Whether you’re a PGA professional with a résumé that’s polished enough for Top 100 consideration, or a reader who knows a swing coach who deserves elite-teacher status, we want to hear from you. We update our Top 100 list every two years, and we’re broadening our search to include every qualified instructor from coast to coast to create the most extensively researched teacher pool in history.
MINIMUM CRITERIA
To be considered for Top 100 status, it is recommended a teacher has 10 years of full-time teaching experience and spends at least 750 hours a year actively teaching golf (through individual lessons, group, clinics, schools, classes, presentations, seminars, workshops, etc.). In addition, an instructor must spend at least 750 hours in other lesson- and instruction-related activities. Examples of the latter include organizing lessons, communicating with students, writing articles, filming video, learning, reading, and/or studying any areas related to the field of teaching golf. Combined minimum annual total = 1,500 hours.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications are screened against fifteen baseline criteria recommended by the Top 100 Teachers Advisory Committee:
- Number of years teaching
- Annual hours instructing on the lesson tee
- Annual hours engaged in teaching-related activities
- Letters of recommendation
- Employment history
- Reference lists
- Impact on instruction community
- Teaching scholarship
- Teaching awards
- Student portfolio
- Student ratings
- Peer ratings
- Growth of the game
- Volunteerism
- Student results
The applications are then examined and ranked by a group comprised of 15 active and former Top 100 Teachers. Final recommendations are then made by a separate Selection Committee, comprised of GOLF Magazine’s Instruction Editor, established Top 100 Teachers and alumni, and invited World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame members.
(Recommendations are based upon an in-depth review of the fifteen baseline criteria with an emphasis on the following: swing knowledge, communications skills, innovative teaching ideas, flexibility in teaching different learning types, proven success, willingness to share knowledge with peers, longevity, success with well-known golfers, industry awards and number of nominations, recommendations and presentations.)
The recommendations of the Selection Committee are submitted to GOLF Magazine for the final decision.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the 2019-20 GOLF Top 100 Teachers in America, complete the application form below. All forms must be submitted by December 7th, 2018. The new Top 100 Teachers in America list will be announced in January.
HOW TO SAVE AND RETURN TO YOUR APPLICATION
STEP ONE
To save your progress and return to your application at a later day, scroll to the bottom of the final page of the application and click “submit.” You will be able to go back, edit and complete your application up until the December 7th deadline.
STEP TWO
Return to this page’s URL (Bookmark: Golf.com/instruction/2018/11/08/2019-20-golf-magazine-top-100-teachers-in-america-application/)
STEP THREE
Click “edit your response” when you’re ready to return to your application, and when you’re done, click “submit” once again. You will be able to go back, edit and complete your application up until the December 7th deadline.
