Gonzalo Sanchez is among the most elite golf trainers with the highest certification from the global golf academy Stack and Tilt. As a former professional European Alps Tour player and expert in golf management, he has extensive experience with prestigious resorts such as TPC Sawgrass in Florida, Real Club Valderrama, and the central PGA Tour venue – host of THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP. Mr. Sanchez is a lecturer at Les Roches University, leads the San Roque Golf Club academy in Spain, and is currently in his second year as head coach at Prosper Golf Academy in Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná. In this interview we spoke to him about his philosophy as a coach, the development of golf as a sport and the most common mistakes golfers at any skill level make.
Gonzalo, could you tell us about your professional journey and how it led you to the Prosper Golf Resort in Čeladná?
For 15 years I have been studying by attending the seminars and congresses all around the world listening to people and coaches who are better than me. Most importantly however, I have developed a very important skill. And that is listening to my students and teaching them in a way that is easy for them to understand. Everyone has their own unique perspective. Some people like to be coached with very specific, technical terminology, while others are more visual learners. That is one of my strengths. I can identify what someone needs within the first few minutes of training and I can adapt my teaching style to those specifications.
Hurdle most people face in golf is not
a lack of talent, but it is their own ego.
The Stack and Tilt Academy has not operated in the Czech Republic before, and Čeladná is now becoming the first location in Central Europe to adopt its standards. Why did you decide to bring this globally recognised methodology here? What opportunities do you see for its development in this region?
Czech golf has lots of potential as well as a rich history. The sport is currently seeing a growth spurt, which means that now is the ideal time to invest into it. A well functioning system and a global network of coaches can help the Czech golf community understand the Stack and Tilt system, truly making it their own, which will be very beneficial.
Czech golf courses are unique, different to those we have in Spain. They offer a more rugged terrain with lots of nature and a meticulously arranged structure. These features make this an attractive destination for golfers from western Europe. Czechia can offer these players great courses with high quality golfing packages and a unique atmosphere created by the locals. All of this is complemented by great accessibility by airplane, which then turns Czechia into the flagship destination for European golf.
During your coaching career, you have worked with players of various skill levels. What are the most common mistakes you encounter among amateur golfers?
There are three very common mistakes that I keep seeing in players regardless of their skill level.
- The most common mistake for a beginner is consistent contact with the golf ball.
- Amateurs struggle most with distance. This means they cannot reach the green with enough shots to spare (par 3 in one shot, par 4 in two, par 5 in two to three, depending on the length).
- More experienced players and professionals are mostly concerned with accuracy, landing the ball closer to the tee, hitting the fairway, etc..
In summary, the three main points people struggle with are CONSISTENT CONTACT, DISTANCE and ACCURACY – these three aspects make up a successful game of golf.
What are your goals for the development of the golf academy in Čeladná in the coming years? What new initiatives or programs do you plan to introduce to improve players’ skills and popularise golf in the region?
Developing the golf academy at Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná over the coming years requires a clear vision that balances high-performance training with community development. Here are some of our key goals.
Establish Prosper Golf Academy as a premier golf academy in Central Europe by:
- leveraging state-of-the-art facilities and technology to attract elite players,
- developing a structured training system based on modern coaching methodologies.
Expand junior and community programs, especially through:
- introducing golf to schools by establishing partnerships,
- creating scholarship opportunities for talented young players.
Enhance individual player development at all levels by:
- implementing personalised training programs for all skill levels,
- offering specialised coaching for intermediate players and professionals.
Boost golf’s popularity in the region by:
- organising community golf days, open house events, and beginner-friendly events,
- hosting high-profile tournaments and golf academy events with professionals.
If you had to give one key piece of advice to someone who is just starting with golf but wants to improve quickly, what would it be?
There are no shortcuts in golf – you need to be prepared to be poor at the sport for a long time. That is something you need to accept and train as much as you can. Golf is one of the most difficult sports and so you need to leave your ego behind. The biggest hurdle most people face in golf is not a lack of talent, but it is their own ego, as it inhibits you from dedicating your time and effort to properly understand the complexity of the sport.
Thank you for the interview.
Text: redakce, Foto: Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná
