Play Golf at First Tee - Greater Charlotte Learning Center at Pineville

My golf journey began at 23 when I shot a 122 in my first round, but I was immediately hooked. Having played three sports in high school and running track in college, I was no stranger to athletic challenges. Determined to be considered a good golfer, I aimed to break 85, and with the help of free lessons from a pro impressed by my driving distance, I achieved that goal within a year. After moving into a new home, my neighbor, a 6 handicap, became my playing partner, and within two years, I was consistently breaking 80. My passion for golf grew as I caddied for a friend on the Orlando Golf Tour and participated in the Charlotte City Amateur and the Charlotte Metro Amateur My lowest career round is 71. These experiences have been crucial to my golf maturation, and I firmly believe that golf is the world's hardest yet most rewarding game.

"James is an extremely patient teacher. If you can’t figure something out, he has multiple avenues of explaining it to you and getting the desired result. Great guy and fun to talk to!

Golf has been a lifelong pursuit of mine, beginning in a country club environment where I started playing as soon as I could walk. I received structured professional instruction from ages 3–18 and competed extensively in junior tournament golf, including AGJA events and high-level regional competition. I was the #1 player in my high school and was on track to compete at the collegiate level before health-related circumstances shifted my path. That experience deepened my understanding of both the physical and mental demands of competitive golf. My background is rooted heavily in tournament preparation—learning how to structure practice, manage scoring expectations, and perform under pressure. After college, I transitioned into coaching and have spent years giving lessons to players of all levels, with a focus on simplifying mechanics, improving consistency, and building repeatable scoring systems. Whether you’re just starting, preparing for competition or just trying to lower your handicap, I specialize in turning technical work into on-course performance.

"“What stood out most about Connor was how invested he was in helping me improve. The 4-lesson package covered everything from putting to full swing fundamentals, and every lesson felt organized and productive. He doesn’t just teach you how to swing — he teaches you how to play golf smarter. I’ve already recommended him to multiple friends.”