Every couple years, GOLF Magazine drops its “Top 100 Teachers in America” list, and while that might sound niche, make no mistake–this list matters. It has become the gold standard for measuring who is advancing the art of golf instruction at the highest level. This year’s edition includes new inductees, and it continues to reward players who aren’t in the limelight, but are quietly shaping the game.
The selection criteria are stringent. A coach must teach a minimum of 1,500 hours annually and show documented evidence of growing the game, publishing instructional content, or producing student success stories.
In other words, this isn’t about big names or flashy social-media posts. It’s about sustained contribution, innovation, and impact. For serious players, golf academies, and teaching professionals aiming to level up, being on this list means you’re in the upper echelon of coaching. And for fans, it’s a signal of how instruction is shaping the future of the game.
“With recreational golf participation at an all-time high, finding the right instructor is more important now than ever,” President of 8AM Golf, Hoyt McGarity, said. “We believe that GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers in America list is the best source for finding quality golf instruction anywhere in the country. We’re proud to provide that information to our readers.”
What Stands Out in 2026-27’s Edition
This year’s list shows some clear themes worth noting.
First: diversity of geography and background. Among the 15 new inductees are instructors from all corners of the country, including:
- David Armitage – Shell Bay Club, Hallandale Beach, FL
- Jason Carbone – Canterbury Golf Club, Cleveland, OH
- Patrick Coyner – Cherry Hills Country Club, Cherry Hills Village, CO
- Alison Curdt – Wood Ranch Golf Course, Simi Valley, CA
- Wayne Flint – Highland Park Golf Course, Birmingham, AL
- Daniel Gray – Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Orlando, FL
- Jennifer Hudson – Sankaty Head Golf Club, Siasconset, MA
- Parker McLachlin – McCormick Ranch Golf Cub, Scottsdale, AZ
- Rick Murphy – Greensboro National Golf Club, Summerfield, NC
- Rick Sessinghaus – Chevy Chase Country Club, Glendale, CA
- Rick Silva – Movement 3 Golf, Highland Park, IL
- Christopher Smith – Eugene Country Club, Eugene, OR
- Doug Spencer – NorthStone Country Club, Huntersville, NC
- Monique Thoresz – Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Scarsdale, NY
- Matthew Wilson – Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, NJ
Secondly: innovation and tech integration get more emphasis. The list explicitly highlights coaches involved in research, training aids development, and publication as part of their qualification. That means the game is shifting. Teaching is no longer just “on the range”; it’s analytics, biomechanics, and scalable methods.
Third: The list underscores the importance of educational influence. Those who contribute to instruction beyond one-on-one lessons. The Credentials Committee gives weight to published articles, videos, and clinics. A teacher whose name you don’t know may nonetheless have changed the way thousands of golfers train.
The 8AM Golf Connection
Behind the list is 8AM Golf, the parent company of GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. “As with all our 8AM Golf companies, GOLF magazine and GOLF.com’s goal is to make the game more accessible, more enjoyable, and more fun,” Chairman of 8AM Golf and Publisher of GOLF, Howard Milstein, said.
“Good teachers and coaches make this possible. That’s why we’re so pleased to recognize the excellence of teachers across America who bring their expertise to golfers of all skill levels.”
The influence extends beyond the pages of the magazine: via digital content, training aids, branded events and the broader 8AM Golf ecosystem, the recognized teachers gain visibility and the industry gets spotlighted.
Other affiliates of 8AM Golf are Nicklaus Companies, Miura Golf, True Spec Golf, Club Conex, Fairway Jockey, 3’s, T-Squared Social, Bounty Club, and Chirp.
How the Teachers Are Nominated & Selected
The process behind the Top 100 Teachers list isn’t random or purely popularity-based. GOLF Magazine uses a well-defined nomination and vetting system to identify the instructors who truly stand out. Eligibility includes multiple key criteria:
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Minimum number of teaching or coaching hours
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Documented evidence of student improvement, retention and/or progression
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Demonstrated contribution to the golf-instruction community (articles, videos, training aids, clinics)
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Reputation among peers and recognition within the teaching/coaching industry
After nominations are gathered, a Credentials Committee comprising respected professionals in the instruction world reviews each application or nomination package.
Final selections are announced every two years, and, as stated before, each list tends to reflect evolving trends in teaching, such as technology adoption, diversity in coaching, and scalable education models. Teachers named on the list gain not just recognition, but increased visibility and the potential for greater brand partnerships, clinic work and student demand.
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