Instruction

GOLF Magazine’s 2024-2025 Top 100 Teachers in America: The full list

By: Nick Dimengo
GOLF's Top 100 Teachers in America

Introducing GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America for 2024 and 2025, highlighting the best instructors in golf from across the country.

GOLF

Launching in 1991, GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers in America franchise has established itself as the preeminent list for recognizing excellence in golf instruction.

Not only do we hold ourselves to a high standard with our selections, but the rigorous process allows us to identify the most innovative, committed, accomplished, and passionate golf teachers in the United States. Each shares our vision, and carry themselves with the utmost professionalism.

As GOLF continues its mission to expand the game and provide the best instruction content for players of all skill-levels, we collaborate with our Top 100 Teachers to help lead the charge. Together, we provide the leadership, wisdom, and fresh ideas to help every golfer improve. We’re sure to see you on the lesson tee soon!

How we pick our Top 100 Teachers

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.

As mentioned above, the process is both rigorous and competitive, with candidates being screened against a set of criteria that evaluates a number of different guidelines. These include 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.

Along with the 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.

MORE: Meet the Lifetime Achievement teachers
MORE: Meet the Top 100 Hall of Fame inductees
MORE: Meet the Top 100 Alumni teachers
MORE: Meet GOLF’s Teachers to Watch

Meet GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers

Dale Abraham

Bighorn GC, Palm Desert, Calif.; Cape Arundel GC, Kennebunkport, Maine
Top 100 since: 2017

Rob Akins

The Madison Club, La Quinta, Calif; Tributary, Driggs, Idaho
Top 100: (2001, 2024)

Eric Alpenfels

Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, N.C.
Top 100 since: 2001

Cheryl Anderson

Mike Bender Golf Academy at Magnolia Plantation GC, Lake Mary, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013

Todd Anderson

PGA Tour Performance Center at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2003

Jason Baile

Jupiter Hills Club, Jupiter, FL
Top 100 since: 2019

Mike Bender

Mike Bender Golf Academy, Lake Mary, FL
Top 100 since: 1996

Jason Birnbaum

Manhattan Woods GC, West Nyack, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2024

Mark Blackburn

Blackburn Golf Academy at Greystone G&CC, Birmingham, Ala.
Top 100 since: 2013

Shawn Callahan

Monroe GC, Pittsford, N.Y.; Abacoa GC, Jupiter, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2024

Martin Chuck

The Raven GC, Phoenix, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2017

Nick Clearwater

GOLFTEC, Englewood, Colo.
Top 100 since: 2021

Chris Como

Dallas National, Dallas, Texas
Top 100 since: 2013

Tim Cooke

The Golf Learning Center at The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Top 100 since: 2017

Tim Cusick

PGA Coaching Center at PGA Frisco, Frisco, Texas
Top 100 since: 2019

Dana Dahlquist

El Dorado GC, Long Beach, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2019

Mike Dickson

Mike Dickson Golf Academy at MCG Little Bennett GC, Clarksburg, Md.
Top 100 since: 2024

Dom DiJulia

DiJulia Golf at Jericho National GC, New Hope, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2007

Debbie Doniger

GlenArbor GC, Bedford Hills, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2017

John Dunigan

Applebrook GC, Malvern, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2017

Krista Dunton

Berkeley Hall, Bluffton, S.C.; Belfair, Bluffton, S.C.
Top 100 since: 2011

Mark Durland

Durland Golf School at Naples Grande GC, Naples, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2017

Sean Foley

Sean Foley Performance, Orlando, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013

George Gankas

George Gankas Golf, Westlake Driving Range, Westlake, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2019

Gary Gilchrist

Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, Howey in the Hills, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013

Lou Guzzi

Lou Guzzi Golf Academy at Talamore CC, Ambler, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2011

Mark Hackett

Old Palm GC, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2009

Joe Hallett

Vanderbilt Legends Club, Franklin, Tenn.; PGA West, La Quinta, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2011

Scott Hamilton

Cartersville CC, Cartersville, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2015

Claude Harmon III

Butch Harmon Floridian, Palm City, Fla.; CH3 Golf Performance, Dubai, UAE
Top 100 since: 2015

