Bob Usher, a GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, a 2024 GFAA Recognition Award winner and a two-time GFAA On-Course Award winner, is the PGA of America Director of Instruction at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, Florida.
Bob Usher on the importance of educating, communicating and collaborating for best results:
When I got to Grey Oaks, I had a substantially higher amount of seniors than I had at prior facilities in my career. I had always been very effective in helping my elite athletes improve in golf, but I struggled with my new member base as they often lacked balance, flexibility, mobility, strength and endurance. I knew that even though I had been teaching for many years, how and what you work on often depends upon who you’re working with. I had to educate myself on teaching this demographic to help them improve. Using my newfound knowledge, I started to make traction with our members, helping them move their bodies better. At the same time, I also knew my limits. I learned that I needed to rely on the fitness team so together we could get the results our members were seeking.
Bob Usher on the business impact of educating, communicating and collaborating for best results:
That began a collaboration with Grey Oaks Director of Fitness Les Johns, which now ranges from laid back conversation about fitness all the way to sharing pictures and videos from a student’s lesson so that Les can look at it from a fitness standpoint and give his two cents. And the cool thing is that that education and communication has now morphed into collaboration. Because as the relationship between the two of us has grown, so too has the relationships between the golf and fitness staffs, and the trust we have in each other. I’ve given most of our trainers complimentary golf lessons to demonstrate how I approach a session and what type of wording I use. Working together as professionals not only improves the experience for our members, but enhances our own work experience and the connections we have forged with each other.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email BUsher@greyoakscc.com.
