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.
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
RELATED: Meet the 2021 class of GOLF’s up-and-coming “Teachers to Watch”
MEET GOLF’S TOP 100 TEACHERS
Todd Anderson
Todd Anderson
Dom DiJulia
Mark Durland
Sean Foley
George Gankas
Gary Gilchrist
Joseph Hallett
Bill Harmon
Sean Hogan
Michael Hunt
Michael Jacobs
Matt Killen
Bryan Lebedevitch
Mike McGetrick
Susie Meyers
Scott Munroe
Chris O’Connell
David Orr
Andrew Park
E.J. Pfister
Andy Plummer
Brady Riggs
Tony Ruggiero
Michael Shannon
Ted Sheftic
Jeff Smith
Mitchell Spearman
Brech Spradley
Kellie Stenzel
Allen Terrell
Shaun Webb
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.
