“I encourage people to practice the weak areas of their game,” says Pallot, “and often times improvement can happen by doing exercises and drills regularly at home.” Pallot adds that beginner players benefit most by doing a lot of drills. According to Pallot, it takes beginners longer to coordinate their arms and body, and they have to learn how to “find the ball.” Intermediate golfers tend to know more and have some idea of what to do, meaning Pallot can concentrate on helping them with specific areas of their swing.

“Advanced players need tweaking,” suggests Pallot. He gives them one practice drill and emphasizes watching themselves on video for needed adjustments. Pallot adds that advanced golfers require the 
least amount of coaching. Many students who come to Pallot ask him if they are capable of improving their skills; Pallot responds with patience and understanding. “I realize how difficult this game is and what it takes to improve,” notes Pallot. “I think people appreciate that in me and trust that I can help them. 

In 1995 and 1996, Pallot worked with Tracy Kerdyk, an LPGA Tour player. Primarily, he focused on her short game. As a result, Kerdyk was the JAL Big Apple Classic champion in 1995 and a consistent money winner in 1996. “It was fun to watch her scores in the newspaper on a daily basis,” recalls Pallot. “It was exciting to work with such a great golfer.” For twelve years, Pallot has also been instructor to Ryan Blaum, a top-rated junior in Florida. Blaum earned a golf scholarship to college next year. “I feel I have helped him achieve this goal,” says Pallot.

No stranger to competition and a hard worker when it comes to his own golf goals, Pallot has played in numerous tournaments, including three Doral-Ryder Opens, three U.S. Amateurs and two Junior Amateurs. He’s also played his share of Pro-Ams, twice teeing it up in the Bing Crosby Pro-Am. Having first played at age 7, Pallot experienced success on the course early on in junior tournaments and soon found himself looking at a future in professional golf.

Pallot’s pre-game routine begins with stretches and swinging the Momentus (a weighted club). He then hits a few sand wedges, 10 – 20 yards. Pallot moves up to a short iron, medium iron, long iron and then hits the driver. “Before playing, I try to focus on the target – no mechanics,” notes Pallot. When practicing, Pallot works on various shots on different days, but he putts every day. “I like to use practice drills and aids to enhance my practice sessions,” adds Pallot.

Pallot’s favorite shot to play is a 100-yard pitching wedge. The best part of his game is without a doubt his short game, especially putting. Pallot once “one-putted” all 18 holes during a round, despite hitting only five greens in regulation. He routinely has under 25 putts per round. Having learned to play the game “right to left,” Pallot sometimes has trouble making shots that go left to right. Ever patient, though, Pallot will keep at it out on the course and find a way to get the job done. 

Whenever he’s struggling, Pallot often employs a particular practice swing or drill to get back into rhythm. Self-motivated with a little help from Bob Toski, Pallot follows a path of continuous improvement. “I watch Bob teach five times a year, and I read a lot, watch videos and watch other instructors,” says Pallot. He keeps an eye on Tiger, too. “Nobody can hit shots like him,” marvels Pallot.

Pallot typically wears green and white out on the course and likes to play Titleist #2’s, the ball that helped him to his first hole-in-one. Cypress Point is the course he enjoys playing most, and he wouldn’t mind traveling to Monterrey Peninsula for a few rounds, either. A 36-year resident of Coral Gables, Florida, Pallot is a graduate of the University of Miami-Florida, where he was also on the golf team. 
When he’s not on the tee or one-putting all those greens, you might catch Pallot serving up an ace on the tennis courts or rounding third during a softball game. For more on lessons with Pallot, e-mail him at jpallotp@mediaone.net. Thanks for sharing, John!