Federal Golf Club
Lessons & Academy

Learn From The Best and Improve Your Skills

Whether you're gripping a club for the very first time or chasing a lower handicap, Federal Golf Club's Teaching Academy has a programme built for you. Our PGA-qualified professionals bring patience, expertise, and a genuine love of the game to every lesson.

PGA Professionals
All skill levels welcome
Juniors aged 5–17
Members & visitors

What We Offer

Golf coaching tailored to you, not a one-size-fits-all approach

From a first-timer nervous on the range to a seasoned player wanting to iron out a fault, Federal's Teaching Academy covers every stage of the game. Choose from private one-on-one tuition, small group clinics, or our structured school term programmes, all delivered on one of Canberra's top-ranked public courses.

Our coaching covers every part of the game: driving, iron play, short game, putting, and on-course strategy. Sessions are available to both members and guests, and every programme begins with an initial assessment so your coach can understand your game before they start improving it.

Ready to get started?

Meet Our Instructors

PGA Teaching Professionals at Federal Golf Club

For private lesson bookings and enquiries, contact the Pro Shop directly.

Damon Welsford

Director of Golf

Damon Welsford is the Director of Golf at Federal Golf Club and a PGA Professional with more than 20 years of experience in the golf industry. His career includes nearly a decade competing professionally, along with senior roles at Federal Golf Club, Royal Canberra Golf Club and Gold Creek Country Club.

Damon's coaching philosophy is centred on making golf simple, enjoyable and achievable for every player. He believes there is no single perfect golf swing, instead tailoring his coaching to each individual's physical capabilities, learning style and goals.

Working with golfers of all ages and abilities, Damon focuses on building confidence, improving consistency and helping every player enjoy the game while reaching their full potential. His practical, supportive and personalised approach has earned him a strong reputation as both a coach and golf professional.

Brendan Higgins

Teaching Professional

Brendan completed his PGA Traineeship in 2019 at Royal Canberra Golf Club, with additional experience gained right here at Federal. What makes Brendan unique is a background that extends well beyond the fairway. 

As a Registered Nurse with experience in Emergency Departments across Australia, he brings an exceptional level of calm, care, and communication to his coaching.

Fluent in French, Brendan works with golfers from all walks of life, making the game genuinely accessible and enjoyable for everyone. His coaching philosophy is built on patience, understanding, and the belief that every golfer deserves to feel confident and fulfilled on the course.

Lisa Jean

Teaching Professional

Lisa Jean is one of Federal's most experienced coaches, holding an Advanced Coaching Certification through the PGA of Australia. She has competed at the highest levels of women's golf, including the Ladies European Tour and WPGA Tour of Australia. She brings that competitive insight directly into her teaching.

Lisa's approach is especially valued by golfers managing physical challenges or recovering from injury. Her ability to tailor swing techniques around individual capabilities means her students develop games that are not just better but more sustainable. Whether you're a junior picking up the game, an amateur wanting to compete, or a seasoned player looking to sharpen your skills, Lisa has the experience to take you there.

Aaron Maxwell

Teaching Professional

Aaron is as Federal as it gets. A club member since the age of 10, he completed his PGA Membership Pathway Program right here at Federal in 2022 and has since represented the club at multiple levels. He has spent recent years playing close to full-time on the PGA of Australasia pro-am circuit, including several main tour events. Giving him a sharp, current understanding of what performance golf actually demands.

Aaron's passion is giving back to the club and community that shaped his career. His coaching draws on everything he's learned from competing at a high level, helping golfers of all ages and abilities discover not just how to improve but also how to genuinely enjoy the game.

Kane Smith

PGA Associate Professional

Kane Smith is a PGA Associate Professional at Federal Golf Club with a strong passion for junior golf development. Having started playing golf at just six years of age, Kane understands the positive impact the game can have on young people and is committed to helping the next generation develop their skills in a fun, safe and supportive environment.

Kane enjoys working with golfers of all ages and abilities, but has a particular focus on introducing juniors to the game and helping them build confidence, develop sound fundamentals and foster a lifelong love of golf. His patient, encouraging coaching style ensures every player enjoys the learning process while progressing at their own pace.

Adult Lessons

From complete beginner to course-ready, at your own pace.

New to golf? Returning after a break? Looking to finally fix that slice? Our adult coaching programme caters to every level, delivered by professionals who take the time to understand your game before they start changing it.

Private tuition is available to both members and guests, with the flexibility to focus on whatever area of your game needs the most attention. Choose from:

  • Putting Clinics: master the part of the game that matters most to your scorecard
  • Driving Lessons: Find length, consistency, and confidence off the tee
  • Iron play sessions: Precision approach work that lowers your scores
  • Short game masterclasses: Chipping, pitching, and bunker play
  • On-course tuition: Learn in real playing conditions, not just on the range

Every coaching session begins with an initial assessment so your professional can build a programme that genuinely fits where you are and where you want to go.

Junior Program

Federal Golf Club is proud to be a dedicated development ground for junior golf in Canberra. Through the nationally recognised MyGolf Programme, we welcome boys and girls aged 5 to 17, members and non-members alike, into a structured, fun, and progressive coaching environment.

Our junior coaching is designed to take a child from their very first swing through to competitive readiness, covering preparation, technique, and shot selection at every stage.

School Term Clinics

Weekly one-hour clinics run across each ACT Public School term, with class sizes capped at 10 students to ensure every child gets personal attention. The structured curriculum builds skills progressively from term to term, giving juniors a clear pathway to improvement.

Every term break, Federal runs a three-day holiday clinic programme, three hours per day, with afternoon tea provided each session. Classes are capped at 16 students, keeping the environment fun, focused, and social. Contact the Pro Shop for the next available dates.

Supporting Women in Golf (SWinG)

Federal's SWinG programme is one of Canberra's best-kept secrets for women who want to discover golf in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. Whether you've never swung a club or you're building your confidence on the course, SWinG is your community.

How it works:

  • Monday mornings, clinics are held on at least two Mondays per month at 8:30 am and 9:30 am
  • Clinic days include the opportunity to play a few holes afterwards
  • Alternate Mondays are social play days, 9 holes, or as many as you're comfortable with
  • Volunteer playing partners are available to support newer golfers with rules, etiquette, and encouragement
  • Sessions are designed for fun, to help you obtain an official handicap, and to connect you with other golfers

Pricing:

Members: $25 per 50-minute session
Non-members: $30 per 50-minute session

2026 Women's Fundamentals & First Steps Programme

New to golf and not sure where to begin? Our dedicated Women's Fundamentals and First Steps programme is a structured introduction to the game designed specifically for women at the very start of their golf journey. Download the full programme details to find out what's involved and how to register.

Ready to start playing better golf?

There's no better place in Canberra to learn the game or improve the one you already have. Get in touch with the Federal Pro Shop today.

02 6281 1888 (ext 1) · proshop@fgc.com.au

Contact Us

To make an inquiry please fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Phone: 02 6281 1888 (opt 3)
Email: events@fgc.com.au
Address: Gowrie Drive, Red Hill ACT 2603