I try very hard to keep things simple. It takes great knowledge and experience to simplify any subject. But it is the trademark of a great instructor, especially a golf instructor.

PGA Golf Professional

Ed Schwent

PGA Professional
Old Hickory Golf Club
Saint Peters, MO

Golf Professional Since: 1993

How to Find Ed:

Credentials / Certifications:

PGA Class A member, Gateway PGA Teacher of the Year, Golf Digest Best Teachers in Missouri since 2005, Head Coach Saint Louis University 1998-2007 Men’s and women’s , 2000 Gateway PGA Champion, 9 Professional tournament wins

Ed Schwent - Ed Schwent Golf Academy at Old Hickory GC

Teaching Philosophy
Frankly it’s simple. I am dedicated to helping any level of golfer enjoy playing golf, improve scores, and reach personal goals. There are four areas I work on: 1) full swing fundamentals 2) short game fundamentals 3) mental and course management and 4) fitness and nutrition.

I don’t experiment with golfer’s during a lesson. I work only on true proven fundamentals. I would never suggest you do something in a golf lesson I would never do in my own game. There is not one way to swing a club, but there is a swing for you! I will work with you on improving your swing, not some model or method or cookie cutter approach. My goal with every golf student of mine is to educate them so they can learn for themselves how to get better and better. Continuous improvement is the key to enjoying this game for years to come.

I try very hard to keep things simple. It takes great knowledge and experience to simplify any subject. But it is the trademark of a great instructor, especially a golf instructor. I have lost clients who think the golf swing is complicated and complex and my philosophies are too simple, but for everyone I have lost, I have helped hundreds more develop a simple, fundamentally correct approach to swinging the golf club and reaching their goals in golf. I would enjoy helping you as well.

How old were you when you got started in golf and what eventually pulled you into becoming a golf professional?

I played with my dad recreationally when I was in high school and the first couple years of college I started taking off serious when I graduated from college and my cousin, a great amateur player in Missouri by the name of Craig Schnurbusch, encouraged me to pursue the game. I played amateur golf until I was 30 years old and turned professional. I had a really good local amateur career, qualified for a US mid amateur‘s won the St. Louis district golf Association tournament and many others. A business schedule that had intense travel made me decide to start teaching golf for a living. I gave it one year to be successful and it was.

I’m still teaching.

How do you stay current with the latest developments in teaching methods?

I have attended every PGA teaching and coaching summit nationally since the early 1990s. I visit some of the best teachers in the country, I watch YouTube videos, and I have invested in the greatest technology in golf, but mainly I work with hundreds of students every year and it’s the students that teach me how to teach.

What are 2 trends in golf that you’re excited about?

Well launch monitors are the greatest trend in golf. I’ve learned more using TrackMan in the past four years than in my previous years. It makes things simpler, it focuses on impact and I believe it actually teaches feel better than anything I have seen over the years.

The other trend in golf, which is undeniable, is fitness training and developing speed in the golf swing. With the ball today and the golf club today there is no substitute for correct fundamentals and clubhead speed.

Do you specialize in teaching any facets of the game?

I feel I specialize in all aspects of the golf game and I tailor my approach to each specific student. My track record with junior high, high school, and college students would probably be my legacy.

What sets you apart from other golf professionals?

Honestly I don’t think anything separates me from other great golf professionals. We all have a passion for the game, a passion for the players who played and we wish nothing but to enhance the game and make it viable for the future.

What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you personally or professionally?

It’s Sunday evening and I’m on my patio. Grilled salmon for dinner. I start teaching again on Wednesday. So that’s the most exciting thing on my horizon.

Do you actively play competitive golf? Any recent bragworthy performances you’d like to share?

I’m almost 62 years old. I played extensive competitive golf until I was 42 so no I no longer play competitive golf. I still love the game but I prefer to share my expertise with the players that come to me for help.

Is there a highlight from your career in golf that stands out above the rest?

I’ve been lucky to have many highlights, winning the Gateway PGA Teacher of the Year was one great highlight. Winning the Gateway PGA section championship was another. But my greatest highlight was playing golf with my father at Saint Andrews and posing on the Swilcan bridge.

Any advice for someone considering pursuing a career as a golf teaching professional?

I truly believe that the future of a PGA professional will be in teaching Only. So I recommend anyone interested in a career in this game to specialize in teaching and to learn as much as they can, attend as many seminars, and watch grade teachers in person.

Anything else you’d like to comment on while we have you?

I appreciate the opportunity I truly don’t believe I’m anything special I just had a passion for helping people learn to play better and do enjoy the great game of golf thanks for this opportunity I greatly appreciate it.

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