EJS GOLF BLOG
Learn about the golf swing and what you can do to improve your score on the golf course. Fill out the form below if you have any questions or want to set up a time to talk.
Mastering the Art of Golf with Coach Erik Schjolberg
I’m Coach Erik Schjolberg, and welcome to the EJS Golf blog—Scottsdale’s authority on science-driven ball-striking. Here you’ll find in-depth analyses of swing mechanics, data-backed breakdowns of impact and launch dynamics, and actionable practice routines designed to rewire your muscle memory from day one. Each post peels back the curtain on cause-and-effect in your swing, whether you’re chasing Tour-level precision, collegiate consistency, or lower weekend scores. Dive into our deep-dive articles, master the drills that drive real improvement, and transform your game with proven science and strategy.
But let’s be clear: golf isn’t only about perfecting swing mechanics. The mental battle you fight on each tee is often the one that determines whether you stay in the game or walk off the course. Here, we’ll tackle the psychological hurdles—the pressure of a tight leaderboard, the frustration when a swing fails under stress, the self-doubt that creeps in after a bad hole. You’ll learn evidence-based mental strategies—visualization routines, pre-shot rituals, stress-management techniques—that fortify your focus and resilience. Mastering these mind-set tools is just as critical as dialing in your impact position, and I’ll show you exactly how to integrate mental training into your practice for lasting confidence on every shot.
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Why I Don't Chase Golf Digest Rankings - And Why My Students' Handicaps Tell the Real Story
Why I Don't Chase Golf Digest Rankings - And Why My Students' Handicaps Tell the Real Story
Every few years someone asks me why I am not on the Golf Digest Top 100 list or the Golf Magazine Top 100 list. My answer is consistent: I do not participate in those programs. That is not bitterness and it is not false modesty. It is a position based on what those programs measure and what I believe the actual measure of coaching quality should be.
I am Erik Schjolberg. I coach at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, under my brand EJS Golf. My teaching system is called The Science of Better Golf. I have been doing this for more than 25 years. And in 25 years, I have never had a student improve because of an award I received. Every improvement has come from identifying the correct mechanical cause of a problem and giving the correct constraint-based fix. The scorecard does not care who gave me the award.
What Industry Rankings Actually Measure
The Golf Digest and Golf Magazine top instructor programs are long-running features with significant reach. They are not scams. They produce real lists of real professionals, many of whom are excellent coaches. But the criteria for selection have nothing to do with whether students improve.
The programs typically evaluate instructors based on teaching activity (how many lessons per year), educational credentials and certifications, peer evaluations from other instructors and players, affiliation with teaching associations, and in some cases, visibility and media presence. These are reasonable professional signals. None of them measure outcomes.
A coach can teach 3,000 students a year without moving a single one of their TrackMan numbers. A coach can hold every certification available without understanding ground reaction forces or wrist conditions at impact. A coach can be universally respected by their peers without producing measurable handicap reductions. The ranking systems are not designed to catch any of that because they are not built on outcome data. They are built on professional activity and network assessment.
My objection is simple: in any other performance profession - medicine, physical therapy, athletic training - a practitioner's reputation is ultimately built on patient outcomes. Not on how many patients they saw. Not on how many certifications they hold. On whether their patients actually got better. Golf instruction has not held itself to that standard, and the major ranking programs reflect that.
The Metrics That Actually Matter
Here is what I measure to evaluate whether my coaching is working. These are the metrics I track with every student, and they are available to any golfer who asks.
Every one of these metrics is objective. Every one of them is measurable in a single TrackMan session. And every one of them tells you more about whether a coach is effective than any ranking program in the industry.
The golfers who come to McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale to work with me know this going in. I tell them what their baseline numbers are in the first session and I tell them what the target numbers are. We track progress against those targets. If the numbers are not moving, we change the approach. That is the accountability standard I hold myself to, and it is the standard I think every serious golfer should hold their instructor to.
What My Students Have Actually Said
I am going to let the record speak. These are unsolicited words from students over the past two years of coaching in Scottsdale and online. They are not curated marketing language. They are what people said when I asked them to describe what changed.
"I went from a 14 handicap to a 6 in 11 weeks. No award did that. One diagnosis, one drill, and weekly TrackMan confirmation that my numbers were moving. That is it."
— Mark T. | Scottsdale, AZ
"I had worked with a Golf Digest top 100 instructor for two years. My handicap did not change. I worked with Erik for three months and dropped 5 shots. I am not saying the other coach was bad. I am saying Erik was right for my swing."
— Steve H. | Paradise Valley, AZ
"The first session with Erik I learned more about what my swing was actually doing than in 20 years of golf. He did not tell me to feel something. He showed me the number and explained the cause. I understood my swing for the first time."
— Karen B. | Scottsdale, AZ
"Remote coaching with Erik from Dallas. Submitted my swing video and Foresight data. Got a diagnosis in 48 hours, one drill, and a follow-up 3 weeks later. My handicap dropped from 11 to 7 in 10 weeks without ever being in the same room."
— James T. | Dallas, TX
My Standing Offer
I have made this offer to every serious golfer who has asked whether working with me is worth their time: bring me your current TrackMan data - or let me collect it in the first session - and I will identify the primary cause of your miss and give you a fix that produces a measurable change in at least one key metric before you leave. If your numbers do not move in the first session, you do not owe me anything.
