Alison Curdt - Wood Ranch Golf Club
Alison is a PGA Master Professional in Instruction and a LPGA Master Professional. Being one of 9 women to achieve the highest PGA credential earned by an instructor and only 1 of 2 women to be a dual master professional in both organizations, Alison has over 30 years of golf competition background and played on a full scholarship as a 2-time Academic All American at Florida State University while earning degrees in Psychology and Professional Golf Management. Her teaching prowness has been recognized in many ways including being selected by the LPGA in 2018, 2017, 2015 & 2012 as the Western Section Teacher of the Year. Alison was chosen as the LPGA’s National Teacher of the Year in 2015 and the PGA Northern Chapter Teacher of the Year in 2015. In 2016, Alison was selected as the Southern California PGA Teacher of the Year and Golf Digest added her as one of the Best Young Instructors in America. Her clubfitting skills were recognized in 2016 as the Northern Chapter PGA chose her as Clubfitter of the Year and the SCPGA awarded her clubfitter of the year in 2018. Recently the LPGA chose Alison as a Top 50 Instructor and the SCPGA inducted her into the Teaching Hall of Fame. The SCPGA Northern Chapter selected her as Golf Professional of the Year in 2017. Alison currently teaches at Wood Ranch Golf Club in the Los Angeles area
Alison completed her Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a practicing psychotherapist in the state of California and currently works with adolescents, couples, families, and individuals in her private practice Curdt Performance Therapy, in Woodland Hills, CA. Alison strives to develop and coach golfers in all areas of their lives.
Alison continues to be very active playing competitively and has played in 2 LPGA Wegman’s Tour Championships in 2012 and 2014, and the 2015, 2017, 2018, & 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She will be competing in the 2020 KPMG PGA Women’s Championship held at Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia, PA. She is the first woman from Southern California to ever qualify for the PGA Professional Championship, and competed at Bayonet Black Horse in 2018. She recently competed and helped team USA win the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup. Alison has been a four-time SCPGA Omega Women’s Player of the Year.
Alison’s teaching philosophy is a student-centered approach allowing her to use a vast approach of modalities to help students reach their goals. Extremely well versed in video analysis, club fitting, golf fitness, and the mental side of the game students can be assured all areas of their game will be benefited.
Do you specialize in teaching any facets of the game?
I specialize in coaching the mental game. As a licensed therapist in the state of CA, I help golfers and athletes of all backgrounds develop sound mental tactics to help them perform their best. I am able to work with golfers on the course with FocusBand, and use office sessions to help dive deeper into the psyche for optimal performance.
What has been your most challenging experience with a student and how did you handle it? How did you overcome it?
The most challenging student for me is one who is resistance to change. Taking on a swing modification can be scary, and often times will require quite a bit of work in order to develop new patterns. Having a student not want to make change, yet improve, can be tough. With this type of student I make sure to begin with smaller more manageable changes to help them build confidence and motivate them to look at the bigger picture and get excited about improving.
Do you actively play competitive golf? Any recent bragworthy performances you’d like to share?
I am very active competitively as that really fuels my inner passion. I have competed in 6 LPGA Major championships and qualified for my 7th next year. I was a part of the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup and helped Team USA bring home the cup. I am a four time Southern California PGA Women’s player of the year and was the first women from Southern California to qualify for the PGA Professional Championship.