Why I Transitioned to Full-Time Coaching: A Leap Fueled by Passion

When I started my journey in the golf industry, I didn’t envision myself as a full-time coach. In fact, I thought it was impossible. Growing up and working in Windsor-Essex County, Ontario, there weren’t many examples of coaches who made a living solely from teaching. The norm was to go the club professional route, and I assumed that’s what my future would hold. But life, as it often does, had other plans.

The Early Days: Balancing the Pro Shop and Teaching

I entered the golf industry in my mid-20s, coming from a completely different career path. Like many aspiring golf professionals, I started as an assistant pro. My days were filled with running events, managing inventory, and working long hours in the pro shop. The job was rewarding in its own way, but the pay was modest—about $600 to $625 per week, with weeks stretching well over 50 hours. Teaching golf was dangled as a way to supplement my income.

At the time, the idea of making $60,000 a year felt like hitting the jackpot. So, I started teaching outside my regular hours, driven by a goal to earn more. In my first year, I taught 50 hours—a small but meaningful step. By the second year, I was up to 200 hours, and by the third, demand for my lessons had skyrocketed. That summer, I taught 600 lessons, pulling in an additional $30,000. Combined with my salary, I reached my financial goal and felt like I had achieved the impossible.

Success at a Cost

While I was teaching more, something was shifting within me. My players were improving, and word of mouth kept my lesson schedule full. But the workload was intense. Balancing a full-time role in the pro shop with coaching left little time for anything else. My focus was split, and as much as I enjoyed helping golfers improve, I wasn’t sure if full-time coaching could provide the stability I needed.

At that point, my goal shifted: I wanted to land a head golf professional role. I figured I could continue teaching on the side while building a steady career at a golf club.

The Head Pro Chapter

I eventually achieved what I thought was my dream—becoming a head golf professional. The job came with more responsibility, better pay, and a sense that I’d made it in the golf industry. But as my administrative duties increased, my teaching hours dwindled. I went from teaching 600 hours a season to barely 6 - 8 hours a week, many weeks not teaching at all.

At first, I didn’t mind. I was earning more and still had my foot in coaching. But over time, I noticed something troubling: I was losing students. Without the time to dedicate to their improvement, I couldn’t offer the consistent support they needed. Worse, I started to feel unfulfilled. Running tournaments, managing staff, and handling operations didn’t bring me the same joy as helping a golfer achieve a breakthrough.

The Turning Point

By my early 30s, I hit a crossroads. I was making decent money and had reached a level of stability, but I felt stuck. I missed the connection and purpose that came from coaching. After a lot of reflection—and countless conversations with my wife, I decided to take a leap of faith.

The scariest part was the uncertainty. Could I sustain a career as a full-time coach? What if I failed? But I kept coming back to one thought: I’d rather try and fail than spend my life wondering what could have been.

Building Ryan Robillard Golf

Transitioning to full-time coaching wasn’t easy. It required careful planning, a willingness to learn, and a fire inside to make it work. But once I made the decision, everything started to fall into place.

I took control of my schedule, refined my coaching programs, and invested in my education to better serve my players. The more time I spent coaching, the more I realized how much I loved it. Watching players improve and seeing the joy they found in their progress fueled me to grow my business further.

Why Coaching Fulfilled Me

Coaching full-time isn’t just about helping golfers improve their swings. It’s about being part of their journey, celebrating their successes, and helping them overcome challenges. It’s about creating a community of players who love the game as much as I do. That sense of purpose is what drives me every day.

Looking back, leaving the traditional club pro path was the best decision I’ve ever made. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I’ve built a career that aligns with my passions and allows me to make a meaningful impact on the golfers I work with. The bonus, I spend more time with my family, play more golf, and make more money. Go figure!

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering a career change or wondering whether to take a risk, my advice is simple: trust your instincts. The path isn’t always clear, and there will be challenges, but the reward of pursuing your passion is immeasurable. For me, coaching full-time wasn’t just a career move—it was a decision to live a more fulfilling life. And I haven’t looked back since.