Alison Curdt

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
PGA Section Teacher of the Year, GRAA Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, Golf Digest Top 50, Golf Digest Best in State, LPGA Awards

Other awards won (if provided):
Growth of Game Elite, Golf Magazine Teacher to Watch, Best Young Teacher

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 910
Female: 546
Junior: 364

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
10

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Over the past year, I’ve continued to expand on the Growth of the Game initiatives I established at my facility in previous years. Over the last nine years, I’ve increased lesson participation by more than 100% and introduced many non-members to the facility, many of whom have become members. As Director of Instruction, I’ve had the freedom to develop innovative programming and create learning opportunities that help students not only enjoy the game more but also stay engaged with it for the long term. I’ve also focused on sparking enthusiasm for golf among students and juniors, ensuring they don’t abandon the game prematurely due to its challenges.

This past year, I introduced bootcamp-style programs in addition to my regular individual and group lessons. These bootcamps cater to experienced players and feature guest coaches who bring unique expertise in areas like short game, tactical skills, ground reaction forces, and the mental side of golf. By exposing students to these expert perspectives, we enrich our lesson programming and help players reach the next level of their game. These all-day and weekend intensives offer a deep dive into performance improvement.

I continue to incorporate mental strategy, course management, rules, and etiquette in my on-course sessions, and every program I run includes ample time spent on the course. This approach has been pivotal in helping students translate what they learn on the range into real-world performance, accelerating their progress and boosting their enjoyment of the game.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
One of the programs I’ve developed in recent years is a comprehensive coaching package that integrates both mental and physical training. This program kicks off with a TPI assessment, a swing evaluation, and a series of mental game inventories. The results are then reviewed with the student, laying the foundation for our coaching relationship. Together, we establish clear expectations, including the frequency of lessons, mental game exercises, and collaboration with a physical therapist or trainer to enhance long-term physical fitness for golf.

Students are also asked to stay accountable by uploading videos or photos of their practice sessions during weeks without lessons. When I actively track their tournament and practice progress and show a genuine investment in their success, I notice higher levels of engagement. On the other hand, when the coaching process feels transactional, accountability tends to diminish.

Another program I’ve introduced is the “90/10” plan, which focuses on measurable improvement over 90 days. This program helps students target a specific area for a 10% improvement, whether it’s reducing scores, increasing driving distance, or lowering putting averages. It’s designed for players scoring 90 or above, providing a clear goal and structured path to achieve it.

I’ve also incorporated Sportsbox AI into my lesson program, which offers a watchlist and homework feature. This technology allows me to monitor when students complete their practice assignments, keeping them accountable and invested in their progress. New students in my package get one month free access to this app, enabling them to track their improvement in tangible ways. This level of accountability not only keeps them engaged but also reassures them that I’m deeply invested in their success and measuring it in concrete terms.