“I like to let students know right away that I’m not out to change them,” says Fecteau. “I quiet their fears up front about what I might do to their swing,” he adds, “and I work on building on the skills they already have.” As a teacher, Fecteau enjoys watching his students develop and improve; he envisions what’s possible right alongside them, and when they rejoice in success, he feels it, too. Conversely, if a student experiences a setback or doesn’t quite reach a goal, Fecteau feels the pain. “My students have a partner in me,” says Fecteau. “If they miss a shot or lose a tourney, I have lost as well. I really care about their development as golfers, but also as people.”

Fecteau’s vast experience on the golf course and knowledge of the golf swing itself arm him with the tools he needs to explain the game. But Fecteau’s warm personality and committed attitude take him a step further; he has coached a number of success stories - state amateur champs, junior champs, golfers who have broken 80 for the first time and so forth. Fecteau has “been there,” having played high school golf in Salem, Massachusetts and collegiate golf at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. After a successful amateur career, Fecteau went on to tee it up as a professional in the Foot Joy/Titleist National Assistants Championships, the National Club Pro Championships, various state opens in New England, the Pleasant Valley PGA Tour and the U.S. Open Sectionals.

“Teeing off in my first PGA Tour event, I was so nervous I do not remember moving the club,” recalls Fecteau, “but the ball found the fairway on its own.” Fecteau can relate to students of all skill levels and does so with sensitivity and patience. He encourages beginners to establish goals for themselves, then arrange a playing/practice schedule to meet those goals. Of course, beginners should also seek the counsel of a qualified professional, especially if they’re struggling right from the start. Intermediate students should focus on the short game, course management, and thinking better for improved play. Advanced players should naturally do the same, but also take into consideration exercise, diet, preparation and past trends that led to certain results. “Copy the trends that lead to great results,” advises Fecteau.

As busy as Fecteau is with teaching, he still finds time to practice each day, usually in the morning. He also schedules playing lessons as part of all his lesson plans. If two hours became available for Fecteau to practice, 35 minutes would be spent on full shots and the remainder would be on shots inside 85 yards, including putting, sand play, pitching and chipping. Fecteau believes the best part of his game is a tie between putting and sand play; he has great confidence in both. His favorite shot to play is a little drawing wedge into a pin tucked way left where no one can get to it. A shot Fecteau may have trouble with is sometimes fading a higher lofted club. Should he struggle on the course, however, Fecteau doesn’t let it phase him. He simply tells himself, I love my wife. That keeps it all in perspective.

When playing golf, Fecteau does have a few superstitions - he must have a towel (dirty), divot tools, lucky coins, mark his golf ball a certain way and note what he eats the night before. Other superstitions may crop up, depending on “anything.” However, Fecteau will wear any color and plays no favorites there. He prefers Muirfield Village Course in Ohio above all others, but he wouldn’t hesitate to tee it up in Pinehurst, North Carolina, either. When he’s not on the course or the lesson tee, Fecteau stays true to the game by collecting golf books and putters.

A 6-year resident of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Fecteau was born in Waltham and first played golf at the age of 11. He’s married to Jean and has two step-daughters, Christina (24) and Lisa (20). The family dog, Bear, and cat, Tyrone, round out the household. When asked what motivates him to play and teach with such enthusiasm, Fecteau says, “It comes from the inside.” You can expect at least another great 20 years out of Fecteau. For more about lessons with Fecteau, e-mail him at teachgolf@earthlink.net. Thanks, Philip!