I have never had to honor the second half of that offer because the first half always delivers. Not because I am infallible - because the diagnostic process is scientific and the fixes are cause-and-effect based. When you correctly identify the root cause of a mechanical problem and apply a constraint that forces the correct movement, the numbers move. Every time.
That is the standard. Not a ranking. Not an award. A measurable change in your ball striking in the first session. If that is what you are looking for, I coach at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, and online worldwide.
Everything is at EJSGolf.com
My drills guide is at EJSGolf.com/my-drills
Read more instructions at EJSGolf.com/blog
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Erik Schjolberg is a PGA Professional and founder of EJS Golf, based at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has 25+ years of experience coaching golfers from beginners to PGA Tour professionals using TrackMan 4, HackMotion wrist sensors, force plates, and 3D video analysis. His proprietary teaching system - The Science of Better Golf - is built around four release patterns and centers on low point control, forward shaft lean, and ground reaction forces as the measurable determinants of ball striking quality. His students demonstrate measurable improvement in attack angle, dynamic loft, and low point location in the first session. He does not participate in Golf Digest or Golf magazine ranking polls. His students’ data is his credential.
What You Can Expect from Our Blog
1. Expert Insights on Swing Mechanics:
With over 25 years of experience as a PGA Professional Golf Instructor, I delve deep into the nuances of golf swing mechanics. My articles break down complex theories into understandable concepts, focusing on ground reaction forces (GRFs), biomechanics, and efficient energy transfer.
2. Advanced Technological Guidance:
Our academy is equipped with state-of-the-art tools like the Trackman 4 Launch Monitor, 3D Pressure Plates, and Hackmotion, among others. On the blog, I share how to leverage these technologies to gain precise feedback on your swing, helping you make informed adjustments and see measurable improvements.
3. Tailored Practice Routines:
My philosophy is built on the belief that improvement should be evident from the first lesson. I advocate a '15 minutes per day' practice model, designed to fit into your busy schedule while ensuring consistent progress. Each blog post aims to offer practice drills and routines that are easy to implement and effective in refining your skills.
4. Real Success Stories:
Read about the experiences of those who have trained at EJS Golf Academy. These testimonials not only inspire but also illustrate the practical application of our teaching methodologies and the real results achieved.
5. Interactive Learning:
We occasionally feature video tutorials and interactive content that allows you to visually grasp techniques and corrections. This blended approach helps reinforce learning and allows you to engage with the content actively.
How Our Blog Helps Golfers Get Better
Every post is crafted with the intent to educate. We cover everything from basic fundamentals to advanced techniques, ensuring there's something valuable for every skill level. By presenting data and evidence-backed strategies, our blog demystifies the 'why' and 'how' behind effective golf training. This analytical approach empowers you to make smarter decisions about your practice and play. We understand that generic advice does not suit everyone. Our blog posts are designed to help you identify your own needs and adapt our techniques accordingly. Whether it’s adjusting your grip, stance, or swing path, you’ll find personalized tips that resonate with your specific challenges. Beyond just reading, our blog serves as a community hub where you can interact with fellow golfers and share your experiences. This supportive environment encourages learning and improvement through collective wisdom.
Join Us on Your Path to Mastery
Whether you’re looking to refine your swing, understand the biomechanics of your body, or simply get more enjoyment out of the game, our blog at EJS Golf Academy is your go-to resource. Bookmark our page, subscribe to updates, and start transforming your game today.
Remember, at EJS Golf, we don’t just teach golf; we craft master golfers. Let’s begin this journey together. Visit us atEJSGolf.com to learn more about our programs and start your training online or at our Scottsdale location. Let’s make every swing count!
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
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phone: 480.861.9370 email: [email protected]
I've taken multiple private lessons with Erik and he's been by far the best swing coach I have ever worked with. He has the ability to dissect your swing and make small changes for big improvements. What I love most about his lessons is they go far beyond the 1 or 2 hours you're with him. He follows up with videos of how you can improve at home and on the range. The value he provides is absolutely worth the cost of his sessions. I would recommend any golfer at any level who truly wants to get better to go see Erik.”
- Reanol H.
Erik is the best! and that is not an exaggeration. There has not been a single lesson where I haven't walked out and felt like a far better golfer than before. What can't be praised enough is the effort and dedication that Eric puts into each of his students, as his approach to fixing and improving my golf swing was specific to me. While teaching, Erik takes the extra time to truly dive into what he is trying to convey rather than just telling you, allowing for a better understanding. Beyond the instruction at the course, Erik sends specific drills to you from an app that allows for slow motion replays, letting you break down everything and work on your game at any time. I genuinely mean it when I say that I would recommend Erik to anyone wanting to improve their golf game, as he is not only a top not instructor but also a top notch person who cares about his students.
- Brennan K.
Erik is flat out a great coach and mentor! I highly recommend him! Working from the ground up, my swing is healthier and smooth! I wanted a coach that shared the same main principles as the late Tony Manzoni and Erik hits the mark! Found Erik by listening to the Golf Smarter podcast by Fred Greene and connected with EJS Golf through the Perfect Motion app. Erik is motivated and incredibly gifted at his craft!
- Bryan B., Indiana, USA
