Instruction

Stickney: Behind the scenes at the Top-100 Teaching Summit

Published

12 years ago

Oct 27, 2014

Every year, Golf Magazine hosts a “Teaching Summit” for its Top-100 Instructors. It brings together all types of teachers with different perspectives of how golf should be taught to the masses. Some teachers are from the old school, some bridge the gap between old and new and others are part of the latest generation of teachers that will eventually become more advanced than my generation ever was.

As a Top-100 Teacher for nearly 10 years, I have gotten to know almost everyone … what they teach, how they articulate concepts to their students, etc. It’s been such a blessing. This vital information helps me to become a better instructor and it exposes me to thoughts I might not otherwise have on my own. I know some of you on GolfWRX would have loved to sit in on what was talked about at the Teaching Summit, so I figured that I’d provide you an exclusive look into what was said.

Dave Pelz

I have known Dave Pelz for more than 15 years, as he and his wife owned a home at a place that I worked in the summers, and I am always fascinated to speak with him to see what he has come up with “this time.” You might know that Dave focuses on the short game, and I was expecting to hear some of his new studies on how the ball rolls or how to put more spin on wedge shots, but he took a different route this year and I think it made perfect sense.

During his speech, he focused on growing the game by improving the short game and further went on to say that if we (the teachers) did not do more short game instruction then the game will continue to decline and even more people will leave golf for good. His thought was that missing short putts or having the chipping/pitching yips make people quit the game. Stop and think about it: How many golfers do you know who quit the game because they:

Can’t hit their driver straight?
Don’t hit their irons as well as they’d like?

Now, how many times have you heard about golfers who quit the game because they had the short game yips? Yes, it’s much more often.

When most people pick up golf, they never seem to place much importance on properly learning the short game. By the time they come to me for a lesson, they either need a ton of short game work or their short game is too far gone to drastically improve. We just Band-Aid what we can until they refocus their attention, which sadly happens too rarely.

What I learned from Mr. Pelz is that we teachers need to work on teaching the short game in every lesson package. Some of us do, while others do not. Even if you don’t agree, Dave makes a very interesting point.

The Heart-Math Company

A former cardiologist spoke to us about how the heart and brain react to stress and strain within our daily lives. This could be at work, at home, or on the golf course, but the fact always remains that stress causes bad things to happen. He made a funny statement that hit me like a rock, asking about last time we made a really stupid decision or lost all of our rationale? “When you are highly stressed,” the doc said.

Secondly, he asked us if we have ever been in the Zone while being uptight or ticked off? Think back to your golf game. Imagine the player who tends to lose his temper on the golf course. Do they make great course management decisions or stupid plays? Are they in the Zone? I don’t even have to answer those questions for you.

His company, Heart-Math, provides training for you to understand how to control your brainwaves, heart-rate and blood pressure all with a little gizmo that you clip to your ear that projects this information onto your computer screen. By watching these “waves,” you will be better able to get yourself into a position in which you could actually enter the Zone. And this makes perfect sense to me. We all need to learn how to relax more often!

Stack and Tilt: Andy Bennett and Mike Plummer

Above: Mike Bennet (left) and Andy Plummer (right).

This was the first time I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and listening to Mike and Andy in person. While some teachers instantly write them and their swing model off, for whatever reason, I was excited to hear the “how and why” of what they teach. Their style is deeply rooted in The Golfing Machine, written by Homer Kelley, and the teachings of Mac O’Grady and his MORAD research. I have been trained in both systems, so I listened extra carefully. I could tell that they have worked very hard to create an instructional system that golfers could believe in and adopt

While I’m not quite sure everyone can move and play 100 percent successfully within any swing model, I will say that I like their thoughts of keeping the head centered and more stable during the golf swing. Getting the lower body to work correctly per their ideas is the key to making this work; it’s up to you to practice and buy-in. The final take for me with Stack and Tilt is that as teachers we need to be better organized in creating a plan for our students so they know what’s coming up next week or next month.

Bernie Najar

Bernie is the Director of Golf Instruction at Caves Valley and is a guru when it comes to the integration of force plates within his instruction. There are currently three types of force plates that most of us teach with: BodiTrak, Swing Catalyst, and the SAM BalanceLab. Bernie uses Swing Catalyst and has become their go-to guy when it comes to understanding ground reaction forces. What he basically said is that what we see on video is not always what is happening within the world of force and pressure. Sometimes you can see a guy on a force plate and you would bet your life savings that he has a reverse pivot, yet when you check the display you find out that the pressure is indeed on the correct foot!

