Coastal Golf Academy has been running a programme of lessons and individual coaching for adults and juniors of all abilities for over 10 years.
As one of the leading golf academies in Essex, the coaching team consists of five key PGA- professionals, each offering a unique set of skills and teaching at three key golf courses: Frinton, Colne Valley, Harwich and Dovercourt.
Meet the professionals
Coastal Golf Academy
Tom Hide
Tom turned professional in 1997 and completed his PGA training in 2001. He worked as an assistant professional under Peter Taggart at Frinton Golf Club since 1994 and in 2008 set up Coastal Golf Academy with friend Scott Rusbridge, which subsequently took over the Head Professional position at Frinton Golf Club in January 2018.
Tom has been teaching golfers for over 18 years with a passion for helping adults & Juniors find a new sport, friendship and lifelong hobby. Over the past 4 years Tom & Coastal Golf Academy have won 3 industry awards for their work teaching Adults and juniors, building links with the community and dedication to the game.
During his career Tom has spent time improving his knowledge on coaching and Retail, has accreditation with industry experts such as Plane Truth golf instructors, Titleist university and has also attended workshops on Short Game with coaches Paul Affleck & Gary Smith.
Most recently Tom has been working with the Golf Foundation on the “Unleash your Drive” project which helps children improve their mental toughness not only in golf but generally in life.
For more information on lessons with Tom, contact him directly on 07940 510450.
Scott Rusbridge
Scott has been a professional for 19 years, becoming a fully qualified PGA Professional in 2004. He worked as the Assistant Professional at Frinton Golf Club until 2008 when he founded Coastal Golf Academy with life long friend Tom Hide. Through his career he has fully committed to different aspects of the industry, which included playing county, regional & national PGA tournaments.
From 2008 his playing schedule reduced to allow him to fully focus on coaching, constantly striving to stay in touch with the very latest teaching information available. His coaching philosophy has evolved through his involvement with Plane Truth Golf, a leading golf instructor group in America.
His swing philosophy is to understand a golfers ball flight and impact, choose with the golfer their desired ball flight, explain their swing faults and give simple fixes to give solid contact and the desired ball flights. Exceptional swing coaching is not all he is able to offer, short game coaching including putting as well as working towards the right mental attitude for golf is all part of the service when you choose to take lessons with Scott.
His success within the Academy of creating and developing junior and adult golfers was noticeably recognised in 2012 when he was awarded the Golf Foundations Sinclair award. The Sinclair Award is presented to a PGA Professional who, as a direct result of his/her efforts, has made a significant impact in the development of grass roots junior golf.
He has been part of the Essex under 12 county coaching team since 2013 and is coach to a number of age group county squad players.
For more information on lessons with Scott, contact him directly on 07966 892634.
Sarah Hawes
Sarah turned professional at age 21 in 2004. Having always wanted to pursue a golf career, she completed her PGA training and coaching at Lexden Wood Golf Club where she worked until 2007.
She joined Stoke by Nayland Golf Club as a coach in 2007 and in 2010 became Assistant Coach for the Essex County Academy Programme, working with aspiring county players. She went on to work at Playgolf Colchester and then on to join Coastal Golf Academy in 2016.
Sarah enjoys working with golfers of all ages and abilities, employing a tailored approach to get the best out of each individual whilst working with their skills and goals. This is reflected in her strong and varied career and her knowledge of a wide range of teaching techniques, which she keeps up-to-date by attending coaching seminars. Sarah is a dedicated and motivated golf professional and will ensure you get the most out of your golf lessons to help you achieve your personal best. She runs her classes and individual lessons from Millers Barn Golf Park.
For more information on lessons with Sarah, contact her directly on 07941 395260.
Steve Loran
Steve is the Assistant Professional at Colne Valley Golf Club and is currently working towards becoming a fully qualified Professional.
He has been working at Colne Valley since 2013 and has acquired essential skills to be able to handle all issues that may arise within a golf club environment. He is gaining various qualifications, including golf coaching. He enjoys teaching a vast array of golfers from the absolute beginner to elite level performers. His coaching philosophy focuses on an individual’s movement and how he can adapt the golf swing around their limitations to make an effective swing.
He has also participated in a number of amateur and professional events. He was a Club Champion in 2013 playing with a handicap of 8 at Playgolf Colchester and finished top 10 in the Essex Amateur Championships in 2016, enabling him to turn Professional the following year.
For more information on lessons with Steve, contact him directly on 07774 011032.
James Hamman
James is the Assistant Professional at Colne Valley Golf Club and is currently working towards becoming a fully qualified Professional.
For more information on lessons with James, contact him directly on 07587025886
Nick Brown
Nick is the Assistant Professional at Frinton Golf Club and is currently working towards becoming a fully qualified Professional.
For more information on lessons with James, contact him directly on 07891330261
“My son joined the academy with no handicap and managed to achieve a handicap within 18 months through the teaching of the academy, plenty of fun along the way, supervision is excellent and within a safe environment. It’s enabled him to play in outside comps, with a few wins along the way, which made it even more fun! I wouldn’t send him anywhere else. Highly recommended!”
“Learning to play golf with the Academy, and in particular Scott, has been very rewarding. Scott has the ability to fine-tune what you need to learn at each step. This means that you are not overwhelmed and you’re always making progress. I have found Scott to be both positive and encouraging.”
“I could never imagine that when I came along to your Get into Golf taster sessions that two years later, I am playing golf, have made new life-long friendships and attended amazing golfing holidays. Achieved, Tom and Joe, through your constant encouragement and patience, whether in group or individual lessons you gave me the confidence and belief that I could learn to play golf to a level I can enjoy.”
