Tony Hadwin, a big follower of the Dan Hendriksen Golf channel, shares his journey back to golf after a 35-year hiatus, his experiences on Dan’s coaching trips, and his battle with that most frustrating of golfing afflictions—the yips.
The Long Break
After playing golf for a few years at school, a very unsuccessful club cricket career took me away from golf for the next 35 years. A friend invited me to our local golf club for his 50th birthday golf day. I had played a few rounds over the previous 35 years but mainly just whacked balls at driving ranges.
I loved being on the course, the banter both on and in the clubhouse afterwards. The club offered a taster membership and before I knew it, I was a fully-fledged member.
Finding the Bug
I had the golf bug and entered the weekly competitions, experiencing some good days and some shockers. Bit like life. Freshly single and bruised, golf gave me the opportunity to get out in the great Lake District weather and to socialise with people.
Having got into golf, I discovered the Dan Hendriksen YouTube channel, and the rest is history.
The Coaching Trips
As many of you will be aware, Dan runs golf days and coaching holidays both in the UK and Europe, organised by the main man Graham Ruth, who owns Bonjour Golf Travel company. I booked myself on his coaching trip to Turkey in 2024, and what I experienced was a group of people coming together to play golf from a complete range of backgrounds.
Along with James Ruth, they coached us on the range pre-rounds at some outstanding courses. It is a difficult thing, balancing changing someone’s technique whilst they are on a golf holiday, as everyone wants to play well whilst away.
Portugal and Familiar Faces
I am sat on a train from Lisbon to Faro typing this after being on Dan’s latest coaching trip. On the trip were some familiar faces and new people. Again, the way everyone is welcoming to old and new friends makes these trips special.
The community aspect of these golf trips cannot be overstated—it’s what transforms them from simple golf holidays into something more meaningful.
The Yips
I have got this far without mentioning the yips. Ever since taking the game back up, I have struggled chipping inside 40 yards. Thanks to Dan’s coaching, it has been OK, but recently the devil that is the yips has got me bad. I came on the holiday with golfing blues.
It is so debilitating, standing over the ball knowing the correct technique but your brain and body have other ideas. Seeing the ball go two yards in front of you or 30 yards over the green, hole after hole, makes for a very grumpy golfer.
But with Dan’s coaching this week and encouragement from my playing partners, the occasional good shot emerged.
The Breakthrough
We played the stunning Oitavos Dunes on our final day, and I played well. Not on Bart’s level (he was the standout player all week), but well enough to remind myself why I love this game.
Life and golf can be a struggle. But thinking about, booking, then going away to warmer climes in winter to play golf with a great community of people totally makes life better.
The Verdict
To summarise: Golf is a community, and the Dan Hendriksen Golf community is full of great people who are all there to enjoy golf and life. Book yourself on one of the trips—your chipping can’t be any worse than mine!
Whether you’re returning to golf after decades away, battling technical demons like the yips, or simply seeking the camaraderie that makes this game special, these coaching trips offer something beyond simple golf instruction. They provide community, support, encouragement, and the chance to play outstanding courses in wonderful locations with people who understand both the struggles and joys of golf.
The Lake District weather might be “great” in the ironic British sense, but escaping to warmer climes whilst improving your game and making genuine friendships? That’s genuinely great in every sense.
Fat/Slim: Tony