Golf Instructors

About Kevin Sprecher

Kevin Sprecher grew up in Short Hills, NJ and the San Francisco Bay Area. After graduating from Arizona State University in 1992, he began working for Jim McLean at the Sleepy Hollow C.C in Scarborough, New York during the summer and the Doral Resort and Spa in the winter. 

For three years, Kevin assisted Jim McLean with private lessons, schools, seminars and clinics.

He worked closely with PGA, LPGA, and Nationwide touring professionals, conducted follow up lessons with Jim McLean’s private students. 
Spent the summers teaching at Atlantic G.C (2002), Glen Oaks C.C. (1995-1996) and The Piping Rock Club (1997). 

In 2000, 2005 and 2007, and 2011, Kevin was nominated as one of GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teacher’s in America. 

In 2011-12, Golf Digest ranked him number six on the Top 50 list of instructors in New York. 



He has also been a repeat guest on Peter Kessler’s radio program on the PGA Tour Network, "Making the Turn," and on The Golf Channel’s Academy Live. ...

About Brian Lackey

Brian Lackey was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tenn. He began his golf career in 1996 after graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Brian has given more than 25,000 lessons in his career, ranging from the elite tour player to the very beginner.

Brian has also worked hard to develop juniors and college-level players to prepare them for the mini tours and PGA tour. He encourages each of his young students to be the best they can be on and off the course and aims to aid in their growth as young men and women.

About Vikki Vanderpool

Vikki has been a PGA Professional since 1998 and a golf instructor for almost 20 years. Her passion stems from learning to play the game at an early age. At 17, Vikki qualified for the LPGA Bank of Virginia Classic. She played college golf at the University of South Carolina and was all-SEC and all-Metro Conference, with 15 top-10 finishes. As an amateur, Vikki competed in, among other events, two U.S. Junior Amateurs, two U.S. Women's Amateurs, a U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links and the North and South Amateur at Pinehurst. She also played on the Futures Professional Tour and posted a career-low round of 66.

During her career, Vikki has taught along side many great teachers, including Peggy Kirk Bell, Harvie Ward and Mike Bennett (Stack and Tilt), among others. She has taught thousands of golfers, including men, women, juniors and touring professionals, but since 2003, Vikki has focused her work on junior golfers. ...

About Kate Tempesta

Kate Tempesta, Founder, Partner and President of Fun, is a member of the LPGA T&CP and the Director of the Junior Golf Program at Montauk Downs. As the leading junior golf professional in New York City, Kate’s groundbreaking curriculum combines golf basics with activities that extend and enrich learning in an environment that is both fun and challenging for children of all ages. Kate embraces the LPGA’s holistic view of the golfer as well as Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. She takes into account individual learning styles, group dynamics and ability levels and knows how to make the most of every learning experience. As a leading expert in
the golf industry, Kate has spoken on several panels about growing the game of golf, including the Inaugural PGA of America Junior Golf Summit and the National Golf Course Owners Association Annual Conference.

Kate’s education and early career focused on exercise science and fitness. ...

About Mike Krick

Mike comes from a family of golf professionals and has been around the game his entire life. Growing up in the business, he learned all the foundational principles of a good golf swing and he has put those to use as both a player and instructor.

Mike turned professional in 1992 and earned his PGA Membership in 1995. He attended college at Methodist University, played on the golf team and was part of the 1991 NCAA Division III National Championship squad. Mike has worked and taught at great facilities such as Ford's Colony, Wee Burn Country Club and Grand Cypress, and he is now the Director of Golf Operations at Carolina Trace Country Club in Sanford, North Carolina.

Teaching is a passion for Mike. He has never stopped learning about the game of golf and he welcomes the chance to work with players of all ability levels.

About Tim Cooke

Tim enjoyed success on the golf course as a junior and went on to compete at the University of Virginia where he was a team captain during his final season. He realized that golf was always going to be an integral part of his life, and it was at this time that he decided to lay the foundation for a future career in golf instruction. Unlike typical golf instructors, Tim began his career in the academic realm, completing a Master’s degree in Pedagogy from Virginia in 1999. This study, tailored to the teaching of golf, broadened his knowledge of not only the golf swing but also the fields of exercise physiology, motor learning and sport psychology.

Tim is currently the Director of Instruction at Long Cove Club on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Prior to arriving at Long Cove Club, he worked at the prestigious Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, North Carolina, where he was able to transform the instructional program in an exclusive golf setting. ...

About Karen Palacios-Jansen

Karen was selected as the 2008 LPGA National Teacher of the Year and has been teaching golf since 1994.

Currently the Director of Instruction at Swing Blade Enterprises in North Carolina, Karen is also managing editor of Golf Fitness Magazine and has been named to the Top 50 Female Instructor list by Golf Digest magazine.

Karen has appeared numerous times as a guest instructor on Golf Channel programming and has conducted clinics with Hall of Fame golfers Gary Player, Nick Faldo and Ernie Els. She has worked with LPGA Tour players, and she also developed Cardiogolf, a golf specific exercise program.

About Justin Bruton

Justin is originally from Dallas, Texas, and played collegiate golf at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City before competing professionally for two years.

He has had the opportunity to work with some of the best instructors in the world at both the David Leadbetter Academy and Rick Smith Academy, which helped him learn a lot about the different techniques used to swing the golf club. However, it wasn't until he started working and training with the Titleist Performance Institute that he really began to flourish as an instructor.

By becoming an expert on how the swing and body are connected, Justin's outlook on teaching golf changed forever. He has been a top level TPI certified instructor for more than five years and he has the highest level TPI certifications for the Golf Professional and Golf Biomechanics tracks.

