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.
2019 is a historic year for the reimagined GOLF brand. We’re delighted to mark the occasion by welcoming 16 new teachers to our esteemed list, while also inducting five new teachers into our Hall of Fame, including our long-time columnist and world-renowned short-game expert, Dave Pelz.
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.
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 15 baseline criteria, including 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.
MEET GOLF’S TOP 100 TEACHERS
*Former PGA or LPGA National Teacher of the Year
Dale Abraham, PGA
daleabraham.com
Bighorn G.C.,Palm Desert, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2017
Eric Alpenfels, PGA
Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, N.C.
Top 100 since: 2001
Cheryl Anderson, PGA/LPGA*
mikebender.com
Mike Bender Academy, Lake Mary, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013
Todd Anderson, PGA*
PGA Tour Performance Center at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2003
Mike Bender, PGA*
mikebender.com
Mike Bender Academy, Lake Mary, Fla.
Top 100 since: 1996
Mike Bennett
stackandtilt.com
Monarch C.C., Palm City, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013
Jason Baile, PGA
@JasonBailePGA
Belfair Plantation, Bluffton, S.C.
Top 100 since: 2019
Studied under fellow GOLF Top 100 Teachers Todd Anderson, Mike Shannon and newly inducted Hall-of-Fame member Jack Lumpkin.
Mark Blackburn, PGA
blackburngolf.com
@BlackburnGolf
Greystone C.C., Birmingham, Ala.
Top 100 since: 2013
Steve Bosdosh, PGA
stevebosdosh.com
@SteveBosdosh
Steve Bosdosh Golf Academy at P.B. Dye G.C., Ijamsville, Md.
Top 100 since: 2001
Michael Breed, PGA*
michaelbreed.com
@MichaelBreed
Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, Bronx, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2003
Jason Carbone, PGA
@JasonCarbone
Baltusrol G.C., Springfield, N.J.
Top 100 since: 2007
Martin Chuck, PGA
@tourstriker
tourstriker.com
Raven G.C., Phoenix, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2017
Chris Como
@ChrisComoGolf
Dallas National Golf Club, Dallas, Texas
Top 100 since: 2013
Tim Cooke, PGA
seapinesgolfinstruction.com
@TimCookeGolf
Golf Learning Center at Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Top 100 since: 2017
Tim Cusick, PGA
timcusickgolf.com
Four Seasons Resort and Club, Irving, Texas
Top 100 since: 2019
PGA Master Professional, three-time Texas PGA Section Teacher of the Year and a two-time Horton Smith Award winner.
Dana Dahlquist
@danadahlquist
El Dorado Park G.C., Long Beach, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2019
PGA Tour coach of Si Woo Kim, Dana recently helped Charles Howell III back into the winner’s circle for the first time in more than 11 years.
Dom DiJulia, PGA
dijuliagolf.com
@DiJuliaGolf
Jericho National G.C., New Hope, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2007
Debbie Doniger, LPGA
debbiedoniger.com
@DDonigerGolf
GlenArbor G.C., Bedford, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2017
John Dunigan, PGA
johndunigan.com
@JohnDuniganGolf
White Manor C.C., Malvern, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2017
Krista Dunton, PGA/LPGA*
kristaduntongolf.com
@KristaDunton
Berkeley Hall, Bluffton, S.C.
Top 100 since: 2011
Mark Durland, PGA
durlandgolf.com
@DurlandGolf
Durland Golf School at Naples Grande, Naples, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2017
Chuck Evans
chuckevansgolf.com
@ChuckEvans
Apache Creek G.C., Apache Junction, Ariz. (w); Tiffany Greens G.C., Kansas City, Mo. (s)
Top 100 since: 2009
Sean Foley
eaglesdream.com
Foley Performance Academy at Eagles Dream, Timacuan G.C., Lake Mary, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013
George Gankas
@GeorgeGankas
Westlake Golf Course, Westlake Village, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2019
Social-media sensation whose methods have been sought out by the likes of Masters champ Adam Scott and highly rated amateur Matthew Wolff.
Bryan Gathright, PGA
bryangathrightgolf.com
The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, Boerne, Texas
Top 100 since: 2001
Gary Gilchrist
ggga.com
Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013
Rick Grayson, PGA
rickgraysongolf.com
Rivercut G.C., Springfield, Mo.
