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Hi friends and golfers! My name is Coach Erik, as my students call me, and for the rest, my last name is Schjolberg. When you step into my academy, EJS Golf, located at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in beautiful Scottsdale, AZ, you're entering a transformative experience. I've been a professional golf coach for over 25 years, and I've seen many success stories. However, Kevin's journey from a 17-handicap golfer to a 6-handicap marvel in just one year stands out as a testament to the efficacy of my 15 minutes per day program. This program is not just another training regimen; it's a lifestyle change that guarantees results from the very first lesson. Today, I want to share with you the detailed phases of Kevin's transformation, which epitomizes the effectiveness of my coaching philosophy.

The Struggle Before the Breakthrough

Kevin first came to me after a year at Golftec and working with two other coaches. He was disheartened and stuck at a 17-handicap. Despite his best efforts and investment in traditional coaching, he had plateaued. That's when he decided to try something different and enrolled in my. Next Level Training, the Scottsdale version. Kevin was skeptical due to his prior experience but willing to commit, and that commitment became the cornerstone of his incredible transformation.

Before Kevin committed I had him come for a lesson to see what it was like to work with me. I also explained to him that I have never had a student fail to reach their realistic goals when they followed my program. That was super reassuring b/c he told me that without a doubt he would never miss the 15 minute per day requirement. I shook his hand to thank him for trusting me to help him and we got started..

The EJS Golf Academy Philosophy

At EJS Golf Academy, we're about targeted, effective practice. My facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology like the Trackman 4 Launch monitor, 3D Pressure Plates, and Hackmotion. But the real game-changer is my 15 minutes per day program, a regimen I've honed over my 25 years as a professional golf coach. This program is not just a set of drills; it's a comprehensive approach that covers every aspect of the game, from the setup to the swing and even the mental aspect. It's a program that has been refined over years of experience and countless success stories.

Phase 1: Mastering the Setup

Posture

The first element I focused on was Kevin's posture. A proper posture is the cornerstone of a consistent and powerful golf swing. Initially, Kevin's posture was too hunched, causing a restriction in his rotation and leading to inconsistent ball striking. We worked on maintaining a neutral spine and engaging the core muscles, which not only improved his balance but also allowed for a more efficient energy transfer throughout the swing. Within a week of practicing this for just 15 minutes a day at home, Kevin reported feeling more stable and in control during his swings. This is a great outcome so quickly. Most people fight posture their entire golfing career and wonder why they couldn't move like they wanted to.

Grip

The second crucial aspect was the grip. Kevin's initial grip was too weak, leading to a lack of control and a slice. We adjusted his grip to what I woukd consider a strong position, ensuring that the V-shape formed by his thumb and index finger on both hands pointed towards his right shoulder. This grip adjustment was a game-changer for Kevin; it gave him better control over the clubface and significantly reduced his slice. I made sure he had a technique to put his hands on the club properly for each grip. This was a process that took some time to get comfortable to. Just like with the posture, Kevin practiced his grip at home for 15 minutes a day and saw immediate improvements.

Alignment

Lastly, I tackled alignment. Poor alignment can sabotage even the best swings, and Kevin was no exception. His feet, hips, and shoulders were often misaligned, leading to shots that were off-target. We worked on a simple yet effective alignment routine that he could practice at home. Using alignment sticks, Kevin learned to set his clubface first, followed by his feet, and then align his knees, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line. This simple routine became second nature to him, and his accuracy improved dramatically. Not everyone needs to be lined up in this manner but it isn't a bad place to start from where he was at with everything shifted to the left, guaranteeing his over the top golf swing.

Foundation

Every house that is safe and stable is built upon a foundation that is strong and can withstand the elements. By mastering these three foundational elements in the setup, Kevin laid the groundwork for the incredible transformation that followed. And the best part? All of this was achieved with just 15 minutes of targeted practice per day, right at home. Feel free to check out my YouTube videos on these topics at youtube.com/@ejsgolf for a more in-depth look. You will find multiple videos on each of these topics I discuss in this article.

Phase 2: Rotation

The second phase was all about rotation. Proper rotation is crucial for power and consistency. I worked on improving Kevin's hip and shoulder rotation in both the backswing and the downswing. This not only increased his power but also his swing's efficiency. For a deep dive into the mechanics of rotation, you can watch my instructional videos on YouTube. Understanding and mastering rotation are critical for any golfer looking to improve, and Kevin was no exception. His commitment to perfecting his rotation was evident in the subsequent phases of his training.

