Conversations with Jeff Crittenden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Crittenden.

Jeff, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
I grew up in a small town outside of Philadelphia. Unionville, PA. Grew up playing baseball 

I played 4 years at Millersville University and thought I played some pro baseball. Unfortunately, the pro teams thought otherwise. 

Started playing golf in college and took a job at a local golf course. 

Being obsessive-compulsive at sports, I turned pro a few years later, and I moved to Florida to take up my new Playing career. 

Few years after that, I realized working would be more lucrative than playing golf 

Jump back into the golf business being a teacher and first assistant in Orlando, FL. always outdrove everyone I played against just never thought anything about it 

6 years later, mom fell ill, and back to Pennsylvania, I went to help take care of her and be Director of Instruction at the First Tee of Suburban Philadelphia. just happened to be at the same course where I had worked when I got into golf. The former Assistant pro, now head pro, came in one day and said here is a low lofted driver head get a shaft and do long drive. I argued with him about it and lost and took the head. 

Always thought long drive was cool and watched it growing up despite I did not play golf. 

First small qualifier I went to, I won by 53 yards. Wow thought I was good. went to regional event and got killed and realized I was not that good. Two years later I finally made to the world championship and almost finished dead last. 

The following year I decided to do some money events and flew around the USA and got past the qualifiers to get into the events. my mind, I was done but committed to a small event in Georgia. I hit it so bad the day before I almost went home before it started. Luckily, I did not, but decided I will just put a golf swing on and fill the grid. Well, apparently, that worked came in 2nd and then 5th the next day 

Went to a national event and finished 3rd, and the career was off and running. 

2010 won the largest event outside of worlds won 4 more events over the next few years 

2014 came in 2nd in worlds by 13. inches in the only winner-take-all event in a world championship. (winner got 250k) 

2015 came in 5th in worlds 

Turned 45 in 2016 was crushing through qualifying rds. in open and senior until I tore a muscle in my leg out of the event 

Won 2017, 2019, 2020 Master division world championship. plus, a bunch senior long-drive events 

2021 came in 2nd in 45(masters), 2nd 50 and under division with a pulled muscle in chest 

April 1st, 2022, was in a bad car accident. hit from behind at a light and still in rehab as of today plan on competing this year 

Own part of Ultimate Longdrive 

I raise money for. Charities by hitting driver and trick shots raised over 150-200k a year 

Was going to make a run at the senior PGA tour in 2022, but car accident pretty much ended that idea. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not smooth at all. Always felt I had to out work everyone in the gym and hitting balls 

Lots of salt losses and a torn bicep 2011, and torn pectoral muscle in 2021 

Plus, a long list of other injuries 

Longdrive career started with a lot of failures before any success 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love my job entertaining golfers. And raising money for charities. Spent a year traveling to military bases entertaining the troops; if I do a golf outing, I retain it 100% of the time 

Winning 3 world championships (would like one more) 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Running long drive events, I had to learn quickly how to deal with what other beliefs were and how to deal with them. plus had to learn to do charity events away from people and still be successful 

Contact Info:

• Website: crittergolf.com
• Instagram: crittergolf25
• Facebook: Jeff Crittenden. critter