Jessica Barts

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
N/A

Other awards won:

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 130
Female: 170
Junior: 75

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
175

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Women on the Course:

I redesigned our previous women’s player development program to create a more personalized, practical pathway for women to learn the game and become comfortable playing on the golf course.

The new Women on the Course program offers two distinct levels of instruction:

Beginners on the Course is designed for true beginners and newer golfers who are learning the fundamentals of the game, golf terminology, rules and etiquette, and how to navigate the course.

Players on the Course is the next step for golfers who have a foundation of basic skills and are ready to improve consistency, club selection, course management, and scoring while becoming more confident and independent on the course.

Both programs meet once per week for 90 minutes. Class sizes have been reduced, and each class is staffed by two instructors with a 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio, allowing for more individualized coaching, feedback, and interaction.

A major addition to the Beginners program is three Guided Play Days. These sessions help bridge the gap between practicing skills and actually playing golf. Players learn how to navigate the course, make decisions, apply the skills they have practiced, and become comfortable with the process of playing nine holes.

Guided Play uses a nine-hole scramble beginning approximately 100 yards from the green. This format keeps the group moving, reduces pressure on new golfers, and allows participants to experience every part of a hole from approach shots and short game to putting without feeling overwhelmed by distance or score.

The goal of Women on the Course is to create players. Rather than simply teaching golf skills, we want women to learn how to play the game, navigate the course, make decisions, and gain the confidence to go out and play on their own. Ultimately, success is creating golfers who continue playing long after the program ends.

True Swing Clinics:

After becoming a Level 1 Certified True Swing Instructor, I added True Swing Clinics to our programming to provide players with another approach to developing their golf swing. The goal is to help players develop a well-timed, balanced swing through simple concepts that are easy to understand and apply.

Golf 101:

I created Golf 101 as a shorter, five-week introduction to golf for brand-new players and as an entry point into our longer-term player development programs.

No previous experience or equipment is required, and clubs are provided for students who need them. Each week introduces a different fundamental area of the game in a welcoming and approachable environment.

The final class takes students onto the golf course for a scramble, giving many of them their first opportunity to experience actually playing the game.
Golf 101 provides an easy way to try golf, have a positive first experience, and transition into our longer-term player development programs.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
Travel:
I expanded our programming to include golf travel as another way to engage members and create experiences beyond traditional instruction. In July, I traveled with three members to Boston for the inaugural “Scoop” event hosted by Titleist at TPI. Over three days, we participated in fittings, clinics, and Titleist education while connecting with other PGA Professionals and building stronger relationships through a shared golf experience.
I have also planned our first women’s-only golf trip for April 2027 to Miami. The trip combines golf with meals and social activities, giving members an opportunity to travel, play, and build relationships with other women golfers.
These experiences help create a stronger sense of community around the game while giving members another reason to stay engaged and excited about golf.

Guided Practice:
I added Guided Practice sessions several times throughout the week to give players an opportunity to reinforce their skills and learn how to practice effectively on their own.
These one-hour sessions welcome all levels of players and rotate between short- and long-game topics. Players learn how to structure a productive practice session, make the best use of their time, and practice with a purpose. Guided Practice provides instructor feedback while helping players become more confident and independent in their practice.

Distance Mapping:
I created Distance Mapping sessions after recognizing that many students in classes, clinics, and on-course lessons did not know how far they hit their clubs, making club selection and course management more difficult.
During the session, we work through the entire bag to determine each player’s carry and total distances. Students receive their personalized numbers in a follow-up email, along with feedback and recommendations for improving consistency and distance.

Play with the Pro:
I added Play with the Pro as a group on-course lesson designed to help students become more comfortable applying their skills to actual play. I take groups of three to four students onto the course using a scramble format, which allows us to discuss shots and situations as a group while maintaining pace of play.
Throughout the round, we work through course management, club selection, rules, etiquette, and common situations players encounter on the course. I also hit shots when helpful to demonstrate different options and strategies.
The goal is to give students practical on-course experience while helping them develop the knowledge and confidence to play more independently.