Marie Jeffery is a Member of the Confederation of Professional Golf Golf Development Team and a PGA of Austria Member. We spoke to Marie to find out more about how she got into golf, her work in the world of ‘Communicology’, her experience with the Austrian Girls National Team and views on female participation and development in golf.
“I think women’s golf has a great future if it can market itself correctly. For me it’s as exciting watching a ladies’ tournament as it is watching a men’s tournament. Sometimes people get a bit drawn to how far the ball flies and they attack impossible pins and take on impossible shots, but the ladies play really clever golf too.
“I was at the Evian Championship last year and what I saw was very impressive – they had a very professional attitude and were really focused on the range so there’s no difference between them and the guys. I would like to see ladies get much more TV time and more acknowledgement for what they are doing.”
Interview Highlights:
00:29 – How Marie got into golf…
01:39 – Entering a golf club as a young girl golfer…
02:21 – The changes in golf in Austria…
03:23 – Marie now works at the same facility that she started her golf career at…
06:25 – Being driven by those that originally discouraged her golf…
08:23 – Getting the Austrian National Team Coach job…
09:20 – Becoming involved in ‘Communicology’…
11:25 – Using ‘Communicology’ to break things down and not get lost in the detail…
12:10 – Key learnings from Marie’s career so far…
14:19 – The difference between teaching & coaching…
16:00 – What changes has Marie seen over the time she worked with the Austrian Girls squads…
18:49 – Working as a National Coach is a 24/7 role…
19:41 – What is the future of girls’ golf…
20:48 – The challenges face in women and girls’ participation…
23:01 – The difference between girls and boys’ sport …
24:26 – What are the mistakes most beginner golfers make…?
28:15 – Who is the best lesser-known coach Marie has worked with…?
30:19 – What advice would you give your 25-year-old self…?
31:09 – Marie’s views on who she feels are ‘successful’ people…
32:05 – Marie’s favourite book…
33:01 – The advice has Marie found beneficial up until now…
35:01 – What might surprise listeners about Marie…
35:19 – The golf equipment that gives Marie the most joy…
35:55 – Marie’s dream Fourball…
36:34 – Advice for aspiring PGA Professionals…
Find out more about Marie at www.functionalgolf.at and at functionalgolfat on Facebook.