DP World Tour Coach
I have built a reputation for being able to put over my ideas and demonstrate them in a simple and helpful way. I was invited to coach for the highly successful Stephen Gallacher Foundation from its launch in 2012. I continue to support the organisation in its vision to encourage and develop young golfers in the Lothian and Borders area.
One of my key attributes is being able to polish existing skills with the minute detail that improves the already accomplished player. Tour professionals and elite amateurs are benefiting from my insight and advanced coaching techniques.
My technical knowledge saw me for many years combine my Academies and Foundation work with my freelance custom fitting at the TaylorMade Performance Centre at Kingsfield and Caversham Golf Club.
TESTIMONIALS
What the players say ...
Stephen Gallacher
4 times DP World Tour Professional winner, 2014 Ryder Cup player
"David and I have worked together on several occasions since 2009. During our time together we have made significant changes to several aspects of my game and I’m delighted with the improvements shown. Working with David before has seen me achieve my 2 best finishes in majors at the 2010 British Open and 2010 USPGA and my best finish at BMW PGA Wentworth. Well aware of his qualities, I felt he was the ideal coach, along with Jane Connachan, to lead instruction for my foundation. I’m delighted with the results he has achieved developing natural talent and kids of all ages.
Several kids under David’s guidance have already progressed to playing at national level. Two have won European Championships at their respective age groups and I’ve no doubt over the next few years further success will be achieved. He has always believed there is no substitute for good technique, especially in young golfers. I hope that a number of the pupils he has met and now works with through the Foundation will go on to have successful careers in tournament golf. I believe David is the ideal coach for developing young talented golfers."
Robert MacIntyre - DP World Tour Professional
European Tour Cyprus Open winner 2020
Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year winner 2019
2023 Ryder Cup player
"David was recommended to me by friends at my club who had been to see him at Kingsfield. Although I was having a very successful amateur career, I felt my game was deteriorating and needed attention. David gave me a very honest assessment of my entire game. We struck it off straight away and things moved on very quickly indeed. He has definitely pushed me onto the next level.
Since starting work with David, I've represented Great Britain and Ireland in the 2017 Walker Cup. After spending a successful 2018 on Challenge Tour I graduated to full DP World Tour status and finished my debut season in 11th position in the Race to Dubai, secured 7 top 10 finishes and was crowned 2019 Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. In 2023 I achieved my lifetime ambition of representing Europe in the Ryder Cup.
With David’s help I made every cut in my first 11 Majors, finishing 6th and 8th in The Open and 12th in my Masters debut at Augusta and won on DP World Tour Tour."
Calum Hill - DP World Tour Professional
"I gained my full DP World Tour card from finishing 2nd in 2019 Challenge Tour Order of Merit where I won twice. I was however keen to improve all aspects of my game and having been well aware of David’s reputation from his work with Robert MacIntyre and Stephen Gallacher, decided to ask him for his thoughts on how my game in general could improve both short and long term. In only my 2nd year with David I won on the DP World Tour."
Greg Hurley - PGA Professional
“I started working with David at the end of 2021 when I could sense a plateau in my golf and knew straight away he was going to take my game to the next level. Not only does his reputation speak for itself, through working with some of Scotlands best talents, the clarity and simplicity in explaining some rather technical aspects of the swing has really helped me understand my own swing better which has improved my ball striking greatly.
We have developed a great relationship and I look forward to every session. I am only at the start of my professional career but I know working with David I will have the best chance of success and am excited for what the future holds with my golf.”
Fraser Walters - Gullane & Craigielaw Golf Clubs
"Dave has coached me from the age of 5 years old, giving me the correct guidance and time to progress. From the early days of shooting 117 to under par rounds of -3, Dave has never lost faith in my potential and ability. I am now 13 years old and play off 0.6. In order to compete successfully in national and international fields, Dave has consistently developed my swing and overall confidence.
Since working with Dave I have achieved 6 International US kids top 5 positions, 5th place at IMG world Championships San Diego and 2nd place Future stars world championships in USA. In the last year, I have won the BJGT World Championships in Portugal, Robert Rock European championship Portugal, Northern Florida Junior Amateur, HJGT Florida boys, Faldo Series Scottish links championship, Elie Junior Open, Hamilton Junior Open, the Kilspindie Junior Open and the Daily Mail World Junior Golf Championship.
I am grateful to Dave for patient, direct and results-driven coaching."
Stephen Easingwood
Dunbar Golf Club, Ex Scottish Amateur Champion
"I've known David since Junior Golf events and coaching in our early teens. He was a very talented golfer with a good eye for technique and a real passion to succeed so it was no surprise when he became a top coach. I represented Scotland at all levels throughout the 1980s, winning, amongst other notable events, the Scottish Open Amateur Championship and Scottish Amateur Order of Merit in 1988. I was named as Walker Cup reserve in 1989.
Although I still played to a Cat 1 standard thereafter I drifted out of top level competitive golf. By my mid to late 40s my golf had stagnated with my technique stuck in the coaching of yesteryear. I enlisted David's help and we started working to modernise and re-energise my whole golf game with outstanding results.
In 2015 I unbelievably won the prestigious 36 hole Edward Trophy at Glasgow Gailes aged 49, 28 years after I first won it! I also got my handicap back to plus 2 and still retain this at aged 52. This wouldn't have been possible without David's expertise, modern technical knowledge and ongoing input.
I have been coached by many top instructors including John Jacobs and Bob Torrance but David surpasses them all with his modern coaching methods, embracing new technologies while still delivering instruction in a clear and user friendly way rather than getting too technical. I have spoken to many golfers of wide ranging ability levels who enthuse about David's methods and results.
In recent times I have also seen first hand, the results of David's coaching of the youngsters within the Stephen Gallacher Foundation. The quality of technique on display in these young golfers is remarkable and worlds apart from 'back in the day'."
Mathew Bacon - PGA Professional
"I had a successful start to my golfing career but didn’t progress as I hoped between 16 and 18 yrs old. I had heard of David through his work with coaching Stephen Gallacher and decided to get in touch. I immediately liked his views and ideas and have worked with David for several years now, commuting regularly from Norwich. I have completed my PGA qualification with David’s guidance. My ambition is to be a Tour player and hopefully David’s knowledge and experience can help me get there. He has improved all aspects of my play."
Barrie Lewis - 2024 Lothian's Champion of Champions
"Having worked with David over the last 12 years, my golf has improved beyond recognition. From barely maintaining a Category 1 handicap to winning multiple club championships and regularly competing for honours at county level - this transformation would not have been possible without David's tuition. His knowledge of the golf swing is first class and this is illustrated perfectly by his ability to explain it to clients in the simplest terms."