15 nuggets of golf wisdom from our newest class of Top 100 teachers

Our latest edition of Top 100 Teachers in America features some new faces – 15 of them, in fact, some of whom you may already know from their contributions to GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com, while others you’ll get to know even better in the months and years to come.

The new fleet will be officially welcomed during GOLF’s annual Top 100 Teacher Summit at Cabot Citrus Farms in Brooksville, Florida, December 15-17. But in the meantime, we thought we’d introduce you to our newcomers by asking each of them to share a bite-sized nugget of game improvement wisdom that has helped shape their educational philosophies.

Stay informed. There will be plenty more where this came from!

David Armitage: Shell Bay Club, Hallandale, Florida.

“Golf improvement starts with clarity. Build a consistent pre-shot routine, focus on solid fundamentals and track your practice. Combine purposeful reps with on-course awareness and measure progress with data – improvement becomes focused, repeatable and fun.”

Jason Carbone: Canterbury GC, Beachwood, Ohio

“Find a Bunker: Draw a line in the bunker to show ball position. Make practice swings until the divots start after the line for full swings and erase the line for bunker shots. Do this until you can’t miss!”

Patrick Coyner: Cherry Hills CC, Cherry Hills Village, Colo.

“The clubface is the CEO of the swing. When you learn to better control the clubface through proper arm structure and wrist angles during the backswing and early transition, club delivery and body movement become more instinctive and repeatable.”

Dr. Alison Curdt: Wood Ranch Golf Club, Los Angeles

“Improvement comes from deliberate, intentional practice. Set clear goals, focus on quality over quantity, and stick to one thing. Small, consistent adjustments lead to lasting progress – patience, discipline, and self-awareness are the real game changers.”

Wayne Flint: Highland Park GC, Birmingham, Ala.

“Grip, aim, stance and ball position are key elements that, if practiced correctly, will result in more consistent results. These can be practiced at home, off the course, and accomplished in just a few minutes in front of a mirror every day. Think of it as brushing your teeth daily before your golf swing.”

Jennifer Hudson, Sankaty Head GC, Nantucket, MA.

“Dynamic balance is the key to successful contact. Create a balanced swing by holding the finish for three seconds. Control points include the weight on the lead leg, the trail knee pointing toward the target, and the ability to tap your trail toe on the ground.”

Parker McLachlin: McCormick Ranch GC, Scottsdale, Ariz.

“The lie dictates everything. Before you even think about your swing or club choice, take a moment to really understand your lie. That simple awareness will tell you which shot to hit, what technique to use, and what is actually possible. Great short games don’t start with talent – ​​they start with better decisions.”

Rick Murphy: Rick Murphy Golf, Greensboro GC, Greensboro, NC

“Dedicate focused time working on each part of the game. Balanced practice helps you find your strengths and weaknesses, builds confidence and consistency and develops your understanding of your game, making you a more complete player.”

Dr. Rick Sessinghaus: FLOWCODE Studio, Burbank, California.

“The state a golfer is in mentally, emotionally and physically affects performance. Training the pre- and post-shot routines to be focused, confident and calm will help you get the most out of your technical skills. Distraction, doubt and tension will ruin even the most experienced player. The other benefit is that you will enjoy the game more with the right mental skills.”

Rick Silva: M3G | Movement3Golf, Highland Park, Illinois.

“In the beginning, less is more. The best players generate about 6 percent of the total work here—almost all through body rotation, not ground or linear force. Focus on a smooth, rotational start, and you’ll create organization for when you need it most during the swing to apply power and movement.”

Christopher Smith: Eugene CC, Eugene, OR; Puerto Los Cabos GC, San José del Cabo, Mexico

“Keep in mind: Thought always precedes action. Not so much what – a swinging thought, signal or feeling – you think, but how you think. Take charge of your energy – mindset, emotions and intention – before every shot, and your results will improve.”

Doug Spencer: Spencer Golf Academy, Huntersville, NC

“Calibration is the key to better golf. Honestly assess your equipment, body and strategy. Knowing your true distances and skills helps you make smarter decisions and eliminate variables.”

Monique Thoresz: Quaker Ridge GC, White Plains, NY

“Get instructions from a professional as soon as you start the game. A good teacher can save you a lot of time, energy and money as you start your improvement journey!”

Matthew Wilson: Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, NJ

“Your improvement rests on three basic principles: 1. You need a runway – give yourself time; 2. Seek feedback – make sure you’re learning the right things; and 3. Establish rhythm – practice often, but for short periods of time. If you do this well, you’ll combat forgetfulness, avoid wasted effort, and lay the foundation for lasting progress.”