As a Certified Personal Trainer, Christie can offer his students a little something extra in the way of “hard work.” He is the founder of Target Zone Golf, an instruction program that focuses on the mind, body and swing of golfers of all abilities. While the mind of a golfer and the flawlessness of his swing have always contributed to successful play, fitness is playing a key role in today’s game. Christie’s conditioning program focuses on increasing your overall power, strength and range of motion, while reducing your chance for injury through the understanding of movement patterns.

“Most people want to learn to play consistent golf,” says Christie, a 17-year teaching professional now residing in Camden, Maine. “This is why Target Zone Golf was founded. It’s a very simple, concise approach to the game that guarantees success and enjoyment.” Students of Christie’s rave that the program takes the frustration out of the game and restores the fun. Overall flexibility and body strength can also improve, helping students to feel the effortless power of a natural golf swing.

Christie recommends beginners learn how to “play” the game and worry about the score later. Once at the intermediate level, they can focus on the finer details that improve scoring, e.g. chipping and putting. As they become even more advanced and skilled, golfers will rely more heavily on their minds. “Advanced players should learn to think like the champions do,” says Christie.

Christie’s goal in any lesson is to give the student a better understanding of their golf game.  “I think my students appreciate in me the simple approach I bring to golf instruction,” says Christie. “They understand what they are working on in each lesson, and what they are working toward.” A graduate of Ferris State University’s Professional Golf Management Program, Christie first played golf at age 10 and has had a love for the sport ever since.

“I get a lot of satisfaction out of watching people learn to love the game of golf as much as I do,” smiles Christie. Even when he struggles on the course, Christie is hard-pressed to find stress. He just thinks about how fortunate he is to be playing on some of the most well-manicured courses in the world, and he can’t help but enjoy himself – no matter what he shoots.

Christie’s strength is definitely his length off the tee, but he has a lot of confidence in his short game as well. Perhaps this comes from hours of practice that involve playing as many games as possible to keep his mind sharp. His practice sessions always involve a specific objective in order to “win” the game. It’s no surprise then, that he made a 15-foot side hill putt when the pressure was on. “”I made it to pass my Player’s Ability Test for the PGA,” says Christie of one of the most challenging shots he recalls facing.

Born in Portland, Maine, Christie actually favors the West Coast when it comes to golf travel, particularly courses in Oregon and Washington. But home course Samoset Resort is his favorite to play, and according to Christie, it’s the most beautiful course in the east. You'll catch him there, dressed in khaki and white, teeing it up with white tees only. When he was a junior golfer, he learned from Tom Watson to always play with white tees.