Mary Hafeman

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

Other awards won (if provided):
PGA National Player Development

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 350
Female: 725
Junior: 430

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
16

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
I currently provide my version of Get Golf Ready programs throughout the season. Each program is geared to the clients that sign up. My basic program – includes short game, full swing and at least 2 sessions on the course. I have many return participants so I do have several GGR programs that are taught completely on our par 3 course – each week we work on different areas – like working on 50 yard shots to green including shots from uneven lies – the next week maybe tee shots. It’s good to use the GGR program as a basic and then build progressive programs for both the groups and individuals that help them enjoy playing, learn how to practice and most importantly get them on the course in groups or leagues.

LPGA Girls Golf progressive programs are taught similar to the adult GGR programs promoting fun skill development, on course learning, rules. etiquette, and build confidence.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
I believe it is important to keep adjusting your coaching platforms / programs for your clients as they progress with the game. Add new playing opportunities with coaching, keep our programs fresh – I ask my clients what they feel they need to work on and develop different programs to meet their needs. I’m continuing my on course coaching programs for both adult and junior players. I’ve seen much quicker improvement in scoring and confidence when I conduct more programs on the course under “real” golf course situations. Even for beginner golfers… I encourage them to play scrambles on the par 3 courses in the area and then move to the 9 hole and ultimately 18 hole courses. A blend of both group programs and individual lessons at a certain point in their development is critical… for women – they need to have a group or friends to play and practice with… matching women’s groups and leagues has been helpful. I keep in touch with clients vs my emails, group programs, text messages and calls. The better I know them and understand their goals – it’s easier to help guide them. In reality it’s my goal that they be in charge of their own game – understand the game, their swing and track what areas they need to work on to achieve their goals. They should not be dependent on me! They should be and do graduate to just coming back in spring for a tune up or some are dropping handicaps to lower levels which I’m coaching them to learn more specific shots to help them to select the best shot for each situation. Communication is the key understand what your client wants and not what I want to do!