Rick Murphy, the 1988 PGA Junior Golf Leader, two-time Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year and 2020 Section Hall of Fame Inductee, is the PGA Director of Instruction at Greensboro National Golf Club in Summerfield, North Carolina, and the Owner of Rick Murphy Golf Academy and Practice Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Rick Murphy on the importance of considering unique approaches to golf fitness promotion:
Although golf fitness has become a mainstream aspect of coaching and instruction, many PGA Professionals still aren’t working with students to overcome the physical deficiencies and limitations discovered on the lesson tee. Some feel they don’t know enough about the body and others think they don’t have the time. I have educated myself on aspects of the body that pertain to the golf swing, and I believe that you don’t have to be a doctor to understand the implications of the body’s limitations in order to help students improve motion and create more mobility, flexibility and stability. I have also found a way to monetize golf fitness, while expanding my client base and empowering my students, and I’ve done so with minimal time spent. This is key. Utilizing a digital platform called Kinexit, I conduct 10-minute assessments that produce a workout routine my students can follow at home that specifically addresses the deficiencies and limitations found in our analysis. The individual get the plan on their mobile phone, choose the length of each workout and learn how the exercises are conducted by reviewing the demonstrations provided. Six to eight weeks later, after doing the exercises prescribed, they come back to me for a 15-minute follow-up assessment. Based on their progress, they will be given a new workout routine to follow for the next six to eight weeks. In the meantime, they’re still coming for their regular golf lessons, where discussions of their fitness progress can be discussed.
Rick Murphy on the business impact of considering unique approaches to golf fitness promotion:
With over 65 participants in this program, generating almost $30,000 per year, I have saved a great deal of time that I can devote to golf instruction and generate additional revenue. Meanwhile, I am providing an effective service that diversifies our programming. With a $1,000 annual investment, the ROI is exceptional. The selling point is often my ability to show them their limitations on the lesson tee and discuss the remedies for such. Once they understand how their body moves in 3D, and all they have to do, at a minimum, is a 15-minute workout three times per week, that draws them in. It just takes the PGA Professional to set the expectations and highlight the benefits of committing to this program. This may not be the norm when it comes to large private clubs or stand-alone fitness facilities, but after educating myself adequately and learning from my mistakes, I have found a system that generates revenue, provides a service and helps make my students better golfers and healthier individuals. Golf becomes more fun for them and they will play more often.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email rmurphy@rickmurphygolf.com.
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