Deliah Drouot grew up in Basel, played college golf in the United States, returned to Switzerland for a corporate career — and then decided to follow her heart. Today, she is Head of Academy in Oberkirch, Lucerne, where she combines coaching, club management and a genuine passion for making golf enjoyable for everyone.

A Game That Runs in the Family

Deliah’s introduction to golf came through three generations. Her grandparents played, her parents followed, and before long she was hooked too. Unlike many professionals, she never had a childhood dream of turning pro. “It was just something I enjoyed,” she says. Golf was a family affair — natural, unforced and always present.

After high school, Deliah earned a scholarship to study business administration in the United States, where she played college golf. It was there, competing at university level, that she gained a crucial insight: a playing career wasn’t her path. But the game itself was far from over.

From the Office Back to the Fairway

Deliah returned to Switzerland and took a position in direct marketing at a major Swiss retailer. It was a solid career — but something was missing. “The idea of doing something I’m passionate about came into my head,” she recalls. As a child, she had always wanted to become a teacher. The answer was suddenly obvious: combine the two passions and become a golf teacher.

Deliah enrolled in the Swiss PGA training programme, drawn by its holistic approach. “It doesn’t focus only on teaching but covers all key aspects of the profession — coaching, greenkeeping, and the business side of golf,” she explains. The structured pathway, starting with juniors and gradually progressing to more advanced players, gave her the confidence to grow step by step.

The biggest challenge? Balancing daily work with studies and learning to handle the pressure that comes with coaching — wanting to meet not only her own expectations but also those of her students. “Over time, this challenge helped me grow,” she says.

Practical, Personalised, Rewarding

Deliah describes her teaching style in three words: practical, personalised, rewarding. What matters most to her is that every student feels understood, knows exactly what to work on after a lesson — and has a good time in the process. “People learn better when they enjoy the process and feel comfortable,” she says.

It’s a philosophy that shapes her entire approach: technique matters, but the atmosphere in which it’s taught matters just as much.

Mornings in the Office, Afternoons on the Course

Deliah’s role as Head of Academy goes well beyond coaching. Her mornings are typically spent in the office — planning, coordinating and handling administrative tasks for the academy’s professionals. In the afternoon, she’s out on the facility, coaching players of all levels. “This mix of responsibilities keeps my days dynamic,” she says. “There’s always variety and I never get bored.”

It’s a portrait of a modern golf professional: someone who understands both the business and the sport and moves comfortably between the two.

Shaped by Many, Grateful for All

Deliah doesn’t single out one mentor. Instead, she credits a network of people who supported her at every stage — coaches during her competitive years, mentors as she moved into teaching, and her family throughout it all. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of all these people,” she says. “Each of them contributed in their own way.”

Golf for Everyone

Deliah’s wish for the future of Golf in Switzerland is clear: make the sport more popular, more accessible and more welcoming at every level. She admires countries like the United States and Great Britain, where golf is a mainstream sport and schools and universities offer golf teams as a matter of course. “The more people who play, the stronger and more vibrant the golf community becomes.”

As for her own future, Deliah keeps her options open. She could see herself moving toward club management one day — but for now, she’s focused on teaching, learning and taking opportunities as they come. “I’m excited to see where the journey leads,” she says.

Her advice to future professionals is both practical and generous: “Be ready to work hard but also be excited to keep learning. No one ever knows everything about the game — and there’s always more than one way to teach.”