KHAN Pullen began his golfing career with the same dream as that of his now famous pupils, travelling the world playing golf for millions of dollars.
After finishing his apprenticeship at what was then New Brighton Golf Club in Sydney’s west, Khan grabbed the clubs and played in Australia and Asia with early success on the national Pro-Am circuit. But when he played himself into contention in the back nine at the NSW Open in 1994, only to tumble off the leaderboard, he made a decision.
“I was a quiet introverted sort of person, didn’t like being out in front of people performing,” Khan said. “I remember seeing my name near the lead on the leaderboard, a couple back, and went on to drop four shots over the last six holes.”
Khan Pullen at the Women’s Open Championship with Grace Kim.
He continued playing for a while but after running out of finances to continue following his playing ambitions, decided it was time to go in another direction.
“I realised I wasn’t going to be a player and I was never much of a retailer or a sales person. I wanted coach. To work with players that were serious, probably more into player development rather than just giving swing tips,” Khan said.
“I learnt as a player what mistakes I made. Standing there hitting 50 five-irons in a row wasn’t the way to go.”
Through his playing days and early coaching roles he had the opportunity to be coached and to hang around and learn from many of Australia’s leading coaches.
Khan continued to develop his coaching landing various roles in elite player development programs and is now the High Performance Manager at Golf NSW.
Through these roles Khan was exposed to various sport science disciplines deepening his coaching knowledge as well as witnessing and overseeing the development of some of NSW most talented players.
Khan guided Cam Davis to a national Amateur Championship, as well as to a victory in the Australian Open, defeating major champions, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Cam Smith.
It was when Davis won in the US and featured in the 2022 Presidents Cup that the name, Khan Pullen was being recognised as an elite coach of some high calibre players.
My mate and co-host of the Backspin Podcast, Gary Barter, often refers to the tenuous role of an elite player’s coach with a somewhat sarcastic tinge. “You’ve either just been sacked or about to be sacked,” Gary expressed.
I asked Khan about the split with Cam Davis and the effect it had. “Yeah, I was a little disappointed. It was more like I felt we had some unfinished business. I would have liked to finish the job, but I fully respected Cam’s decision and the direction he wanted to take his career.”
Grace Kim, coached by Khan Pullen, captured her first major title with a win at the Evian Championship.
Grace Kim is also one of Khan’s pupils and I asked if her recent major victory at the Evian Championship changed his way of thinking, maybe providing validation of what the pair have been working on and his ability to develop a player to this level.
“I wouldn’t say its validation. I believe she had the potential for that. Probably the same with Cameron. Even now she’s won a major, I again, still believe there’s unfinished business,” Khan said.
Did you see Grace’s major victory coming earlier in the year?
“I caddied in the Golf NSW co-sanctioned LET event in Coffs Harbour and I just noticed a few things watching her general demeanour and body language.
“So Grace and I had a deep and meaningful discussion shortly afterwards. I asked her, where do you want to go in the game? Are you happy to float along and be a nice LPGA Tour player? Or do you want to see where you can go? I think you want to be winning majors, and I have aspirations of going to an Olympics with you”
Do you talk to the parents much?
“Both her parents are great and very supportive. When she was a kid, her parents would drop her off and sit in the car, never interfering or standing on the range watching. They are active in Grace’s development and now in her career, but not controlling.
The question was also posed as to who is the Grace Kim, Khan has come to know?
“She is thoughtful, giving and kind. She’s a great golfer but an even better person.”
I asked if he had any advice for aspiring coaches of elite players?
“I heard Steven Bann once say, coaches become good the same way players become good. I feel a good coach is a continuous learner and they ask good questions. Hang around people that are smarter than you and learn from them.”
I’m not sure I have seen a better matchup of player and coach
as I see in Khan and Grace. Both humble, engaging and yet with an unwavering path to learn how to be the very best they both can.
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