Golf coachCoach Dr. Dave
Private Golf CoachCoach Dr. Dave
Works with High School, College, Adult
Available: Tues, Thurs
Pricing
Get to know Dr. Dave
Building clarity, direction, and a healthy identity in young athletes.
I'm Dr. Dave. I've spent over 30 years in sports as a player and coach. I played pro hockey, hold USA Hockey's top coaching certification, and compete in golf at a 2.5 handicap. But what I really coach is the mind behind the game. With a doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology, I help young athletes build focus under pressure, bounce back from mistakes, and develop real confidence. My goal is clarity, direction, and a healthy identity that serves them long after the final buzzer or the last putt.
How I can help you improve
I coach the whole athlete, not just the mechanics. We will sharpen your skills, but we will also build the mental game that separates good players from great ones: staying focused under pressure, recovering after a mistake, quieting nerves, and playing with real confidence.
With a doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology and 30-plus years in hockey and golf, I know how to teach both sides. You will leave every session better than you arrived, and the habits we build will carry into school and life long after the game ends.
A typical training session
My coaching centers on the mental side of performance, the part that most often decides how a young athlete plays. We work on focus under pressure, resetting after mistakes, managing nerves, and building the confidence and routines that hold up on game day.
Sessions are conversation-based and tailored to your athlete. We talk through what they're facing, build practical mental tools they can use immediately, and track progress over time. This is the same work I do with NCAA and professional athletes, scaled and made approachable for younger players.
You can expect clear takeaways every session and steady growth in how your athlete handles competition, on the ice, on the course, and beyond.
Career & accomplishments
Dr. Dave is a sport and performance psychology practitioner with more than three decades in competitive athletics as a player, coach, and mental performance specialist. He holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Sport and Performance Psychology, along with a master's in Counseling and Sports Psychology. Through Mental Toughness Training, founded in 2013, he has delivered mental performance work to athletes and staff across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, NCAA Division I, USHL, and NAHL. He is also a Founder and CEO, bringing over two decades of executive coaching to a global client base. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he coaches from a foundation of faith, character, and measurable results.
Accomplishments
Hockey
USA Hockey Level 5 certified, the association's highest coaching credential (2014)
National Champion Coach, Liberty University Women's Hockey (2019)
National Champion Coach, Jr. Hurricanes U14 (2019)
Founder and Chairman, FCA Hockey (2010 to 2023)
Original time-study research on USA Hockey's American Development Model
State and provincial championships as a player, including AAAA PA State Champion and MVP
Golf
2.5 handicap
McConnell Golf member, playing courses across the Carolinas and Tennessee, including PGA Tour host venues
Coaching and Education
EdD, Sport and Performance Psychology
MS, Counseling and Sports Psychology
Mental performance work with athletes across professional, collegiate, and junior levels
Best coach I ever had
The best coach I ever had was Jamie Plunkett, my hockey coach. What set him apart wasn't drills or systems. It was that he held me accountable to my own vision. He knew what I said I wanted, and he refused to let me settle for less than that.
That has shaped everything about how I coach today. I help young athletes get clear on what they're chasing, and then I hold them to it, with high standards and real support. Talent gets you started, but accountability to a vision is what carries an athlete through the hard days.
What athletes & parents should know
I coach the whole athlete, not just the mechanics. Skills matter and I teach them, but what sets my coaching apart is the mental game: focus under pressure, bouncing back after mistakes, quieting nerves, and building real, lasting confidence. I hold a doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology, and I do this same work with NCAA and professional athletes, scaled to fit younger players.
I have spent more than 30 years in sports as a player and coach. I played professional hockey, hold USA Hockey Level 5 certification, and compete in golf at a 2.5 handicap. I have coached young athletes from beginners through two national championships, and I raised two sons through junior hockey, so I know what families are navigating.
Parents can expect honesty, high standards, and steady communication. Athletes can expect a coach who believes in them and holds them accountable to their own goals. I coach from a foundation of character and faith, and my aim is simple: your athlete leaves every session better and more confident than they arrived.
Training locations
25% off your 1st lesson
$188
$141
Then $600/mo for 4 lessons, starting 48 hours after your 1st lesson. Cancel anytime.
Good Fit Guarantee
How it works
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Book Lessons
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Start Training
Meet your coach in-person or virtually, and start chasing down your goals!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact a coach?
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How do I book lessons?
Once you find a coach that fits your needs, go to their profile, select the package you'd like to purchase, and click 'Book Lessons'. Here, you can reserve your desired number of lessons along with the number of athletes who will be training. After sessions are booked, coordinate the dates/times for each session on your calendar - using the calendar is important since this is how your coach will get paid.
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Where will the coach hold their lessons?
Each coach typically has at least one preferred training location. You can see the location(s) by going to your coach's profile and finding the 'Training Locations' section. If a coach doesn't have locations listed here, you can message the coach to see where they train. Some coaches are willing to travel to clients for lessons, or even meet halfway.
When is the coach available to train?
Each coach sets their own schedule for training. You can see a coach's general availability by going to their profile and finding the 'Availability' section - it will list the days and times. If a coach doesn't post their availability, or if your preferred coach doesn't have your desired times available but you want to double check, message them to see if they can work with your schedule.
How do rescheduling, cancellations, and lesson credits work?
Good Fit Guarantee — If your first lesson isn't the right fit, we'll move your lesson credit to a new coach. No hassle.
Easy rescheduling — Cancel or reschedule up to 4 hours before a lesson, no questions asked.
Coach no-shows — You'll be fully credited and we'll help you find a replacement.
Flexible credits — Unused lessons last 12 months and can be used with any coach on the platform.
Questions? Our team is here to help. View our policies.
Do coaches work with both kids & adults?
Our coaches are open to helping athletes of any age and skill level. Please message your desired coach to ensure their skillset fits your needs.
Why should I trust AU and their coaches over other platforms?
AU was created by former college and pro athletes. We understand the benefits of training with a private coach. It develops discipline, boosts confidence, and provides an undeniable advantage - whether you are just learning the game or looking to earn a college scholarship. All AU coaches are required to pass a thorough onboarding process + background check, so you can trust you're training with the best.
At the end of the day, our mission is to provide athletes with better opportunities to succeed through coaching. You won't find a platform, and group of dedicated specialists, more excited to help you achieve your athletic goals!