Junior Golf Coach Spotlight: Coach Jessica at Crane Lakes Golf Club

When I think of Coach Jessica Schnebly, I’m reminded of a story I once heard — and it’s the kind of story that only makes sense at Crane Lakes.

Crane Lakes Golf and Country Club is a place where water is almost always part of the picture. You better bring some extra golf balls with you. With 18 ponds and water showing up on hole after hole, it’s a course that teaches a simple lesson fast: you have to hit it straight. The fairways feel tight, and if you lose focus for even one swing, the course lets you know. It’s a great place for juniors to practice because it rewards solid fundamentals—especially a repeatable grip, setup, and alignment.

Every year at Crane Lakes, there is a unique tournament that blends competitive fishing and golfing called Fins and Skins.

That year, they were getting ready to tee off at Crane Lakes, and this was not a “fish first, golf later” kind of event. In this team tournament, each hole has three players playing a scramble while one player fishes. You can catch a maximum of two fish per hole, and each fish caught counts as one stroke off the team’s score. Jessica excelled at both fishing and golfing, much to everyone’s amazement. She went on to make par or birdie on the next three holes, then stepped in on her turn and caught the required fish as wellch, the guys just stared at her and finally asked:

“Who… are you?… and Where did you come from ? ”

Enter Coach Jessica.

1. What do you love most about coaching juniors, and what keeps you excited to teach at Crane Lakes?

Golf has opened so many doors for me and I hope that by exposing more kids to golf, others will reap the same benefits. I love seeing students of all ages/skill levels exceed their own expectations.

2. How would you describe your coaching style in 2–3 sentences (especially for kids who are new or nervous)?

I would say my teaching style is very personalized. For very young and/or beginner players – the game has to be fun! I want all of the students to want to come back. For more advanced players, the lessons are definitely more goal oriented. What can we do to help lower scores.

3. You’re known for being great with kids — what’s your approach to helping a shy or brand-new junior feel comfortable right away?

With a very young and/or beginner student, I always try to make them feel comfortable first by trying to find something that we have in common. I find if I can get the student talking about something they are comfortable with; it is easier to transition to something they are not. I also make it a point to celebrate the small victories.

4. What are the first fundamentals you prioritize when a junior is just getting started?

GRIP! GRIP! GRIP! Having the basic fundamentals of grip, stance, posture, ball position & alignment are imperative at any age but for juniors who typically don’t have a lot of wrist strength, having the correct grip is a must.

5. Tell us about your weekly clinic at Crane Lakes: day/time, age range, skill levels, group size, and what a typical session looks like.

Crane Lakes offers a junior specific golf clinic every Wednesday from 4:00-5:30. It is open to kids ages 5-15 and all skill levels. We generally have 15-25 kids each week and split them up into two groups based on age/skill. We spend approximately half the time working on putting and the other half on full swing.

6. How should parents decide between private lessons vs. clinic (and who is a great fit for each)?

I think parents know their child the best and that should be the greatest influence in deciding between private lessons and clinics. For many beginners a clinic situation with their friends can be a great avenue into golf. However, for those that are shy or timid – a private lesson to get the basics can be a great starting point. Once a child becomes more advanced, I would highly recommend private lessons for personalized instruction and clinics just as a supplement to practice.

GRIP! GRIP! GRIP! Having the basic fundamentals of grip, stance, posture, ball position & alignment are imperative at any age but for juniors who typically don’t have a lot of wrist strength, having the correct grip is a must.

Jessica Schnebly

7. You played competitive college golf — what lessons from competing have shaped the way you coach today?

Having played competitive golf, I learned the value of practicing under pressure! Replicating pressure situations often exposes our areas of weakness and teaches us how to deal with whatever “demons” surface in those moments. We want to learn to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations.

8. What are your expectations for parents during instruction (watching, recording, questions, support at home)? How can parents best support their junior golfers?

I feel like it is whatever is in the best interest of the student. For a student whose parent(s) are golfers and can assist outside of the lesson, I am 100% in favor of having everyone on the same page. I think for a student one of the hardest things is receiving conflicting advice. A parent staying during the lesson however not a must. Some children I think do learn more when they don’t have the watchful eye of a parent. In this case I would recommend a parent joining towards the end for a summary.

9. You’re an avid outdoors person — how does that mindset show up in your coaching?

I have a lot of interests outside of golf and one that consumes a lot of my personal time is my love for hunting. I am an avid hunter that loves to chase deer, ducks and turkeys. Much like golf, if I am not willing to dedicate myself to practicing the skills required – I should not expect myself to perform, especially under pressure. One of my favorite quotes is “If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, your wants become your sacrifice”

10. What’s a proud coaching moment you’ve had with a junior?

Hands down my favorite coaching moments are seeing students proud of themselves! It does not matter age or skill level when a student either exceeds their own expectations and/or finally achieves a goal they have worked hard towards. Pride in themselves brings me the greatest joy as a coach!

11. What’s the best way for parents to contact you?

The easiest way to get into touch with me is by calling or texting. You can also email me or call the golf shop. Let me know the age, skill level, golf related goals and any other basic background you think is necessary and we can develop a plan for your child.

12. How do you structure a typical private lesson?

I always try to start the lesson with a conversation to better understand what part of the game the student wants to work on and why. This 5–10-minute process allows me to better understand the student and their perspective. After the information has been gathered, I want to see the student in action. By having the information first, I know better what to look for in the swing/ball flight and thus how to address the issues. I encourage my students during this time to offer me any feedback such as “that was typical”, “that never happens”, “that was great for me”. This just helps deepen my understanding of their perspective. Next, we discuss the issues and make a game plan for resolving them. If necessary, we will use video analysis and/or drills to help the student create the changes. Before leaving I ensure there are no lingering questions in the student’s mind. I want them to have a clear understanding of what we are trying to accomplish, how we are going to do that and why it is necessary.

Parents interested in lessons with Coach Jessica can find all of her contact information, lesson options, and background by visiting her coach profile on Junior Golf in Florida. Whether you’re exploring private lessons, junior clinics, or looking for the right starting point for your child, her profile makes it easy to take the next step. Visit https://juniorgolfinflorida.com/golf-coaches/jessica-schnebly/ to learn more and reach out directly.