Why The K Club’s PGA pro advises golfers to “be aware”

Michael has played with celebrities including Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, above

THIS WEEK I caught up with Michael Dixon, our head PGA golf professional at The K Club, and asked him how his year in golf has gone at The K Club.

Michael’s been with us at The K Club through most of our major recent events, including the Ryder Cup in 2006. He’s played golf with Hollywood Legend Samuel L Jackson, as well as Boyzone star Ronan Keating and a host of other famous names. His relaxed teaching style makes him a great golf coach for all.

Catherine Monaghan: Michael, how long have you been coaching in golf?

Michael Dixon: I’ve just finished my eighth year coaching the game and I’ve been a fully qualified member of the PGA for five years. Before launching The Michael Dixon School of Golf I was head golf professional at The K Club for two years.

CM: How did 2011 treat you?

MD: I had a good year because more and more people are joining my tuition stable. My clients range from beginners to professionals, world dignitaries to celebrities. Whether they’re juniors, couples or from corporate companies I love coaching the game and I have several clients from different countries around the world.

CM: That must be thousands of golf lessons you’ve taught in the last eight years!

MD: It is! I can honestly say that as each day goes by I’m more and more committed to becoming the best I can be at coaching the beautiful game of golf.

Golfers at The K Club Ireland can book day or resident golf courses at The Michael Dixon School of Golf

CM: Michael, what’s your approach to teaching golf?

MD: My beliefs in golf coaching have evolved over the years. Early on I focused on giving people the best information I could, working on ball flight laws and the latest swing techniques, but after looking back on my clients, improvement was very limited at best.

After intense reading, studying and working with some of the best golf coaches in the world, I realised that unless I create the correct learning environment – and the person is fully present physically to what is actually happening – then there will not be learning take place.

The main belief for me of how people make real improvement in the game of golf is: the greater awareness people have of what’s actually happening when they swing the club will have a huge impact in the process of their learning.

CM: I must be one of the many golf players always looking to improve – should we really become more aware of ourselves when we play?

MD: Definitely. Once your awareness grows in what’s actually happening in reality you will find your game will also grow at the same pace.

A huge problem of why golf is perceived as “such a hard game to learn” is that most people play golf in their heads, living in a world of judgments. For me judgments – good or bad, right or wrong – are the biggest barrier to stopping learning take place.

As a coach, I have created several drills that will make you feel what’s actually happening when you swing and have had super results with this type of coaching.

Michael advises golfers to become more aware of themselves throughout their swing and has devised several drills to help amateur and professional golfers - pictured: Ronan Keating in full swing at The Firstlight Challenge Cup

CM: So how does the amateur golfer start changing their approach to their game?

MD: Ask yourself a couple of questions:
1. What does your golf teach you about yourself?

2. Why do you play golf?

Try to look past the first cultured answers you will come up with. I personally believe that golf gets far more interesting when we know the answers to these questions, however big or small you want them to be.

CM: Thanks Michael, happy Christmas and I hope your school goes from strength to strength in 2012.

MD: Thanks, you too Catherine.
I sincerely hope that in 2012 I will get the chance to explore more golfers’ game together and I’d like to wish all my clients and their families a loving, peaceful and happy Christmas.

The Michael Dixon School of Golf teaches all the different aspects of the game to all ages and standards.

Why become a private resident of The K Club?

The Michael Dixon School of Golf is on a 19th century country estate in glorious Kildare, just 30 minutes from your flight to Dublin, and is a relaxed setting to improve your golf

Fractional owners at Firstlight The K Club, the private residence club here at The K Club in Kildare, receive Family Residential Membership with their purchase. Keen golfers choose The K Club as their holiday home in Ireland  because they have access to our extensive facilities, as well as first class accommodation, hospitality, first class dining options and of course the spa. And with our international holiday exchange program you’ll have access to over 40 five star destinations worldwide, including Aspen in Colorado, golf in the Algarve and safari in South Africa!

The K Club, left, is spread over a 550-acre glorious country estate in County Kildare, Ireland

We hope to see you at Firstlight The K Club soon!

Catherine Monaghan

Project director, Firstlight The K Club

Talk to our friendly sales staff and discover the five-star lifestyle at The K Club you could enjoy at a fraction of the price of a luxury holiday home.
Call +353 1 6107111 to arrange your Discovery Trip to Firstlight The K Club.