About Nicola Stroud Golf Coach
My Early Years
I began golf lessons at age 8 at Dinas Powys Golf Club. Winning my first prize (for turning up!) in a 9-hole competition sparked my passion.
Privileged to play at a club that was supportive of juniors playing golf, we had a superb introduction to the world of golf. I quickly reduced my handicap to 4 by age 13 and represented Wales in the UK and abroad in both women and junior teams and events.
The rest is history!
My Academic Years
I was the first female in Europe to graduate from the Professional Golf Studies course initiated by the PGA at Kingston University/Merrist Wood College in 1994, also earning my PGA qualifications including a PGA Golf Psychology Coaching certificate – part of the PGA of Europe Member Education programme.
I’ve been accredited with the PGA Fellow Professional Status for the “outstanding contributions” to golf.
My Professional Years
I began my working career as an Assistant Golf Professional at Hanbury Manor, Hertfordshire. Despite challenges as a young female Golf Professional in the early 90s, I built a successful career, teaching celebrities, caddying for Nick Faldo, and collaborating with Jack Nicklaus.
During my time as the youngest female Head Golf Professional in the PGA at The Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club, I also qualified for the Ladies British Open. Later as a full time teaching professional at Manchester Playgolf, I engaged more with the local community. It was here that I first experienced a passion for working with people living with various disabilities and experiencing how golf can help motivate young individuals from disadvantaged areas to integrate into society and enhance their self-esteem.
After coaching a short time in Spain, I joined Celtic Manor Resort’s National Centre of Excellence and was privileged during this time to build my coaching business but also experiencing the behind the scenes operations for hosting the 2010 Ryder Cup.
As Head Professional at The Gower Golf Club, I enhanced the clubs’ community status, membership, and facilities This included a seven-bay undercover training facility supported by Sport Wales and local businesses. I also developed a disability program that earned the INsport Award and initiated a police and community program to help, kids from disadvantaged areas in Swansea.
During this time, I received awards such as “City & County of Swansea Community Sports Coach of the Year” and was runner-up for “BBC / Sport Wales Community Sports Coach of the Year”.
In 2014, I became a full-time coach, working from Pennard, Camarthen and Garnant Golf Clubs. I continued my community coaching most notably working with people living with visual impairments (RNIB) and children with Down’s syndrome and autism. Additionally, I trained 20 police officers to use golf as a way to build positive relationships with children from disadvantaged backgrounds and held golf experience days for them.
I served as a PGA Ambassador and trainer with the Golf Union of Wales, providing mentoring and training services to volunteers and Golf Professionals in Wales.
I received the Golf Foundation’s President’s award and was honoured with the “Wales’ Golf Professional of the Year” award.
I have served as a County coach for women and girls in Cornwall, Dyfed and Somerset.
The Here and Now...
As Head Golf Coach at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club, I continue to evolve and grow a range of successful coaching programmes, including my award-winning women’s beginner pathway, which has helped bring more women into the game.
My coaching now centres around my Tee2Green programme, delivered both face-to-face and online. This is a proven, structured pathway that supports golfers of all levels—from beginners to experienced players—focusing on the whole game, not just technique. The results speak for themselves, with players building confidence, consistency and long-term performance on the course.
Alongside this, I run a series of golf holidays and coaching experiences in the UK and abroad. These are a brilliant mix of improvement, social connection and enjoyment—where golfers can relax, learn and really take their game to the next level.
I continue to write on golf psychology and deliver workshops, as well as collaborate with organisations such as BLESMA and Young Somerset to create meaningful and inclusive golf experiences. I also remain passionate about supporting the wider game, having set up a network for female PGA professionals to share knowledge, mentoring and support.
More recently, I’ve launched The New Golfers Hub with Nicola on YouTube and The New Golfers Podcast, where I share honest, practical insights into the game and answer the questions golfers often don’t know who to ask.
My contributions to golf have been recognised with the title of PGA Fellow Professional and PGA Golf Coach of the Year (South Wales & West Region, 2022)—but for me, it’s always about what comes next…
So, you’re up to date—for now.
Golf Lesson Testimonials
David Hutton
Everybody seems to have an opinion on your golf swing and what is wrong with it. The challenge is to know who to ignore and who to listen to. Nicola Stroud is in my view definitely one to listen to. Nicola seems able to diagnose precisely where the problems are and to take each part of your swing and restructure it to good effect, addressing not only the physical movements but also the psychological aspects of the problem. This is done with remarkable clarity in easy stages whilst avoiding excessive tinkering and information overload.
Nicola also has a refreshing innovative approach to the short game around the greens. If like me you are having problems, I would commend Nicola Stroud to you without hesitation.
Gordon Wood
For the last few years, I have been having a course of lessons at the start of each season (I don't play through the winter months) with Nicola to get my golf to some sort of decent level. This year, however, it was even more necessary as I'm due to have knee surgery on both knees this summer.
Nicola helped me to create a swing that took pressure off my knees but one that still performed well and I was able to keep my length and consistency. Whilst my knees hurt to play and I need a buggy at least I am still able to enjoy my golf shots and play well. I have loved my golf this year because my knees have affected so many other activities but at least I can still enjoy my golf.
