Nick Johnson: Cause and Effect
For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. But don’t get bogged down in the physics of it. Ask Nick Johnson, who makes it a point to keep things simple for his students of the game. “I believe there’s a cause and effect to every swing flaw,” notes Johnson, who recently moved to Colorado to give golf lessons at the Nike Golf Learning Center in Park Hill. “If I can find the cause, I can cure all the effects.”

Johnson played some golf as a youth growing up in Glens Falls, New York, but he went on to play soccer and baseball in college. He had earned scholarships in both sports to St. Thomas Aquinas; a knee injury ended his career and the scholarships were taken away. Johnson returned to golf, having always loved the game. “I love the life skills it can give young adults, and the fact that people of all ages can play the game is great,” says Johnson. “I really enjoy teaching golf, especially when my students give me that look of surprise after hitting a great shot without using a lot of effort,” he adds.

Johnson has helped a number of students feel that effortless power. One in particular had a specific goal: she wanted to qualify in the International Pro-Junior, an event Johnson himself had once played in at Fox Hollow. Johnson worked with her, and she qualified. Even more impressive, she sank a 10-foot birdie putt for her team at the tournament. According to Johnson, most students seek his help just for overall improvement and lower scores. For many of them, he recommends hitting shots with their legs together, eliminating lower body problems. Once they get a feel for the swing, he emphasizes “short game, short game, short game.”

When it comes to practicing his own game, Johnson says he practices like he plays. “I envision every shot that I have as being on the golf course,” explains Johnson, who believes the best part of his game is his creativity and shot-shaping ability. His favorite shot to make is a putt because it is such a simple stroke, but “so many things can mess it up.” Johnson is sometimes intimidated by tight fairways off the tee, but he overcomes trouble on the course by telling himself he can play, and that when he really needs to, he can put together a string of birdies.

Johnson’s favorite course is Winged Foot, but he would travel anywhere to tee it up. “I like any golf destination,” says Johnson. “I’m just happy to be playing golf.” Typically dressed in white pants and a light blue shirt while out on the course, Johnson holds no superstitions about the game when it comes to balls, tees or “lucky” clubs. He relies on his experience and confidence to make each round a success. Johnson keeps an eye on Davis Love III when following the Tour; he admires Love’s silky smooth golf swing.

A teaching professional for over two years now, Johnson has found that keeping things simple and focusing on cause and effect produces results for his students. “I try not to change a person’s golf swing,” says Johnson. “I just want to simplify it.” You can learn more about Johnson’s approach by e-mailing him at shutoutdmb@pga.com. Thanks for sharing, Nick!