
Credentials
Highlights
- 42+ years of competitive golf experience, from junior ranks to the professional level
- 25 years of dedicated golf instruction with a proven player development track record
- Served as Head Professional, General Manager, and Director of Instruction at premier Southern California golf clubs
- Mentored multiple high school students who earned college golf scholarships starting from beginner level
- Studied under world-renowned instructors including George Gankas, Andy Plummer, and Andrew Rice
- Operates a full-service coaching team including a PGA Tour sports psychologist, chiropractor, and master club fitter
Teaching Philosophy
My approach to teaching golf starts with the individual in front of me — not a template. I favor a centered swing model, with a focus on clubface control and the bottom of the arc, drawing on principles from Mac O'Grady and Stack & Tilt methodology. That said, I'm well versed in all swing theories and biomechanical models, and I firmly believe these should serve the student — not the other way around. If you have injuries, limited mobility, or feel like you're not a natural athlete, I can still build you a swing that gets you on the course, having fun and competing. I use cutting-edge technology — TrackMan, Focusband, and AimPoint — to give every student objective, data-driven feedback. But great instruction doesn't stop at the swing. The mental game is the most misunderstood aspect of golf, and it's where I feel my instruction delivers the most benefit. I've built my professional team with that in mind — including a PGA Tour sports psychologist, chiropractor, holistic doctor, and master club fitter — so students get truly full-service support. Whether you're a beginner, a junior chasing a college scholarship, or an experienced player wanting to sharpen your short game, I'm here to give you every edge.
About the coach
I'm a former PGA Professional with over 25 years of teaching experience and a lifelong passion for competitive golf that spans more than four decades — from junior golf all the way through the professional ranks. Throughout my career I've served as Head Professional, General Manager, and Director of Instruction at some of Southern California's finest golf clubs, and I'm now focused exclusively on instruction and player development through mericlegolf.com. As a Wilson Staff Advisory Professional, I bring premium equipment knowledge into every lesson, offering world-class instruction alongside access to custom club fitting. My facility, mericlegolf at desa.intermezzo in beautiful Fallbrook, North San Diego County, is something I'm genuinely proud of — a unique, full-service coaching environment unlike anything else in the area. I've had the privilege of mentoring with some of the best instructors in the game — Jimmy Ballard, Joseph Mayo, Andy Plummer, Dana Dahlquist, Andrew Rice, and Mike Emery — and I continue to invest in my education through seminars and continuing professional development. I'm a TrackMan certified instructor and also integrate Focusband and AimPoint into my lessons for a complete, data-informed experience. One of my greatest points of pride is watching junior golfers — students who picked up the game in 7th grade — go on to earn college golf scholarships through dedicated instruction and development. I work with players of all ages and skill levels, and I'd love the opportunity to work with you.
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