.png)
A Master Class in Determination
- Dan Ruder
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 6
"For every cliché, there is a kernel of truth.
Golf doesn't always build character; sometimes it reveals it.
What golf reveals in Marty Turcios is an ability and a will
that surprises those who dwell on the superficial."
—Golf Channel, June 2011
From a Pitching Wedge Tip to Purpose
We officially met when Marty casually walked up and offered to correct my hopeless-looking swing with a pitching wedge. No pressure. No ego. Just helpful. And yes, he improved my swing.
That moment kicked off something unexpected. Each Wednesday, I’d watch his adaptive golf clinics from a distance—people laughing, swinging, learning, and connecting. It felt more like a community than a clinic.
Everyone was enjoying themselves, regardless of ability. Golf wasn’t just a game—it was clearly a form of therapy, social interaction, and even joy.
Beyond the Range: A Deeper Involvement
In 2025, Marty invited me to attend one of his organization’s board meetings. That’s when I saw the bigger picture.
The group was reviewing details of their fall golf tournament and sponsors that would be needed—an important fundraiser that keeps their adaptive golf clinics free for participants. How much does a clinic cost to run? I thought: Okay, range balls, greens fees, maybe some snacks. Easy enough.
I was wrong.
There were costs I hadn’t considered:
Adaptive golf equipment (and maintenance)
Paramobiles – specialty mobility devices that allow seated players to swing
Insurance and liability coverage
Web hosting, signage, and materials
Free for the players, yes. But not free to run.
That was my moment. I offered to help.
Upgrading the Digital Experience
The first order of business? Upgrade their website to handle donations, sponsor sign-ups, and online golf tournament ticket sales. Maybe even add an online RSVP feature so people can register for clinics without sending a carrier pigeon.
Frankly, I was probably outpunching my web design skills—but I was all in.
Discovering the Drive Behind Marty’s Work
As I dug into their site to figure out where to begin, I realized the site didn't have an About Marty section. So I decided I would make one. During my research of Marty, it hit me.
His commitment isn’t just empowering. It’s relentless.
True, he is a man with a disability, running therapeutic golf clinics for others with disabilities—voluntarily. There’s a quiet power in that. Not the kind that shouts. The kind that shows up, week after week.
But the more interesting part—it's in how he teaches. He doesn’t just instruct; he helps people learn to think for themselves, to trust their instincts, and to believe in their own progress. Marty calls this self-directed learning. He is the facilitator.
I watched a professionally filmed and edited YouTube video of Marty while he was on staff at UC Berkeley, apparently created by Communication majors. Everything clicked. This wasn’t just about golf. This was about therapy in its most human form.
Therapeutic Golf: More Than Just Mobility
Yes, Marty's clinics improve mobility. One participant even progressed from being in a wheelchair to walking with a cane. After listening to Marty's other stories of incredible recoveries, it was clear that therapeutic golf goes beyond physical recovery.
It helps build:
Frustration management
Responsible use of leisure time
Self-directed independence
Resilience in the face of isolation, substance abuse, or depression
Golf becomes the medium—mental wellness becomes the message. And Marty knows both sides of that coin personally.
He lives it.
The Heart of the Program (as I've come to understand it)
“Golfing is a state of mind,” Marty has said. “Recreational therapy is helping people develop a state of mind. It improves all areas of life.”
That stuck with me. I mean, who doesn't that apply to? I need all the recreational therapy I can get.
It's a bit more nuanced, though, for people with disabilities. Because at its core, Marty Turcios Therapeutic Golf isn’t just about creating golfers. It’s about creating momentum—physically, emotionally, and socially—for people who’ve had it taken away.
The Real Lesson
I used to think those Wednesday clinics were just about helping people swing a club.
Now I know they’re about helping people swing back at life.
And the best part? It’s free to those who need it most—because people like Marty believe access to joy, movement, and self-worth shouldn’t come with a price tag.
If you ever get the chance, show up at one of his clinics. You’ll see it too.
How You Can Help
Like I did, you can lend a hand:
Help secure a sponsor for Marty's golf tournament in October
Donate via the updated website (there's a big button in the footer!)
Volunteer your time at clinics or at the golf tournament this fall
Share Marty’s stories with your network—okay to smash the Like button, but hit the Facebook Share button too
Because at the end of the day, what Marty’s doing isn’t just about golf—it’s a master class in determination, and we could all learn from it.
Marty's non-profit Facebook page (smash the Share button)
VERY IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This blog was written strictly for educational purposes. (I'm supposed to write that.)
But if it makes you laugh or think, we won’t be mad about it. 😎
Got questions, compliments, or golf puns? Hit up the "contact us" card below.
Or if you're an emailer, support@therapeuticgolfclinic.com. (Slack, DMs, texts, voice notes… but here we are, still sending emails like it's 2004.)
P.S. Yes, I do see those emails too.
