Every two years, GOLF Magazine convenes an independent committee to evaluate teacher applications and work to name the Top 100 Teachers in America. It is a highly competitive process involving months of evaluation and discussion against a strict set of criteria.
First introduced in 2019 and expanded in 2021, our GOLF Magazine Teachers to Watch designation aims to spotlight rising stars in the golf instruction industry. Keep an eye on this group (listed below): they are the innovative teachers of tomorrow who are helping to shape the way we all learn, think and play.
How we choose 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 external academic and PGA peer review.
Applicants are screened against a series of criteria that evaluate their educational experience and achievements, student portfolio and peer ratings, along with their overall commitment to the growth of the game, both through volunteer work and their ability to use digital platforms.
Along with the public application, candidates are nominated by the PGA, LPGA and others. The committee assesses an average of 250 applications before selecting the new members.
MORE: View the complete list of Top 100 Teachers 2026-2027
MORE: Meet the Lifetime Achievement teachers
MORE: Meet the Top 100 Hall of Fame Inductees
MORE: Meet the top 100 alumni teachers
GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers to Watch (2026-27)
Leigh Albaugh
Magnolia Green Golf Club, Moseley, Va.
Heather Angell
The Golf Club at Fiddler’s Creek, Naples, Florida.
Craig Bocking
Bocking Golf Academy, Huntsville, Ala.
Devan Bonebrake
Studio Golf, Hermosa Beach, California.
Claude Brousseau
Wailea Golf Academy, Wailea, Hawaii
Jonathan Buchanan
Dallas Country Club, Dallas, Texas
Mike Bury
Mike Bury Golf, Irving, Texas
Cody Carter
Druid Hills Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia.
Todd Casabella
Barrington Golf Club, Aurora, Ohio
Chris Bank
Chris Couch Golf Academy, Winter Garden, Florida.
Addison Craig
The Bridge, Bridgehampton, NY
Derek Deminsky
Forty Niner CC, Tucson, Ariz.
Vincent Diroff
The Landings Golf and Athletic Club, Savannah, Georgia.
Nick Dunn
Altus Performance, Dallas, Texas
Michael Dutro
Measured Golf, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Maureen Farrell
Oakwood Country Club, Kansas City, Mo.
Meaghan Francella
Philadelphia Cricket Club, Flourtown, PA.
Robbie Frits
Greensboro Country Club, Greensboro, NC
Chris George
Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg, Va.
Chad Gibbs
Duke University Golf Club, Durham, NC
Mike Granato
Athletic Motion Golf, Winter Garden, Fla.
Matt Henderson
TPC Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev.
James Hong
Harbor Links Golf Course, Port Washington, NY
John Hughes
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Orlando, Florida.
David Impastato
Impastato G. Academy, Batavia, Illinois.
Joseph Ingolia
Ingolia Golf, Dix Hills, NY
When McDon
Metedeconk National, Jackson Township, NJ
EJ Kim
Axis Golf Academy, Cypress, Texas
Cathy Kim
Baltimore Country Club, Lutherville, MD.
Shawn Koch
Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia.
Christy Longfield
Spanish Oaks Golf Club, Bee Cave, Texas
Corey Lundberg
Altus Performance, Dallas, Texas
Janean Murphy
Meadowbrook Country Club, Ballwin, Mo.
Logan Murphy
Logan Murphy Golf, Maryville, Illinois.
Tommy O’Brien Jr.
BlackHawk Country Club, Richmond, Texas
Paxton O’Connor
Desert Mountain Club, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Renée O’Higgins
Quail West Golf & Country Club, Naples, Florida.
Tom Rezendes
NorCal Golf Academy, Walnut Creek, California.
Carly Schneider
Cove Club and Cabo Del Sol, Mexico
Stefanie Shaw
Sebonack Golf Club, Tuckahoe, NY
Natalie Sheehan
Pelican Golf Club, Tampa, FL.
Chris Smeel
Stadium Golf Center, San Diego, California.
Adam Smith
Country Club of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
Hendrik Stetina
New Mexico State PGA Golf Management Program, Las Cruces, NM
Derek Swoboda
John’s Island Club, Vero Beach, Florida.
Jordanian King Thomas
Rick Smith Golf Academy, Los Angeles, California.
Jake Toren
Ruffled Springs Golf Club, Lemont, Illinois.
Matthew Tipper
James Sieckmann Golf Academy, Omaha, Neb.
Brian Varsey
Essex Fells Country Club, NJ
Larry Ward
High Performance G. Academy, Nicholasville, Kent.
TJ Yeaton
Belle Meade Country Club, Nashville, Tennessee.
Ryan Jong
Chambers Bay Academy, University Place, Washington.
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