Sian Preistland
If it wasn’t for Nicola and Love.golf I think my brand new set of golf clubs would still be unused and collecting dust! As part of a group of like ability beginners my confidence out on the course increased hugely with the encouragement and camaraderie.
Nicola’s expert tuition is always positive and everyone has made fantastic progress. The balance between the sociable, fun side and the tuition to improve our skills is perfect. I love my golf!
Fiona Vaughn-Thomas
I have been under Nic's golf tutelage for a number of years and can wholeheartedly recommend her coaching. As a single figure golfer (2) I sought Nic's support and coaching when my handicap started to climb up past 4. Throughout regular lessons with her we have been able to focus on the key parts of my game that were becoming my weakness; her extensive golfing knowledge and focused coaching plans have helped me improve my game and stop bad habits forming. She also helps me analyse my own game which we then discuss on our next lesson debrief.
Nic's style suits me perfectly; she keeps her instruction simple, easy to understand and never gets too technical. I love the way she gives me things to work on that can be taken straight onto the course.
Claire Hutchins
I thought I was going to find it boring but I was so wrong it was great fun, no one was more surprised than me.
What a great group of friends we have met, enjoyed every session.
Louise Jenkins
When I joined the group class I went with an open mind… I was going to either love it or hate it! Well I love it! It was a fantastic way to start golf with no pressure on having the clubs and all the clothes and kit, you didn’t even need to join as a member. Perfect example of “try before you buy”.
Our group was fabulous, so much fun and laughter and we are all so supportive of each other it just didn’t matter when I was shocking.
I love, love, love all the new wonderful friends I have made and I love the game, even though I've still got a long way to go. But I continue to keep trying and enjoying and my confidence keeps getting better.
Helen Starkey
Having retired I had wanted an interest which would enable me to enjoy fresh air exercise and friendship. The group sessions with Nicola have certainly fulfilled my wishes.
I didn’t have the confidence to play with club members but learning to play in the company of others in a similar standard has been great fun, I've made some fab friends. We have laughed at our poor shots, cheered at our good ones and encouraged each other to persevere when progress has at times seemed slow. We now practise together and always have a cuppa after. We have been out socially in the evening too.
Hazel
Great fun.
Confidence building.
Have a go and don’t worry.
Who would have thought that we were actually playing golf in the rain and enjoying ourselves.
Louise Rowley
Acknowledging that my short game was my Achilles heel I sought Nicola's help, to help me reduce my handicap (I’ve now reduced it to 9 from 12). Having started golf in my mid thirties and being very competitive I was frustrated my handicap was not reducing quicker.
After analysing my swing, sharing some important but simple hints and tips and encouraging me to have a positive mind set, I now find my handicap reducing. Bunker play is also not an issue, following some simple drills I learned. I am now even confident playing lob shots over bunkers too.
Nicola’s warm, friendly demeanour and constant positivity makes golf learning so much fun and easy to do.
Dudley Hendrix
I have been playing golf for many years, I enjoy the social side but also compeitive golf within my club and at other courses.
My handicap has been steadily increasing, I had been a single figure handicap golfer and hated that I was getting worse. I reached a point this year, where I was seriously thinking of giving it all up.
This summer, I asked for Nicola's help. After just one lesson my golf had improved dramatically and now after a season of golf I have fallen in love with golf again.Nicola didn't try to give me a "quick fix" as some Golf Professionals have done in the past, she understood that this problem needed to be sorted "once and for all", she knows what is best for me and my game. I like the way that she explains what the root cause of the problem is, then the long term plan and gives me very easy swing thoughts that I can take out onto the golf course. Even though my shanks have gone, I still go for "check ups" every so often to make sure that I stay on track. I highly recomend Nicola to anyone who plays golf at all abilities.
Rhian Perks
I wanted to take up golf once I retired and so I joined Nicola’s group lessons. I really enjoyed my first lesson, even though they had already had a few classes before, but with Nicola's encouragement and the other girls cheering me on I held my own and quickly grew in confidence even when we went out onto the golf course. I enjoy the coaching both on the course and range as I can improve on all parts of my game, it is a really good mix of skill and playing.
We meet as a group outside of our weekly classes which is a real sociable experience and full of laughter. Can’t wait for my next lesson.
Suzanne Cole
I was almost about to give up golf before my lessons with Nicola. I could not play to 36 and with a handicap of 18 it was miserable. She gave me a few simple ideas and now I know why I make mistakes which is a big improvement. She is patient, supportive and takes time to understand my game and my needs.
I go for check ups now and am back playing team golf. So happy to stand on the tee instead of wishing I was somewhere else. I recommend anyone go and see Nicola.
Tracey Dix
Just one year ago after a passing comment to my husband "perhaps we can have a go at golf" his reply was "you know there’s a lovely course 15 minutes down the road"…… Well after a little research I found myself joining Love.golf hosted by Nicola at Carmarthen Golf Club.
Seriously the whole experience has quite literally changed my life for the better. I have managed to gain a golf handicap and find my calendar full of golf dates along with many social occasions at the club too. Sometimes I even get to see my husband but only if he deservers a treat! What would I say to someone considering having a go. Just do it!