by Dan Hendriksen
Episode 23: Gary Milne — From Open Championship Amateur to Elite Golf Coach In this episode of The Locker Room Golf Podcast, we sit down with PGA Professional Gary Milne for a fascinating look back on a career spanning both sides of the game. Gary's playing career included a standout amateur pedigree, competing in the Open Championship at Royal Troon before turning his attention to coaching as a PGA Professional since the early 1990s. Over the following decades he progressed to Head Professional and has since become one of the region's most respected elite golf coaches — serving as Devon County Coach for 17 years and helping shape the game's next generation of talent, guiding junior players as they've worked their way up through the ranks. What sets Gary apart is the breadth of his coaching — from complete beginners to seasoned elite performers, he brings the same insight and enthusiasm to every level of the game. He continues to coach and thrive at Woodbury Park Golf Club, just outside Exeter. It was a pleasure sitting down with Gary to talk all things golf — we hope you enjoy the conversation.
In this episode, we’re joined by fellow PGA Professional Steve Johnston — YouTuber, entrepreneur, and coach — for a wide-ranging conversation about golf in Scotland and his journey building a new brand within the golf coaching industry. We follow Steve’s path as a golfer, dive into Eureka Golf, his coaching platform, and hear about his experience writing his own book on the psychological side of golf — exploring how mindset shapes and affects golfers on their own journeys. Enjoy the listen.
In this episode, we sit down with PGA Professional Richard Woods for a candid conversation about life in the golf industry. We dig into why so many pros are walking away from the profession — is it burnout, or is it the reality that clubs are stretching head professionals across three or four roles at once, from coaching and retail to club secretary duties and effectively running the business? Richard shares his honest take from the front line. We also talk about his ambitions as a player, and get into the psychology of performance — including how past results have shaped his mindset and continued to influence his game as a working PGA Professional. A really insightful listen for anyone in the industry, or anyone curious what actually goes on behind the pro shop counter.