“What are you going to change?” they wonder out loud, looking worried. Reid assures them right away that change can be good, especially in small doses. Reid’s goal with every student is to make small changes that will make a big difference in scoring.

“For the most part, people do not like change,” says Reid, a 15-year PGA Professional who teaches at the popular Dana Rader Golf School in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I take the time to make adjustments that they believe will make them better. You have to partner with the student and come to an agreement on the change you are making, or it will not work.” Above all, Reid tries to keep his lessons simple, focusing on one or two things at a time for the student’s best chance at improvement.

Take what Reid did for a student named Paul, as an example. Paul was a 115 shooter at the beginning of the year in 2001. His goal was to get under 100 by the end of the summer. Reid began their lessons together with drills that helped Paul get into better positions with his grip, posture and ball position. From there, Reid made Paul’s swing shorter and had him practice hitting the ball off a tee 100 yards with a 7-iron. “This was so he could feel the body and arms working together throughout the swing,” explains Reid.

Slowly, Reid helped Paul get up to full speed; Paul started hitting full-swing 3-woods off the tee. “We also spent a fair amount of time on putting,” adds Reid, “to eliminate the three putts from his rounds.” When the summer was over, Paul had not only broke 100, but flirted with the 70's by shooting two scores of 80. “I congratulate him on his effort this year,” smiles Reid. “And yes, his goal is now to shoot in the 70's!”

Reid’s focused efforts with each of his students have helped many see their scores drop. That sums up what Reid loves most about his profession - watching students’ joy when they make a change that allows them to hit the ball better and score lower. “I typically start students out with lots of fundamental work and getting themselves into a sound set-up position,” says Reid, who’s given thousands of lessons to players of all skill levels. “They can also expect to understand the skill we are working on and be able to repeat it back to me before they leave,” adds Reid.

Teaching the game to others often means building confidence in one aspect of it, then transferring that trust to other types of shots. Reid starts beginners out with a lot of putting and pitching before graduating them to longer clubs. Intermediate level players get help from Reid with pitching also, which leads to better and more consistent ball striking. Pitch shots also find their way into Reid’s lessons with advanced players, but he’ll add the elements of mental game and course management to help improve these player’s approach to planning and making the right shots during an actual round.

“When I practice,” says Reid, “I hit lots of short game and feel shots. I start with pitching, then work on long putting, then hit more pitches.” In this way, Reid develops a rhythm that easily transfers into his fuller shots. After hitting numerous wedges and short irons, Reid is ready to work on his full swing. According to Reid, the best part of his game is his ball striking, especially with irons. The most difficult shot he can recall playing was a three-foot putt on a sloped green in front of 150 people and a local TV audience. Nowadays, due to a very limited practice schedule, pitch shots from 30 yards out might give him pause. No matter how difficult things may get during a round, however, you’ll always see Reid working hard and smiling. “You never know who’s watching,” points out Reid.

A golfer since the age of 15, Reid was on the golf team at Nelson County High School and went on to play for Randolph Macon College. Reid competed in the Virginia State Open from 1987-1989 and currently plays in area Pro-Ams whenever he has time away from the lesson tee. Reid doesn’t usually worry about what color to wear while out on the course. When competing in a tournament, however, Reid will likely don red  - it makes him feel in charge. “Golf is a great game that challenges you on a daily basis to compete against yourself and the course,” says Reid. “I enjoy it because it does not have to be played against an opponent.” Inspired to play and teach as best he can by his family and friends, Reid is also motivated by the spirit of his junior students. “They have no fear of the outcome,” he says. They don't fear change yet, either!

Reid is a seven-year resident of Charlotte and shares his home there with wife, Martha, and children Nathan (3) and Andrew (3). When he’s not on the lesson tee making small changes that make a big difference, you might catch Reid on the racquetball court hustling after a point or out on the lake reeling one in. Reid also enjoys scuba diving and is rather proud of his budding collection of state quarters. For additional information on lessons with Reid, you can e-mail him at yoprojr@aol.com. Thanks for sharing, Jay!