“I first started working with Craig and the igolf team at the beginning of 2009, since then I have never looked back. I had a tough year in 2008 and I got to the point where I was practising with no idea what I was working on, I was simply just hitting ball after ball and not seeing any improvement in my game.
Since early 2009 not only has Craig modelled on me what I believe to be a swing built for long term consistency and one that will hold well under pressure he has taught me how and why it works. Craig has given me the confidence to believe that any goals I set are attainable with hard work and dedication.
When practising at the top class facilities provided by the igolf team the support is always there and being surrounded by positive energy and other hard working athletes only makes me want to practice more and work harder on my game. Since working with the igolf team my tournament scoring average has gone from 78.4 to 75.3.
Jonny and David have also played a big part to the improvement of my game, they have paid close interest to what Craig has to say and they are also passionate in seeing improvements. Jonny has given me motivation to work hard from a physical aspect and he has given me a great understanding of how important it is to have flexibility and strength in order to add another dimension to any golf game.
David has turned my mental game from one of my weakness to what I think is now one of the strengths of my game. After any session with David I feel confident, happy and wanting to achieve greater things.
I am heading to America early next month for a full scholarships to a division 1 NCAA team. If I were in this position 2years ago I would be holding back and avoiding the opportunity, after having worked with Craig, David and Jonny I now cannot wait to undertake this opportunity. I am thankful for the manner in which Craig and Jonny have worked with me because I now know that I can look and analyse my own swing on video and know what to look for, whether it be a technical or physical change. Not only that but the dedication Craig shows I know no matter where I am in the world he will still be there and willing to help and give great advice for me in order to improve my game.
The Institute of Golf has been the best thing that has happened for me and my golf, not only has it evolved my game and I know it will continue to do so, it has changed me as a person.”
Courtney Manning
North Harbour Representitive
“After at least 45 years of putting using a conventional grip and stance, albeit badly, your coaching lesson just 3 weeks ago that changed my putting stance and grip to cross-handed, has resulted in a vast improvement in my performance on the greens. I have not had a 3-putt green in either of my last two rounds, and reduced the number of putts from late 30s prior to the lesson, to just 26 last Saturday.
The print outs you made available from the SAM PuttLab, are extremely helpful in allowing an understanding of what was being done wrong, and the benefits that would result from making the changes you recommended.
My playing partners are amazed at the benefits achieved from just one lesson.”
Murray Hindle
Member – Waitemata Golf Club.
“I couldn’t have got through Q-school without the help of the Institute of Golf team”
A quote from Ben after being one of 8 players to gain their NZPGA Tour card from Q School in Janruary 2010
Ben Guilford
NZPGA Tour Player
“Thanks for the lesson this morning. I was really impressed by your facilities
and your approach. It’s the best $150 I have spent for a long time.”
Charles Fairbairn
“The igolf team has totally changed my approach to my golf game. I have regained the enthusiasm needed to put in the hard work to succeed at a professional level. Through the knowledge of their individual fields, ability to work together, and dedication to improve the golf game of their clients, I now have the direction I need to reach the goals I want to achieve.
The swing model Craig works on is efficient, very easy to understand, and I feel a lot easier to master than a lot of what I have been taught in the past. I have made more progress with my golf swing in the last 6 months of working with Craig than in years previously.
The body balancing aspects I have worked on with Brad have allowed me to make improvements in my swing that, due to muscle imbalances and weaknesses,
I have been unable to make before.
I look forward to doing a lot more as I know the fitness and strength gained will be a major help to my game. The intense, yet fun, workouts will help me see huge results quickly.
Likewise, I have only had a few sessions with David, but in this short time he has helped me to identify areas thet I need to work on mentally to help get my mind in the right place both on the course and in preparation for tournament play.
Having worked with top national coaches throughout my years playing for New Zealand amateur teams, I believe the set up at igolf is the most thorough and comprehensive golf coaching programme I have seen, and I feel very lucky to be involved.
With the combination of the igolf team’s infectious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge, their players cant help but improve.”
Brad Shilton
Australasian PGA Tour and NZPGA Member
“I was introduced to Craig through a fellow professional golfer, at a time in my career when retirement from the professional game was at the forefront of my mind. I had no direction in my game, my form was poor, I was struggling financially, and was trying to fight off depression. Basically I was in a big black hole and couldn’t find a way out.
Although all these negative thoughts and feelings were flowing through my mind, I knew deep down I didn’t want to give up on my dream of playing on the USPGA Tour. I also knew I had to make some big changes to allow me to do that. It was at that point where I made the single best decision of my golfing life! That decision was to start working with Craig and the team at IGOLF.
The IGOLF experience is like nothing I have ever seen anywhere in the world. My own team of dedicated, motivated, and knowledgeable practitioners specifying in their own area of expertise but working together as a team to improve my game to the highest level possible. I felt like I was cheating!
In the six months I have been working with Craig and the guys I have changed and improved every aspect of my game, from my full swing to pitching to putting everything has been overhauled, and in those six months I have gone, in my own eyes, from being just your average run of the mill professional golfer to someone who is equipped to compete on the biggest stage in the world.
I cannot thank Craig and the boys enough they have pulled my out of the black hole and left me feeling more confident in myself and my ability to achieve my goals than ever before.”
Mike Hendry
Australasian PGA Tour and NZPGA Member
Year to Date 2009 Results
- 09 Carrus Tauranga Open Champion (Charles Tour)
- 09 Mangawhai Open Champion (NZPGA Tour)
- 09 Air New Zealand Airpoints Open Champion (South Pacific Tour)
- 2nd Omaha Pro Am (NZPGA Tour)
- Winner of the 2009 NZPGA Order of Merit
Australasian PGA Tour and NZPGA Member
“Institute resources are used directly in PE classes; many students are being tutored for Golf already. Over the last term many of our younger Year 7 and 8 students have had the opportunity to go over to the Golf Range. All of the feedback that has been received from both students and staff with respect to the organisation and quality of the instruction has been that it is at the highest level. The planning and thought that Craig and his team have put into their programmes for the students puts them in the top of their field. It is very exciting for Kristin to have this opportunity, not only for Golf but potentially for all of our sports.”
Trevor Hayes
Head of Faculty PE, Kristin School
“I have been working with the team from igolf for four months now and it is an experience unlike any I have experienced in my life as a golfer. The Team from igolf is committed to making their athletes better in all aspects of the game. Dave Niethe is a true friend and confidant, the only man I would trust with the mental aspects of my game and my life. I have worked with Brad for a few months now, his knowledge and application of this knowledge is unsurpassed. Craig Dixon is a coach unlike any I have had before, his personal pursuit of excellence feeds on to his students. Craig has an exceptional knowledge of the game both in theory and application. Alex is a man that I love to hate!! My body has changed shape since we have started to work together.
All of the aspects have lead to an increase in length and overall stability in my game. As a Professional golfer who has experienced Coaching on many levels from National Teams, Division 1 Collegiate Golf and Professional Golf, igolf is the most comprehensive Programme I have come across!”
James Beston
Current Tour Member NZPGA
Tours Played:
- Australasian Tour
- Japan Golf Tour
- Von Nider Tour
- Charles Tour
- Tight Lies Tour
“The Institute of Golf has given me an entirely new lease of life in regards to my golf and in addition to that also my health, both physically and emotionally. It has enabled me to get a balanced structure in which to train and also have the support necessary to make gains in the game that is my passion. Their combined depth of knowledge is second to none in this country and they are more committed to the task at hand than any other group I have been involved with.”
Dean Sipson
Professional Golfer
“I have known Craig Dixon for the last six years, during which time he has coached my son Scott in his golf.
Craig has a passion for coaching and is constantly looking for ways to improve and develop his skills so as to give his students the best possible coaching. Part of that is for him to work with a group of golfers to create not only a competitive environment for them but to also create a bond between them which in turn will keep them in the game.
To succeed in today’s competitive environment takes more than talent. The goal of the Institute of Golf is to offer a complete service to give their golfers the best possible opportunity to progress and achieve success. Scott has benefited from this multidiscipline approach to coaching.”
David McAlpine
Company Director, Takapuna
“The Institute of Golf has been working with and coaching the North Harbour squad of Special Olympics Golf for the past three years. This has been of great benefit to these special needs people and has advanced their ability and overall skill. Craig relates particularly well with the group and they really enjoy his coaching.
We as coordinators for North Harbour Special Olympics Golf greatly appreciate his assistance and involvement with the team.”
Graeme and Julianna Tonkin
“We are very impressed with the professionalism of your team and the ability you have to take players to high levels. North Harbour is excited about the relationship that we have formed with the Institute of Golf and we look forward to working with you to achieving our player development goals.”
Pam Sowden
Golf Development Manager, North Harbour Golf Association
“Craig has coached me for seven years. The Institute of Golf which has been running over the last year is a very well set up program for young golfers like myself that aspire to become professional players.
Each one of them has a specific area of the game that they work on with each player individually. Each one of them feeds each other information so that they know exactly what is going on and can work on our weakness as a team and not just individually.”
Scott McAlpine
No. 1 Amateur Golfer Auckland 2008
“I have been working with Craig over the last three years in his premiere academy and with David and Brad for the last 6 months and working with this group of individuals within the Institute of Golf has helped my golf tremendously. When I started working with Craig I was on a 36 handicap, I now play off a 10 and at one point got down to a 6. As I continue to work with Craig I am constantly learning new things and new ways to improve my golf game. Since working with David and Brad at the start of May I have had much improved fitness and mental stability, Davids’ methods have proved very useful in helping me control my emotions on the golf course and working with his visualisation techniques-which have become a big part of my pre-shot routine and my general behaviour on the golf course has given me much more confidence playing my shots and given me the mental control to play golf with allot more structure and much more consistency.
Having Brad as a Physio has also helped me improve my golf by creating a more stable body structure or me as I had previously been held back from achieving at the level I would like to because I have not been in shape which caused many problems creating a solid swing that I could work with, since seeing Brad I have got into better shape, which has shown in my swing, as it is now much more stable especially through impact, this has helped me get a much more consistent ball strike and shot shape, and has also provided me with the power to hit longer tee shots with much more confidence. And I look forward to working with Alex soon to take the physical side needed for a good golf game to another level.”
Josh Butler
“Today’s elite day with the Institute of Golf was absolutely amazing. Tests were conducted to see where I was at in terms of muscle balance, fitness and strength. I also got a putting analysis done using SAM Putt Lab. On the mental side of things, I got to write down affirmations, which really got me thinking positive and I believe it will be a huge help in achieving my goals. I really like the way the Institute of Golf is treating their clients as athletes first before getting into more golf specifics. I came out of today with so much to work on, which is great!”
Kevin Budden
“Coaching from Craig has been fantastic. I am a late starter to recreational golf and not from a sporting background but that was not a problem to Craig. While focusing on technique he continually praises each small step I make giving me the confidence to get out of my comfort zone and realise I can play golf. I am excited about my progress and with continued practice I am now confident I will – and what’s more I now want to – improve my golf further. I only need to look at the early footage taken by Craig to remind me how far I have come.
Without Brads great physio work along with an exersice/stretching programme, my progress on the course would have been considerably less.
Craig and Brad together have taken me into the world of golf way beyond my expectations.”
Raewynne Chan