Justin is now the Director of Golf at the Biltmore Golf Course in Miami/Coral Gables, Fla. ...

About Dr. Jerry Elwell

Dr. Jerry Elwell, is a PGA Teaching Professional at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs, Calif., and Director of Boothbay Golf Academy in Boothbay, Maine. He was the first Director of Instruction at renowned Congressional Country Club, home of the 2011 U.S. Open.

Jerry has authored several instruction books and numerous articles, including an article in the first PGA Journal of Instruction and a three-page article in PGA Magazine. In addition, he served on the PGA Magazine's Advisory Board for six years. Jerry has worked with players of all ages and abilities during his teaching career, including former PGA Tour and Major Championship winner, as well as World Golf Hall of Fame members. He also has won multiple awards for his teaching ability.

About Dennis Sales

Dennis Sales is one of America's top up-and-coming golf instructors. He has been consistently recognized among the best in New England, where he taught for many years until recently moving to Dallas, Texas. Dennis traces his success back to his roots growing up in Cumberland, Rhode Island where he started developing a keen eye for detail and the understanding of how to build athletic skills from his time competing as an athlete himself.

Dennis has built upon this foundation by relentlessly challenging himself and his instruction/coaching expertise to remain at the forefront of golf training. He consistently attends workshops, seminars and certification programs from many of the foremost golf educational programs in the world. His major teaching influences include former National PGA Teachers of the Year, Cheryl Anderson and Mike Bender (students include Masters Champion Zach Johnson as well as tour professionals Jonathan Byrd, and Seon Hwa Lee), Dr. ...

About Michael Brisbane

Michael has dedicated his career to teaching golf. His teaching philosophy is geared toward two simple goals: improving his students' play and increasing their enjoyment of golf. Michael currently teaches at Azalea City Golf Course in Mobile, Alabama, but he has also taught golf in North Carolina and Thailand throughout his career.

Michael continues to have a a passion for teaching golf. He continues to learn and keep up with new technology and innovation. Michael is equally skilled in teaching the full swing, putting and all phases of the short game. His simplistic approach, and dedication to solid golf fundamentals provide a lesson that is easy to understand and implement. Visit www.michaelbrisbanegolf.com for more information.

About Brian Dobbie

Brian has been a PGA member since 1994 and Golf Professional since 1991. Teaching golf is his passion – both the mechanical side and physical side. He has been teaching at Montclair Golf Club the last 10 years, home to an outstanding Junior Program that grows each season. He has been a certified trainer for ten years and many of his clients are golfers. All level of players can benefit from a fitness program tailored to their needs. Brian was named NJPGA Assistant of the Year in 2005 and NJPGA Junior Golf Leader in 2010.

About Anne Cain

Anne has developed a well-earned reputation as one of America's elite golf instructors. In 2007, Golf Magazine named her one of the country's top 100 teachers and in 2008 Golf Digest honored her as one of the top 20 teachers under 40. Anne has been featured in numberous publications and appears frequently as a guest on television and radio programs.

Anne's teaching career began in 1995 when she became an LPGA member following a successful playing career in America and Asia. She was an All-America college player at the University of Georgia and qualified for the U.S. Women's Open as an amateur in 1989.

Anne takes pride in her well-rounded instruction methods. In addition to her full-swing expertise, she is an elite putting and mental game coach, and she is adept at working with players of all skill levels. Anne believes strongly in using video and computer technology to enhance the learning experience. ...

About Christian Czaja

Chris is the 2010 PGA Teacher of the Year for the South Florida Section and was also named the 2009 Southeast Florida PGA Teacher of the Year. Originally from Greenwich, Connecticut. Christian has worked at several clubs around the country and now teaches year round in Boca Raton, Fl. He graduated from East Carolina University and is one of the top playing and teaching professionals in the South Florida Section of the PGA.

Christian has won numerous Chapter and Section PGA events and played in three National Club Professional Championships. Chris has extensive training and experience in teaching. His brother is also a PGA professional in the Metropolitan PGA. Chris has coached players on the PGA tour, Nationwide tour, Canadian tour and LPGA tour. Additionally, several of his juniors now play college golf. Other students include top amateurs and numerous club champions.

Christian is a member of the Golf Business Network Speakers Bureau. He often contributes to PGA. ...

About Cary Lonis

Cary is the Director of Golf at North Augusta Golf and Country Club. He has been coaching/instructing for almost 20 years and also has experience as a college head coach. Cary is a Hank Haney Pro Level 2 Associate Instructor, having spent time at the Haney Ranch in Texas and at the Hank Haney International Junior Academy at Hilton Head Island, S.C. He has done immense research into not only the full swing but especially putting analysis. Cary brings forth a simple no-nonsense approach that uses humor to seek that elusive path to improvement.

Cary has worked with players of all experience, including his first Hooters Tour player and a top-10 NAIA college player. He has the ability to quickly identify weaknesses and is capable of helping players of all ability levels take their game to the next level.

About David Emerick

David has been a respected instructor and PGA professional since 1987 and currently teaches at the Crossings at Carlsbad, one of the top courses in the San Diego area. He is very active with junior golf in Southern California and has created a variety of programs to help golfers of all ages and abilities.

David's goal is to improve the swing the student brings to him! Simply enjoy the aspect of learning and improving ... it's fun!

About Rob Charland

Rob is a PGA professional that has been working in golf for more than 15 years. He has developed his reputation as an instructor by logging countless hours in both individual and group instruction settings.

Rob is a graduate of Ferris State University's Professional Golf Management Program. He is a 10-year Class A member of the PGA.

