More than 3,000 voters have spoken in the most comprehensive peer review of teachers in the game. This new edition of Golf Digest’s biennial 50 Best Teachers ranking is the first without a veritable Mt. Rushmore of instructors—Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter, Jim McLean and 17 other fixtures who have been named to our new Legends of Golf Instruction list. But the 2024-25 ranking isn’t short on talent and notable student achievements. New No. 1 Mark Blackburn and close runner-up Chris Como work with four players in the top 25 of the World Golf Ranking between them, and the rest of the top 10—Sean Foley, Cameron McCormick. Claude Harmon III, James Sieckmann, Martin Chuck, Michael Jacobs, Dana Dahlquist and Michael Breed—are fixtures on tour driving ranges, instruction innovators and leading voices in the profession. Learn more about the new Golf Digest 50 Best Teachers for 2024-25 here.
2022-23 Ranking in parentheses NR: New since last ranking
1. MARK BLACKBURN (7) VOTES: 4426 LESSON RATE: $1,000/HOUR FACILITY: Blackburn Golf Academy at Greystone G. & C.C. BIRMINGHAM, ALA.
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2. CHRIS COMO (2) VOTES: 4386 LESSON RATE: $1,000/HOUR FACILITY: Dallas National G.C. DALLAS
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3. SEAN FOLEY (5) VOTES: 3132 LESSON RATE: $500/HOUR FACILITY: Sean Foley Performance ORLANDO
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4. CAMERON MCCORMICK (10) VOTES: 2654 LESSON RATE: $500/HOUR FACILITY: Altus Performance DALLAS
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5. CLAUDE HARMON III (12) VOTES: 2375 LESSON RATE: $1,000/90 MIN FACILITY: Butch Harmon Floridian PALM CITY, FLA.
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6. JAMES SIECKMANN (13) VOTES: 1965 LESSON RATE: $350/HOUR FACILITY: James Sieckmann Golf Academy at Shadow Ridge C.C. OMAHA
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7. MARTIN CHUCK (26) VOTES: 1768 LESSON RATE: $350/HOUR FACILITY: Tour Striker Golf Academy at The Raven PHOENIX
8. MICHAEL JACOBS (30) VOTES: 1681 LESSON RATE: $500/HOUR FACILITY: Jacobs 3D Golf at Rock Hill G.C. MANORVILLE, N.Y.
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9. DANA DAHLQUIST (24) VOTES: 1666 LESSON RATE: $400/HOUR FACILITY: Dana Dahlquist Golf LONG BEACH, CALIF.
10. MICHAEL BREED (16) VOTES: 1643 LESSON RATE: $500/HOUR FACILITY: Michael Breed Golf Academy GREENWICH, CONN.
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11. STAN UTLEY (20) VOTES: 1624 LESSON RATE: $600/HOUR FACILITY: Grayhawk G.C. SCOTTSDALE
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12. DAVE PHILLIPS (38) VOTES: 1551 LESSON RATE: $500/HOUR FACILITY: Titleist Performance Institute OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
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13. BRIAN MANZELLA (25) VOTES: 1502 LESSON RATE: $300/HOUR FACILITY: Brian Manzella Golf Academy NEW ORLEANS
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14. ANDY PLUMMER (23) VOTES: 1501 LESSON RATE: $500/HOUR FACILITY: Stack & Tilt Miami AVENTURA, FLA.
15. BOYD SUMMERHAYS (29) VOTES: 1371 LESSON RATE: $750/HOUR FACILITY: Silverleaf C. SCOTTSDALE
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16. DAVID ORR (21) VOTES: 1350 LESSON RATE: $250/HOUR FACILITY: Pine Needles Lodge & G.C. SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
17. NICK CLEARWATER (22) VOTES: 1327 LESSON RATE: $1,000/HOUR FACILITY: GolfTEC Headquarters ENGLEWOOD, COLO.
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18. GEORGE GANKAS (11) VOTES: 1314 LESSON RATE: $600/HOUR FACILITY: George Gankas Golf WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF.
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19. SCOTT HAMILTON (27) VOTES: 1228 LESSON RATE: $300/HOUR FACILITY: Scott Hamilton Golf Academy at Cartersville C.C. CARTERSVILLE, GA.
20. JAMES LEITZ (NR) VOTES: 1123 LESSON RATE: $175/HOUR FACILITY: Tchefuncta C.C. COVINGTON, LA.
21. JOSEPH MAYO (NR) VOTES: 1111 LESSON RATE: $300/HOUR FACILITY:Â Summit C., LAS VEGAS
22. BILL HARMON (33) VOTES: 1106 LESSON RATE: $250/HOUR FACILITY: Bill Harmon Performance Center at Toscana C.C. INDIAN WELLS, CALIF.
23. MIKE BENNETT (36) VOTES: 1079 LESSON RATE: $350/HOUR FACILITY: Stack & Tilt Miami AVENTURA, FLA.
24. TONY RUGGIERO (41) VOTES: 1056 LESSON RATE: $300/HOUR FACILITY: Dewsweepers Golf MOBILE, ALA.
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25. ANDREW RICE (32) VOTES: 1044 LESSON RATE: $200/HOUR FACILITY: Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa SAVANNAH, GA.
26. JASON BAILE (NR) VOTES: 1011 LESSON RATE: $300/HOUR FACILITY: Jupiter Hills C. TEQUESTA, FLA.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
