The spacious bays and ease of access at the club (home to an 18-hole course as well as a par-3 lay-out) have helped make Oliver’s coaching base the perfect venue. Her friendly, as well as expert advice, has been another key factor in building the group’s glowing reputation. And last year the academy’s open-arms policy extended even further as its founder set up a session for those living with dementia.
“The stroke, Parkinson’s and dementia groups are a way of bringing Hertfordshire Golf to the community and using golf as a form of therapy – mental health therapy, physical therapy,” explains Jo.
“Some of it is a case of getting word out there to the different charities, the different organisations. For example, one of the Parkinson’s nurses at the Lister Hospital (in Stevenage) is aware of what I do and she will pass that on to those coming in to appointments: ‘Here are the exercise classes, here are the golf classes if you want to go and do it’.”
It’s meant that Jo teaches a blend of those that have a golf past and others with zero previous experience of the sport. She has progressed some newbies to the point where they’ve been able to tee up regularly on Chesfield’s par-3 course.
“They’ve come to us with a condition, were non-golfers but are now golfers – it’s incredibly rewarding,” says Oliver.
“I’ve got pupils who started in 2018 who are still in this group today. Some were golfers who had come out of the sport because of their condition; didn’t feel that was something they could do and then they’ve come back into this group and actually found that they can play golf. It might not be the same way, but they can still certainly do it. I’ve had people, maybe they can’t use their left leg or right arm, people swinging the club with one arm – and one way or another we’ve got them back playing.”
Oliver has acquired a vast bank of knowledge about the golf swing from some of the best in the game. She has sat seminars given by renowned PGA Professional, the late John Jacobs, OBE, and is a huge fan of Master PGA Pro Martin Hall. But Jo is quick to point out how she has also learnt a lot from those that show up for her Monday clinics.
“Those people have taught me,” she says. “Some of my most rewarding work is with the inclusivity groups. You realise what you do as an athlete is pretty insignificant when you’ve got somebody who can barely put one foot in front of the other. However, you help them put the ball in the air. You are mentally invested in all these people.”
Oliver’s Monday class became even more significant to her when a new member enlisted – her dad. “He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a year after I’d started the groups here. So, it took on a whole different meaning. Seeing the difference in him and seeing the difference within the group.”
As the latest session draws to its close, Mr Oliver is among the bubbly bunch that her daughter is busy encouraging in a bit of indoor putting. He rolls the ball successfully to its target and Jo offers suitable praise.
Moments later, she sends the group on its way with a cheery ‘Class dismissed!’ But the fact most are slow to disperse underlines the pleasure they’ve found in Oliver’s sessions – and hints at how they’re already looking forward to next week.