Top 100 since: 1996
Ron Gring, PGA
gringgolf.com
Capital Canyon Club, Prescott, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2003
Lou Guzzi, PGA*
louguzzi.com
Talamore C.C., Ambler, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2011
Mark Hackett, PGA
Old Palm G.C., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2009
Martin Hall, PGA*
martinhallgolf.com
@MartinHallGolf
The Club at Ibis, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Top 100 since: 1996
Joe Hallett, PGA
joehallettgolf.com
Vanderbilt Legends Club, Franklin, Tenn.
Top 100 since: 2011
Scott Hamilton, PGA
scotthamiltongolf.com
@ScottyHamCville
Cartersville C.C., Cartersville, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2015
Bill Harmon
Bill Harmon Performance Academy at Toscana C.C., Indian Wells, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2002
Claude Harmon III
@claudeharmonIII
The Floridian, Palm City, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2015
Sean Hogan
davidleadbetter.com
Leadbetter Golf Academy, Orlando, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2015
Michael Hunt, PGA
jimmclean.com
Jim McLean Academy at Miami Beach G.C., Miami Beach, Fla. (w); Bayonne G.C., Bayonne, N.J. (s)
Top 100 since: 2017
Ed Ibarguen, PGA
golf.duke.edu
@EdIbarguen
Duke University G.C., Durham, N.C.
Top 100 since: 2001
Michael Jacobs, PGA
xgolfschool.com
@xgolfschool
Rock Hill G.C., Manorville, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2017
Eric Johnson, PGA
ericjohnsongolf.com
@EricJohnsonGolf
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2011
Matt Killen
@Killengolf
Troubadour Golf and Field Club, Nashville, Tenn.
Top 100 since: 2019
Short-game coach to former World No. 1 Justin Thomas, his stable includes J.B. Holmes, Nick Watney and Bud Cauley.
Jerry King, PGA
jerrykinggolf.com
@JerryKingGolf
Discovery Land Co., (El Dorado, Chileno Bay, Gozzer Ranch)
Top 100 since: 2009
Kevin Kirk, PGA
The Woodlands C.C., The Woodlands, Texas
Top 100 since: 2013
Mike LaBauve, PGA
labauvegolf.com
@TheLaBauves
Kierland G.C., Scottsdale, Ariz. (w); Roaring Fork Club, Basalt, Colo. (s)
Top 100 since: 1996
Jeff Leishman
jeffleishmangolf.com
@JLeishmanGolf
Dye Preserve, Jupiter, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2017
James Leitz, PGA
leitzgolf.com
Tchefuncta C.C., Covington, La.
Top 100 since: 2013
Keith Lyford, PGA
lyfordgolf.net
Golf Academy at Old Greenwood Truckee, Calif. (s); Whitney Oaks G.C., Rocklin, Calif. (w);
Top 100 since: 1999
Mike Malaska, PGA*
malaskagolf.com
Superstition Mountain G.C., Superstition Mountain, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 1996
Brian Manzella, PGA
brianmanzellagolf.com
@BrianManzella
English Turn Golf & C.C., New Orleans, La.
Top 100 since: 2011
Lynn Marriott, PGA/LPGA
vision54.com
@VISION54
Talking Stick G.C., Scottsdale, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 1996
Cameron McCormick, PGA*
cameronmccormickgolf.com
@CMcCormickGolf
Trinity Forest G.C., Dallas, Texas
Top 100 since: 2015
Mike McGetrick, PGA*
mikemcgetrickgolf.com
@MikeMcGetrick
Golf Club of Houston, Humble, Texas
Top 100 since: 1996
Susie Meyers, PGA
susiemeyersgolf.com
@SusieMeyers60
Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club, Tucson, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2017
Brian Mogg
moggacademy.com
@MoggAcademy Waldorf Astoria G.C. Orlando, Fla. (w); Chambers Bay G.C., University Place, Wash. (s)
Top 100 since: 2005
Jamie Mulligan, PGA
Virginia C.C., Long Beach, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2015
Scott Munroe, PGA
scottmunroegolf.com
Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Fla. (w); Nantucket G.C., Siasconset, Mass. (s)
Top 100 since: 2009
Jim Murphy, PGA
jimmurphygolf.com
@MurphGolf
Sugar Creek C.C., Sugar Land, Texas
Top 100 since: 2003
Bernie Najar, PGA
bernienajar.com
@BernieNajarGolf
Caves Valley G.C., Owings Mills, Md.
