
Gene B. Bakkum, PGA
PGA Coachmember

Gene served as the assistant coach for the University of CA, Davis Men's Golf Team from 2000-2002. During this time, he helped the team reach the number one ranked position in the Country for Division II Men's Golf. Gene went on to become the University of California, Berkeley men's golf team assistant coach. Taking the lead on player development and skill analysis, Gene helped the team win the school's first NCAA Division I National Championship in 2004. From 2005-2016 Gene continued to build the Cal Men's Golf team and community, serving as a volunteer coach. Gene now serves on the Cal Men's Golf Committee. His strong work with this committee is helping to endow the Men's Golf program in perpetuity. Gene has taken his coaching background and applied it to his teaching at Metropolitan Golf Links for the past 18 years, and NorCal Golf Academy since 2016. Gene was recently selected as the 2022 NCPGA Youth Player Development award winner, voted one of GOLF DIGEST Best Teachers in California 2022-2023 and 2021 NCPGA Player Development award winner.
Knowing what and how to practice is KEY to getting better and reaching your goals. By staying focused on the most important items, and tracking the results in practice and on the course, I guarantee my players will reach the goals that we've both agreed upon, or I'll teach them for free. I love watching my players get as they improve their game, often faster than they imagined. I've been teaching and coaching the game of golf for nearly 25 years and worked with many different players. I’ve learned to draw on all of my skills to distill information down to one or two learning points for the player to work on during their sessions. This leads to optimal growth and success in coaching.
With new students, I'll ask several specific questions regarding their sports background, injuries/mobility limitations, and their goals and timeframe for achieving them. This helps me formulate the beginnings of an individualized lesson plan. Every lesson will have a main objective upon which to focus. It's important to recognize that each player arrives with different motivations for learning the game, or wanting to improve their developed skills further. The players motivations are integrated into the plan to tailor each lesson further.
I work with all ages and skill levels of players. The most important trait in a player is their willingness to put forth effort over time. If they do that, I guarantee they'll get better, no matter their level of play or age. I've helped 6-year-olds, who've never played golf, to collegiate, highly-ranked amateurs, and professional players looking to fine-tune their games to shave off another shot or two. It's truly a journey that's unique to the individual, and I'm grateful to be able to play a role in helping guide them to their goals, and unlocking their full potential.
Recent Photos
Testimonial:
Gene was the best decision for my game. I started seeing Gene after my freshman year on the Cal Women’s Golf Team. He helped transform my game to a new level and brought me back to a place where I fell back in love with the game.
Joi Pentin
Helping players achieve their goals.
Getting Started
Learn the basics
Avoid embarrassment on the first tee
Get comfortable for business golf
Having More Fun
Connect with golfers of similar skill
Connect with golfers of similar age
Have more fun on the course
Improving Your Game
Break 100
Break 80
Break 90
Add 10 yards
Improve your Short Game
Make the high school golf team
Prepare for Tournament Golf
Earn a college golf scholarship
Get swing diagnostic testing
Coaching Services
Player Type
Youth
Teen
Adult
Senior
Male
Female
Playing with disabilities
Session Type
Individual
Group
Metropolitan Golf Links
Oakland CA
*Coaching available to public
Location10051 Doolittle Dr, Oakland, CA 94603-1025