Rob is one of just 53 PGA professionals in the country to be certified by the PGA in all six certification programs: instruction, general management, golf operations, retail, executive management and ownership/leasing.

About Tyrus York

Tyrus has been teaching golf since 2005 following the completion of his collegiate golf career at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky. After working as an Assistant Golf Professional at Kentucky's Man O' War Golf Learning Center for six years, Tyrus began teaching at the Larry Ward High Performance Golf Academy in Lexington in 2011.

A PGA professional, Tyrus has done significant work in junior golf programs, but he has also worked with adult players of all ability levels.

Tyrus has set teaching goals of being able to build trust with his students while determining the method of teaching most compatible with each of his student's learning styles.

About Jacob Marta

Jacob has been teaching since he was 15 years old. He learned to teach and play golf while working for his father, a head professional in Sacramento, Calif. He has worked in the golf industry for more than 20 years and is currently the Director of Instruction at Bernardo Heights Country Club in San Diego, Calif. There, he has been inspiring and coaching a majority of the club's active membership.

Jacob has developed successful junior programs and is passionate about encouraging juniors to play the game of golf and have fun. In 2005, he was the instructor for the Ladies club champion, the Men’s club champion, Match Play champion and the Junior club champion. Jacob continues to produce winners for club events.

About Gary Cliplef

Gary is a PGA Class A Professional and Director of Incentive Golf in San Diego, Calif. He has more than 30 years of teaching and professional playing experience. Gary has served as a Teaching Professional at Carmel Mountain Ranch, Rancho Bernardo Inn, Stardust Country Club and Mission Trails golf courses.

Gary has instructed a wide range of students, from the beginner to LPGA and PGA Tour players.

As the Director of Instruction at the John Jacobs Golf Schools, Gary has taught hundreds of students at many of their worldwide locations. John Jacobs Golf Schools is one of the top golf schools in the world, enabling more than 15,000 students each year to become better golfers.

Gary's reward, he says, is to help his students learn the game and to help them get to their next level.

About Kevin Lacey

Kevin is one of Florida's top PGA golf instructors and an accomplished player. He has the distinct honor of being named to The PGA's President's Council on Growing the Game of Golf for the past five years. Kevin is the Director of PGA Golf Instruction at Emerald Bay Golf Club on the Emerald Coast in beautiful Destin, Fla., and the Director of Instruction for The Edwin Watts Golf Academy.

Kevin also has developed an individual program called, "Play Better Golf, Now!," which is designed to track the progress of each golfer he works with. This system allows golfers to track their progress in order to obtain their goals. Kevin currently works with: LPGA professionals, Sunshine Tour professionals (South Africa), The Nordea Tour professionals (Sweden), multiple club champions, collegiate golfers, high school golfers that desire to reach the next level of competition, middle school golf teams, as well as adults and juniors just starting the game.

About Doug Spencer

Doug's passion for golf began at a very young age in West Virginia and even as a kid he knew he wanted a career in the sport he loved.

Doug's career aspirations ultimately took him to Florida, where he worked as a club professional for 10 years, but he had a strong desire to take his coaching to an even higher level. He had previously worked with Golf Magazine Top 100 teacher Brian Mogg for six years to improve his own playing career, and he recorded a third-place finish at the 2010 Mizuno Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.

After that strong showing, Mogg offered Doug a position as Director of Instruction at his academy in Seoul, South Korea. In 2010, Doug was the coach for Korean touring professionals Hyun Ji Kim and Ju Young Park, as well as other aspiring professionals and juniors on the Korean National Team. He is currently the Director of Instruction at Mogg's Honolulu location at the Hawaii Prince Resort on Oahu.

About Jonathan Dron

Jonathan serves as the PGA Director of Instruction at Sportz Skillz Golf and Tennis Center, a 7,500 square foot indoor performance center in Colorado Springs. When not teaching at Sportz Skillz, he is teaching at the Eisenhower Golf Course, located at the US Air Force Academy, and at Great Moves Physical Therapy located in Southern Colorado Springs.

Jonathan has been featured in the Colorado Springs Gazette, the Colorado Springs Business Journal, and local radio stations. Jonathan’s commitment to the game is evident by his involvement in the PGA Golf Management Program at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, the US Air Force Falcon Golf Camp and the hours spent on the lesson tee with juniors, women and amateur players alike.

About Jason Sedan

Jason is currently the as Director of Instruction at the Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club. Located just north of Vero Beach, FL, Orchid is regarded as one of the smallest and most pristine communities in the country. Jason also trains students at the PGA of America's flagship facility, PGA Village in Port St Lucie, FL. Since 2006, Jason has worked along side the PGA of America's Directors of Instruction and Fitness & Performance to help more than 1,000 golfers improve their games. With 72 holes of championship golf, a 35 acre practice facility, and technology second to none, PGA Village is the ultimate destination to work on your game with Jason.

May through October, Jason escapes the Florida heat to serve as Director of Instruction at the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club in New Hampshire. Previously, he has summered at some of the finest clubs in his native suburbs of New York City. ...

About Craig Renshaw

Craig's wealth of experience at the top of his profession has equipped him to help players of all ability levels take their game to new heights. He has taught for nearly 20 years and gives more than 1,000 lessons annually. To refine his knowledge of the golf swing, Craig has worked with some of the biggest names in the instruction industry, including Hank Haney, Butch Harmon, Jim McLean and Dave Pelz, among others. He divides his year between two facilities and teaches at Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club in New Hampshire and Golf Digest Golf Schools in Arizona. In addition to his two current locations, he has taught professionally in Missouri, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and California during his career.

