A great coach is not the one who stays longest. It's the one who sets you on the road.
A great coach in sport – mine was Dennis. Dennis Sullivan. Why? Because he's the one that got me on the road. He gave me all the good advice, all the good thoughts. Everything I needed to do to go on.
Unfortunately, when you represent New Zealand, you tend to go with a New Zealand coach. That separated us. But in saying that – Alex Mercer was the second best coach I ever had.
What I loved about these two coaches is that we always went out and played. When I played certain shots, they taught me shots I could play.
I think it's very important not to go to the range – especially on concrete. It hides your mistakes. It hurts your body. It lies to your clubface. It bends your clubs. Yes – your actual clubs. That's why I loved blade clubs. Less forgiving. But they tell the truth. A mat lies. A blade never does.
But here's what I also learned – from watching my father. For many years, I saw my father do the same swing. Straight back, straight through. He would tell me the same thing, over and over. And he would hit ball after ball after ball. On a rubber mat. On concrete. With wood in between. He wore out his body. Ended up with two hip replacements.
Repetition is the mother of skill. But repetition without care – without grass, without rest – is the mother of injury.
My father taught me that. Not by telling me. By showing me what happens when you don't listen to your body.
So when I teach, I remember: hit off grass when you can. Use a mat only if you have to. And never, ever think that hitting more balls is the same as hitting better balls.
I also remember the other Wellington teachers – at Royal Wellington in the Hutt, and the Hutt GC itself. They weren't headline acts. They were just teachers who became my friends who showed up, watched me hit balls, and shared what they knew. No big promises. No egos. Just grass, and a willingness to help.
That's the proper way, too. I thank them for their support and advice — at this time it was an important bonus for my success.
There's no other coach from overseas but Martin Hayes and a few other Kiwi coaches. They gave me their thoughts that mattered to me in this time of needing advice.
Where I am today is totally through lack of error. I listened. I chose. I kept the good and left the rest.
If you find a Dennis – follow his advice. Even if the road separates you. If you're lucky enough to have a few coaches – use them all. The good ones don't compete. They complete.