Kelly Bridges Bio
I’m originally from Northampton UK and most people in my early golfing circles knew me as Kelly Hanwell, until I married in 2018.
In 1996 I had the opportunity to go and study in the USA at the University of Arkansas, graduating with a BSC in Financial Management. Also I was awarded a scholarship to play college golf during my 4 years at university and was an active member of the women’s golf team.
Even before turning professional I always had a real passion for the game as I was a Regional Development Officer for the English Golf Union and English Women’s Golf Association, a role that had me increasing participation, and raising awareness of the game of golf.
As an amateur I was a member of the England Under18 Girls Team, won the English Schools Championship, was a member of Northamptonshire County Ladies 1st team for 16 years, won the Midland Ladies Championship, the Northamptonshire County Ladies Championship (3 times) and the Daily Mail Foursomes Championship. I previously held a number of course records, including 65 at The Bedfordshire GC.
Professional Life in Golf Beckons
I turned professional in 2010 and, after completing my PGA training at Rugby Golf Club, Warwickshire, where I’d been working with local schools and running a number of projects teaching people of all abilities, I secured a position as part of the award-winning coaching team at Al Badia Golf Club in Dubai. Whilst in Dubai I was responsible for developing the women’s golf academy and delivering coaching sessions to over 100 juniors a week.
During my time at Al Badia, I worked with individuals of all abilities, from complete beginners to single figure players, all of whom had very different personal goals. A few notable achievements of some of my clients included breaking par for the first time, having a hole in one and breaking 100.
In 2014 I left Dubai to start a family and moved to the Bournemouth area. Shortly after moving, and after the birth of my first child, I was fortunate to secure a position as one of the teaching professionals at Broadstone Golf Club. My second child followed soon after and now I balance family life with my professional career as a golf instructor.”
Broadstone Golf Club is a UK Top 100 Course in England and is where I am primarily responsible for the ongoing development of the junior academy, which includes regular weekly group sessions, school holiday golf camps and on-course Golf Access events. I also work with a number of local primary and secondary schools delivering the Golf Foundation’s Tri-Golf and Golf Xtreme initiatives introducing a FUN version of golf to students.
In 2015 I was appointed as the Head Golf Coach at the prestigious Canford School in Wimborne. During my time there I taught golf as part of the PE curriculum, ran the school team and advised students on opportunities in golf after studies. I’m proud to have been the school coach when they won the South West Independent School Championships in 2019. I relinquished my position in 2022 to concentrate on developing the growing women’s section at Broadstone Golf Club.
During 2018, I signed up to become a Love.Golf coach which involves teaching women the fundamental skills of the game of golf out on the golf course. The program over the past few years has developed internationally and I love being part of a community of like-minded coaches who support and share best practice ideas.
Finally, I try to find time to keep my game in shape and play in PGA tournaments when I can and of course continually develop my learning and qualifications as a golf coach. In the lockdown of January 2021, I undertook an intensive online course to gain accreditation as a Titliest Performance Institute (TPI) Certified Expert. This course provides me with the skills and knowledge to identify a player’s physical limitations and how this affects their golf swing, and what exercises can be introduced to make improvements.
Professional Qualifications & Workshops
February 2024 - Trackman Certified Professional Level 2
January 2024 - Trackman Certified Professional Level 1
Dec 2022 - U.S. KidsGolf Certified Level 2 Coach
Proud to have achieved Level 2 status increasing my skills and knowledge to develop Kids in Golf
Dec 2021 - U.S. KidsGolf Certified Coach
"The mission of US KidsGolf is to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and to encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories".
Jan 2021 - Titleist Performance Institute Certification - Level 1
June 2020 - Mental Health Awareness for Sport & Physical Activity Workshop
Feb 2020 - England Golf / Golf Foundation Junior Organiser Workshop
Sept 2019 - The Open University Exploring Sport Coaching & Psychology
Jan 2019 - The Professional Golfers Association Postural Breakdowns & Influence on Swing Biomechanics workshop
June 2016 - Aimpoint Express Putting workshop
Feb 2016 - Delivering Engaging Coaching Sessions for Adults and Juniors Workshop
July 2015 - Golf Foundation Junior Golf Passport workshop
how to deliver engaging coaching sessions.
April 2014 - University of Birmingham Foundation Degree in Professional Golf Studies
I graduated 3rd in a class where for the first time, in history, the top 3 students were female
June 2010 - England Golf Disability Awareness in Golf workshop
March 2010 - Golf Foundation Tri-Golf and Golf Xtreme Activator Workshop
Certificates
Get in Touch
If you think my credentials support what you are looking for in a golf coach I’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch using the form on my contact page.
