Swing Fundamentals

The Coach

Todd Graves

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Todd began playing golf at age 11 when he started working at a local golf course as a “wonder”. A “wonder” position provided kids with an opportunity to work 1 – 2 days per week and play and practice for free.  He began playing competitive golf at age 12.  His greatest achievement in golf as a teen was winning 4 tournaments his senior year of high school.

Todd was a walk on to the team at the University of Oklahoma at the recommendation of Todd Hamilton and David Sheffield, both members of the team at the time.   He was working at a local course and going to school when he saw Todd and David playing a few holes.  Joining them on the back nine, he remembers playing well.  Todd Hamilton asked him what he was doing and he said just working in the bag room.  Todd (Hamilton) was nice enough to talk to the assistant coach at the time to hold a walk-on tournament to give Todd (Graves) a chance at a spot on the team.  He won the tournament by one shot.  Todd Hamilton later confided to Todd that if he wouldn’t have made that putt, they would not have taken any other walk-on.  After a wrist injury that side lined him from competitive play, Todd became the Assistant Coach for the OU team from 1990-1991.

Todd was employed by Natural Golf Corporation as an instructor / tour player from 1994-1998, was a member of the Canadian PGA Tour in 1995, and the Asian Golf Tour in 1991.  He also played in the Hooters and Dakota tours.