Success Stories

"My journey began over 20 years ago when I was asked to play in a golf scramble. This was a bit odd because I had never swung a golf club. This was a special golf scramble where each team was paired with one non-golfer. This was truly a humbling experience, for I thought “how hard could it be to hit a stationary ball?” Well, it is hard. But I was encouraged because at the end of the round the team had used two of my drives on par 5’s. Needless to say I was hooked and began looking for a starter set of clubs which I found and began to practice with at my home during the fall and winter. I was determined to learn this game on my own and with the help of a video and book or two. As I began to play I was always given plenty of advice by well meaning friends, all of which did more to confuse than to help. I have played in leagues over the years and I began to not enjoy the game. It was beginning to be no fun at all. And that was the key phrase “no fun at all”. I was more worried about a poorly hit ball that would or could hurt someone. I began to address the ball with little idea of what I was supposed to be doing, and clung on to a prayer that was “Lord, please don’t let me hurt someone”. So the state of my game was in total disarray. And did I say it was no longer fun?

One the golfers in my company golf league didn’t offer what he thought I should do with my game, instead he suggested the services of his golf pro. He did this several years ago but for personal reasons, I wasn’t in position to take on the challenge that I thought a golf pro would introduce. And besides, I had heard so many horror stories about golf pros messing up a student so bad that they gave up the game altogether or that a golf pro would attempt to mold my swing like every other one of their students.

One fall I was invited to go on a weekend golf outing. The trip was to include playing at three of top five courses in that state. I really had no business playing these courses, but it sounding like a fun weekend. This golf trip was a turning point for me and my golf game. I came away with a need to fix my golf game or do something else.

I chose to fix it. I called James Townsend and set up an appointment. My first lesson with James was not like anything I expected. I expected that he would observe how I hit balls and make recommendations on what I needed to do to fix my golf swing. Instead James sat me down and interviewed me with many questions like my height, did I have any physical limitations, how long have I been playing and did I have any formal training. James’ questions were all part of what would turn into a training program tailored specifically for ME. James doesn’t have one golf swing that fits all, each person has abilities and limitations and he structures the lesson to fit the student not the student to fit the lesson.

What has James done for my game? To name a few things, I have learned the proper golf swing for me, I have learned how to practice correctly, I have learned how to recover when I don’t hit a good shot but most of all I have learned how to enjoy the game and have fun again. My only regret is that I didn’t go to see James sooner."

"Golf is a game, and James has never lost sight of that. His swing lessons are easy to understand and remember, but his focus is on making the game more enjoyable for all his students. His passion for golf is evident in his teaching, playing, and knowledge of equipment technology.

James has the ability to simplify the golf swing so that the goal of the lesson is easy to understand. He provides a report at the end of each lesson to remind me what we worked on and where to focus my practice. Through video analysis James has the capability to show how my swing has improved with practice and thus provide meaningful confidence building feedback.

Not only has James provided excellent instruction, he also has the technical ability to confirm that my equipment is properly fitted for me.

When I started to play golf, my goal was to compete in tournaments. James understood this goal and invited me to play in many pro-ams locally. During these competitions, James was able to give me course management instruction under competitive pressure."

"Honestly, I really know very little about the game of golf. I never played at all until I was in my 30's, I don't watch much golf on television, and I don't keep up with the latest in golf technology. But I know that I love to play. I absolutely love it. I love it when a shot turns out the way I envisioned it or when I sink that putt. I love walking a course on a beautiful fall day and I'll even play on those winter days when most others have locked away their clubs until spring. So, I guess you could say I'm hooked. James has helped instill that love of golf in me.

About 4 years ago, I was "wrapped around the axle." In golf it is easy to get yourself into such a state. We've all been there... Every shot goes wrong. You're hitting the ball thin, then you're hitting the ball fat...and with every swing the result is ugly... very ugly. You're baffled, frustrated, angry and you're asking yourself over and over again, "What in the Sam Hill am I doing wrong!??" A buddy gave me James' name and contact info and suggested I give him a call. I hesitated because I thought I could figure it out on my own. In the end, I met up with James and I have been taking lessons from him ever since. James with his quiet, calm, yet technically sound instruction has helped me tremendously.

Most importantly, James has kept it pretty simple in his approach. Focus on the key fundamentals. Work on those key items... over and over again. The results have better than I could have hoped for. Over time, my game has become more consistent (and more enjoyable!) Make no mistake, the days when I get "wrapped around the axle" still happen. But James has provided me with the tools to return to "square one," get back to the fundamentals, and get back on track to being a better golfer."