AboutRyan
Ryan Zylstra, the 2017 PGA Assistant Professional Champion, brings a unique combination of coaching and playing skills to the Richmond VA area. He is a native of Ontario, Canada and currently teaches at Lakeside Park Club, in Richmond VA. In 2020, Ryan, together with his wife Sarah, founded Jump Start Kids Golf, a revolutionary golf and learning program for juniors ages 2 & up.
Ryan is proud to represent the Middle Atlantic PGA Section where he was the first Associate Professional to capture MAPGA Player of the Year honors (’17) in the sections history. He gained that honor due to his 13 wins that season. Ryan has won 19 PGA sanctioned events over the last three years.
Playing collegiately at Virginia Commonwealth University, Zylstra helped the Rams qualify for the NCAA Division I Championship for the first time in the school’s history. Ryan turned professional shortly after college in 2003 playing various professional mini-tours throughout the United States until he began his teaching career in 2015.
Ryan’s teaching philosophy has been shaped through his 25 years of playing competitive golf culminating with competing on the PGA Tour. He spends his efforts coaching his players to focus of scoring and the short game before making swing changes. Simplifying his student’s short games, decision making, and emotional management has Ryan’s players shooting lower scores and having more fun on the golf course.
Ryan is currently a PGA Associate Member who has written articles for local golf magazines in the Middle Atlantic and is currently writing his first book. Ryan works locally in Richmond, VA as the Director of Instruction at Richmond Country Club..
What some happy golf students say:
His approach is about teaching his students how to take their games from the range to the course. He develops customized practice routines that work on all aspects of the game, and ultimately helps his students lower their scores. Through the games and drills in these practice sessions, he makes the time more efficient, fun, and a great way to measure your performance and see improvement.
-Natalie M. Naples, FL
My son Aidan is 14 years old. Ryan’s experience playing golf at the highest levels allow him to be more than just a “swing” instructor. While he certainly improved Aidan’s swing and short game, he also helped him understand how to play golf by taking him on the course to work on course management. Using his playing experience, Ryan has been able to coach/mentor Aidan on the mental challenges of golf. Since Aidan began working with Ryan, he has become a key member of his high school’s varsity golf team and has won a couple of junior tournaments. We highly recommend Ryan Zylstra!
-Rich R. Richmond, VA
IWhile I have always thoroughly enjoyed golf, my whole golfing experience is so much more enjoyable and practice is much more meaningful.
Since starting my lessons with Ryan, my average golf score has dropped and continues to improve.
I HIGHLY recommend any golfer of any level to consider Ryan Zylstra as the coach of choice.
-Danny M. Richmond, VA