With the start of the spring season, Coach Eric Breining kicks off another season as the head coach of Edison High School’s boys golf team. Breining draws on his years of golf experience from a young age and his core coaching philosophy of discipline and consistency to propel the Eagles towards victory.
Coach Breining’s unending passion for the sport can be traced back to his grandfather—a professional golf instructor in New York. The expertise and prowess that began with his grandfather was then carried on by his father, and ultimately passed down to him at a very young age. His early involvement and love for golf during his childhood sparked a profound connection that was maintained throughout his life, eventually guiding his decision to pursue sports coaching at Edison High School.
“I always knew I wanted to be involved in sports. I just did not know in what capacity,” said Breining.
His experiences on the field shape his core coaching philosophy and style. His approach focuses on building resilient and disciplined golfers who put relentless effort into improving their game. On top of mental toughness, Breining also firmly believes that taking responsibility for one’s performance and actions is a hallmark of a successful athlete.
Coach Breining also considers developing proper technique and skill through effective practice a cornerstone of achieving success in golf. “I emphasize fundamentals, course management, and short game because those areas separate good players from great ones,” he says.
To build and hone these foundational skills, Breining places a strong emphasis on productive practice sessions. “Whenever possible we like to practice on a course. We start on the range to get loose, move to the chipping/putting area, and then tee off for nine holes. Sometimes we get to practice at TopGolf which is awesome as well,” he describes.
While he values golfing fundamentals and technique, Breining treats one thing as an essential pillar to the sport. “But just as important, I focus on mindset. Controlling what you can control, responding to adversity, and staying composed after bad shots,” he said. “At the varsity level, my goal isn’t just to lower scores. It’s to build players who can manage the course, handle pressure, and compete with confidence.” He emphasizes the importance of handling in-game pressure, advising athletes to focus on controllable elements and maintain calmness even after a cascade of errors.
Breining highly appreciates and regards his fellow athletes, describing them as hardworking and committed to the sport. “The hours that these athletes put in are endless, often being at practice for two to four hours and walking multiple miles while carrying their 40-pound bags,” he said
Breining has developed very close relationships with his athletes and experienced each of their golf journeys, including their highs and lows. He describes the most rewarding part of coaching golf as “seeing the development of players over the years. Both in their skill and other character traits like leadership/communication. Many of our former players still reach out to chat or come back to help when they can.”
Coach Breining holds the development of his players close to his heart and believes all his players must walk away with something beyond just the sport itself and improving their game. He says, “If my players leave the season more disciplined, more resilient, and more confident in themselves both on and off the course, then we’ve succeeded.”