The Top 100 Teachers in America
The most elite list of
teaching talent in America
gets a boost from eight new,
proven professionals.

Published: February 2009

Golf's Top 100 Teachers proudly welcome eight
seasoned instructors with a heavy presence on
Tour. Selecting the new members was two years
in the making; the process included a review of
previously submitted questionnaires, thorough
research, and input from the teaching community.
We also are pleased to add Jim McLean to the
Emeritus portion of the list (a "Top 100 Teacher
for life") in honor of his commitment to improving
students' knowledge and abilities, and for many
years, the quality and success of Golf Magazine.

Complete List of Top 100 Teachers | Top 100 Teachers Blog | Tips from the Top 100 Teachers

The New Top 100 Teachers

Chuck Evans
Emerald Bay Golf Club
Destin, Fla.
medicusgolfinstitute.com

Teaching since:
1970
Star students — give
us some names:

Grant Waite, Bobby
Clampett, Buddy
Alexander (UF coach).
You have one final lesson
to give — who gets it?

Someone who has never
broken 100.
Why don't most
amateurs improve?

Misinformation, but even
with correct information
golfers often fail to
take ownership of their
improvement. The teacher
informs, but it's your job
to absorb and apply it.

What's the fast track
to getting better?

Practice in front of a mirror
so you can see precisely
what you're trying to do.

You're writing an
instruction book.
The first line reads...

"Learn to control your
hands — your hands control
the club, which controls
the ball, which controls
your game."
The biggest myth
in instruction?

Swinging the club along a
flat spot — a circle doesn't
have any flat spots.

Mark Hackett
Old Palm Golf Club
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Teaching since:
1988
Star students — give
us some names:

Raymond Floyd, Robert
Floyd, Brett Wetterich, Briny
Baird, Michelle McGann.
You have one final lesson
to give — who gets it?

Barack Obama — I see
no problem with a +1 in
the White House.
Why don't most
amateurs improve?

Amateurs like to work on
their strengths and ignore
their weaknesses. It should
be the other way around.
What's the fast track
to getting better?

Practice with more of a
purpose. Have a game plan
every time you visit the
range. If you don't have one,
seek out an instructor.
You're writing an
instruction book.
The first line reads...

"Consistency starts with
good fundamentals. Without
a solid understanding of
the basics, you don't have
a chance."
The biggest myth
in instruction?

Adapt your body to fit a
swing. The right way to do it
is to fit a swing to your body.

Jerry King

Kapalua Golf Academy
Lahaina, Maui, Hi.
jerrykinggolf.com
Teaching since:
1992
Star students — give
us some names:

I've worked with Fred Funk,
Brad Faxon, Paul Tagliabue
and Joe Torre, among others.
You have one final lesson
to give — who gets it?

Jack Nicklaus — and I'd be
the student.
Why don't most
amateurs improve?

Poor transition. Most
amateurs don't have a
consistent and smooth
move between the
backswing and downswing.
What's the fast track
to getting better?

Spend more time on the
course with better players.
Success is contagious.
You're writing an
instruction book.
The first line reads...

"Find an instructor who
understands you. You'll
get the most benefit when
your teacher creates a
lesson plan that fits
you, not everyone.
The biggest myth
in instruction?

It's a tie between "Keep your
head down" and "Keep your
left arm straight." These
rarely happen in elite swings.

Scott Munroe
Adios Golf Club
Coconut Creek, Fla.
moneygolf.net
Teaching since:
1977
Star students — give
us some names:

Household names
include Kenny G, Alice
Cooper and D.L. Hughley.
You have one final lesson
to give — who gets it?

Tiger — 'nuff said.
Why don't most
amateurs improve?

It's difficult to boil it down
to one thing because most
amateurs need help in all
areas of their game. Fixing
just one portion makes
a small dent — if you're
serious about getting better,
you need to address it all.
What's the fast track
to getting better?

No matter how long you've
been playing, go back to
the fundamentals. Even
great players do.
You're writing an
instruction book.
The first line reads...

"Speak your mind. Open
communication between
a student and his
professional is critical."
The biggest myth
in instruction?

There's only one way to
swing a club.

E.J. Pfister
Gaillardia Golf Club
Oklahoma City, Okla.
ejpfistergolf.com
Teaching since:
1998
Star students — give
us some names:

Bob Tway, Kevin Tway
(2006 USGA Jr. Champ), Karin
Sjodin (LPGA Tour), David
Edwards (Champions Tour).
You have one final lesson
to give — who gets it?

Barry Sanders — my
Oklahoma State pride
makes this an obvious
easy choice.
Why don't most
amateurs improve?

Either they're given bad
information, or they're
provided correct information
in a manner they can't
understand. This is the
challenge to any instructor.
What's the fast track
to getting better?

Find out exactly what your
faults are — never guess.
You're writing an
instruction book.
The first line reads...

"Make sure your pro
creates a comfortable, nonintimidating
environment
before assessing your game.
The biggest myth
in instruction?

There's one method that
works for all golfers.

Adam Schriber
Crystal Mountain Resort
Thompsonville, Mich.
Teaching since:
1984
Star students — give
us some names:

Anthony Kim, Candie Kung,
Morgan Pressel.
You have one final lesson
to give — who gets it?

Tiger Woods.
Why don't most
amateurs improve?

They're over-taught and
under-trained, and fail
to retrain their innate
movement patterns.
What's the fast track
to getting better?

You must train to make a
change. Develop a program
where gym work and range
work combine to improve
your technique and free
your mind so that you can
swing like an athlete.
You're writing an
instruction book.
The first line reads...

"Do you know how people
learn? You must know this
before you can teach."
The biggest myth
in instruction?

That you can't combine
physical training with
swing practice. How else
are you meant to build
an athletic motion?

Kellie Stenzel

Atlantic Golf Club
Bridgehampton, N.Y.
kelliestenzelgolf.com
Teaching since:
1989
Star students — give
us some names:

They're all stars, but some
notable clients include Len
Riggio (Barnes and Noble
CEO) and Vera Wang.
You have one final lesson
to give — who gets it?

Oprah! She'd have the same
effect on the game as Tiger,
especially among women.
Why don't most
amateurs improve?

They steer away from any
initial discomfort, which
usually is a necessary part of
change and improvement.
What's the fast track
to getting better?

Take a proactive role
in understanding your
strengths as well as
your limitations so you can
make informed decisions
about your swing.
You're writing an
instruction book.
The first line reads...

"Instructors: Make your
student happy. This often
happens just by listening."
The biggest myth
in instruction?

There's only one
perfect swing.

Stan Utley
Grayhawk Learning Ctr.
Scottsdale, Ariz.
stanutleygolf.com
Teaching since:
1999, but
sharing my ideas since 1974.
Star students — give
us some names:

Jay Haas, Peter Jacobsen,
Paul McGinley, Darren
Clarke, Rocco Mediate,
Dudley Hart, Sergio
Garcia, Henrik Stenson.
You have one final lesson
to give — who gets it?

Jackie Burke — I'm sure it
would be a lesson for me.
Why don't most
amateurs improve?

The technique they use
is often far different from
what they intend, or they're
using bad information.
What's the fast track
to getting better?

Play with a golfer who's at
a higher skill level than you.
You're writing an
instruction book.
The first line reads...

"Integrity."
The biggest myth
in instruction?

The short-game
techniques Tour players
use aren't suited for
amateurs. Why not go
with what works at the
highest level?