“I decided later that I wanted to have something to do with the game,” he said, adding he loved golf from the first swing. 

Chylkowski, 63, works as a Professional Golfers’ Association golf professional, helping people improve their game one swing at a time.

He said he knew he wanted to get involved when his friend took him to play golf for the first time.

He started out by working in the equipment side of golf, helping people get fitted for equipment, as well as repairing and building clubs. Chylkowski said he was running his own equipment company, but lost it in 2008 when the recession hit. But he didn’t give up, and kept trying to stay in the game.

“I finally found a job at Connecticut Golf Club in Easton, where I work right now,” he said. 

Chylkowski details his journey, from growing up in Communist Poland to learning to golf and then teaching it in his new book “Forbidden Golf from Communist Poland to PGA Pro, Finding Your Best Game”. 

“It’s also about how stories in my life have lead me to become a better person and a better professional,” he said. 

Chylkowski said he is working to further his golf education, specializing in coaching and management, and is specifically focused on the biomechanics of golf. 

“I am taking classes courses from Penn State University and soon I believe I will be certified as a certified as a certified PGA professional,” he said. “The only level after that is master professional. I try to get as much education as I can to help people progress in their game.”

Chylkowski said he is proof that people do not need to start golfing at a young age in order to achieve success in the game. He said he likes challenges, and golf fit the bill as something he could strive to get better at.

“Since my childhood, I’ve always tried to play different games and try to be very active,” he said. “So, for this reason, I play soccer. I play volleyball. I play hockey. I was riding bicycles a lot and running. All the movements (in those activities) were helping the body to be prepared for all the movements they are using in golf.”

By the biomechanics of golf, Chylkowski said he means how the body impacts someone’s ability at golf. He said he tries to fine tune his teaching to a person’s specific abilities.

“I try to find the best way for the swing to be as easy as possible for the body and to be effective,” he said.

Chylkowski described golf as more of a lifestyle than a hobby. Golf is a game people can play through all stages of their life, he said, adding there are always ways to improve and learn. 

“I love the beautiful scenery, the smell of the fresh-cut grass,” he said. “There’s camaraderie when you go and play with the members or with friends. You can always have a good time. That’s why I think the game is great for anybody.”

For people who want to start playing golf, Chylkowski said, start right by working with a PGA professional.

Joshua.LaBella@hearstmediact.com