed my goals and I now want to play off scratch. My next goal is 7 and then 5. Chris will continue working with me to guide me, encourage me and advise me on how to get there.
I am no longer embarrassed. I can play anywhere in the world with anyone and not feel out of place. Without Chris I could never have achieved what I have done in a relatively short timeframe.
Thank you,
Rob Nixon
November 12th 2005
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