2023 Coaches Impact :
Coaches Institute
2023 Coaches Impact :
Oliver Gilmartin
Olivier Gilmartin , PGA , knows golf better than most . After a seven-year playing career as a touring pro , he transitioned into becoming a teaching professional near Miami , Florida , in 2017 . But even with all of his experience and expertise , he knew he needed some help to create a program that could organize , inspire , and develop players at the rate and scale he envisioned .
“ The U . S . Kids Golf Foundation and the resources they provide through their Coaches Institute are invaluable to a golf coach like me ,” Gilmartin explains . “ To be a good coach , I need to do more than show the mechanics of a golf swing . I use the Player Pathway that the Foundation developed , from their learning books to the pins to the app . Kids love it because it ’ s fun . Parents love it because it helps track the progress of their investment . And I love it because it provides structure and organization so I can focus on the parts of the job I enjoy — actually coaching the kids to become better players .”
Gilmartin ’ s enthusiasm for golf and his students is evident to everyone in the program , whether absolute beginners or accomplished junior players . He credits the training and continuing involvement with the U . S . Kids Golf Foundation as a big reason for his success . In 2023 , Gilmartin was named a U . S . Kids Golf Top 50 Coach , representing the highest level of recognition for youth coaches globally .
“ I represent the Foundation and am proud to be a Certified Level 2 Coach , and what I ’ ve learned in my training , I ’ m passing down to students who want to learn the game . But I also benefit from the Foundation because of everything they do to support coaches around the country and world . The best thing a parent can tell me is that I ’ ve made an impact and that their son or daughter loves golf because of me . I ’ m so grateful that my career allows me numerous moments like that .”
Coaches Institute
| There were an additional 685 coaches trained in 2023 . | There have been 6,780 coaches trained since Coach Seminars began in 2012 . | There are 540 coaches listed in our “ Find a Coach ” directory for parents seeking coaches near their home .