GOLF Magazine’s 2021-2022 Top 100 Teachers in America: The full list

Since its inception in 1991, GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers in America franchise has established itself as the industry standard for recognizing excellence in coaching. We hold ourselves to a rigorous process in a quest to highlight the most innovative, committed and accomplished teachers in the country.

We truly believe each new member of the Top 100 will uphold GOLF’s mission to deliver the best instruction to golfers of all abilities. See you on the lesson tee.

Golf Top 100 Teachers
Meet the new GOLF Top 100 Teachers of America
By: Luke Kerr-Dineen

How We Pick Our Top 100s

The biennial process is powered by the Top 100 Teachers Credentials Committee, and is the only national golf instructor search that combines outside academic and PGA peer review.

Candidates are screened against a set of criteria evaluating their teaching experience and accomplishments, student portfolio and peer ratings, along with their overall commitment to the growth of the game, both through volunteerism and their ability to use digital platforms.

In addition to a public application, candidates are nominated by the PGA, LPGA and United States Golf Teachers Federation, among others. The committee reviews 250 applications, on average, before selecting the new members.

RELATED: Meet the 2021 class of GOLF Top 100 teachers

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MEET GOLF’S TOP 100 TEACHERS

Todd Anderson

mark blackburn smiles

Mark Blackburn

Top 100 since: 2013

Michael Breed

Top 100 since: 2003

Martin Chuck

Top 100 since: 2017

Nick Clearwater

Top 100 since: 2021

Chris Como

Top 100 since: 2013

Edward (Ed) Ibarguen

Top 100 since: 2001

Chris Mayson

Top 100 since: 2021
Spieth McCormick.jpg

Cameron McCormick

Top 100 since: 2021

Jamie Mulligan

Top 100 since: 2015
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Don Sargent Jr.

Top 100 since: 2013
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James Sieckmann

Top 100 since: 2013
pure putting drills gary weir

Gary Weir

Top 100 since: 2017
jonathan yarwood demonstrates drill

Jonathan Yarwood

Top 100 since: 2019

MEET GOLF’S TOP 100 LIFETIME MEMBERS

New to 2021, GOLF Magazine is creating a new designation to honor GOLF Top 100 Teachers who have remained on the Top 100 list for 20 consecutive years or more.

John Elliott, Jr.
Ocala, Fla.

Bryan Gathright
Boerne, Texas

David Glenz
Long Valley, N.J.

Rick Grayson
Springfield, Mo.

Fred Griffin
Orlando, Fla.

Ron Gring
Prescott, Ariz.

Martin Hall
West Palm Beach, Fla.

Craig Harmon
Delray Beach, Fla.

Peter Kostis
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Mike Labauve
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Keith Lyford
Rocklin, Calif.

Mike Malaska
Superstition Mountain, Ariz.

Tim Mahoney
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Rick McCord
Kissimmee, Fla.

Bill Moretti
Austin, Texas

Dana Rader
Charlotte, N.C.

Craig Shankland
Daytona Beach, Fla.

Laird Small
Pebble Beach, Calif.

Randy Smith
Dallas, Texas

Rick Smith
Miami, Fla.

T.J. Tomasi
Port St. Lucie, Fla.

MEET GOLF’S HALL OF FAME TEACHERS

Mike Adams
Bedminster Township, N.J.

Chuck Cook
Austin, Texas

Hank Haney
McKinney, Texas

Jim Hardy
Houston, Texas

Butch Harmon
Henderson, Nev.

Michael Hebron
Smithtown, N.Y.

David Leadbetter
Orlando, Fla.

Jack Lumpkin
St. Simons Island, Ga.

Jim McLean
Miami, Fla.

Eddie Merrins
Los Angeles, Calif.

Dave Pelz
Austin, Texas

Dr. Jim Suttie
Naples, Fla.

Bob Toski
Coconut Creek, Fla.

Gary Wiren
West Palm Beach, Fla.

Luke Kerr-Dineen

Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. In his role he oversees the brand’s game improvement content spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.

An alumni of the International Junior Golf Academy and the University of South Carolina–Beaufort golf team, where he helped them to No. 1 in the national NAIA rankings, Luke moved to New York in 2012 to pursue his Masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University. His work has also appeared in USA Today, Golf Digest, Newsweek and The Daily Beast.