Story published on PGA.com by Steve Eubanks

“A coach is more than physical, more than golf. A great coach is all about trust. I call Joe about a lot of things that have absolutely nothing to do with golf.” That nugget came from LPGA Player of the Year Stacy Lewis late Tuesday afternoon at the 13th PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit in Orlando, part of a week’s worth of events surrounding the 2013 PGA Merchandise Show. The “Joe” she was talking about was her coach Joe Hallett, who stood on stage with Stacy and talked about the bond between coach and student.

“Golf is not everything,” Lewis said. “You have to have some balance. There are a lot of times when Joe is my ‘vent line.’ I’ll call just to vent.” And like all great coaches, Hallett is available on the other end to listen. “You can forget about time zones when you’re coaching an elite player,” he said. “As a coach you have to be on call, and you have to know what to say and when to say it.” There were times when Hallett videoed lessons from baggage claim at the Las Vegas airport, and times when he sent texts in the middle of the night, saying things like “two birdies a side,” little reminders to break the round into manageable bites. But it was the genuine, close, emotional bond between the two of them that came through during their hour together on stage in front of 700 PGA members. That bond was a recurring theme throughout the two day summit.

Highly regarded for his expertise in PGA member education, golf instruction, media relations and the golf industry, Hallet's career achievements have been as diverse as serving as a PGA Lead Instructor of the PGA Professional Golf Management Program and the PGA Master Professional Checkpoint Faculty; and a former Host and Producer of the popular "The Golf Show" on Sportstalk Radio Network. During the 2009 PGA Championship, Hallett appeared on PGA.com as an expert PGA Professional instructor and commentator. Previously, he has served as a PGA teaching professional at Ricefields Golf Club at Hampton Island (Ga.) Preserve, where his students including the 2008 U.S. Women's Open Champion Inbee Park. Hallett has also been a part of the PGA Faculty Team for the PGA Certified Professional Program, serving as a Subject Matter Expert in golf instruction, teaching technology and development programs, and a mentor for his fellow PGA members.