Noah Vinyard

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
PGA Section Teacher of the Year, Other (Indicate specific awards below in 3-a)

Other awards won:
2024 North Florida PGA Section Teacher & Coach of the Year, 2024 North Florida PGA West Central Chapter Teacher & Coach of the Year, US Kids Top 50 Instructor 2014-2015, Mizuno Top 100 Club Fitter 2010, Adams Golf Top 50 Club Fitter 2011, PGA Hope Community Service Award, Georgia Section 2012-2015, GOLFTEC Outstanding Instructor: Teaching Over 2K lessons per year 2008-2012

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: Male golfers: 720 live lessons, 300 online lessons: Total 1,020
Female: Female golfers: 180 live lessons, 75 online lessons: Total 255
Junior: Junior golfers: 300 live lessons, 125 online lessons: Total 425

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
28 Clinics

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
For juniors, I’ve been deeply involved with initiatives like the PGA Junior League, PGA Junior Camps, and the Invited Crush-IT Monthly Program, a nationwide program run by Invited clubs. These programs introduce young players to the game through structured clinics, camps, and friendly competition, all while emphasizing the importance of discipline, patience, and perseverance. I also leverage digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok to engage with today’s tech-savvy kids, creating fun, educational videos. One example is my “G.A.S. at BP” video, where I teach juniors about Grip, Aim, Setup, and Ball Position in a way that resonates with them. This combination of online and in-person instruction helps juniors like Gavin Spinner, who started as a casual player, develop into top competitors with aspirations for collegiate golf and even the PGA Tour.

When it comes to working with women, I’ve developed and led all-women’s clinics aimed at creating a supportive, empowering environment. For many women, golf can be intimidating, especially if they’re just starting out. I focus on patient, clear instruction and fostering a sense of community among participants. I’ve watched countless women not only improve their game but also become advocates for the sport, joining leagues and inspiring others to pick up a club for the first time. I also run a quarterly “Bad Mom” Golf Clinic for beginner women who enjoy a cocktail while they learn to play golf.

Inclusivity is at the core of my teaching philosophy, and I actively work to create opportunities for minorities and people with disabilities. I’m particularly excited about launching the PGA HOPE program in Clearwater next spring. Having built a strong program in Augusta, GA, where I was awarded the Community Service Award for the Adapted Golf Program four years in a row, I know how transformative golf can be for those with disabilities. Whether it’s helping players with physical limitations modify their swings or working with veterans to build camaraderie and confidence through golf, I truly believe in the healing power of the game.

For seniors, my involvement extends through programs like Game-On, where we offer monthly group clinics and golf schools throughout the winter, ensuring that seniors remain active and engaged in the sport. I’ve also hosted hearing aid seminars, helping seniors understand how crucial hearing and balance are to their golf games. Arnold Palmer was a strong advocate for wearing hearing aids on the course for better play, and I pass along this wisdom to seniors, helping them maintain both their performance and enjoyment of the game. The monthly Drive for Dough, Putt for Dough, and Chip and Sip Clinics are a huge success for our senior membership, offering fun group settings.

Additionally, Invited Golf Clubs run a Play 9 program, where we socially play 9 holes with members to build relationships and address any questions about our clinics or events. I actively engage in Play 9s with over 70 members a year, fostering inclusivity for those who sometimes feel left out of the club or don’t know many people.

In support of individuals in recovery from addiction, I’ve partnered with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) programs in Clearwater, offering golf as a positive, healthy outlet. Golf can provide an “addiction” to personal growth, discipline, and the joy of hitting that one perfect shot, serving as a powerful therapeutic tool. I host specialized clinics for participants in AA and NA, where they can learn the game in a supportive, non-judgmental environment that emphasizes both the technical aspects of golf and the mental discipline necessary for recovery.

Across all these programs, I’m committed to ensuring that golf remains a sport for everyone. Whether through juniors, women, minorities, seniors, or people in recovery, my goal is to make golf inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable for all.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
I run a variety of player engagement programs at my facility, catering to different skill levels and interests. Here’s a breakdown of the programs and participation:

The Quarterly Bad Moms Clinic hosts 6 women per quarter, totaling 24 women annually. This clinic provides a fun, relaxed environment for moms to improve their game.
The Crush-It Junior Weekly Program has an active roster of 10-20 kids, depending on the season. This program is designed to keep junior players engaged and excited about the game.
The PGA Junior Spring League averages 16-20 participants per season, providing kids with competitive and structured learning experiences.
The PGA Junior Fall League averages 10-15 kids per season, continuing their development as the season winds down.
The Bi-Monthly Adult Clinics (covering driving, chipping, bunkers, and putting) typically attract 10-20 participants per session. These clinics are open to both members and non-members.
I also run Distance Clinics that focus on improving mobility, hand speed, and strength using The Stack System, stretch workout bands, and speed sticks. Additionally, I offer One-Day Golf Schools, which are open to both members and non-members. These schools focus on specific aspects of the game, such as putting or the short game. I’ve partnered with Callaway to provide participants with a fitted putter during the putting clinic and a fitted wedge for the short game clinic.

For those looking for a comprehensive experience, I offer a One-Day Full Game Golf School, which covers every aspect of golf, including irons, driving, putting, short game, lunch, course management, on-course situational practice, and mental approach.

On the junior side, I’ve recently introduced a program targeted at teenagers called Elite Juniors, designed for competitive tournament players. This after-school program emphasizes on-course practice and competition, pushing the kids to challenge each other and improve in real-world situations.

For adults, I host Putting Clinics that include a complimentary adult beverage, creating a relaxed, after-work setting. I like to market these clinics with fun, catchy names like “Chip and Sip,” “Wedges and Wine,” and “Driving and Daiquiris.” I’m always coming up with playful names to keep it lighthearted, like “Bunkers and Beers” for sand practice.

These programs not only engage players of all ages but also create a strong community of golfers who continue to come back for more.