Sebastian "Sebby" Heijdenberg was born in Sweden, but his path to becoming a Swiss PGA Professional led him through England, France and Dubai before he finally settled in Switzerland. Today, he lives with his two sons and a Jack Russell in Arisdorf, Basel-Landschaft — running a year-round swing studio in Rheinfelden that has become a destination for golfers who want measurable results.

A Life Shaped by Golf

Sebby’s connection to golf began early. At the age of six, he reportedly told his parents he wanted to become a professional golfer. Growing up in a golfing family, he played about once a month as a child before intensifying to weekly rounds during high school. He went on to play four years of college golf at Royal Holloway, University of London, and decided to turn professional in his final year.

"It was always going to be golf — one way or another," he says.

After completing his training with the British PGA, Heijdenberg attempted a playing career — an endeavour he describes with characteristic self-deprecation as "very unsuccessful." An injury ultimately redirected his path, bringing him to Switzerland in 2010. He joined the Swiss PGA in 2011 and has been a fixture in the Swiss golf landscape ever since.

Clear. Encouraging. Proven.

When asked to describe his teaching style in three words, Sebby doesn't hesitate. His philosophy centres on clarity and structure: every student should understand exactly what they need to improve — whatever "better" means to them personally — and have the tools to make changes in a simple, step-by-step manner.

Technology plays a central role. Heijdenberg has worked closely with a GCQuad launch monitor since 2015, using it in every lesson and fitting. His reasoning is straightforward: "Why guess when you can measure?" For him, data-driven instruction means faster, more tangible progress — removing guesswork from both the coach's and the student's experience.

A Studio-First Approach

Sebby’s working model is deliberately unconventional. He operates exclusively Monday to Friday, takes six weeks off with his children over summer, and does the majority of his coaching from his indoor swing studio in Rheinfelden — even during the warmer months. During the outdoor season, he selectively works on the course and short game areas, but his core principle remains firm: learn in the winter, play in the summer.

He teaches more in the colder months, blending individual lessons with club fittings. It's a structure built around both professional conviction and personal priorities — proof that a career in golf doesn't have to follow a conventional template.

Challenging the Status Quo

Sebby’s advice for aspiring professionals reflects his own unconventional approach: "Don't accept the status quo in the golf industry. There's a great chance to create a career and life on your terms."

He encourages young professionals to seek out the best teachers, the most successful business owners and top athletes — and simply ask to shadow them. "You'd be surprised how many people say yes when you ask," he notes. It's a philosophy of active curiosity: don't wait for opportunities to appear, go and find them.

Between Switzerland and Sweden

Off the course, Heijdenberg's life is shaped by his two sons and the outdoors. He splits his time between Switzerland and Sweden, enjoying the variation both countries offer. He's an avid country music fan — and, by his own admission, "a world class sleeper."

Had golf not worked out, he says he would probably have pursued a career in music — a creative streak that perhaps explains the intuitive, individualised approach he brings to coaching.

Looking Ahead

In five years, Heijdenberg envisions a shift: fewer one-on-one sessions, a smaller client base, and a greater focus on coaching retreats and interests beyond golf. It's not a departure from the sport, but an evolution — a natural progression for someone who has always built his career on his own terms.

His wish for the future of Swiss golf is characteristically practical: make the sport easier, less expensive and more accessible to the general public. His proposal? Start beginners at 1,800 metres and have them learn to shoot 72 from there before progressing further back — then rinse and repeat. "Courses are too long," he says, "and people need to learn how to score."