Timo was among Finland’s most promising junior players in the early 1990s. While playing as a member of the national team, he developed a strong interest in coaching and gradually shifted his career toward coaching.

Timo began his coaching career through several domestic training programs. In addition, he broadened his expertise by working with world-class specialists, including Chuck Cook (Golf Digest No. 2) and Harold Swash, known in Europe as the “putting doctor.” He qualified as a PGA coach at the age of 22 and was appointed immediately as the Youth National Team Coach.

Timo became a key figure in the development of Finnish golf. He was one of the first coaches of the age-group national teams who, under his leadership, enabled Finland to win its first major championship medal in 1998 at the Under-21 European Championships: the team won bronze. Building on this model, Finland went on to finish fifth at the Men’s World Amateur Team Championship in Chile. In 2000, the Finnish Golf Union appointed Timo as Head Coach for Youth on a full-time basis. During his tenure, the girls’ team achieved European bronze, and Finland’s success expanded across the development pathway, covering both juniors and adults.

After thirteen years, Timo sought new perspectives and responsibilities. The Head Coach position in Guatemala offered the opportunity: during his one and a half-year coaching term, Guatemala won the Central American Championship in all possible categories, and the country’s professional team qualified for the World Cup in China. Due to the situation in the country becoming unstable, Timo decided to return to Europe. After his return, his player, Riikka Hakkarainen, won her first career title on the Ladies European Tour just a few weeks later.

Following his work coaching at club level, Timo deepened his career in competitive golf. In 2011, he began as Head Coach of Switzerland. In his first season, the Swiss men’s team won European silver, and the women’s and girls’ teams followed with continued success in the following years. His four-year overall tenure in Switzerland confirmed the standing of the coaching system he led as one of the best in Europe.

In 2020, Sami Välimäki achieved his first victory on the European Tour in only his fifth start. Sami was also named Rookie of the Year. Sami is the second player coached by Timo to reach this level and progress from junior golf to tour success.

In 2023, Timo started working at the Finnish Golf Union as Coach for the Pro Group. Over three years, Finnish golf achieved two main tour wins and a full team qualification (2+2 players) at the Olympics. For the 2025 season, his responsibilities expanded to include the men’s amateur national team. The men
achieved historic milestones, including a personal European bronze medal, third place at the British Amateur, and multiple top-10 finishes in international events.

Currently, Timo lives and works in China as the Teaching Director of Palm Springs International Golf Academy, one of the country’s largest golf academies.

Timo’s coaching philosophy is based on individualized goal-setting. He creates a structured and personalized training program for each player, with the aim of maximizing performance based on the player’s own playing style. The coaching also uses the latest technology and statistics-based methods.

Timo has been named Coach of the Year in Finland in both 2019 and 2020. In 2023, the Ministry of Education and Culture awarded him an honorary medal for his contribution to Finnish golf.