Born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, David tested his skills against the likes of Peter Oosterhuis as an amateur before turning pro in 1969. He joined the PGA in the same year but more than two decades elapsed before he was elected to Membership.
In between times, David played in South Africa and events such as the Zambian Open. He also had other golf-related roles before formalising his love of coaching by becoming a PGA Member in 1991.
His first port of call was the Fairmile Golf Range in Cobham, Surrey, and on leaving in 1994 he spent the remaining 13 years of his career coaching at Loudon Castle Golf Club in Scotland.
