#31: [Inside the Mind] Chris Ardolina: Get to the Root Cause of Your Struggles and Accelerate Improvement

Meet Chris Ardolina - a multi-award-winning teaching professional at Cove Cay Golf Club in Clearwater, Florida.

Chris became a scratch golfer at - wait for it - the age of 14. After deciding not to pursue professional golf, he decided to give teaching a go. He immediately fell in love with it and the rest is history.

In today's episode, you'll learn:

• How to identify the root cause of your struggles AND develop an effective practice plan to overcome them.
• How to infuse both intention and purpose into your practice sessions to accelerate results. 
• How to approach the mental and physical aspects of your warm-up and what differes compared to when you practice.
• The three-step accelerated improvement framework Chris uses with all of his clients to meet them where they're at and get them to where they want to be - fast. 
• Plus, Chris shared the top priority to focus on when you're trying to break 90, break 80, and shoot scratch.

Get your pencils ready and start listening. 

More About Chris

Chris grew up in central New Jersey and started playing golf at the age of 12. By age 14, he started shooting "par" at his local public course and earned recognition as one of the top junior golfers in the area. Throughout high school, Chris played 4 years of varsity golf, and his 9-hole score of 3 under par 33 remains tied for the lowest in school history.

Chris's pursuit of a golf-focused career led him to Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina where he majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Professional Golf Management. After graduating, he embarked on a journey with the Jim McLean Golf Schools in Miami, Florida, where his passion for teaching blossomed. 

He now owns and operates the Chris Ardolina Golf Academy out of Cove Cay Golf Club located in Clearwater, Florida. 

Beyond golf, Chris finds joy in playing ice hockey, tennis, yoga and biking along the scenic Tampa/Clearwater trails. 

Teaching Accolades: 

• 2021-24 Golf Digest Best Young Teachers In America 
• 2024 NFPGA West Central Chapter Youth Player Development Awar
• 2022-23 GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
• 2023 NFPGA West Central Chapter Teacher of the Year 

Connect with Chris:

• Website: www.chrisardolinagolf.com
• Instagram: @ardogolf 
• Youtube: @christopherardolina7330

Key Takeaways:

• Identify the root causes of your struggles in golf to develop effective practice plans.
• Practice with intention and purpose, starting with small drills and gradually progressing to more challenging exercises.
• Create a focused warm-up routine to bring confidence and clarity to the first tee.
• Follow a three-step process for improvement: understand the current state, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes.
• As you progress in golf, shift your focus to more specific aspects of the game. Consistency is key for golfers looking to break 100. Eliminating big numbers and focusing on reducing penalty shots can lead to significant improvement.
• To break 90, golfers should work on their approach shots and aim for consistent distance control. Being able to get close to the green and give themselves a chance to make par or bogey is crucial.
• Breaking 80 requires hitting more greens and having a solid short game. Golfers should aim to make more pars and reduce the number of putts.
• Becoming a scratch golfer involves paying attention to the details and making good decisions on the course. Strategy and course management become more important at this level.
• Playing in tournaments requires practicing under pressure and being familiar with the rules. Many golfers struggle in tournaments because they are not used to playing with the same level of pressure and adherence to rules.

Key Quotes:

• "You can go from hip high to shoulder to full swing all within that singular practice session"
• "I want you to take one to two practice swings for every ball that you hit"
• "The biggest thing that can help them create consistency and help them lose less golf balls or take less penalty shots."
• "Breaking 90 comes down to a lot of approach shots and consistent distance control."
• "To break 80, you need to hit more greens and have a solid short game."

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For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @scratchgolfermindset 
• Twitter: @parsoverbogeys
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching

Time Stamps:

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 03:21: Working with Adults in Golf
• 06:30: Developing Effective Practice Plans
• 09:38: Creating a Focused Warm-Up Routine
• 13:17: The Power of Positive Thinking
• 19:34: The Three Steps to Improvement
• 22:41: Progressing in Golf
• 22:50: Breaking 100: Consistency and Penalty Shots
• 24:17: Breaking 90: Approach Shots and Distance Control
• 27:20: Breaking 80: Hitting Greens and Short Game
• 31:53: Becoming a Scratch Golfer: Strategy and Course Management
• 35:47: Playing in Tournaments: Practicing Under Pressure and Playing by the Rules