What was the most defining moment of your career?
I was never an elite athlete, so this question doesn’t have a fairytale ending. The most defining moment of my “career” was the closure of Ammaia Golf Course. With the nearest course 100 km away, it was a difficult period to manage. But it was also what brought me to where I am today. You have to look at the glass as half full and believe that sometimes, to move forward, you have to take a step back.

What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I don’t work. I teach golf. I come to the driving range to share knowledge, meet people, help them become better players and feel more fulfilled on the course. That isn’t work to me; it’s the privilege of doing what you love every day and still wanting to come back the next day. If I could work only with children, I would feel professionally fulfilled.

Who were the biggest influences on your journey as a coach?
I’m not sure I had any specific influences. One day, I decided I wanted to become very good at teaching this sport. More than training to be good, I enjoy preparing myself to make others better. Those close to me know I still hold hope of reaching a higher level as a player one day. But my focus is on building as much knowledge of the game as possible so I can become a reference coach.

What advice would you give someone starting in golf?
Enjoy the ride! This sport can be brutal to those who take it up: today you’re a Tiger, tomorrow you feel like someone who should never have picked up a golf club. Don’t rush, trust the process, and give it time. Most importantly, seek help from a professional in your first steps.

What is your favourite hole and which do you find most challenging at Espiche Golf?
My favourite hole is the 9th. Being able to hit a drive over the right corner is a fantastic feeling. A good tee shot leaves you with a 30-metre chip. I must admit I’ve had a few disasters with this risky approach, but it remains my favourite. The view of the clubhouse behind the green is imposing and demands respect. Choose the wrong iron and the windows come into play.

It’s hard to choose the most challenging hole at Espiche. It’s an easy course for conservative players, not for me. With the same ease that it gives you a day of glory, it can also give you a day of despair. Perhaps the 10th: the tee shot is demanding and, on a par 5, distance from the tee is important, but the correct choice is a 7-iron.

Do you have any specific tips for playing this course?
Yes: less is more. More conservative players off the tee avoid mistakes at Espiche. The course isn’t very long, so a tee shot in the middle of the fairway, even if shorter, always leaves the opportunity for a safe second shot. Almost all landing zones at Espiche are narrow, demanding and easy to miss.

Which golfer do you admire most?
Adam Scott. Age is just a number for him. He remains an incredibly complete player with a commanding presence on the course. Even when he misses, his swing is excellent.

Your dream course to play?
That’s easy: Augusta National Golf Club. Walking where golf history is rewritten every year would be an unforgettable experience.

What would be your dream fourball?
Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and, if it were still possible, Ben Hogan. I’d be perfectly happy just carrying the flag so I could follow their round!

If you weren’t a golf professional, what do you think you would be doing today?
I’d certainly be chasing the dream of becoming one! I did so for many years and never considered giving up.

O conteúdo Q&A with João Tomáz aparece primeiro em Espiche Golf.

My dad plays golf so he got me into it quite young luckily! It’s much harder if you take it up later in life.  Then I got my first lesson from my local professional at my home club in Scotland and I was hooked

Can you describe a defining moment in your career so far?

That would be moving to Portugal to work full time teaching and custom fitting.  Making that jump without knowing anyone over here and having no guaranteed income was tough but it has worked out well! Now I teach golf in the sun and live by the beach.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing someone go from a complete beginner to playing regularly and dropping shots from their handicap.  It takes longer for some than others but it is always nice to see. Or when someone is pulling their hair out with a problem in their game and then the relief they feel when its fixed. It’s just a game but it sometimes feels more important than that when it’s not working.

What’s the most common mistake you see on the driving range?

People going straight for driver and firing balls off like a machine gun! I often see people reach for the next ball while the previous shot is still in the air.  If people relax and take 10 seconds more between shots, it always gets better.

What’s one piece of advice you always give to someone starting out?

Golf is hard! Progression is never constant in golf; there will always be good and bad days results wise.  If you embrace that instead of getting annoyed with it, you will enjoy the game way more.

Which hole at Espiche golf do you find it’s the most challenging or that you like to play and why?

