Chelsea Soda

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, Other (Indicate specific awards below in 3-a)

Other awards won:
Golf Digest Best Young Teachers in America 2025-2026, 2027-2028; Iowa PGA Player Development Award recipient 2026

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 200
Female: 175
Junior: 440

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
85

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
One Growth of the Game initiative I continued to develop this year was my custom group golf program. I noticed that many people—particularly women—were more comfortable beginning their golf journey with a group of friends rather than signing up individually for a traditional class. In response, I created a customizable four-week program that allows groups to learn together in a relaxed, social environment.

Each 60-minute session focuses on a different aspect of the game: putting and chipping, pitching and irons, driving and specialty shots, and finally taking those skills onto the golf course. The format is designed to be approachable for players of all experience levels, while giving participants the skills and confidence they need to transition from instruction to actually playing.

The majority of the groups this year were made up of female friends, which was especially rewarding to see. The program has provided a low-pressure entry point for women who may not otherwise seek out golf instruction, while also creating a social experience around learning the game. My goal has been not only to teach the fundamentals, but to help participants feel comfortable enough to continue playing, practicing, and inviting others into the game.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
I am fortunate to have an indoor studio to teach in during the winter months in the Midwest, which allows me to continue programming and engaging with students throughout the entire year. In the studio, we have two Uneekor simulators, a GC Quad bay, and a putting surface, which gives me the ability to offer a variety of programming during the winter months.

This year I continued to offer multiple winter sessions of Operation36, PGA Jr. League, and added a 17U PGA Jr League team. These programs continued throughout the summer as well, creating year round opportunities for my students to grow in the game of golf. I also incorporated speed and fitness training into my programming, using a combination of BodiTrak, the Stack System, Mach3 Speed Training tools, GolfForever, and TPI. This has given students another way to work on their golf during the winter while also developing the athletic skills that support their game.

I also continued my "Wedge Challenge" in the studio. I use a whiteboard and divide students into age and gender divisions, including juniors under 12, ages 13-16, 17+, and over 60. Students compete throughout the winter to post the highest score, with a prize pack going to the winner in each division. This was a big hit again this year and has been a fun way to encourage students to come into the studio on their own time to practice. I have had students ask if they can come in specifically to work on improving their wedge score, which is exactly the type of engagement I hope to create.

During the summer, I continue to use my newsletter to highlight student accomplishments and keep students and families connected to what is happening within the program. I highlight everything from personal-best Operation36 scores to competitive accomplishments, including students advancing in major events. I enjoy celebrating these accomplishments because it shows students and families that there are many different pathways to success in golf.

My goal is to keep students engaged with golf throughout the entire year and give them different reasons to practice, compete, improve, and celebrate their progress.