The other day, as the rain came down in buckets, I was thinking about all the golfers who had to cancel their games. But then I thought, they could still be practicing and improving their game at an indoor facility. Ritter Lott Golf came to mind.

Ritter Lott Golf is located in Daphne at the No Off Season training facility at 25620 Friendship Road. Ritter is a self-taught golfer and has developed his own instruction philosophy- keep it simple. I’ve taken lessons from Ritter and what stands out is his communication. “No one speaks the same language. People hear things differently,” he says. “I’ve learned how to say the same thing thirty different ways until it clicks.”

Ritter grew up in the Fairhope area and played competitively as a kid in junior golf tournaments. As an instructor, he states he wants to be the pro you always wanted as a kid. More than just a teacher, he’s a tough coach but loves his students too. He does this because he likes teaching and even plays rounds with his students on his days off, at no charge. Four of his students are now playing college golf and one is graduating this year and already has his scholarship in hand. Its the results that count!

Ritter's teaching method focuses on getting rid of excess movement by watching videos and swing drills. It’s based on his questions about why golf is so hard, how the mind perceives it, and how to overcome physical and mental obstacles. He strives to create an easily repeatable golf swing. He cautions, “Just because it’s simple, doesn’t mean it happens fast.”

Things have not always gone smoothly for Ritter. At age 36, he checked himself into rehab and spent the next couple of years deciding what to do with his life. When thinking about other jobs, he kept wondering what job would allow him to play golf three times a week.”  So, he took a job as a bag drop person at Rock Creek Golf Club and soon worked his way into the pro shop.

He had to take an ability test for the PGA before he could begin playing competitively. He asked himself “How good of a golfer am I?” and then decided to start teaching. “My passion is golf,” he says. “I like helping people. I wanted to teach golf, especially to kids. He started giving lessons at Rock Creek and did so for four of the five years he was there. Then he started Ritter Lott Golf.

Ritter’s business is all by word of mouth. He uses Instagram and text to stay in touch with his students. When taking on a new player, he discusses goals. He tailors lessons to each student’s ability and the time available to practice. Some players want lessons to get much better at the game, others want to fix a bad habit or two. Each plan is customized to each individual’s needs.

He described Ritter Lott Golf as a boutique business. “Golfers have to be responsible for their swing,” he says. “Pick a philosophy and stick to it.” He likes a natural position golf swing, with minimal movement. Nothing unnatural. “Tiger has no wasted movement, especially now after his accident. Every movement has a purpose.” He studies the greats for at least one hour per day. Tiger, Nicklas, Hogan, and Faldo. He focuses on the mental aspect of the game. “Most fixes are simple,” he says, it just takes time and practice. I just love what I do.”

You can reach Ritter at ritterlott@yahoo.com or call him at 251 232-9614

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