A BIT ABOUT ME & MY JOURNEY SO FAR
Rich Lawless – Founder of Stretch Ninja (and over 50)
My journey in golf began over 25 years ago when I qualified as a PGA Professional in 1998. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of coaching golfers of all levels — from complete beginners to elite players competing at the highest levels of the game.
Over the years I have coached county players, golfers who have gone on to turn Professional, and even players who have competed in the Solheim Cup, including coaching a player to two Ladies European Tour victories. I was also fortunate to spend time learning and developing my coaching under Master PGA Professional Scott Cranfield, which helped shape my understanding of high-level golf performance.
While traditional swing coaching has always been at the core of what I do, I became increasingly interested in why many golfers struggle to make lasting improvements. Again and again I saw players trying to change their swing mechanics when the real issue was that their body simply couldn’t move the way the swing required.
This curiosity led me deeper into the world of mobility, movement and assisted stretching.
My search for better ways to help golfers move and perform took me beyond the UK. I travelled and trained in Vietnam and Japan, studying assisted stretching methods and movement practices that focus on improving flexibility, joint mobility and overall body function. These experiences had a profound influence on my approach and ultimately led to the creation of Stretch Ninja.
Stretch Ninja combines my golf coaching experience with mobility training and assisted stretching techniques, allowing golfers to improve their swing by first improving how their body moves.
Today my coaching focuses particularly on helping golfers over 50 regain the freedom of movement they once had, increase distance, reduce stiffness and play better golf for many years to come.
Because when your body moves better, your swing naturally improves — and the game becomes far more enjoyable again.
Move Better. Swing Better. Play Better.
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
My philosophy is simple:
Help people move better, believe more, and perform at their best.
Whether working with golfers looking to improve their swing or individuals wanting to improve their mobility and wellbeing, my goal is always the same — to help people unlock their potential.
FLEXIBILITY & PERFORMANCE
I believe that a golfer’s swing is often limited by the way their body moves, not simply their technique. This belief has led me to become a certified Assisted Stretch Coach, allowing me to help people improve their flexibility and body awareness.
By combining golf swing analysis with flexibility training, I help golfers unlock better movement patterns that can lead to more power, consistency, and reduced injury risk.
My work with mobility and stretching is not limited to golfers. I enjoy helping people of all ages and activity levels improve how their body moves and feels.