We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Blake Kuzava a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Blake, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
As someone who has always found joy and solace on the golf course, I realized that my love for the sport could be channeled into something greater by helping others learn and improve their game. I found that teaching golf not only allowed me to share my passion and knowledge with others but also gave me the opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives. Through the ups and downs I faced in my own golfing journey, I developed a deep understanding of the game and honed my skills to effectively guide and mentor others in their own golfing pursuits. Witnessing the progress and success of my students as they improve their swing, sharpen their skills, and achieve their goals brings me immense satisfaction and reinforces my belief that teaching golf is my true purpose.
Bottom line, my passion is what led me to my purpose and I am so grateful that I get to spend everyday honoring that passion for my players as well.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My golf story:
I began playing golf the summer before my freshman year of high school, which is very late in relation to most of the players I competed against for years. I fell in love with the sport because I enjoyed the natural progression of skills and the individualistic elements associated with getting better. I was fortunate to pick up the game quickly and showcase my playing abilities in the following years. After high school, I played Division II Men’s Golf at Fort Lewis College where I continued to learn and develop my skills. In my last two years of college, I was named the captain of the men’s golf program and began to find joy in helping my teammates achieve success (sometimes even over myself). Once I graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Data Analysis, I turned pro as a golfer. This is where my story took a great detour. Weeks before moving away to Florida to pursue higher levels of professional golf I received a call. The call came from Kirk Rider at Bear Creek Golf Club, he had caught wind that I was moving away from the state and had an offer. He wanted me to join Bear as an assistant golf professional and learn/assist the golf operation. My professional career began right then, when I accepted Kirk’s offer.
PGA Professional/Coaching:
Professionally I was eager to learn. I completed a 3 year Class A PGA certification in under 1 year. I quickly progressed from working in the pro-shop to teaching members how to build a better golf swing and improve their golf games. From that point forward, my main focus was to create trust and build strong relationships with my students.
Growth:
My first year of teaching at Bear Creek I taught 180 golf lessons. Year 2 I taught 780 lessons. This year I’m projected to teach over 1000 golf lessons. I was named the Head Golf Instructor at Bear Creek at the age of 24 (a high privilege at such an esteemed club). From there I have created my own teaching business called P.O.P Golf LLC (which stands for progress over perfection) so that I can grow my outreach.
One of my main goals from the start has been to approach each day with a growth mindset. The game, the sport, the world is changing everyday and I want to grow with it. From swing movements to communication skills to time management, being open to growth is at the forefront of everything I do. I ask my students to put their trust in me so I own it to not only myself, but to them to be intentional in my approach and mindful that I never become complacent.
Mission:
My mission is to provide students with a deep understanding of their golf swing and game, fostering confidence in their ability to analyze and adapt in any situation. At the forefront of every lesson is my belief that progress is always more important than perfection.
What I Teach:
1. Golf Swing- Using a modern swing philosophy based around club face awareness and rotation a player will achieve greater distance, accuracy, and consistency on all shots.
2. Short Game- By running systematic short game evaluations, I am able to build out performance based practice/training routines for a player. This structure enables a player to reach optimal performance around the greens.
3. On-Course Coaching- This on-course strategy coaching provides personalized guidance to help you strategize and make smart decisions during real game scenarios, improving your overall performance and thinking on the course.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1.) Work Ethic
Because my job is rooted in my passion, the idea of hard work excites me. I enjoy the challenges, I enjoy waking up early and trying new things. I want to be the best that I can be for not only myself, but for the students who put their trust in me. I understand that trust does not come easily and that it should’t come easily. I work hard so that I know, without a doubt, I am worth the time, money and trust that I ask my students for in return.
2.) Balance
This is something I continue to work on in both my professional life and my personal life. The older I get the more I understand the importance of balance. The work ethic that I pride myself on can be positive and a negative. It is easy to be consumed by my work, there is always one more text to send or one more video to make if you let there be. I have found that a good balance helps make ever aspect of my life more sustainable.
3.) Being Innovative
Innovation can come in many shapes and forms but I think it has to start with the courage to seek BETTER. In my business I pride myself on the innovative in-person programs that I have created as well as the community I have build online and through my business’s social media channels.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal golf student is someone who possesses a genuine enthusiasm for learning and a strong willingness to improve their game. They approach each lesson with an open mind, ready to absorb new information and techniques. Fear of failure does not hinder their progress; instead, they view challenges as opportunities for growth and development. This student is committed to putting in the necessary time and effort, understanding the importance of practice and dedication in building a solid foundation for a better golf game. Their passion for the sport is evident in their relentless drive to hone their skills and achieve their goals on the course. Working with a student who embraces learning, welcomes setbacks as part of the learning process, and is dedicated to putting in the hard work required to succeed is a truly rewarding experience for any golf instructor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.popgolfinstruction.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pop_golf_instruction_/
- Other: Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1WLgUqdscD52OPQzuEE3jR
PGA Coach Profile: https://www.pga.com/coach/BlakeKuzava
Book a Lesson with Blake: https://getistruzi.app.link/AJMr1iGdAKb
Image Credits
N/A
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
