By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
Andy Miller is the PGA of America Director of Instruction at Ledge Rock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. He is a GRAA Elite Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, and Ledge Rock Golf Club is a 10-time GRAA Top 50 Private Facility.
Miller’s success extends to the PGA of America, where he was the Philadelphia PGA Section Teacher of the Year in 2020 and has earned three Section Youth Player Development Awards. His coaching prowess was recognized nationally in 2021 when he earned the PGA of America Youth Player Development Award.
Miller is the subject of this month’s Five Questions feature. Here’s to never settling for good enough!
Golf Range Magazine: When did you get your start in golf, and who got you into the game?
Miller: When I was about seven or eight years old in Bernville, Pennsylvania, my dad would let me go with him and his golf buddies, and I’d look for golf balls while they played the hole. It was a blast…like hunting Easter eggs! Occasionally, they’d tee one up and let me hit it.
My grandmother would also take me to a local par 3 course, and as the story goes, I’d want to go putt on the practice green for hours afterward. I’m told that I may or may not have shed tears when it was time to leave. My mom would take me to golf tournaments and hang out by the 18th, always with a book in her hand. Good times!
Golf Range Magazine: Did you play golf in high school or college, and what mentors helped guide your way from your school days to PGA Membership?
Miller: I played golf in high school, although it was a difficult decision between playing golf or soccer. My high school had a tremendous soccer program, making it one of the toughest decisions I ever had to make. After high school, I attended Penn State University and entered their Professional Golf Management Program.
David Rupp my first PGA mentor. He was a local PGA of America Golf Professional who had started his own business and was a local legend in the golf community, earning three Philadelphia PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year awards.
Fast forward a few years when I had the privilege of working at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal, New Jersey, under Mike Killian, a Quarter Century PGA Member. Mike was a wonderful golf professional and a great teacher. I was always fascinated by how he could help people play better.
I’ve had so many great PGA of America Golf Professionals play a role in my life, including Mark Anderson, Brian Jones, Bob Kramer, Dave Talaba, Andrew Tucker and many more.
Golf Range Magazine: What’s trending in programming and instruction at your facility?
Miller: SportsBox AI has been a great resource for diagnosing swing flaws and giving players a way to practice effectively with feedback.
Also, group coaching is becoming more popular at Ledge Rock Golf Club. I ran a postseason prep program for some of the high school golfers that I coach. This was more about the mental and emotional components of golf, and we discussed strategies for managing stress and performing under pressure. The players who participated all had an amazing run, including 2nd, 5th and 10th place finishes in the state tournament, which is amazing.
I ran a Total Golf Coaching Program during the past few years that divided time between on-course nine-hole sessions and supervised practices. I got some rave reviews, and one of the players took eight shots off their handicap.
The coaching programs are becoming the biggest part of my day, as I believe most golfers think of a golf lesson as a technical swing correction session. Although I certainly talk about technique with my players, it’s only a small part of playing good golf. My future programming will move swiftly towards a coaching model that encompasses the whole game, not just golf swing.
Golf Range Magazine: What is your favorite part of the game of golf? The business of golf?
Miller: I love the challenge. It’s such a hard game with so many moving parts. It’s something that can never be mastered. I also love the creativity of allowing players to hit whatever shot they see. There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, and that’s the beauty of the sport.
My favorite part of the business of golf from my position as Director of Instruction is that as I help more players improve, they become part of my “team”, and they promote my services to other golfers looking to improve their games. I like that process. I take great pride in helping people have more fun playing the game.
Golf Range Magazine: What’s on the horizon in teaching and mentorship for Andy Miller, as a proven leader in golf coaching and instruction?
Miller: The future for me in golf involves more group and on-course coaching. As I continue to learn and grow as a coach, it’s become evident to me that the majority of golfers, and perhaps some coaches, aren’t doing things that will actually lead to lower scores on the golf course. Trevor Regan from Train Ugly uses the analogy of jungle tiger vs. zoo tiger. If we sent a zoo tiger into the jungle, they have zero chance to survive. We’re collectively creating zoo golfers who can perform on the range but not on the course. Once golfers have a certain level of proficiency in hitting somewhat predictable golf shots, their technique is most likely good enough to shoot lower scores than they actually shoot. It’s our job to teach them how to train and foster the skills that allow them to perform on the golf course.
I’ve had the amazing opportunity to share my thoughts and expertise at various meetings, conferences and summits over the past few years. I enjoy sharing my stories and experiences, and I can see myself continuing to travel in this capacity. It’s my mission to not only help my players have more fun playing the game but to help fellow coaches help their players have more fun too! The golf coaching side of the game has changed so much since I started in the business over 20 years ago. We’re seeing that it’s not just standing on a range teaching positions. Collectively, coaches are willing to share their “secrets” now more than ever before. As a result, the game is in a great place, and I’m excited to see what the future holds!
