Husband and wife John and Gemma Fryatt have extended their passion as golf coaches thanks to taking up new positions at The Heron Country Club – whilst also learning padel tennis.
Fellow PGA Professional and former European Tour winner Mark Davis reached out to John last year and there has been no looking back. “The excellent facilities at The Heron Country Club, along with Mark’s academy, is an absolute pleasure to be a part of and makes us so appreciative to be able to continue our coaching skills here,” agree John and Gemma.
The Fryatts had not been connected long to the Heron when they decided to make good use of the club’s three padel courts. And taking up the sport together has proved to be an inspiring experience for them both.
“We had padel tennis lessons with a really good pro and came away from it absolutely buzzing,” says 52-year-old John. “We really enjoyed the experience of being taught, rather than being the coach, and seeing the other side of how lessons are. It’s the first time we’ve been on the other side of the fence – we’re being instructed.”
As well as a timely reminder about the importance of how you engage as a coach, the crash course in padel also brought home to the Fryatts that golf tuition can appear to be pigeonholed. “We’re stereotyping ourselves so much all the time…’it’s a seniors’ lesson, it’s a ladies’ lesson’,” opines John. “Well, padel tennis didn’t do that. It was ‘you should learn together’.”
The aim is to make golf accessible to all and their ambition is helped by the Heron’s own refreshing ethos.
“It’s not like a traditional golf club where there’s outdated dress rules or times when you can play and times when you can’t,” says John. “Anyone can play at any time…it’s a completely different vibe. The facilities are fantastic for Essex – as good as anywhere you can go. It’s a really high-end service and a very refreshing place to be.”
The opportunity to work at the Heron has certainly lifted the spirits of the Southend-based couple. John previously served as head professional for several years and both he and Gemma appreciate the experience gained in previous roles and believe they have learned so much as golf professionals.
Times have been challenging and the call from Davis in late 2023 opened doors that John and Gemma gratefully have walked through.
Gemma says, “We appreciate the chance we’ve got. We both have so much knowledge and skills to pass on to our pupils and are so happy we are able to spread the love of learning and develop golfing journeys.”
To some extent, their coaching styles reflect their respective personalities. “I teach the PGA manual way and use camera and videos to give consistent feedback to my lessons,” says John. “Gemma’s coaching is much more than golf coaching – it’s friendship, it’s exercise. I’ve learnt a lot from that. We’ve made so many friends and got so many different groups of people together through golf, and taking up padel seems to make us even more determined to create great experiences for new golfers.”
Gemma is eager to encourage people, whatever their age, whatever their background or sporting ability, simply “to have a go” at golf. “You don’t have to be amazing at it,” she says. “You can get so much more from it.”
John, who also provides coaching to youngsters in local schools, conveys a similar commitment to spreading the word about the sport.
He enthuses, “We want to get people who have never played before and get them on the golf course, enjoying themselves in the fresh air, the changing seasons, the wildlife, the environment.
“In addition to our weekly sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for ladies, juniors and seniors, we will be hosting couples and mixed groups in the evenings to accommodate those who wish to learn together or simply meet others who are learning golf!”
Gemma added: “They are well worth putting together and it doesn’t take much time out of the diary.”
“Socialising mixed with the fun element is great for everyone. Encouraging family sessions is so important too as it means golf is accessible for the whole family - grandparents, parents, uncles, everyone! I taught a lesson a few months ago with a dad in his 80’s and his wife who had dementia and we were able to do some chipping. There’s something there for all.”
John is continuously busy promoting the PGA badge. “I’m really enjoying it; I’ve got my love back for teaching.”
As for the padel tennis, that’s a lifestyle addition that’s also in the Fryatt’s long-haul plan. “It’s probably one of the only things that we’ve learnt together,” says Gemma, whose husband has his sights on ongoing development within the game.
“I really enjoy padel,” says John. “It’s a brilliant game. It has made both of us realise how difficult golf is to learn. There’s such an opportunity for people to play golf and padel. It all links together.”
Just as the Fryatt duo do.
