Press & Media Room

Craig Shankland, who teaches out of the LPGA International Golf Club in Daytona Beach, brought his humor and years of teaching experience to the Reynolds Golf Academy Member Coaching program in September.  Shankland was 2001 PGA Teacher of the Year and has been recognized by Golf Digest as one of America's 50 Greatest Teachers, and annually in GOLF Magazine's list of Top 100 Teachers.

RGA Director of Instruction, Charlie King, calls Shankland his most influential mentor in his teaching career.  "It was incredible to me as a young teacher to see the energy and enthusiasm he put into each lesson and that continues today," said King.

Shankland explained his teaching style to the Member Coaching students in attendance, explaining that he encourages swing differences instead of trying to mold students into one swing model.  "I think of the magic that's in front of me," said Shankland.  "Every day everybody's different.  Every swing is different.  I marvel at the differences."

Shankland's talk was almost like a comedy routine; his energy was contagious.  Shankland joked, "You lose all common sense when you get a hold of a club."

Shankland discussed the rhythm of the swing, saying the three most common "swing wreckers" are:  bad preparation, muscular tension and sudden movement.

According to Member Coaching student Sue Malin, Shankland was "very entertaining."  She added, "He reinforced the things we are learning and he was very funny.  When he asked if some of the mistakes he was demonstrating looked familiar, I've probably done each and every one."

Students in RGA's Member Coaching program have the opportunity to hear guest speakers four times a year including top teachers like Shankland, sports psychologists and industry insiders.