Top 100 since: 2015
Pia Nilsson, LPGA
vision54.com
VISION54 at Talking Stick G.C., Scottsdale, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2001
Rob Noel, PGA
robnoelgolfacademy.com
@RobNoelGolf
Rob Noel Golf Academy, Abita Springs, La.
Top 100 since: 2015
Chris O’Connell
The Plane Truth at Watters Creek, Plano, Texas (w); Friar’s Head, Riverhead, N.Y. (s)
Top 100 since: 2013
David Orr, PGA
flatstickacademy.com
Pine Needles
Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines, N.C.
Top 100 since: 2019
Renowned putting instructor, fitter and 3D putting researcher; founder of the Flatstick Academy.
Andrew Park
@TheAndrewPark
Orange County
National Golf Center, Winter Garden, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2019
Coach of numerous PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Champions Tour players during his 14 years under David Leadbetter.
Mike Perpich, PGA
mikeperpich.com
RiverPines Golf, Johns Creek, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2001
Gale Peterson, PGA/LPGA*
galepeterson.com
Sea Island Golf
Performance Center, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Top 100 since: 1996
E.J. Pfister, PGA
@EJPfisterGolf
Oak Tree National, Edmond, Okla.
Top 100 since: 2009
Dave Phillips, PGA
mytpi.com
@mytpiDave
Titleist Performance Institute, Oceanside, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2001
Joe Plecker, PGA
joeplecker.com
@JoePleckerPGA
Swing AI
Top 100 since: 2017
Andy Plummer
stackandtilt.com
Turnberry Isle, Aventura, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013
Carol Preisinger, LPGA*
carolpreisinger.com
@CarolPreisinger
Kiawah Island Club, Kiawah Island, S.C.
Top 100 since: 2005
Andrew Rice
@AndrewRiceGolf
Westin Savannah Harbor, Savannah, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2019
Trackman Partner, founder of Coach Camp and author of The Wedge Project, a scientific and technical analysis of the wedge game.
Brady Riggs, PGA
bradyriggsgolf.com
@BradyRiggs
Woodley Lakes G.C., Van Nuys, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2007
Terry Rowles, PGA (UK)
@golfperformance
Cool Clubs Scottsdale; Metedeconk National G.C., Jackson, N.J.
Top 100 since: 2019
PGA/LPGA Tour Coach to Kevin Streelman, Scott Langley, Steph Meadow. Teaches the golf swing to match the students body type.
Tony Ruggiero
dewsweepersgolf.com
@dewsweepergolf
C.C. of Mobile, Mobile, Ala.; Sheraton Bay Point Resort, Panama City Beach, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2017
Don Sargent, Jr., PGA
donsargentgolf.com
Scioto C.C., Columbus, Ohio.
Top 100 since: 2013
Adam Schriber, PGA
adamschribergolf.com
LochenHeath G.C., Williamsburg, Mich.
Top 100 since: 2009
Mike Shannon, PGA
PGA Tour Performance Center at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2011
Ted Sheftic, PGA
tedsheftic.com
Indian River Club, Vero Beach, Fla. (Feb.); Bridges G.C., Abbottstown, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2003
James Sieckmann, PGA*
jsegolfacademy.com
@JamesSieckmann
Shadow Ridge C.C., Omaha, Neb.
Top 100 since: 2013
Laird Small, PGA*
pebblebeach.com
Pebble Beach Golf Academy, Pebble Beach, Calif.
Top 100 since: 1996
Rick Smith
ricksmith.com
@RickSmithGolf
Trump National Doral, Miami, Fla.
Top 100 since: 1996
Jeff Smith
@RadarGolfPro
Course Kings; TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nev.
Top 100 since: 2019
Course Kings founder has coached numerous players, including Aaron Wise and former World No. 1 amateur Patrick Rodgers.
Todd Sones, PGA
toddsones.com
Buffalo Grove
Dome, Buffalo Grove, Ill. (w); White Deer Run G.C., Vernon Hills, Ill. (s)
Top 100 since: 1996
Mitchell Spearman
mitchellspearman.com
Academies in New York, the Bahamas, London and Cabo del Sol, Mexico
Top 100 since: 1996
Kevin Sprecher, PGA
kevinsprecher.com
@KevinSprecher
Sleepy Hollow C.C., Scarborough, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2017
Kellie Stenzel,PGA/LPGA
kelliestenzelgolf.com
@KellieStenzel
Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Fla.; Palm Beach C.C.,
Palm Beach, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2009
Boyd Summerhays
@boydsummerhaysgolf
McDowell Mountain G.C., Scottsdale, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2019
Former PGA Tour player who has helped coach Tony Finau from the Web.com Tour to a high of No. 9 in the World Golf Rankings.
