A former Division I basketball guard, George Clayton traded three pointers for fairways after a golf cameo left him with a humbling score of 112. Today, he coaches roughly 120 lessons a month, guiding three‑year‑old first‑timers, college‑bound athletes, and retirees with the same contagious energy. Students remember the high‑fives, the metaphors, and the fact that George seems to know everyone’s dog’s name, too.
Meet Coach George
George’s sports journey began on hardwood courts where he competed at the NCAA Division I level. His introduction to golf felt almost accidental: a friend invited him to fill out a foursome that included an Ohio city councilman. George’s debut round clocked in at a humbling 112 strokes, and the councilman’s playful jab (“Who’s this Clayton guy?”) lit a fierce competitive spark.
Less than a year later, George ran into that same councilman at a local driving range. Fate intervened: the man’s son managed the facility and quickly became George’s mentor. That relationship planted the seeds of what would become George’s signature approach to coaching—mentorship rooted in friendship, accountability, and a healthy dose of humor.
How the Coach George Started
While George’s love for playing golf grew, so did his knack for teaching. Friends started asking for pointers, parents requested lessons for their kids, and soon word of mouth filled his evenings. That’s when TeachMe.To reached out—“they found me,” George recalls.
The platform’s mission to grow the game within families matched his own, so the partnership felt natural. TeachMe.To took over scheduling and payments, letting George focus on turning first-timers into lifelong golfers and helping whole households become on-course teammates.
It quickly proved the perfect sidekick: whether students wanted to shave strokes, bond with relatives, or sharpen their game for business networking, TeachMe.To connected them with George. Looking back the collaboration feels like it was meant to be all along.
Making Coaching his Full-Time Job
George didn’t ditch his day job overnight. Early on, cancellations, rainy mornings, and slow weeks tested his resolve. But the same mindset that took him from a 112 to a single‑digit handicap powered him through the lean days.
“Don’t let me want it more than you—and we’ll stay here until you get it.”
– George’s mantra for students and for himself.
Staying true to that credo paid off. George now teaches around 120 lessons a month, earns $75 per hour, and consistently earns $5,000 – $7,000 per month—more than double what he made juggling part‑time gigs in the past.
Who He Teaches
- Kids as young as 3 learning to make contact.
- College athletes polishing tournament skills.
- Retirees discovering a passion they can share with grandkids.
George has seen students of all ages and skill levels “but they leave sharing one thing: confidence.”
Soto’s Winter‑to‑Winner Transformation
No story captures George’s impact like Soto’s. A New Yorker with a Puerto Rican father who had begged her to golf for years, Soto set a bold goal: in just three winter months she wanted to be ready to play 18 holes with her dad on their Easter visit home.
George agreed—on one condition: “Don’t let me want this more than you.”
They braved bitter mornings, full‑body stretches, and swing drills until Soto boarded her April flight. Three rounds later she was matching her father shot‑for‑shot. The phone call that followed—father in happy tears—remains George’s favorite memory.
Her side benefit? She discovered a gorgeous on‑plane swing, and now sends George monthly videos documenting her continued progress.
What sets George Apart
Before the lesson:
To make sure minds and bodies can actually stick to the plan, George opens every session with a quick “body‑battery” check—How’d you sleep? Hydrated? Did you stretch?—before a single tee is planted. He layers in the fundamentals golfers love to skip (mobility drills, pre‑round stretching, steady water breaks) because beautiful swings grow best in healthy bodies and clear heads.
The Play‑Pen vs. Think‑Pen Philosophy:
George has a one‑liner that every student can quote in their sleep: “When you’re over the ball, that’s the play‑pen. Step behind the ball, that’s the think‑pen—don’t confuse the two.” It sounds playful, but it’s the backbone of his whole system. Behind the ball you plan, visualize, and breathe; over the ball you trust and swing. That tiny mental reset keeps tension down and fun up.
Advice for Aspiring Coaches
George’s counsel mirrors his teaching style—direct, energizing, and rooted in passion:
- Go for it. Put yourself out there and share your story.
- Connect first. Skill instruction matters, but a genuine connection keeps students coming back.
- Trust the process. Rainy days and slow weeks come and go—stay consistent.
- Use TeachMe.To. Let the platform handle bookings so you can focus on people.
Ready to Tee Up Your Own Story?
George Clayton’s journey—from a 112‑stroke rookie to a sought‑after coach—proves that with passion, perseverance, and the right platform, you can transform a love for sport into a fulfilling career. Whether you dream of weekend lessons or full‑time freedom, TeachMe.To offers the tools to get started.
Follow George’s lead: share your passion, build real connections, and let the fairway become your office.
Ready to make the leap? Sign up today to coach on TeachMe.To—or schedule a call to discover how you can launch your own coaching business.
