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About Robert Linville’s Precision Golf School2018-03-29T09:55:17-04:00

Robert’s passion is helping players achieve their golfing goals. As an instructor and coach for the last 30 years, he is driven to utlizie all the tools available to help his players perform their best on the highest stages in the world.  A Class A professional in the PGA of America, Robert has gained the praise and respect of his peers as one of the finest golf instructors in the Southeast. Robert has been recognized as the Carolinas PGA Teacher of the Year and a Golf Digest “Top 10 Instructors in North Carolina”.  In addition, he has been a featured instructor on the Golf Channel Golf Academy Live program.

A standout golfer, Robert was an All-American at Guilford College from 1976-1980. Following college, he played professional golf for several years before devoting full-time to teaching others. He and his family returned to Greensboro from Florida in 1984, and he became Co-Head Pro at Forest Oaks Country Club, site of the PGA Tour’s Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic.

In 1989, Robert decided to focus solely on instructing the game and co-founded Precision Golf School, which has grown into central North Carolina’s leader in golf instruction. Precision Golf School has two Triad locations, including the renowned Bryan Park Learning Center and a staff of seven  instructors.  Along with longtime partner Chris Haarlow, the Precision team has coached over 60 high school state champions and continue to develop players excelling at the collegiate, amateur and professional levels.

In addition to being an accomplished instructor, Robert’s passion for golf coaching has garnered great successes. From 1995 to 2006, Robert served as Head Coach to the Greensboro College Men’s Golf Team. Creating one of the most successful programs in the country, the GC Pride finished in the top five for 6 consecutive seasons at the NCAA Division III championship finals. In 2000, the Pride won the NCAA championship, defeating perennial powerhouse Methodist College by a single stroke. Robert’s leadership was recognized twice by being named NCAA National Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000. In addition, he was selected to coach the US National Team in the annual US-Japan collegiate competition twice.

As PerformPKB’s Player Performance Consultant, Robert will provide valuable insights in the player development process.  His focus will be in providing content geared at maximizing your practice and how analyzing your statistics can provide an advantage in the way you play and practice.  The Precision Coaching Program will provide PKBGT members a chance to have Robert help you develop a more defined and productive practice regime to complement the swing instruction you are already getting with your local professional.

Precision Coaching Program


 What is the Precision Coaching Program?

  • Analyze/Compare tournament AND practice results
  • Learn to practice effectively and efficiently
  • Develop skills that will help you shoot lower scores
  • Practice better to play better
  • Ask Robert

    Interested in Learning More?

    Not sure where to start? Ask Robert Linville , our Player Performance Consultant, a question!
     
    Ask Robert

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will the Precision Coaching Program help me if I already have a swing instructor?2018-03-27T17:03:09-04:00

    Definitely. This is not an instruction program, but rather a program teaching you how to practice based on real data. This ideal function of this program is to give you and your instructor information that helps determine how to best utilize your time and efforts in practice. Your swing instructor can be included on all correspondence from the Precision Coaching Program. There will be no technique or mechanics discussed in the program. This program is strictly designed to provide you with the powerful advantage of knowing what to practice, and how to practice.

    I already keep fairways hit, greens hit, and putts per round. What does this program offer that my stats don’t provide?2018-03-27T17:03:22-04:00

    It’s great that you are tracking and measuring some aspects.   That’s the good news, and it means you want to know information that gives you an advantage.  The bad news is that your information doesn’t help you very much.  We use a program that gives us information in strokes gained.  Strokes gained is how the PGA Tour and most colleges measure effectiveness.  Strokes gained is a statistical measurement of your performance against a norm.  We compare your results in various parts of the game (driving, approach shots, short game, bunker & putting) to a scratch golfer to understand where you are gaining and losing strokes to the field.  It’s a simple way to truly look at every aspect of your game.  We measure driving, approach shots, short game, bunker game, and putting.  Not only do we do this for tournaments, but we also do this for non-tournament playing and practice.  The ability to measure practice is essential in tracking your progress.

