Grant Willis is a personal trainer and founder of Pinpoint Golf, a fitness business dedicated to helping golfers improve their game through strength training and mobility work.
His Golf Gym Club app provides training programs for golfers looking to get stronger and more flexible.
Despite only taking up golf four years ago, Grant spotted a gap in the market where golfers were struggling with distance, flexibility, and injury.
He built a business bridging the gap between the gym and the golf course, working with golfers both in-person at his private studio and online through the Golf Gym Club app.
We spoke to Grant about his journey from general fitness coaching to golf-specific training, what he learned building a solo business in the golf industry, and his philosophy on golf fitness.
What was your career background before starting Pinpoint Golf, and what was the "aha moment" that made you decide to go solo in the golf industry?
Before starting Pinpoint Golf and launching The Golf Gym Club, I worked as a personal trainer and coach, mainly helping general fitness clients from my private studio.
I only started playing golf about four years ago after hanging up my football boots , even though my family were all keen golfers (I used to think it was boring… how wrong was I!). Once I got into it, I was instantly obsessed with the never-ending challenge of improving my game.
The "aha moment" came when I realised how much potential there was to help golfers actually play better through strength training, not just look better (although that's a nice bonus).
Out on the course, I noticed how many golfers were struggling with a lack of distance, poor flexibility, low energy, and pain , especially lower back pain. I wanted to bridge the gap between the gym and the golf course, which led me to create something dedicated purely to golfers.
How did you get your first clients? What worked and what completely failed in those early days?
My first few in-person clients came from local golf clubs and social media. I then built an app to reach a wider audience of golfers who wanted to get stronger and more flexible to benefit their game.
What worked best early on was offering free golf-specific mobility screenings. It helped golfers identify their weaknesses and understand how those limitations were affecting their swing.
What didn't work was jumping on the "golf fitness" bandwagon and copying what I saw other golf PTs doing online for social media posts, trying to mimic golf swings with resistance bands and fancy-looking exercises.
Golf fitness should be treated like any other sport's strength and conditioning: focus on good-quality movement and building muscle. That's what helps you hit the ball further and play injury-free, not flailing around with bands like you see on the internet.
What are the 2 biggest lessons you learned the hard way about running a solo golf business that you wish someone had told you on day one?
1. You can't help everyone. Some golfers will never see the value in strength training, no matter how much evidence or how many pros are doing it.
2. Consistency beats perfection. I wasted time trying to make everything perfect , the logo, the website, the program name. What really matters is showing up, posting, and talking to golfers every day.
What advice would you give to someone in the golf industry who's stuck in an unfulfilling job but scared to strike out on their own?
Speaking from the fitness side of the golf world , golf fitness is a sleeping giant. I don't think it's fully caught on yet, but when it does, there'll be a huge influx of golfers (of all abilities) looking beyond their swing lessons with a PGA coach to improve their game through physical training. So be ready.
If you genuinely care about helping people play better and enjoy the game longer, there's a massive opportunity waiting.
What specific skills or qualifications should someone develop if they want to work in golf fitness?
A background in sport and a solid foundation in personal training is essential. You'll deal with all types of people and personalities, so communication skills are key.
You also need to be able to explain training concepts in a way golfers actually understand and care about. Knowledge is important, but being relatable and clear is what makes a great golf fitness coach.
What does a typical day look like for someone working in golf fitness?
My days are a mix of online and in-person coaching (I'm in the studio three days a week). On my "office days," I handle client check-ins, programming, and content creation , things like social media posts or training videos.
Studio days are spent working with golfers 1-to-1 or in small groups, all looking to improve their game through strength and flexibility work or rehabbing an injury caused from a lack of strength work!
There's also a big community element , staying in touch with clients, checking in on their progress, and even getting out on the course with them (which is the best part). It's not just about workouts; it's about helping golfers stay accountable.
What are the most common physical issues holding golfers back that you address?
The big three are a lack of flexibility, weak core and glutes, and lower back pain. Most golfers spend years playing without any proper strength or mobility work, so their swing ends up compensating.
Once we strengthen the posterior chain, build core stability, and improve mobility, everything gets easier, from generating speed to finishing 18 holes without feeling wrecked.
What's your philosophy on golf fitness?
My approach is simple: help golfers move better, feel stronger, and transfer that directly onto the course through proper strength training. The result? More distance, less pain, and more energy through all 18 holes.
It's not about rotating for an hour in the gym. There are far more effective ways to train your body for golf , lifting weights with purpose is at the top of that list.
Learn more about Pinpoint Golf at www.pin-point-golf.co.uk