Lily Bartell leads Momentum’s golf programming at DREAM Charter School in the Bronx. She recently fielded questions from Momentum Co-Founder Farrell Evans.
How did you take up the game, and how old were you?
When I was 2, my dad, a golf course architect, took me to a project site and handed me a sawed-off 7-iron and a putter, both of which had bright pink grips that he put on himself. I wish I remembered that moment, but what came in the following years was even more impactful. I started taking lessons and playing competitively at age 7 and learned mostly at Dove Valley Ranch Golf Club and Kierland Golf Club in the Phoenix area. I loved learning on desert courses and enjoyed hitting the ball far in the dry air.
Who were your early role models in the game, and what impact did they have on you?
My parents because they both play the game and my dad played professionally for a while. I was lucky enough to grow up with golf as our family pastime and with built-in coaches. I also looked up to players such as Paula Creamer and Annika Sorenstam. I had dreams of playing and being like them, and watching them was really motivating.
How did you get into teaching and why?
After working a job after college that was more associated with my journalism major, I realized I really missed the golf world and wanted to find a path to get back into it. I reached out to the women’s golf coach at Ohio University to see if she was in need of a graduate assistant. I was lucky enough to be brought on as the graduate assistant and earn my master’s degree there in Coaching Education. I then worked in the collegiate golf universe for four years, and during that time I took on some adult clients and also worked with kids at First Tee. I really fell in love with teaching the swing and the game.
What’s a typical day of teaching like at DREAM?
Over the colder months, we were working in a DREAM classroom, so I would arrive at the space about 30 minutes early to set up for that day’s session. The sessions lasted an hour, and I had the students help with cleanup for the last 10 minutes. We have been using junior clubs, foam balls, nets, hula hoops, etc.
Now that the weather is getting warmer, we are also using DREAM’s rooftop recreation space, where we are going to have some longer sessions that last closer to three hours with warm-ups, lessons, activities, golf etiquette and detailed instruction.
What’s been the most satisfying aspect of working with the DREAM students so far?
Seeing these students go from complete beginners to more seasoned golfers has been incredibly rewarding. They have gone from having no idea what the different clubs were for or how to grip them to understanding the type of grip to use and using them consistently. Now when I ask them to pull a particular club, they know exactly what to do.
They are also finding so much satisfaction in completing challenges and games, scoring points, and seeing their results on our launch monitor. With continued impactful and consistent coaching, these students have the opportunity for a great golf future. I really look forward to ushering in new students who are interested in golf with the goal of having a competitive high school team in the future.
What’s your approach to golf instruction?
I’ve always operated with the three Fs: Fundamentals, Focus, and Fun. I believe that fundamentals are not only the core of the game, but also the tool, if used correctly, that can solve each and every problem a golfer faces. Focus is paramount for golf whether on the course or while practicing. We want to make sure we have a focus when we practice and are not just hitting balls over and over. We also want to work toward having the stamina to focus for 18 holes, which is much easier said than done. Finally, we shouldn’t be doing any of this if it isn’t fun. Golf is hard enough to master; not having fun along the way would be a disservice to everyone involved.
The three Fs really help when teaching young golfers. I try to implement them into each day, lesson, activity, discussion, etc. My students have always seemed to respond well to this approach, and I believe it will help them become better golfers and better people.
What’s your favorite golf course and why?
Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, SC. I was born in South Carolina and spent my high school years there, and it’s a quintessential Lowcountry golf course. It’s also the first place I ever had a caddie, which was super fun and memorable.
What is your dream foursome, and why?
My dream foursome would be Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda, and Lilia Vu. I really look up to Rory because of his integrity and his grit. I think Nelly’s swing and her golf mind are amazing, and I would love to witness her in real life and pick her brain. I got to see Lilia clinch the 2024 Solheim Cup for the U.S., and I’d love to meet her and play alongside someone who handles pressure so well.
