The PGA Professional
Join PGA of Australia Members Glenn Whittle and Brent Dale each month as they go through the stories of influential Members from your association as well as look into the current industry trends to enhance your standing as a PGA Pro.
Glenn Whittle sits down with some of the biggest names from the PGA of Australia, sharing their journey as PGA Professionals and touching on the highs and lows of creating a career in the golf industry.
Alternately, Brent Dale will delve into topics of personal development, exploring the current industry best practices in coaching, business, management and much more.
This is the PGA Professional Podcast is made by Members, for Members.
The PGA Professional
Gavin Sutherland
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This episode of the PGA Professional Podcast features Gavin Sutherland, a highly experienced PGA Professional whose coaching journey has taken him across Australia, the United States, Singapore, Dubai, and Vietnam. Gavin shares how his early uncertainty as a trainee, combined with a strong desire to travel, ultimately led him to work alongside world-renowned coaches like Rob Neal and Jim McLean—an experience that shaped his coaching philosophy and career direction.
He reflects on the challenges of stepping outside his comfort zone, from early setbacks working overseas to thriving in high-performance environments that demanded accountability, continuous learning, and attention to detail. Gavin also highlights the contrast between technical, data-driven coaching and high-volume, hands-on coaching, and how both experiences were critical in developing his expertise.
Key takeaways from the conversation with Gavin are:
- Learning happens fastest outside your comfort zone.
- Great coaching starts with curiosity and questioning everything.
- There is no single “correct” way to coach or swing—context matters.
- High-performance environments demand accountability and communication skills.
- Continuous feedback, reflection, and real-world experience are essential for growth.