Another thing that Mr. Najar discussed was how the center of pressure (or COG) moves back and forth between your feet. It give teachers clues as to how the body is moving and how the arms will react during the swing. As someone who has used force plates in my instruction for almost 10 years, I can tell you that if you have not taken the time to understand and feel how to move your weight through force plates that you are missing the boat. It’s Funny how a simple percentage on the screen under each foot can make missing elements of the weight shift so much easier to understand

The takeaway for me is to ensure that my students spend more time on my BodiTrack Motion Analysis System.

Michael Jacobs

Michael is a techno-teaching stud out of the Metropolitan Section in the Northeast. His school, X-Golf, is located in New York and he has always had the passion for technical instruction and systems that measure how everything works. Now he doesn’t teach in that manner, but he has the tools to make sure he never goes down the wrong road with his students. He continually refers to what one of the Top 100 Teachers, James Leitz from Pinewood CC in Slidell, La., often says:

“Why guess when you can measure?”

Both Michael and James have purchased the newest 3D Motion Analysis System called GEARS — you can find it online — and it is so cool. GEARS gives you a total MRI of your golf swing, as well as data on the club and ball interaction coupled with impact point on the club itself. For the first time we are able to track the body motions, the collision of the club and ball and have all the Trackman data including impact point on the clubface — it’s truly a breakthrough in golf instruction.

The ability to see where on the face the ball is impacted helps me to better understand how the face and the path are working together, as well as how much gear effect is playing a role in the output of your shots. Having this information at your fingertips is a great asset. GEARS will never take over for systems like FlightScope and Trackman when it comes to how the club and ball interact because it is an indoor system, however, it is showing us that we need to spend more time as teachers auditing the impact point of the ball on the clubface so that we can better control vertical and horizontal gear effect as you work on your swing.

Tom Stickney

I did a presentation on the merits of using Trackman while teaching the AVERAGE golfer, not the pros, not the single-digit players, but the once-a-week golfers who never get to practice. I feel that I need to teach these types of players differently with my Trackman than how I go about teaching my Tour Players.

[youtube id=”pGg1_ETlZ84#t=15″ width=”620″ height=”360″]

You can find other videos on my YouTube channel at www.tomstickneygolf.com

Final Thoughts

As teachers, we all get stuck in the way we do things because we hardly see others teach due to our busy schedule. I can tell you, however, that hearing the people above and listening to my peers during our roundtable discussions has rekindled a passion for me to get better as a teacher. It’s not that we stop trying to learn, but it’s hard to find new information that challenges us mentally and makes us stop and think.

“Am I really teaching ‘X’ the correct or best way?” That’s the question we all get to ask ourselves.

Thank you to all my friends who attended the Top-100 Summit. You’ve taught me a lot!

Instruction

How to play your best golf when the temperature drops

Published

3 months ago

Feb 3, 2026

Brendon Elliott

The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.

“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.

If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.

Understand What Cold Does to Your Game

Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.

Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.

Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.

Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing

Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.

Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.

Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.

Take More Club Than You Think You Need

This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.

The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.

Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.

Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens

Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.

Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.

Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.

Embrace the Mental Challenge

Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”

That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.

Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.

Warm Up Longer and Smarter

This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.

Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.

The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.

Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!

Instruction

3 lessons from Brooks Koepka that’ll actually lower your score

Published

3 months ago

Feb 2, 2026

Brendon Elliott

Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.

What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.

So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.

Stop Overthinking Every Shot

Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.

This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.

How to actually do this:

On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.

Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.

If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.

This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.

Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)

Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.

Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:

Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.

Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.

Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.

Save Your Best for When It Counts

Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.

How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.

Here’s what actually works:

Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.

Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.

Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.

The Bottom Line

Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.

You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.

Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.

Instruction

What we can learn from Blades Brown’s impressive American Express performance

Published

3 months ago

Jan 29, 2026

Brendon Elliott

Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.

Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.

Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee

Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.

Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.

Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.

The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.

Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens

This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.

How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.

Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.

Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.

When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.

Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient

Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.

He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.

Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.

Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.

Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.