Sean Hogan

Golfzon Leadbetter Academy at Reunion Resort, Reunion, Fla.; Golfzon Leadbetter Academy at Crystal Springs Resort, Franklin, N.J.
Top 100 since: 2015

Michael Hunt

Shell Bay Club, Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2017

Edward (Ed) Ibarguen

Duke University GC, Durham, N.C.
Top 100 since: 2001

Michael Jacobs

Rock Hill GC, Manorville, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2017

Eric Johnson

Yellowstone Club, Big Sky, Mont.; The Turn Club, Cranberry, Pa.
Top 100 since: 2011

Jerry King

El Dorado Golf & Beach Club, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico; Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club, Harrison, Idaho
Top 100 since: 2009

Kevin Kirk

The Woodlands CC, The Woodlands, Texas
Top 100 since: 2013

Erika Larkin

The Club at Creighton Farms, Aldie, Va.
Top 100 since: 2024

Bryan Lebedevitch

PGA West Golf Academy, La Quinta, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2021

James Leitz

Tchefuncta CC, Covington, La.
Top 100 since: 2013

Mike Malizia

The Club at Admirals Cove, Jupiter, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2024

Brian Manzella

Studio in the Sky, New Orleans, La.; English Turn G&CC, New Orleans, La.
Top 100 since: 2011

Chris Mayson

Rancho Santa Fe GC, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; National Golf Links, Southampton, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2021

Cameron McCormick

Trinity Forest, Dallas, Texas
Top 100 since: 2021

Susie Meyers

Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club, Tucson, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2017

Brian Mogg

Waldorf Astoria GC, Orlando, Fla.; Chambers Bay GC, University Place, Wash.
Top 100 since: 2005

Liam Mucklow

The Golf Lab, Baton Rouge, La.; The Golf Lab, King City, Ontario
Top 100 since: 2024

Jamie Mulligan

Virginia CC, Long Beach, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2015

Scott Munroe

Nantucket GC, Nantucket, Mass.; The Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2009

Jim Murphy

Sugar Creek CC, Sugar Land, Texas
Top 100 since: 2003

Bernie Najar

Caves Valley GC, Owings Mills, Md.
Top 100 since: 2015

Rob Noel

Rob Noel Golf Academy, Abita Springs, La.
Top 100 since: 2015

Chris O’Connell

Plane Truth Golf, Dallas and Plano, Texas; Friar’s Head, Riverhead, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2013

Ed Oldham

The Ranch CC, Westminster, Colo.
Top 100 since: 2024

David Orr

Pine Needles Lodge & GC, Southern Pines, N.C.
Top 100 since: 2019

Andrew Park

Orange County National, Winter Garden, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2019

Justin Parsons

Sea Island Golf Performance Center, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2021

Mike Perpich

RiverPines Golf, Johns Creek, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2001

Gale Peterson

Sea Island Golf Performance Center, St. Simons Island, Ga.
Top 100 since: 1996

E.J. Pfister

Oak Tree National, Edmond, Okla.; Oklahoma City G&CC, Nichols Hills, Okla.
Top 100 since: 2009

Joe Plecker

The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, Savannah, Ga.; The Elkridge Club, Baltimore, Md.
Top 100 since: 2017

Andy Plummer

J.W. Marriott Turnberry, Aventura, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2013

Carol Preisinger

The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, Savannah, Ga
Top 100 since: 2005

John Scott Rattan

Congressional CC, Bethesda, Md.; Bethesda CC, Bethesda, Md.
Top 100 since: 2024

Andrew Rice

The Club at Savannah Harbor, Savannah, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2019

Brady Riggs

Hansen Dam GC, Pacoima, Calif.; Four Seasons Hualalai Resort, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Top 100 since: 2007

Trillium Rose

Woodmont CC, Rockville, Md.
Top 100 since: 2021

Terry Rowles

Hudson National GC, Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2019

Tony Ruggiero

Dewsweepers Downtown, Mobile, Ala.; Old Palm GC, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2017

Don Sargent Jr.

