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Q&A with Patrick McGuire

by Tara Ingalls

27 June 2018
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Patrick McGuire's career in golf began under his college golf coach, the mid-Atlantic education chair Rick Miller. After a two-year apprenticeship under Rick, Patrick began his education, development and career in teaching and retail sales. Patrick was able to work with top 100 instructors for the second largest golf school in the country. In 2008, Patrick had a vision for a golf academy comprised of a unified team of coaches with the most innovative technology available. He wanted an academy that taught more than just the full swing, but also short game, putting, course management, and more, all while using scientific data to make the students better. 10 years later, McGuire’s dream has become a reality as the Raspberry Golf Academy is now the premier destination for golf instruction in Northern Virginia and beyond. Having expanded from one studio at Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club to five locations in Virginia and one in Pennsylvania with a growing team of experts, the academy is booming and students are dropping strokes from their scores every day. McGuire has established a remarkable reputation worldwide, as he coaches professional golfers and elite amateurs around the globe. As a FlightScope Advisory Board member and long-time user of the company's products in his everyday teaching and training methods, Patrick is an advocate of FlightScope's quality and accuracy. FS: When did you first start using FlightScope products? What model was it? 
PM: In 2008, I purchased six X1 and X2 models for Raspberry Golf Academy. FS: What product(s) do you currently use and why?
PM: I use multiple FlightScope products for different reasons... I use the X3 mainly for short game, putting in lessons, and as a main machine in club fitting. The Xi Tour is perfect for lessons and some club fitting. This is the monitor that always travels with me on tour because it is lightweight and offers a full plate of data and VX software. I like using the VX app for tables, live data feedback, and capture time. I use the X1 as a main machine for in-studio lessons and fits. The X2, for in-studio lessons, fits, and some skills. Finally, the mevo is great for short game and course tracking to compare to range sessions. FS: What is it about FlightScope technology, products, and the company in general that has made you a loyal user?
PM: I first chose and continue to choose FlightScope over other brands based on value and standard of data it provides. I like the back-end use of student data through the MyFlightScope site. The leadership and company are loyal to me and my brand and have always listened to our needs as an academy. FS: What are your thoughts on the new FlightScope consumer model - FlightScope mevo - and how it might help grow and improve the game?
PM: Fantastic! I purchased 10 units for our staff and customers to use while practicing at our facilities, which has added value to our lessons and customer experience. FS: What is your favorite golf course?
PM: Augusta FS: What is your favorite club in your bag?
PM: Driver FS: What other hobbies do you have outside of golf?
PM: Cooking and wine FS: Who is your favorite golfer of all time?
PM: Tiger Woods as a player, Arnold Palmer as a person and player FS: Are you a fan of any other sports? Who are your favorite teams?
PM: Soccer: Club team - Barcelona, World cup team – Germany FS: What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
PM: As a coach, I am most proud of my students' accomplishments - to name a few, Paul Peterson winning on European Tour, Asian Tour and Japan Tour....Doug Quinones winning Player of the Year on the Dakotas’ Tour...Shane Smith winning the money title on the Dakotas’ Tour...Jimmy Flippen winning Section Championship (MAPGA)....Ryan Smith losing in playoff for Junior World Title, and finishing T5 at USGA Junior AM...Sara Stanley winning Player of the Year Plantations Tour....multiple winners on various mini tours and national championships (Austria), tate championships (VA, AZ, OR)....Hamza Amin (AUT) for finishing 7th at Asian Q-school....Kevin Mclister (USA) for getting Asian Tour card...Bryce Easton(RSA) for getting to final stage in European Tour...Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) finishing 2nd on European Tour, and having multiple top 5 finishes on the Asian Tour...Hayden Miller going from the number 5 player to #1 player on high school team within 6 months, shooting in the 60’s for first time, and winning multiple events in one year....Sam Chein for winning on / finishing 4th on order of merit PGA Tour China. Of course there are many more examples of students winning on various levels. I would like to address the bulk of the students that have not accomplished this level of success on tour or in tournaments but have lowered handicap below what they thought was possible, shot lowest rounds, set course records etc.. As a professional, I am proud of my business's success. I started and founded RGA, and I am currently operating 6 locations in Virginia and Pennsylvania. I built, designed and opened one of the top training facilities in the country (Legacy Performance Center), I am a partner in a management company which grew from 2 properties to 6, I have hired,trained and certified over 65 PGA/LPGA instructors and fitters, and have given over 25,000 private lessons. To learn more about Patrick and his academy, visit raspberrygolfacademy.com.