We had the pleasure of sitting down with Paya, a former international golf pro turned passionate coach, to talk about his exciting new junior golf summer camp at Mission Hills Haikou. Over the phone, Paya shared his journey from playing professionally across Europe and Asia to launching a golf coaching business in Hainan.

His enthusiasm for teaching the short game—especially to young golfers—was clear throughout our conversation. In this interview, he explains what inspired the camp, why short game matters, and how he’s helping young players build confidence on and around the green.

1. What’s your background in golf, and how did you get started teaching?

“My background is in competitive golf, having spent seven years playing in international tournaments across China, the Philippines, and Dubai. My proudest achievement was winning a national tournament in Spain, where I shot a 64. That moment gave me the motivation to travel the world pursuing golf.

For the past two years, I’ve been teaching in Guangzhou. During that time, I started to feel a strong desire to do something different—to use everything I’d learned from my coaches and competitive experience to begin teaching the game I love.”

2. Why did you decide to come to China and choose Hainan specifically?

“A few years ago, I made the decision to come to China, and more recently, I started a golf coaching business in Haikou. I chose Hainan because I had always heard it was a golfer’s paradise. I visited two months ago for the DP World Tour event and was impressed by everything I saw.

When I visited Mission Hills Haikou, I had a really good feeling and knew it would be the perfect place to launch my coaching company.”

3. What do you think of the golf scene in Hainan?

“Since arriving, I’ve been blown away by the golf courses in Hainan—especially Mission Hills. The conditions are outstanding, the layout of the courses is top class, and I genuinely have no criticisms. It’s a dream destination for golfers.”

4. Tell us about the summer camp you’re running this year

“This summer, I’m running a junior golf camp with a specific focus on the short game. I’m passionate about teaching kids, and I’ve noticed that many young players aren’t spending enough time developing their short game.

That’s why I created this camp—to fill that gap and pass on my expertise.”

5. What’s your goal for the students who join your camp?

“My goal is to help young players approach competitions without fear, especially when it comes to their short game. I want them to feel confident and calm when facing tough shots around the green.”

6. Why is the short game so important in golf?

“Short game is one of the most important parts of golf. I’ve been focused on it for over 20 years—not just in coaching, but also in my own training. Back when I was competing, I’d spend two to three hours a day working purely on short game.”

7. How do you make your coaching sessions fun and effective?

“In my classes, I make learning engaging by setting up small competitions. These games simulate real pressure, just like what students will face during tournaments. I find that when students are put in these situations, I can better identify the areas they need to improve and help them fix those problems.”

8. What’s unique about your coaching method?

“I’ve developed my own teaching system, which has already shown great success. I focus heavily on biomechanics—understanding how the body works during the swing is key to getting results.

We break movements down to create a simple, efficient chipping motion. This approach reduces unnecessary movements, which lowers the risk of mistakes and helps students build confidence.”

9. What kind of feedback do you get from your students?

“After working with me, many of my students say, ‘Chipping is so easy now. I’m not scared anymore.’ That’s the biggest win for me—not just the technical improvement, but the mental shift.”

10. What’s the biggest challenge you help students overcome?

“Around the green, there are many variables that can cause anxiety, and one of my top priorities is helping students overcome that fear. For me, this is the most important thing: helping young golfers handle difficult situations calmly and confidently. That’s what makes a real difference on the course.”

Final Thoughts from the editor

Speaking with Paya made it clear that his passion for golf—especially the short game—is matched only by his dedication to helping young players grow in confidence. His focus on biomechanics, mental resilience, and fun, competitive training offers something truly unique for junior golfers in Hainan. With his new coaching business now based in Haikou and a summer camp already in motion, Paya is bringing world-class experience to one of China’s top golf destinations. For any young golfer looking to take their game to the next level, this is an opportunity not to miss.

If you are interested in your kids taking part in the summer camp you can find out more information by clicking here

Contact the coach

You can either message us via our contact page and we will help connect you or connect with Paya directly by adding his Wechat ID: Spayavila