Scioto CC, Columbus, Ohio
Top 100 since: 2013

Adam Schriber

LochenHeath GC, Williamsburg, Mich.; High Pointe GC, Traverse City, Mich.
Top 100 since: 2009

Mike Shannon

PGA Tour Performance Center at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2011

James Sieckmann

Golf Academy at Shadow Ridge CC, Omaha, Neb.
Top 100 since: 2013

Jeff Smith

Spring Creek Ranch, Collierville, Tenn.
Top 100 since: 2019

Jeff Smith

Eagle Springs GC, Wolcott, Colo. Bonita Bay Club, Bonita Springs, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2021

Todd Sones

Arboretum GC, Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Top 100 since: 1996

Brech Spradley

Barton Creek Golf Academy, Austin, Texas
Top 100 since: 2021

Kevin Sprecher

Sleepy Hollow CC, Scarborough, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2017

Drew Steckel

Southern Highlands GC, Las Vegas, Nev.
Top 100 since: 2021

Kellie Stenzel

Palm Beach Par 3, Palm Beach, Fla.; The Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2009

Sarah Stone

Chevy Chase Club, Chevy Chase, Md.
Top 100 since: 2024

Boyd Summerhays

Silverleaf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2019

Stephen Sweeney

Stephen Sweeney Putting Studio, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Reunion Resort, Kissimmee, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2024

Jon Tattersall

Fusion Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2007

Allen Terrell

Dustin Johnson Golf School, Murrells Inlet, S.C.
Top 100 since: 2021

John Tillery

Cuscowilla GC, Eatonton, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2019

E.A. Tischler

Olympia Fields CC, Olympia Fields, Ill.
Top 100 since: 2015

Tina Tombs

Tina Tombs Golf at the Arizona Biltmore GC, Phoenix, Ariz.; White Mountain CC, Pinetop, Ariz.
Top 100 since: 2019

V.J. Trolio

Old Waverly GC, West Point, Miss.
Top 100 since: 2015

Stan Utley

Grayhawk GC, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Maroon Creek Club, Aspen, Colo.
Top 100 since: 2009, 2024

Jeff Warne

The Bridge, Sag Harbor, N.Y.; Old Barnwell GC, Aiken, S.C.
Top 100 since: 1996, 2019

Trent Wearner

Trent Wearner Golf Academy, Denver, Colo.
Top 100 since: 2024

Shaun Webb

Athletic Motion GC, Winter Garden, Fla. and Cartersville, Ga.
Top 100 since: 2021

Kevin Weeks

Cog Hill GC, Palos Park, Ill.
Top 100 since: 2013

Gary Weir

Westchester CC, Rye, N.Y.
Top 100 since: 2017

Suzy Whaley

CC at Mirasol, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2021

David Woods

The Vintage Club, Indian Wells, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2024

Joey Wuertemberger

Texas Rangers GC at The Crown Golf, Arlington, Texas
Top 100 since: 2024

Jonathan Yarwood

Alpine CC, Demarest, N.J.; IJGA, Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
Top 100 since: 2019

Josh Zander

Stanford University GC, Palo Alto, Calif.; Spartan Golf Complex, San Jose, Calif.
Top 100 since: 2013

Meet GOLF’s Top 100 Lifetime Members

To honor GOLF Top 100 Teachers who have remained on the Top 100 list for 20 consecutive years or more.

Steve Bosdosh
Ijamsville, Md.

Michael Breed
CBS Sports and Golf Digest

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.

Lynn Marriott
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Rick McCord
Kissimmee, Fla.

Bill Moretti
Austin, Texas

Pia Nilsson
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Dave Phillips
Oceanside, Ca.

Dana Rader
Charlotte, N.C.

Craig Shankland
Daytona Beach, Fla.

Ted Sheftic
New Oxford, Pa.

Laird Small
Pebble Beach, Calif.

Randy Smith
Dallas, Texas

Rick Smith
Miami, Fla.

Mitchell Spearman
Rye Brook, N.Y.

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.

Mike McGetrick
Gainesville, Va.

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.

Meet GOLF’S Top 100 Alumni Members (2024-2025)

Jason Carbone
Cleveland, Ohio

Chuck Evans
Apache Junction, Ariz.

Wayne Flint
Birmingham, Ala.

Matt Killen
College Grove, Tenn.

Jeff Leishman
Jupiter, Fla.

Kate Tempesta
New Canaan, Conn.

David F. Wright, Ph.D.
Redmond, Wash.

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