About Christopher Foley

Chris tailors his teaching toward his student's individual ability level and goals. His focus on proper fundamentals helps produce results in line with his mission of aiming for long-term improvement while achieving short-term success.

Chris teaches at Cragun's Legacy Courses, named one of the "Best Places to Play" by Golf Digest and located north of Minneapolis in Central Minnesota.

Since 1996, more than a dozen of Chris's students have received college golf scholarships.

About George Connor

George, a PGA professional, has been teaching and coaching golfers for almost 20 years. Prior to moving to Gillette Ridge, George was at the Hartford Golf Club as the main instructor. His simple approach to the sport accommodates an individual's physical ability and skill level. George's students include state amateur champions and collegiate players, as well as beginners. He is also an Aimpoint Certified Instructor, SeeMore Putting Institute Instructor, K-Vest Level Two Certified Instructor and TPI certified.

About Chris Rowe

Chris is currently the Head Golf Professional at Whispering Pines Golf Club, just outside of Houston. Before Whispering Pines, Chris was at the historic Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Ten PGA Tour events and thousands of lessons later Chris found his passion for teaching golf.

Chris has been nominated to Golf Digest and Golf Magazine's Top 100 instructor lists. He has had one student make it through all three stages of PGA Tour Qualifying School to earn a tour card and has taught four high school state champions. Of his junior students, more than a dozen have gone on to play collegiate golf. Chris has been published in Golf Digest, along with numerous other publications, and he continues to write monthly columns for Houston Links Magazine and DFW Links Magazine.

About Erika Larkin

Born and raised in Queens, N.Y., Erika has pur­sued her passion for golf since the age of 8. As a ju­nior, she competed on local and national levels and earned a scholarship to play Division I golf at James Madison University (’02).

Erika has been working in the golf industry since 1999 and teaching since 2003. In 2006, she became a Class A PGA Mem­ber. In 2007, she became one of only 18 female PGA Members certified in instruction. Shortly thereafter, Erika established Larkin Golf LLC and launched www.larkingolf.com to highlight her simple and fun teaching philosophies. Erika has been published regionally and in a number of online publications and she has taught and presented alongside several top-100 teachers, including Suzy Whaley and Rick Martino.

As the Director of Instruction at Stonewall Golf Club, Erika runs the Larkin Golf Learning Community, offering adult and junior private instruction, group class and camps, and she has specialties in golf fitness and green reading.

About Lisa Hall

Lisa is a former Solheim Cup player and has nine worldwide wins professionally. She married English-born professional golfer and renowned teaching pro Martin Hall in 1998. She has shared this golf journey with Martin for 30 years and as such knows better than any one how and what he teaches. She has taught thousands of students and has watched Martin on a daily basis how to effectively communicate with students to become the kind of golfer they most want to be.

A native of England, she played college golf at the University of Florida and turned professional in 1991. Lisa joined the Ladies European Tour (LET) that year. In 1995 she won the Indonesia Open and topped the Kosaido Asian Circuit Order of Merit. She won her first LET title at the 1996 Women's Welsh Open and played for Europe in the Solheim Cup that year and for a second time in 1998.

In 1997 Lisa joined the LPGA Tour. ...

About Steve Lidinsky

Steve was born and raised in sunny south Florida. He grew up playing all sports but it wasn’t until he was 12 years old that his grandfather gave him his first set of clubs and started teaching him the game.

Steve played competitively in high school while getting his first job at the local country club, and it was there that he decided he wanted golf to be apart of his future. Having worked at different clubs in different positions, he found teaching the game to be unique and rewarding.

"I knew from the first time I watched Martin Hall give a golf lesson that I wanted to become the best teacher I possibly could."

Steve became Hall’s assistant in 2008 and through hard work and dedication has worked his way to where he is now as the Head Teaching Professional at the Martin Hall Academy of Golf. Steve has spent time with and learned from Hall, Hank Haney, Stan Utley and Phil Cheetham (Head Biomechanist and Director of the TPI Biomechanics Advisory Board).

About Mike Fay

Originally from Sterling Heights, Mich., Mike began playing golf at an early age. He attended New Mexico State’s Professional Golf Management Program and graduated in 1995. Shortly after, he became a PGA Class A Professional of the PGA of America.

Mike's golf career has taken him to locations in New Jersey, Florida and Michigan. During this time he was able to study and learn the game from some of America’s greatest teachers, such as Jim McLean, Scott Watkins, Rob Schaal and Mike Adams.

Currently, Mike brings his talent and experience to his home state as the PGA Head Professional of the Monument Course at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Mich. He also hosts "Ask the Pro" on Sunday Nights at 9 only on Twitter - a highly interactive conversation with some of the world’s top golf instructors, commentators and players.

Mike is also an exceptional player. During the 2001 PGA Section Championship, he set a course record with a career-best 63 on The Legend. ...

About Alison Curdt

Alison is a PGA Master Professional in Instruction and LPGA Class A Member. She has more than two decades of golf competition background and played on full scholarship at Florida State University. After turning professional in 2004, Alison moved to Palm Springs to begin her teaching and professional playing career while working at top resorts and clubs in the desert.

In 2007, she arrived at Sherwood Country Club as the Teaching Professional and First Assistant. Sherwood is located in Los Angeles and proudly hosts the Tiger Woods Foundation World Challenge Tournament. Alison oversees all programs related to men, women and juniors, in addition to running, coordinating and teaching camps and clinics.In May 2012 Alison won the LPGA T&CP Western Section Championship and earned an exemption into the Wegman’s LPGA Championship, an LPGA major.

About Jim Williams

The first instructor to join the Swingpal and SwingFix roster of teaching professionals, Jim has contributed numerous videos to the swing-tip library and executed hundreds of online lessons for players of all ability levels.