I think the 10th hole is very difficult from the tee, very easy to put yourself out of position. Although I see there are some works ongoing there to reshape the left-hand side so hopefully that helps me!

I really like the 3rd hole; you can choose to play it in a few different ways if you have the length and i think it’s a good risk reward hole.

Who would be in your dream four-ball?

Tiger woods definitely, Will Ferrell and Ally McCoist and i would tag along to watch Tiger and listen to Ally and Will

If you could play a round of golf anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Got to be Augusta. Definitely my favourite tournament to watch and I’d love to know how many putts I would take!

For more information about the Espiche Golf Academy: Click Here >>

O conteúdo Q&A with Fraser Cramb aparece primeiro em Espiche Golf.

Whether you’re just starting your golf journey or refining your skills, the improved Academy facilities are designed to offer an exceptional practice experience in the beautiful natural surroundings of the Algarve.

What’s New?
Our enhanced Academy now features:

✅ A Newly Built Academy Cabin

✅ Expanded Practice Area

✅ New Range Balls and Practice Mats

✅ New Ball Machine with Contactless Payment (Coming Soon!)

Meet our Golf Professionals

We are also proud to welcome two new PGA golf professionals to the Espiche Golf Academy team. Fraser Cramb and Gonçalo Pinto join João Tomáz to offer a comprehensive and dynamic coaching experience.

Whether you’re a beginner, a junior player, or an advanced golfer looking to fine-tune your technique, our golf pros are here to support your golf journey every step of the way.

View Coaching Packages & Contact Our Pros:

For more details on private lessons, beginner programs, junior coaching, and custom training plans, visit our Golf Academy page here – you’ll find full bios, pricing, and contact information for each coach.

We look forward to welcoming you to the new Espiche Golf Academy – come and experience the difference!

O conteúdo Discover the New Espiche Golf Academy – Now Open! aparece primeiro em Espiche Golf.

Enhance your game with one of our academy lesson packages. Lessons can be individual or shared.

Here are the weekly golf lessons available with João Tomáz:

For the young ambitious golfers, junior lessons are available every Saturday. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our junior golfers to refine their technique, learn new skills, and, most importantly, have a ton of fun in the process.

For the ladies, João has specially designed the ‘Ladies Taster’ sessions every Friday. These sessions aim to provide a relaxing, supportive, and enjoyable environment for ladies to get a taste of golf, irrespective of their skill level.

Now, let’s get to the part we’ve all been eagerly waiting for – a pro tip from João himself! 

João reminds us all that “In golf, as in life, it’s all about balance. A well-balanced swing helps ensure the club hits the ball squarely and with power.” 

So, whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting on this journey, always look for the balance in your swing. 

We look forward to seeing you at the range. Happy golfing!

O conteúdo Tee Off with João Tomáz aparece primeiro em Espiche Golf.

We’re excited to announce a significant financial investment in our driving range! This investment isn’t just about making improvements – it’s about shaping the future of Espiche Golf.

We’re planning a series of upgrades designed to enrich your golfing experience. These will include an increase in the area of the tee boxes, which will have natural and artificial grass practice areas and changes to the irrigation system in these areas. 
Our goal? To help you refine your swing, improve your precision, and ultimately, elevate your game. These enhancements will ensure Espiche Golf continues to lead as a top golf destination. The range works are planned for Summer 2024.

Espiche Golf will also be undergoing some significant upgrades which include a major investment in the irrigation system. It’s going to be more efficient, ensuring our fairways stay lush without wasting a drop. 
We are fully committed to aligning these updates with our eco-friendly philosophy. For instance, the new irrigation system will help us conserve water, which is in line with our efforts to sustain the beautiful natural environment surrounding Espiche Golf.

These improvements aren’t just about aesthetics or play. They’re about ensuring that Espiche Golf remains a sanctuary where you can play the game you love while also respecting the environment.

We’re incredibly excited about these upgrades and look forward to bringing you a golfing experience like no other, perfectly blending sport, nature, and sustainability. We can’t wait for you to see the improvements in action!

O conteúdo “Driving the Future” aparece primeiro em Espiche Golf.