A COACH at a Wokingham golf club has been named as one of the top 50 in the UK.
Ben Emerson of Sand Martins Golf Club was included in the list by Golf Monthly magazine, which was announced earlier this month.
It is the first time that the magazine have published a list of the nation’s best golf coaches for several years.
“It was a huge thing, the list being updated,” Ben says.
“When I was asked if I’d like to be included it was hugely flattering.”
Originally from Henley, Ben’s career took him to Bath before taking up the coaching role at Sand Martins in December 2020. Ben is also one of a handful of professional golf coaches to be included in the UK top 50 for both Golf Monthly and Today’s Golfer magazines.
“There are thousands of pros who can be considered for these lists, so the pressure is on now to stay on them,” he says.
“It’s a bit like a chef getting a Michelin star — they want to keep it otherwise people will believe that they’ve gone down hill.”
He finds the challenge of keeping his accolades an exciting prospect. Lockdown was spent upgrading his teaching studio at Sand Martins and keeping up top date with latest golf teaching techniques and technology.
“We have motion capture cameras similar to those used on film sets, pressure mats and radars to track balls,” he explains.
“Golf is not an old-fashioned sport.”
Throughout his 20-year career in golf, Ben has enjoyed the challenge of adapting his teaching for each of his pupils. He is also grateful that he has a supportive club and family behind him.
“I work with really nice people and I am fortunate that people return for more,” he says.
“Sand Martins has a great club feeling, the members really make the community atmosphere.”
Ben Emerson Golf Academy is based at Sand Martins Golf Club. For more information, visit: benemersongolfperformance.com or log on to: sandmartins.com
