coaching
What a difference a Day makes
Aspiring young golfers with dreams of
greatness should take a leaf out of Jason
Day’s book, writes DAVID NEWBERY
I
N the early 2000s, the coaching staff at
Hills International College near Brisbane
sensed a talented young golfer had
arrived after watching Jason Day hit golf balls
on the range.
Mind you, there were a number of equally
talented individuals at the college so the
arrival of another was par for the course … or
so they thought.
Golf instructor Randall Hollands-Smith, who
spent 11 years coaching at Hills International
College, said Day had other qualities that
contributed to his success.
From a young age, Day had drive,
determination and the right attitude.
“The first day I saw Jason hit golf balls I said
to my wife, ‘we have someone special here’,”
said Hollands-Smith, who is coach to US PGA
Tour player Cameron Percy and teaches at
the Rachel Hetherington Golf Range.
“But he was no more talented than some of
the other students.
“We had a number of other great players in
the program, including one who had won an
Australian junior title and another who was a
super talent.
“But they both made a few bad decisions.
One decided to go to a US college on a free
scholarship, which wasn’t the best choice and
the other left the college early because his
manager left.
“If he had stayed he would have had a
better career.”
Hollands-Smith said many youngsters
believed, obtusely, that natural talent alone
would ensure success.
“To be successful you also need discipline,
application and the right attitude,” he said.
“That’s what set Jason apart.
“Compared to other kids, Jason applied
himself. He spent a lot of time on his short
game before school.
“The other kids didn’t have the same
application and attitude.
“They would be on the putting green and
say, ‘Jason, do you want to have a putting
comp’. He’d say, ‘give me 20 minutes and I’ll
join you’. He was working on a drill and for a
kid to do that is special.
chances if I send him to the US or don’t send
him’. In the end, they made the right decision
and he didn’t go.
“The US college system is always dangled
as a carrot, but I don’t think it’s the be-all and
end-all.” •
FOOTNOTE: Jason Day didn’t forget HollandsSmith’s contribution to his success after taking
out the 2010 Byron Nelson Championship on
the US PGA Tour.
“Some kids and their parents thought Jason
had special treatment, but that’s not the case.
“I gave Jason a chipping lesson before the
event and my Christmas present from him was
a signed flag from the tournament,” HollandsSmith told Inside Golf. “It says, ‘Randall thanks
for the chipping lesson’.
“They all received the same information, but
Jason was the easiest to work with because if
you told him to do a drill he would do it.
“I have it in a frame with a photo
of him jumping into Col’s arms
when he won. It’s my pride and joy.”
“I remember coach Col Swatton giving Jason
a drill and three wee