Jason Sutton, PGA
golfgurutv.com
@golfgurutv
Carmel C.C., Charlotte, N.C.
Top 100 since: 2017
Jon Tattersall, PGA
fusionatlanta.com
@JonTattersall11
Fusion ATL, Atlanta, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2007
John Tillery, PGA
@jtillerygolf
Cuscowilla G.C., Eatonton, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2019
2015 Georgia Section Teacher of the Year; coaches Kevin Kisner, Brandt Snedeker, Scott Brown, Roberto Castro, Brice Garnett, Rick Lamb and Will McGirt.
E.A. Tischler
newhorizonsgolf.com
@EATischler
San Juan Oaks G.C., Hollister, Calif. (w); Olympia Fields C.C., Olympia Fields, Ill. (s)
Top 100 since: 2015
Tina Tombs, LPGA*
tinatombsgolf.com
Arizona Biltmore G.C., Phoenix, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2019
LPGA Tour tournament winner, two-time LPGA National Teacher of The Year and current member of LPGA Tour’s Top 50 Best Teacher list.
V.J. Trolio, PGA
troliogolf.com
@VTrolio
Old Waverly G.C., West Point, Miss.
Top 100 since: 2015
Jeff Warne, PGA
@jeffwarnegolf
The Bridge G.C., Bridgehampton, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2019
Met PGA Teacher of the Year in 2014, director of instruction at The Bridge Golf Club, and a former member of GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers.
Suzy Whaley, PGA, LPGA
@suzywhaley
C.C. at Mirasol, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2019
Current president of the PGA of America; in 2003 became the first woman in 58 years to qualify for a PGA Tour event.
Kevin Weeks, PGA
kevinweeksgolf.com
Cog Hill Golf & C.C., Lemont, Ill.
Top 100 since: 2013
Gary Weir
garyweirgolf.com
Westchester C.C., Rye, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2017
Dr. David Wright, PGA
wrightbalance.com
Arroyo Trabuco G.C., Mission Viejo, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2005
Jonathan Yarwood, PGA (UK)
JonathanYarwood.com
@JonathanYarwood
International Junior Golf Academy, Bluffton, S.C.
Top 100 since: 2019
Coach of five USGA champions, including 2005 U.S. Open winner Michael Campbell. Oversees the IJGA.
Josh Zander, PGA
zandergolf.com
@ZanderGolf
Stanford G.C.,
Stanford, Calif.; Sharon Heights Golf & C.C., Menlo Park, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2013
Emeritus
John Elliott, Jr., PGA
Ocala, Fla.
David Glenz, PGA*
Long Valley, N.J.
Fred Griffin, PGA
Orlando, Fla.
Craig Harmon, PGA*
Delray Beach, Fla.
Peter Kostis
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Tim Mahoney, PGA
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Rick McCord, PGA
Kissimmee, Fla.
Bill Moretti, PGA
Austin, Texas
Dana Rader, LPGA*
Charlotte, N.C.
Craig Shankland, PGA*
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Randy Smith, PGA*
Dallas, Texas
T.J. Tomasi
Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Hall of Fame
Mike Adams, PGA*
Bedminster
Township, N.J.
Chuck Cook, PGA*
Austin, Texas
Hank Haney, PGA*
McKinney, Texas
[Class of 2019]
Jim Hardy, PGA*
Houston, Texas
Butch Harmon
Henderson, Nev.
Michael Hebron, PGA*
Smithtown, N.Y.
[Class of 2019]
David Leadbetter, PGA*
Orlando, Fla.
Jack Lumpkin, PGA*
St. Simons Island, Ga.
[Class of 2019]
Jim McLean, PGA*
Miami, Fla.
Eddie Merrins, PGA
Los Angeles, Calif.
Dave Pelz
Austin, Texas
[Class of 2019]
Dr. Jim Suttie, PGA*
Naples, Fla.
[Class of 2019]
Bob Toski, PGA
Coconut Creek, Fla.
Gary Wiren, PGA*
West Palm Beach, Fla.