Jim currently owns and operates Golf in the Now, LLC, a golf coaching and golf fitness academy specializing in comprehensive player development. In just four full seasons in Nashville, Jim has more than 100 clients (men, women and juniors) who have captured club championships, won numerous tournament titles, gained college scholarships, and achieved career or season-low rounds! Visit www.GolfintheNow.com for more information on these clients and the various coaching programs available when working with Jim.

About Jamie Fischer

Jamie has been involved in the game of golf since an early age. Growing up in Ohio under the tutelage of her mother, Andy (an LPGA Touring Professional), she was a two-time Ohio junior champion, and she qualified for the U.S. Women's Open at age 18. While attending the University of Texas and earning two Bachelor's Degrees in Speech Communication and Journalism, Jamie captained the nationally ranked women's golf team, was the 1991 Southwest Conference champion and named an Academic All-American. From graduation until 1995 she played professionally both in the United States and abroad on the Future's Tour, Asian Tour and Australian Tour. And she also earned playing status on the European Tour.

In 1995, due to injury, Jamie turned her attention to teaching. She was the first teaching professional at Nantucket Golf Club upon its inception in 1998 and a Master Instructor at the Jim McLean Golf School. ...

About David Gigax

A native of Blissfield, Mich., David is a graduate of the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He has been a member of the PGA of America since 1997 and has been teaching golf for more than 20 years. David has taught golf to all calibers of players from the beginner to the professional.

He was elected to PGA of America’s Presidents Council for the Growth of the Game for 2007 and 2008. He has also been elected by his peers to PGA of America boards and committees.

David has also been trained in club repair and club fitting by Titleist, Cobra, Callaway, Taylor Made, and Ping. He has been trained and certified to use the latest in teaching technology and regularly attends teaching and coaching summits to increase his knowledge of golf by learning new concepts from fellow professionals.

About Garrett Chaussard

Garrett is currently a teaching professional at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club just outside of Chicago. He brings a vast amount of highly competitive playing experience on the junior, amateur, collegiate and professional levels. Golf Digest ranks Garrett as the fifth-best instructor in Illinois.

As a top player at the University of Illinois, Garrett finished his college career with the third lowest scoring average in school history. He played in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, and in 2010 the Illinois PGA named him the Assistant Player of the Year.

Through his work with Cog Hill's Director of Instruction, Kevin Weeks, Garrett has witnessed the exponential benefits to developing solid short game fundamentals and how they can translate to lower scores and an overall better golf swing. Garrett is an expert on mastering the game from 100 yards and in, but he teaches all ages and abilities from full swing to the short game and putting.

About Steve Whidden

Steve is currently the Director of Instruction for The Steve Whidden Golf Academy at Rosedale Golf and Country Club located in Bradenton, Fla. He is the 2010 Southwest Florida PGA Teacher of the Year and has worked with numerous world-renowned instructors, including David Leadbetter, Mike Bender and Peter Kostis, among others.

During his 20-plus years of teaching, Steve has worked at a number of outstanding facilities and golf schools, from the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla., to The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla., to the TPC at Harding Park in San Francisco.

About Jeff Chambers

Currently, Jeff is the Head Golf Professional at the Elmwood Golf and Country Club in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. He grew up in the small town of MacGregor in Manitoba, Canada and graduated college in Lethbridge, Alberta, where he played three years for the Lethbridge College golf team. Jeff enjoys coaching juniors and in addition to golf has coached hockey and curling. He was the Provincial Golf Coach for Saskatchewan for four years and has coached girls, boys, ladies and men’s teams at more than a dozen national competitions. Jeff also has been the Tournament Director for the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour for the last eight years. Additionally, he has coached the MJT National Team in Scotland for three years and Australia twice, and he will be taking the Provincial Team to compete at the Canada Games in 2013.

About John Marshall

John has been teaching golf in the Atlanta area for the past decade. He was formerly director of instruction at Heritage Hills Golf Range and now is affiliated with the Affiniti Golf Academy in Atlanta. His specialty is helping students hit the golf ball further. John is a two-time American Long Drivers Association super senior national champion and a five-time RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finalist. That being said, he helps people with all facets of their game. Additionally, John has been a volunteer instructor with the First Tee Program in Atlanta for the past nine years. He is certified by the United States Golf Teachers Federation, the Mike Austin Swing Method, the Titleist Performance Institute, and Impact Zone Golf. He has been nominated as one of the top instructors in Georgia by Golf Digest magazine.

About Erik Horve

Erik first picked up a golf club at the age of nine and ever since has held a strong passion for the game of golf. After working in the industry for a number of years, he turned his sights to becoming a teaching professional. Erik began his PGA apprenticeship in 1996 and achieved his goal of becoming a PGA Member in 2001. During this time he taught at both public and private golf facilities throughout California. Erik was elected to the Southern California PGA Metro Chapter Board of Directors in October of 2002 and appointed to the Southern California PGA teaching committee in 2008. He had the fortunate opportunity to work under three different SCPGA "Teacher of the Year" award winners and considers himself fortunate to have mentored under former PGA Tour player Moon Mullins.

About Dean Spriddle

I was born in Plymouth, England, grew up in Singapore and was raised in Dunfermline Scotland. I played for Fife at Boys, U 21 and Men’s before playing in the 1989 World Student Golf Championships in Sardinia Italy, where I was runner up to Lee Porter of the U.S. I was offered a Master’s in Education at UBC in Vancouver. I played at UBC for a couple of years, formed and coached the UBC women’s golf team in 1991, and then coached the men’s team in 1992. In 1993, I went to Canadian Q school and earned my Tour Card and played in 1994 and 1995. In 1995, pending the birth of my first child, I retired from competitive golf to teach and coach. I coached the Alberta women’s team from 1996-99 and then took over the Canadian Women’s National Team from 1999 and resigned in 2009. I have attended the last seven World Amateurs and our best finishes included silver medals at the 2004 and a 4th place in 2008. ...

