Tim Krumnow - Tim Krumnow Golf Academy
Since age 10, Tim Krumnow has been participating in and playing golf whenever he got the chance. Tim played golf throughout his high school career at Dulles High School, and soon, he went off to the San Jacinto Jr. College to play college golf.
After passing the Florida Golf Schools Teaching Academy, Tim turned professional and worked for Florida Golf Schools until starting U.S. Schools of Golf with Mitch Crum in 1991. While teaching and spreading his golfing wisdom all over Florida, Tim also started competing in and winning various mini-tour events, until he decided to try to play on the PGA Tour through the PGA Q-School.
After missing out on qualifying for the Tour by 1 stroke, he decided to concentrate on his teaching where many other Tour professionals sought him out to help them with their game. Tim decided that teaching is what he loved most and wanted his future to be.
Upon leaving the U.S. Schools of Golf, Tim returned to Houston to work at various golf courses and instruction facilities where he trained under Butch Harmon, Keith Fergus, Dave Pelz, Vic Wilk among various other PGA Professionals.
Soon, Tim got offered and accepted a Head Golfing Professional position in Kansas at Terradyne Resort and Country Club, where he started another golfing school to get back to his teaching roots.
The club ended up being sold shortly after working there, and Tim returned to Houston to help build River Ridge and start a teaching Academy. He ended up getting an opportunity to move to Washington State, start another teaching academy and run Sage Hills Golf Club and Horn Rapids Golf Club.
In Washington, Tim got a huge opportunity to work and train under Chris Aoki. Chris and her husband, Kirk, taught me about putter fitting and putting instruction by utilizing the Fit2Aim system.
How old were you when you got started in golf and what eventually pulled you into becoming a golf professional?
10 years old. I turned professional when my instructor and other golf professionals said I should play for money instead of merchandise.
How do you stay current with the latest developments in teaching methods?
PGA education, both locally, Sections Seminars and National Seminars plus any information i can find on club manufacturers websites, shaft and grip websites. Really anywhere I can
What are 2 trends in golf that you’re excited about?
Equipment innovations and technology
Do you specialize in teaching any facets of the game?
Yes, I specialize in the short game. Its how you score as well as save inferior ball striking days.
What sets you apart from other golf professionals?
My certifications and credentials and love for learning new ways of doing things.
What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you personally or professionally?
Opening my own indoor instruction, fitting and club repair facility
What has been your most challenging experience with a student and how did you handle it? How did you overcome it?
Getting a student to have patience with his improvement. I had to put him on a strict schedule for practice, testing and improvement expectations. When he achieved a certain level thru testing or his scores reflected the improvement he could understand how hard it is to improve and what it took to improve.
Do you actively play competitive golf? Any recent bragworthy performances you’d like to share?
Yes I still play Section Senior events but will not play against the young flatbelly kids that hit it 100 yards past me….its cheating hitting it that far past me!! Its called elderly abuse!
Is there a highlight from your career in golf that stands out above the rest?
Mostly when I was younger and won many mini-tour events in Texas and Florida. Working with different Tour professionals is always fun too. I learn as much from them as they learn from me.
Any advice for someone considering pursuing a career as a golf teaching professional?
Learn to teach by watching and listening to good instructors that get results quickly. Not every PGA Professional can teach effectively. Its very difficult to be good at something if you do not do it everyday. Get a teaching method you believe in and make it your own but always be open to other ideas and concepts. Make an improvement plan and work that plan.
Anything else you’d like to comment on while we have you?
I believe the Stack and Tilt system is the best method for most higher handicap golfers to get better but works very well for one plane low handicap players as well. The Plane Truth system is best for lower handicap golfers that are experienced and are strong and flexible. Everyone should get fitted for a putter using a system that fits for aim 1st, length, lie angle, loft and swing weight second. It all matters but if you cant aim a putter its worthless no matter which brand it is. Get fitted for wedges but make the bounce the most important criteria. If you do not use the correct bounce for the situation then the ball doesn’t get airborn, then what does shaft type, length, loft and grip even matter?