Claudio Bläsi grew up in Valbella, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, and today lives in Chur. He entered the golf world straight out of school at eighteen — and has built a career that reflects both the sport's precision and the mountains' spirit of adventure. As a Swiss PGA Professional, he combines a motivating, personal coaching style with a deep connection to the landscape that shaped him.

From the Mountains to the First Tee

Claudio's introduction to golf came through his father, who took him along to all kinds of sporting activities. In the early 1990s, one of those outings happened to be on a golf course — and the game stuck. From an early age, he knew he wanted to become a professional in either skiing or golf. Golf won out, and by the time he finished school, the path was clear. At just eighteen, he stepped straight into the Swiss PGA education programme without a detour through another profession.

"I knew very early on that I wanted to be a ski or golf professional," he says. It's a clarity of purpose that has defined his career ever since.

A Programme That Connects Theory and Practice

For Bläsi, the strength of the Swiss PGA education programme lies in its breadth and its hands-on approach. The training covers coaching methodology, biomechanics, club and material fitting, greenkeeping, sport psychology and club management — and applies all of it directly within the daily reality at a golf club.

This practical integration, he notes, also builds valuable professional relationships. Apprentices work alongside club secretariats, board members and head greenkeepers, gaining an understanding of how a golf operation functions as a whole — not just what happens on the driving range.

Motivating, Personal, Uncomplicated

Three words that capture Claudio's teaching philosophy: motivating, personal, uncomplicated. When he works with a student, his priority is making sure they understand what isn't working — and, just as importantly, what they're going to do about it. No jargon, no overcomplication. Just a clear diagnosis and a plan.

His use of technology follows the same practical logic. On the driving range in summer, he deliberately steps back from data and lets the player's feel take the lead. In winter, however — particularly relevant in a mountain region like Graubünden — technology becomes essential. Indoor simulators and launch monitors allow students to continue training with or without a coach, keeping progress alive through the colder months.

Inspired by the Greatest

When asked who influenced him most, his answer is immediate: Tiger Woods. No further explanation needed, he adds with a smile. It's a straightforward tribute to the player who redefined what was possible in the game — and whose relentless drive clearly resonates with Claudio's own competitive mindset.

Positive Talk and Short Game

Bläsi's advice for aspiring professionals is both mental and technical. Surround yourself with people who are good for you, on and off the course. Speak positively to yourself — in training just as much as in competition. And when it comes to practice: work hard on your putting and short game. It's the kind of advice that sounds simple but reflects years of experience.

A Life in the Mountains

Off the course, Claudio is exactly where you'd expect someone from Graubünden to be: in the mountains. In summer, he's on the trails — by mountain bike or on foot. In winter, it's skiing and snowboarding. "I just like being out and about," he says. It's a lifestyle that mirrors his approach to golf: active, direct and straightforward.