Phase 3: Club Path

The third phase aimed to correct Kevin's club path. Through high-speed 3D video analysis, I identified that his lead shoulder was elevating too much during the backswing, causing an overly steep downswing path. Specific drills encouraged a more rounded backswing, focusing on keeping the lead shoulder low. Within a week, Kevin's club path improved significantly, laying the groundwork for the more advanced phases of his transformation. The change in his club path was not just a mechanical adjustment; it was a conceptual shift that required him to rethink his entire approach to the swing.

Phase 4: Clubface Control

In the fourth phase, I tackled the issue of the open clubface. I used Hackmotion's wrist sensor to analyze Kevin's wrist angles throughout the swing. He had excessive lead wrist extension (cupping) during the downswing, which we corrected through a series of wrist flexion drills. With time, his clubface was just 1 degree open to the path. This phase was crucial because controlling the clubface is vital for shot accuracy. Kevin's newfound ability to control his clubface had an immediate impact on his game, significantly reducing his shot dispersion.

Phase 5: Low Point and Angle of Attack

The fifth phase focused on the low point and angle of attack. A consistent low point is crucial for solid ball striking, and the angle of attack can significantly influence the shot's trajectory and spin. I used the Trackman 4 to monitor these parameters and prescribed drills to improve them. By the end of this phase, Kevin's low point was consistently ahead of the ball, and his angle of attack was optimized for his iron and driver shots. Understanding the low point and angle of attack is essential for any serious golfer, and mastering these elements was a key factor in Kevin's dramatic handicap reduction.

The Power of Feedback

What made this transformation possible was the continuous feedback loop. Kevin was in constant touch with me through my Online Golf Lessons, where I could analyze his practice videos and provide real-time feedback. This feedback-driven approach is the cornerstone of my coaching philosophy. It allows for real-time adjustments and ensures that the golfer stays on the right path. Kevin's commitment to this feedback loop was a significant factor in his rapid and consistent improvement.

The Statistical Transformation: From 17 to 6

When Kevin started with me, he was a 17-handicap golfer with a fairway hit percentage of around 40%, greens in regulation (GIR) at 30%, and an average score of around 90. His average driving distance was 220 yards carry. His scrambling percentage was a mere 20%. After a year in my program, the transformation was what we have come to expect. His fairway hit percentage jumped to 70%, his GIR increased to 65%, and his average score plummeted to 75. Additionally, his average driving distance soared to 290 plus yards (carry) and his scrambling percentage rose to an impressive 60%. His sand save percentage also improved from 15% to 50%. These numbers don't just represent incremental improvements; they signify a complete transformation in Kevin's game, turning him into a single-digit handicap golfer.

Speed Gains: The Power of Efficiency

In the first six months, Kevin's club head speed increased from 95 mph to 105 mph, thanks to the efficiency gains in his swing mechanics. But we aimed for even more. Using my 3D Dual Force Plates, we focused on optimizing his ground force mechanics to generate even more power and speed. The results were astounding. Within the next six months, his club head speed rocketed up another 14 mph to 119 mph. His ball speed followed suit, increasing from 140 mph to 175 mph. His smash factor, a measure of the quality of strike, also improved from 1.47 to 1.50, indicating not just an increase in speed but also in the efficiency of energy transfer from the club to the ball. This wasn't just about raw power; it was about efficient use of energy, optimizing biomechanics, and leveraging ground forces to generate speed without sacrificing control.

Conclusion - 15 Minutes Per Day

Kevin's journey is a compelling testament to the transformative power of targeted, effective practice. It's a story that redefines what's possible in golf improvement, showcasing a complete metamorphosis from a struggling 17-handicap golfer to a confident 6-handicap player. But what makes Kevin's story truly remarkable is the fact that this transformation was achieved through just 15 minutes of focused practice per day, right at home. There's a misconception that you need to spend hours at the driving range to improve your game, but Kevin's journey dispels that myth.The statistics speak volumes. Kevin's fairway hit percentage soared from 40% to 70%, his greens in regulation jumped from 30% to 65%, and his average score dropped from 90 to 75. His club head speed increased from 95 mph to an astonishing 119 mph, and his short game metrics improved dramatically. All these gains were made possible by committing to just 15 minutes of targeted practice per day, without the need for endless hours at the driving range.