About Todd McKittrick

Todd is the current PGA Head Professional at Black Creek Club in Tennessee. He moved to Chattanooga after a stint at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. He apprenticed under Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor Tim Mahoney after turning professional in 2001. Todd developed his golf skills non-traditionally as a 23-year old and therefore understands the patience needed to teach older beginners as well as juniors.

Todd's passion for instruction comes through watching others learn the game he loves. Todd is a competitor in the game as well. He played multiple sports as a child and young adult including competitive baseball and hockey. His passion for competition feeds his fire to compete as a golf professional as well. Todd is heavily involved with The First Tee organization and other charities. While he is fortunate to with work with world class competitive golfers, Todd loves teaching someone new to the game as well. ...

About Mike Davis

Mike consistently has been recognized as one of the top instructors in the nation, having been chosen by GOLF Magazine for their prestigious Top 100 Instructor list, and he has been ranked as the No. 2 instructor in Nevada since 2002 by Golf Digest. Mike also has been chosen as Instructor of the Year 12 times by various PGA Chapters and four times by PGA Sections.

Additionally, he has a long history as a competitive golfer. Mike has won numerous regional tournaments, played in three U.S. Opens, one PGA Championship and was a full time PGA Tour member in the mid-70s.

Mike has taught more than 90 students who have played on college golf teams around the country. His former students have become high school and college coaches, PGA professionals and professional golfers.

An expert in the field of video instruction, Mike won an award for his research project: “The Efficacy of Using Video in Golf Instruction” from the World Scientific Congress of Golf, in St. Andrews, Scotland. ...

About Brandon Roby

Brandon has extensive experience teaching every kind of golfer. He has put together a successful junior program for young children and a Junior Players Academy for competitive juniors. PGA and TPI certified, Brandon is also accomplished as a short game instructor. His background equips him to help any golfer improve.

Brandon's passion for golf developed quickly after he began playing and joined his high school team. It didn't take long for him to decide he wanted golf to be his career. Brandon's career path started in the retail side while in college and he began pursuit of PGA membership in 2000. A key early influence was Golf Digest Top 50 Women Teacher Patti Butcher, who helped Brandon discover a passion for teaching golfers of all levels. He went on to work five years with Charlie Vandenberg, Master Professional and multiple Michigan Section Teacher of the year winner. ...

About Luke Benoit

Luke is a certified PGA teaching professional with a Masters of Education degree in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. He started playing golf at age 13, was a scratch golfer by 16, and became a Minnesota junior champion at 18. Luke went on to play golf at Gustavus Adolphus College where he was a three-time All-American, while graduating with honors in economics. As a professional, Luke boasts an impressive record of more than 15 professional wins on various mini tours and Minnesota section events.

Luke began teaching golf full time in 2005. He is known for his broad base of knowledge and developmental approach to teaching juniors and adults. He utilizes his background in motor learning and biomechanics to build programs for clients that yield long-term results. He strongly believes in catering the instruction to each student based on their particular goals, strengths and limitations. Besides teaching full time, Luke serves as the Head Women’s Golf Coach at St. ...

About Jess Hansen

Jess has been playing golf for more than 45 years and has been a senior executive in government service for 27 years. He has lived all of his life in the Kansas City area and calls this area home. Jess has worked as a senior executive in public service in the metro Kansas City area. Most recently, he has been the head instructor for the Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School in the Kansas City area. Jess currently is also the Director of Instruction at the Drumm Farm Golf Club in Independence, Missouri, which is a suburb of Kansas City. Earlier in his career, he was a walk on for Emporia State University’s golf team, and most recently he finished in the top 10 of a monday qualifier for the Senior Tour.

Jess teaches golf with a passion and instills this passion into his students to help them play better golf. He loves to see the moment when the instruction comes together for the student. ...

About Tom Stickney

Bighorn's Director of Golf Instruction, Tom Stickney, is a Golf Magazine "Top 100 Teacher" and is ranked by Golf Digest as one of their "Top 20 Teachers Under 40." He has been a full-time Director of Golf Instruction for eighteen years and has taught over 25,000 individual lessons in his career. His instructional articles have been featured in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Golf Tips, and Golf Illustrated with eight national cover stories to date.

About Des Mahoney

Des is the Director of Instruction at Centennial Golf Course near Knoxville, Tenn. He believes the most effective golf instructors exhibit success in four areas:

1) Passion - Des knew that he was destined to be a golf instructor from a young age. He has always had a passion for teaching golf and helping his students achieve their golf goals.

2) Training - Des has studied under or worked for Hank Haney, Chuck Cook, David Leadbetter, Mike Hebron and other noted PGA teaching professionals. He has been to numerous PGA seminars and teaching clinics and believes it is vital for a golf instructor to observe the best teachers in action. He has a weekly newsletter that is sent to all of his students that can be accessed at www.desmahoneygolf.com.

3) Education - Des has been a member of the PGA of America since 1993 and has also completed the PGA Advanced Certification program in golf instruction. ...

About Tim Conaway

Tim has worked and taught at two of the premiere clubs in Sarasota, FL since 2001. At the end of 2011, he took his passion of teaching and turned it into his own business. His clients range from young juniors to retired men and women of all skill levels. Tim’s teaching philosophy revolves around molding a swing to best fit the student’s needs and abilities. He works with each student to help establish and then meet their goals so they can enjoy the game more.