    Are statistics changing the way elite players practice?2018-03-27T17:02:34-04:00

    Yes! Yes! Yes! There are two big changes in how elite players prepare that are different than how it was done in the past. The first is the proper use of technology. The second is the understanding and use of analytics. Not only are elite players using this information to help them practice, but the elite coaches are also doing this. It’s one thing to know that you hit 10 greens per round, but what if you know where 60% of your approach shots are played? It’s one thing to know that you average 33 putts per round, but far better to know that you are losing 1.5 strokes per round from 30-45 feet. This information allows you to be more purposeful in your practice.

    Is this a generic program or is it designed specifically for me?2018-03-27T17:02:42-04:00

    The answer is both. Each week, every player is sent the same 3 to 6 practice challenges. You complete the challenge and submit your results. Every practice is analyzed, measured, and tracked.

    Each player completes a simple questionnaire. This form helps us set specific goals for each person in each category. As data is gathered, additional practices are recommended specifically for each player. Each player receives a monthly report that looks like this. The goals are based on strokes gained, which is very similar to looking at it like scoring differential. The overall scoring goal for this player is to gain 1.13 strokes per round. This would mean they would probably average between 73 and 74 for the year. Positive numbers are gaining strokes and negative strokes are losing strokes to a scratch golfer model.

    What if the weather is bad or I just miss a week?2018-03-27T17:02:25-04:00

    This program is to help you improve.  The more data we have, the better guidance we can give you.  However, there is nothing that happens if you don’t submit any results.   This program gives you a distinct advantage if you take advantage of it.   That part is completely up to you.

    What else is included?2018-03-27T17:02:53-04:00

    You will also receive coaching articles on psychology, information pertaining to maximizing learning, learning course strategy based on statistics and analytics, and really all aspects of the game other than technique and mechanics discussions.

    Testimonials

    I am a self-proclaimed learner, so I’ve always been open to gaining knowledge from instructors.  All instructors can grasp what you’re doing and suggest how to improve upon your current ability, but few really know how to communicate why: why the golf ball behaves the way it does; why you should set appropriate goals and expectations; why you should work at improving wholeheartedly even when winning may be out of your control. Robert lives out the why.  He can break things down to their essence to help you make connections mentally, psychologically, and technically.

    I started working with Robert almost ten years ago. Ever since my first lesson, I have felt he has cared about me, my goals, and my success as much as I have.  He helped me see my potential and aided my growth as a junior golfer and a collegiate player.  As a coach, Robert always gives incredible counsel and support. He has helped me learn from and bounce back from the lows in my game, and has helped me develop the confidence to reach the highs.  I would not be able to say I am a two-time Carolinas Women’s Amateur champion without Robert’s influence.  I will continue to trust him as I aim to be a top amateur player, and will always recommend Robert to anyone and everyone.  He can make a difference in the way you play golf no matter what your skill level or goal may be.

    Katie Kirk
    I have worked with Robert Linville for over nine years now and in this time Robert has taught me a great deal about the game of golf.  Robert is more than just a swing instructor, he is an all around coach who cares about every part of the golf game, as well as the person he is teaching. He has provided me with help on all facets of my game including course management, mental game instruction, short game, putting, and has even caddied several times!  I truly wouldn’t be the player I am today without Robert’s guidance and excellent teaching.  His instruction has helped me earn my LPGA Tour card and compete at the highest level.  I am so thankful that I took that first lesson nine years ago!

    During the junior golf years Robert was also a huge help with college recruitment. He knows the in’s and out’s of the recruiting process, being a former coach himself. Robert made this time much less stressful with his knowledge and his connections. I can’t thank him enough for his help during those years! Because of his recruiting knowledge, coaching, and support I was able to play at my dream school, UNC Chapel Hill!

    Katherine Perry
    It’s such an honor to know someone that puts this much thought into coaching. I know too many players that go to coaches to band-aid their swing or go for that quick fix. The quick fix might feel good that day or the next day or the next week. But the long view is the only lasting view to have. And like you said this long view includes thing other than golf. I’m sure I’ve said this already but this year has helped with so much more than just golf.

    Acceptance is a philosophy for life. Things happen. Good and bad. And you could pull your hair out stressing over it. But there’s nothing you can about so much in golf and life. And you’ve helped me commit this to heart.

    Josh Nichols

    Ask Robert a Question

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