Nicolai Cetti Engstrøm is a PGA Teaching Professional, specialized in the Short Game of golf. He is a former pro-player, National Team player and Danish Junior Champion.

He is the creator and owner of the World Of Short Game brand, and co-owner of the biggest golf-teaching company in Denmark, Danish Golf Academy.

This is his story: 

I want you to know who I really am. I went from being a national team player and Danish Junior Champion, to becoming a third-level tour Professional, on to quitting golf for 6 months and studying math, to finally finding my spot as a teaching pro. Today I help players of all levels, from beginners to Tour Pros, improve their Short Game. I´m blessed with were I ended up but the road was bumpy and filled with unexpected events.

How it all started

After a long career as an amateur player, playing for the Danish Nation Team and winning the Danish Championship, I had a difficult year in 2015, and my motivation for playing golf was at it lowest. I did not wanted to play anymore, and I was extremely frustrated about what my future should bring. 

In the beginning of 2016, I decided to write to my current partner and mentor, Peter Thomsen. He is the founder of both Danish Golf Academy (DGA), and Danish Junior Golf Academy (DJGA). I wrote:

“Hey Peter, do you think it is possible for me to join a DJGA practice, just to look from the sideline and see how it is to be on the coaching side.”

Just a few minutes later, he replied:

“Of course you are more than welcome! Actually, I am currently looking for a PGA Teaching Pro student at one at our facilities. Wouldn’t that be something for you?

And suddenly my world changed upside down.

An offer I couldn’t regret

After a few hours of thinking, I texted him back, and said yes to the offer. The DGA team is known as one of, if not the strongest coaching teams in Denmark. And my many years as a student of Peter had build up a strong relationship to what DGA and DJGA stands for.

Simply, it was an offer I couldn’t say no to.

2016-2017 – Learn, learn learn.

In the following years I started as a student in DGA. My daily doing was in Frederikssund Golf Club, and during the winter in Indoor Golf Kokkedal. I was lucky to have an awesome coaching team to learn from, with Andreas Kali, Carina Vagner, and Peter Thomsen as my mentors. Each of them has taught me a bunch of important things, and without them, what I am doing today wouldn’t have been possible.

PGA Degree

During my time as a student I attended the Danish PGA Program. I enjoyed meeting new friends and colleagues, and in 2017 I was elected to be the “Student of the year” in PGA Denmark. I was a great honor for me.

The Danish PGA degree is both a golf education, and also a sales/economics education.

How becoming a Short Game Coach came into the picture

After the first 2 years as a student, I felt that I wanted more as a coach than just being a club professional. I decided to dive into the art of the Short Game. I consulted with my mentor and he supported me all the way. I’ve spent endless hours researching, developing, investigating, reading and studying the Short Game, and I still do so every week. The areas of the Short Game that you can dive into are many, and I still fell like a have much more to learn.

A fun little story about becoming a Short Game Coach

At a training camp in US in 2008/2009, a now very good friend of mine, Thomas Poulsen who is now head coach for the Danish Women’s Team, asked me what I would do if I wasn’t to play golf. My answer to him was, that I actually liked the idea about being a specialized coach, and that I would probably be in the Short Game.

Today – Helping players of all levels.

Today, I help players of almost every level. From the LPGA Tour, European Challenge Tour, The Nordic League, to national team players, talented juniors, everyday amateur players and beginners.

And the truth is:

I enjoy working with every one of them!