Tim is a board member of the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association, organizes and executes their Summer Tournament Series and volunteers his time for GSJGA Clinics. Tim was nominated for the Junior Golf Leader in the Southwestern Chapter of North Florida Section of the PGA in 2012.

About Justin Tackett

Justin Tackett has worked at several golf facilities around the country. Hailing from Massachusetts, Justin has worked in Massachusetts, Florida, New Mexico, and all over Georgia as a Golf Professional. Justin has worked in many aspects of the golf industry and has been the lead instructor of many camps and clinics. He joined the Canongate team back in March 2007 and credits his teaching philosophy to his mentor, friend and Life Time PGA Member, Don Butzin and also Golf Digest’s 11th ranked instructor Manuel de la Torre, who is today’s leading proponent of Ernest Jones’ swing principles. Justin has learned the concepts and application of those principles through study, observation and personal conversations with Manuel de la Torre and Don Butzin over the last 5 years.

About Michael Deiters

Michael has been teaching/coaching the game of golf since 2001 at one of America's 'Top 100 Practice Facilities', Meadow Links & Golf Academy. With over 15 years of teaching/coaching experience, Michael enjoys working with all levels of golfers, especially those who are new to the game! Dedicated to growing the game, Michael also works very closely with local/national organizations such as The First Tee, EWGA, Special Olympics, and many others.

About Jamie DeKeuster

Jamie didn't start playing golf until high school, but he quickly got hooked and after 10 years of a different career path, he decided he wanted to make a living from his true passion. The Wisconsin native began his golf instruction career at a fast-paced public facility in Wisconsin and later worked in Sanibel Island (Fla.).

A PGA member, Jamie is now based in Louisville (Kent.) as a Golf Professional and Instructor at Oxmoor County Club. He takes great enjoyment and pride in helping all types of students play better golf. More than 20 years of playing experience and nearly a decade in the instruction business has equipped Jamie to to help any golfer learn in a relaxed and fun environment.

About Andy Griffiths

Andy is a UKPGA member and currently lives in England, where he graduated in 2011 with an Applied Golf Management Degree from the University of Birmingham and also represented the golf team. He worked at the Evian Masters Golf Course in France, Egypt, Doral in Miami, with the Titleist Performance Institute in California, with Nike Golf Junior Summer Camps as their only European Coach in their flagship location at Pebble Beach, as well as at The Open Championship. Andy also spent eight months coaching on a cruise ship, which gave him the chance to work in more than 30 countries and travel and work with many of the best in the business to constantly improve his coaching. Andy's greatest desire is to help golfers reach their dreams and to enjoy the process! He teaches because he knows the difference golf can make in the lives of others, and he wants to make real differences in the lives of those he works with.

About Dale Lynch

Dale has been a member of the PGA of Australia for almost 30 years. He played on the Australian Tour for seven years and coached at the Victorian Institute of Sport, which was responsible for producing many recent Tour professionals including: Geoff Olgivy, Aaron Baddeley, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Marc Leishman and others. He has helped produce several international golf winners and helped eight graduates earn their USA PGA tour cards, five of them becoming Top 50 golfers in the world. Dale is now co-director of Bann Lynch Golf which operates at Yarra Bend Golf Course in Melbourne, Australia, and also Saddlebrook Golf Academy in Tampa, Fla., with his co-director, Steve Bann. At Saddlebrook Prep Golf Academy, Dale works with an emphasis on junior development, to instruct golfers of all ability levels, and to continue coaching elite amateur and professional players.

In 2013 Dale was name as a Top 100 Golf Magazine teacher. ...

About Steve Bann

Steve played full time on the Australian Professional Golf Tour from 1981-86, then part time for the next 10 years. From 1986-1990, he was the Head Professional at Box Hill Golf Club in Melbourne. Steve then became founder and Head Coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport, which was responsible for producing many recent tour professionals, including Geoff Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby and Marc Leishman, among others. He helped produce several international golf tournament winners and helped eight graduates earn their PGA Tour cards. In 2006, Steve was named Victorian PGA Coach of the Year. Some of his present students include Stuart Appleby, Nick Flanagan and K.J. Choi. At Saddlebrook Prep Golf Academy, he works with an emphasis on junior development, to instruct golfers of all ability levels, and to still coach elite amateur and professional players. ...

About Brian Bain

By today's standards, you could say Brian was a late bloomer in the game of golf. He was a hockey player growing up and didn't give golf a thought until he attended a practice round during the 1988 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline at 16.

"I loved the atmosphere and fell in love with the game," Bain said of that first exposure to golf.

Since that initial golf experience, Brian's life in the sport has developed into a successful career. He is now entering his ninth season as the head professional at Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course (formerly Brookline Golf Club), which is adjacent to the hallowed grounds of The Country Club.

Brian was recognized by his peers and selected out of 28,000 PGA professionals as the recipient of the 2011 National PGA President's Plaque for his initiatives on growing the game of golf.

About Dan Carraher

Dan is from the Jacksonville, Fla., area, where he currently teaches at Hidden Hills Country Club.

He also has taught previously in both Orlando and San Diego, as well as conducted golf schools all over the U.S. and various parts of the World.

Dan's teaching career has now spanned more than 10 years. He has taught full-time since 2007 following a short career playing professional golf.

Teaching golf is Dan's passion and he continually tries to increase and share his knowledge with as many people as possible.

