Together they make up one of the most elite groups in sports: those who have reached No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Amazingly, only 15 players have done it since the list debuted in 1986. Some of them, such as Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo, enjoyed extended stays at the top. Others, like Ian Woosnam and Tom Lehman, had shorter tenures. While every player teaches us something unique about achieving golf excellence, they all share certain traits -- a No. 1 DNA, if you will -- and most notably a work ethic that would make a coal miner blush. The Top 100 Teachers reveal what the greatest players of the last 25 years can teach you, so you can become the No. 1 golfer in your world.
Video: watch lessons from the former No. 1s
FRED COUPLES
Weeks at No. 1: 16 (1992)
By Paul Marchand, Shadow Hawk G.C., Richmond, Tex.
What Made Him No. 1
Couples's run to No. 1 in 1992
actually began in 1989 with one
of the biggest disappointments of
his career. Fred dropped a singles
match on the final hole to Christy
O'Connor Jr. in that year's Ryder
Cup, a loss that helped Europe
retain the Cup. As U.S. Captain
Ray Floyd consoled the young
rookie, Fred asked, "How do I get
on the next Ryder Cup team?"
His motivation led to the best
three-year stretch of his career,
culminating in the U.S. victory in
the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah, his
No. 1 ranking in March of 1992 and
his Masters win soon afterward.
His No. 1 Legacy
In all the years I've known Fred
(we've been friends since our
playing days at the University of
Houston), he has never tried to
copy another player or change the
feel and mechanics he developed
as a kid. His swing is his own,
which is one reason it held up so
well under pressure. Watching
him is a lesson in the art of "letting
go." Fred never gets caught up by
what's happening around him. He
plays like a boy in a park, content
and simultaneously oblivious
to the pangs of pressure felt by
his competitors. His image will
endure for the apparent ease with
which he played a difficult game.
The No. 1 Thing You Can Learn
Copy Couples's looseness. Check
your grip and arms. Are they tight,
or are they loose and whippy?
Then rotate freely back and
through while letting the clubhead
swing and, as crazy as this sounds,
try not to care where the ball
goes. Also, stay in the moment.
Once Fred hits a shot, he forgets
about it. Rounds are played one
shot at a time, and the more you
"quiet" your mind after a shot,
the more likely your outcomes
will add up to a good score. If
you feel yourself starting to fret
over swings, take a moment and
picture Fred in his prime, the boy
in the park playing without a care.
GREG NORMAN
Weeks at No. 1: 331 (1986-1998)
By Mike Davis, Walters Golf Academy, Las Vegas, Nev.
What Made Him No. 1
Greg Norman's passion
and work ethic were
second to none -- even
by today's standards.
He was a gym rat
before anyone heard
of Tiger Woods, and
he logged more range
time than two Vijay
Singhs. The payoff
was staggering
physical strength and
an unwavering belief in
himself. He was cocky
(that hat -- really, Greg?),
but when you back it
up with more than 90
wins, you can wear a
pirate hat and an eye
patch if you want.
His No. 1 Legacy
Norman never received
the credit he deserved
for being No. 1 for
so long. When Tiger
romped at the 1997
Masters -- the year after
Norman blew a 6-shot
lead to Nick Faldo in the
final round -- everyone
became so intoxicated
with Woods that Greg's
run sort of faded away.
He was arguably the
best driver of all time --
hard swing, high ball
flight, little curve and
eye-popping power --
and he had a knack for
making putts under
pressure. Norman was
personable with his
fans, the press, and
officials. I'd love to see
more of today's players
copy his larger-than-life
personality. Part of
Norman's legacy is also
his lack of majors. He
should have won more,
most notably the 1986
PGA Championship
(he finished second
to Bob Tway's miracle
bunker hole out) and
the 1987 Masters
(second to Larry Mize's
miracle pitch). As tough
as those and other
losses were, Greg has
never played the victim
or griped about his
misfortune. He played
the game -- and took
the losses -- like a man.
The No. 1 Thing
You Can Learn
Norman's "Great White
Shark" persona is a
lesson for anyone who
wants to go low. Like
the ocean predator,
you pick your targets,
then attack with total
focus and without
reservation. Watch
video of young
Norman hitting his
driver -- he powers
through the ball with
such force that the
shaft rebounds off his
back. Full commitment, not an ounce of doubt.
LUKE DONALD
Weeks at No. 1: 11 (as of 8/15/2011)
By Pat Goss, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.
What Made Him No. 1
I first worked with Luke
Donald as his college coach at
Northwestern University. The
way he manipulates his irons
is a lost art. However, his No. 1
gift is his rhythm and balance.
Most players find this perfect
pace with practice. Luke is
lucky -- it's part of his DNA.
His No. 1 Legacy
No matter how long Luke stays atop the World
Golf Ranking, he'll go down as a throwback golfer
who succeeded in the modern era. In a powerobsessed
age, Donald reached No. 1 without
ever cracking the top 150 in driving distance.
The No. 1 Thing You Can Learn
Luke will tell you that an improved short game
is the fastest route to low scores. The trick is how
you improve. Luke challenges himself at practice
by creating tough, uncomfortable conditions that
require patience and thought. He'll hit pitches from
sidehill lies or bunker shots to ridiculously tight pins.
This kind of variety elevates your learning curve in
ways that hitting 50 balls from one spot never could.
MARTIN KAYMER
Weeks at No. 1: 18 (2011)
By Ed Ibarguen, Duke University G.C., Durham, N.C.
What Made Him No. 1
Simply put, Martin Kaymer does everything well. There isn't a stat category in which he lags, which is scary for a golfer his age. His secret is a fluid motion based on solid mechanics. Once he starts his swing or stroke, Kaymer stays centered over the ball while maintaining a consistent spine angle. Anyone who does this will hit the ball well consistently.
His No. 1 Legacy
At 27, Kaymer is the second-youngest player (Tiger was 21) to hit No. 1. His true legacy, however, will be supplanting Bernhard Langer as the face of German golf.
The No. 1 Thing You Can Learn
Add Kaymer's rhythm and fluidity to your swing by keeping your upper and lower body more connected -- don't allow one to outpace the other. Overusing your arms or legs produces herky-jerky movements and inconsistent shots. Feel like the weight of your lower body is propelling your upper body and the club through the ball.
