Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Cloots.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started playing golf at ten years old in Belgium as a family activity. We’d go to the course together on weekends, and before long I was competing in small club tournaments. That quickly grew into regional and national junior events, and by age fourteen I’d earned a spot on the Belgian National Team. Competing around Europe opened my eyes to the possibility of playing college golf in the U.S., and I was thrilled to join the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
After graduating in 2017, I turned professional and spent six years competing full-time on the LPGA Epson Tour. It was a dream come true — traveling, playing, and learning from some of the best players and coaches in the world. Along the way, I discovered how much I loved the journey of learning and helping other golfers develop their own skills and confidence.
In 2022, while still competing, I started offering online video lessons to players around the world. As my passion for coaching grew, I transitioned into more in-person instruction. When Inside Golf opened, it gave me a great space to work with students indoors. Then came Finley Golf Club, and now I’m thrilled to call North Ridge Country Club home — where I can teach both indoors and outdoors and work with players of all levels.
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Leslie Cloots is an PGA and LPGA Class A Professional based at North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh. When she’s not coaching or competing, she’s probably at home with her newlywed husband, Jet, and their two cats, Misty and Rocky — or planning her next round of golf.
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A Belgian-born LPGA pro bringing new energy and inclusivity to Raleigh’s golf scene.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest challenge and motivation has been finding ways to make golf feel more accessible and less intimidating. Many people still see it as exclusive or hard to get into, and I love breaking down those barriers. What surprises a lot of people is that even experienced or competitive golfers sometimes take their first formal lesson with me. They’ve been playing for years but never really had proper guidance or structure. Watching them make simple adjustments and suddenly see improvement is incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s someone’s very first swing or a scratch player’s preparation for a big event, my goal is to help every golfer rediscover the joy of improving and the satisfaction that comes with progress.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What sets me apart as a coach is my playing background. I’ve lived the highs and lows of competition, from amateur events in Europe, college golf in the US, to professional tournaments across the globe. I don’t just teach golf — I demonstrate it. Anything I ask my students to try, I’ve practiced and performed myself. That experience helps me connect the mental, physical, and emotional parts of the game for my players.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Golf can be so much more than a sport. It’s a way to connect — with friends, with family, even with colleagues. It challenges you, humbles you, and teaches patience and resilience. But it’s also just plain fun. My goal is to help people experience that side of golf — the joy, the laughter, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from getting just a little better every time you play.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lesliecloots.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliecloots/