About Matt Bryda

Matt’s passion for sports has fueled an athletically diverse background that has included competition in multiple sports (including golf) at the state level. Matt entered the business side of golf at the Country Club of Florida where he spent three years and was mentored by Master Teaching Professional John Fleming. He also gained new experience as a golf instructor and improved his own golf game while working with ex European tour professional David Hunter at New Albany Country Club outside Columbus, Ohio. At New Albany he worked with new golfers, was involved with the junior golf instruction program, and was directly responsible for the pee wee golf program. After earning his membership into the PGA he advanced upwards on the management side of golf to Director of Golf at Furnace Creek Resort in California.

Currently, Matt is a full-time golf instructor at Precision Golf School in Eugene, Oregon. ...

About Matt Reagan

Matt Reagan is the Head Golf Professional at Keith Hills Golf Club in Buies Creek, NC. His passion for teaching and growing the game has led him to developing the C4 Golf Coaching System. Matt's vision for C4 is to make golf easier by providing both educational tools and coaching. He believes students need to understand "WHY" they need to make the change in order to commit to an improvement plan. Matt's passion for solving problems and making things easier to understand also played a large influence on the development of The Edge Junior Golf Programs. Matt's largest passion is teaching kids and helping influence others to better their lives in any way he knows how.

Matt is a graduate from Campbell University where he studied Marketing & Golf Management. At Campbell he had the opportunity to meet and study under some of the top teaching professionals within the golf industry. ...

About Kandi Comer

Kandi has been a PGA professional since 1992 and has been mentoring players of all skill levels by providing them with a firm knowledge of the basic fundamentals of the game, with a special emphasis on the short game and course management. Evidenced by her being recognized four straight years by Golf For Women as a Top 50 Teaching Professional, and nominated several times for Golf Digest’s Top 100, she brings to her teaching the lessons learned from some excellent mentors, including the late Davis Love, Jr. Kandi has extended her knowledge of psychology by working with noted sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella, and applies that to her work as a golf instructor.

She became the instructor of the LPGA Tour star Dottie Pepper, winner of 17 tour events, including two majors and has coached Leah Wigger while she successfully earned her LPGA credentials. Kandi continues to give her attention to developing up-and-coming talent. Kandi has sent 40+ juniors on to play college golf. ...

About Michael Michaelides

Michael has had a distinguished career as both a club professional and NCAA Division I college head coach. His career stops have included assistant pro tenures at Bethpage State Park, The Woodcrest Club and Oyster Bay Golf Course. Since 2003, Michael has been the head coach at Long Island University-Brooklyn, where for seven seasons he coached both the men's and women's programs. His teams and players have each won conference championships and other accolades under his leadership.

Michael had an accomplished playing career at LIU-Brooklyn and has since competed professionally in both regular tournaments and long drive competitions. He currently is the head teaching professional at the Mercer County Golf Academy. His instructional articles have been published in various publications.

About Mike Peterson

Mike is a lifetime member of the PGA of America with more than 38 years of teaching experience. He is a certified instructor at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Mike is an ambidextrous golfer and highly skilled from both sides of the ball (he has made holes in one both right and left handed).

Mike graduated from the University of Illinois with both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Education, with a specialty in motor learning. He began looking at swings with a movie camera in the mid 1970s and is considered one of the pioneers in the use of video and computer technology for swing analysis.

Other career achievements include: coaching a college golf team, speaking at the PGA Teaching Summit in 1990, managing the PGA National Academy of Golf, and serving as Director of Instruction at multiple resort, private and public golf facilities. ...

About Bill Schmedes III

Bill is a Class A PGA Professional originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He has consistently been recognized as one of the top golf coaches in New England and has been awarded “Top 25 Golf Instructor in New England” by New England Golf Monthly Magazine the last two years. He is also regarded by many as one of the best up and coming instructors in the country. His peers have nominated him for various PGA awards such as Golf Professional of the Year and Teacher of the Year at both the Chapter and Section levels. Bill has worked and studied under some of the top golf coaches in the states starting with Patrick Fannon, PGA junior golf promoter of the year. Steve Atherton “Top 20 Instructor under 40 in USA” by Golf Digest and finally Andy Hilts who has been recognized as a “Top 100 Golf Instructor” and “Top 20 Instructor under 40” by both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. Currently, Bill works under Gary Gilchrist at The Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy in Orlando, FL. Mr. ...

About Rod Cook

Originally from Fridley, Minn., Rod turned professional in 1997, participated in PGA Tour qualifying school five times and won more than 20 professional golf events. Rod worked for six years as the Director of Instruction at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Fla., ranked a top 100 golf facility, and he spent five years as the Head Teaching Professional at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Dallas, home of the Byron Nelson PGA Tour event.

Rod currently is the Head Professional at the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Popagayo, ranked one of the 53 best golf courses outside the United States. Rod is a Titleist TPI level 3 golf/fitness Instructor and specializes in golf fitness training. In addition, he is also a Titleist certified club fitter. Rod is on the faculty staff for the Professional Sports Care group, which certifies doctors to work on the PGA Tour.

About Jason Sutton

Jason grew up in St. Albans, WVa. where played high school golf finishing 2nd in the state his senior year. He went on to play 4 years at Glenville St. College in West Virginia where they finished 2nd in the nation his junior year (NAIA). Jason turned pro in 1992 and started teaching the game as an assistant professional at Berry Hills CC in Charleston, WVa. As a professional he has won 3 pro-ams and the West Virginia chapter assistants championship. After moving to Charlotte and taking the head professional position at The Northstone Club in Huntersville, NC he later pursued his passion to teach full time along side top 100 instructor, Dana Rader at the Dana Rader Golf School where he taught for 12 years. His latest stepping stone is now serving as the Director of Instructor at the prestigious Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, NC. ...