Great Tips from the Best Young Teachers in America

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By Ron Kaspriske

October 13, 2026

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Every two years, Golf Digest recognizes the Best Young Teachers in America. For our most recent list, there were 197 teachers under the age of 40 recognized from across the country, including 77 who received this honor for the first time. Why did they make the list? For a lot of reasons, including their ability to make learning how to play this difficult game just a little easier. Here are six samples of their work in Golf Digest's popular 2-Minute Clinic format.

Making Downhill Sliders

These slippery putts often are the difference between a gutsy par save and a demoralizing three-putt. They keys are getting a picture of the putt in your mind’s eye, being precise with your aim and controlling the putterface. Here’s how to get more of them to drop.

How to compress a golf ball

Good players "pinch" or compress the ball against the grass, and that sends it out powerfully, with that great "pfffff" sound. If you want that sound more often, follow these steps to compress the ball off the turf.

How To Hit a Driver Off the Deck

Hitting a driver off the deck is tough even for highly skilled players. That said, it's valuable when you need more firepower. The ball flies lower and hotter and can help you chase a ball onto a green. Here's how to do it.

How to stop shanking it

The good news is, they aren't that hard to cure.

How to curve it around any obstacle

There are times when the only way to get out of trouble and/or put the ball back in a good position is to purposely hit a hook or a slice. The good news is, you don't have to make a radically different swing to go around a tree or whatever is blocking your path. Follow these steps.

How To Foolproof Bunker Play

The average sand save percentage on the PGA Tour is a little over 50 percent, but don’t tell that to the average golfer. Most struggle just to get out of the sand, mainly because they cannot consistently control the club’s entry point in the sand.

MORE: Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America (2027-2028)

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