Pia Nilsson has enjoyed an extraordinary career that has led her to be world-renowned as co-creator of the VISION54 principles, best-selling author and coach.
For many years now, Pia has been internationally regarded as a leader in the coaching arena. As such, she stands apart in the golf and sports world as an intuitive and elevated thinker, whose teachings continue to have a profound influence on coaching in golf, sport – and life.
Together with Lynn Marriott, Pia has coached players to well over one hundred tour victories on the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, European Tour, Ladies European Tour, and Japan Tour. They’ve coached nine different major winners and four #1 ranked players in the world.
Snapshot
•VISION54 co-founder
•Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher
•GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher
•PGA of Sweden Class A teaching professional
•Honorary member PGA of Sweden and LPGA T&CP
•Level 3 TPI certified golf fitness instructor
•Head Coach of the Swedish National Golf Teams (1990-1999)
•European Solheim Cup Captain (1998)
•LPGA Tour Player (1983-1987)
•The First Tee Experience consultant (19989-2005)
•Consultant to college teams, international teams, and PGA organizations around the world
Awards / Recognition
VISION54’s golf schools – 54GOLF – have been awarded the best golf schools in America multiple times.
VISION54’s coach programs – 54COACH – have repeatedly received the highest marks by peers for teachers / coaches training.
2018 – Arizona Golf Hall of Fame
2017 – Erik Runfelt Medal – Most Prestigious Award in Swedish Golf
2016 to present – Golf Digest Editor’s Choice Award for VISION54 Golf Schools
2016 – Ellen Griffin Rolex LPGA Award
2015 – VISION54 honored as a GOLF Magazine Innovators of the Game
2012 to present – Ranked Golf Digest #1 Women Teacher in America
2005 – Executive Women’s Golf Association Leadership Award
2004 – 5-Star Professional Award from the PGA of Europe
2003 to present – Golf Digest America’s 50 Greatest Teachers
2002 – The First Tee Founder’s Award
2001 to present – GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America
2001 – National College Coaches Association – Player Hall of Fame
1999 – Honorary Member of the LPGA T&CP
1999 – Leadership Award Swedish Sports Confederation
1999 – Instruction of the Year – Japanese Golf Digest
1999 – Honorary Member PGA of Sweden
1998 – The King of Sweden’s Medal of the 8th dimension with Royal Blue Ribbon for leadership in sports
1995 – Sports Coach of the Year in Sweden
1994 – PGA of Europe Professional of the Year
1994 – Female Sports Coach of the Year in Sweden
1994 – Swedish Golf Federation’s Gold Club Award
Author / Creator
2017 – Be A Player with Lynn Marriott
2016 – MYGAME Online Virtual Golf School with Lynn Marriott
2013 – VISION54 iPhone App with Lynn Marriott
2011 – Play Your Best Golf Now with Lynn Marriott
2007 – The Game Before The Game with Lynn Marriott
2005 – Every Shot Must Have A Purpose with Lynn Marriott
2005 – Sport Parent for the Future with Lynn Marriott
2003 – Golf Parent for the Future with Lynn Marriott
2000 – Coaching published in Sweden
1999 – Golf 54 published in Japan
1998 – Be Your Own Best Coach published in Sweden
Contributing writer to The First Tee Life Skills curriculum, coach training and
golf curriculum.
Resume
2011 to 2013 – Captain for the World Team at the Handa Cup, The Legends Tour
1998 to 2005 – The First Tee Programming and Curriculum Consultant
1999 to present – Co-Founder of VISION54
1999 – Senior Head Coach for the Swedish National Teams
1999 to 2000 – Member of the Board of the Swedish Sports Academy
1999 to 2000 – Consultant for the Swedish Olympic Committee
1998 – Captain for the European Solheim Cup Team
1996 – Vice-Captain for the European Solheim Cup Team
1996 to 1998 – Head Coach for the Swedish National Teams (men and women: pros, amateurs and juniors)
1992 – Swedish PGA Class A teaching professional
1990 to 1995 – Head Coach for the Swedish National Women’s Teams (juniors, amateurs and pros) in Sweden
1988 to 1994 – Rules official in Sweden
1990 – Certified in the USGA Advanced Rules Workshop
1989 – Certified in the USGA Rules Workshop
1989 to 1992 – Member of the Board of the Swedish PGA
1989 – Won the Swedish Order-of-Merit
1988 to 1990 – Tour official on the Swedish Golf Tour
1987 to 1988 – Member of the Board of the Women’s Professional Golf European Tour
1985 to 1986 – Member of the LPGA’s Player Council
1983 to 1987 – LPGA Tour Player
1981 – B.S. in Physical Education, Suma Cum Laude – Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
1980 – ASU Women’s Golf Team – First Year All-American
1977 to 1981 – Played on the Arizona State Women’s Golf Team
1974 to 1981 – Played on the Swedish National Amateur Golf Team (Swedish Junior Champion, Swedish Champion, European Junior Team Champion, European Team Champion)