Why I Ignore Golf Rankings - My Students' Handicaps Tell the Story
Why I Don't Chase Golf Digest Rankings - And Why My Students' Handicaps Tell the Real Story
When golfers come to me for Scottsdale Golf Lessons, they often ask about instructor rankings. They’ve seen the lists, the glossy magazine spreads, and the online accolades. They want to know where I stand, or why I’m not actively chasing those titles. My answer is always direct: I don’t chase rankings because they don’t measure what truly matters – your measurable improvement. My focus, and the entire philosophy behind The Science of Better Golf, is on tangible student outcomes, not subjective popularity contests. I believe the only ranking that matters is the one reflected in your ball flight, your TrackMan data, and ultimately, your scorecard. If you’re looking for a coach who prioritizes verifiable results over arbitrary labels, you’ve come to the right place.
The Short Answer
Traditional golf instructor rankings often prioritize visibility, reputation, or peer voting over actual student progress. At EJS Golf, I measure coaching quality by objective metrics: improved ball striking, verifiable TrackMan data, consistent low point control, and significant handicap reduction. My commitment is to deliver measurable improvement in every Scottsdale Golf Lessons session, proving efficacy through data, not a list.
What Is Really Happening at Impact: The Flaw in Ranking Systems
Let’s be blunt: the golf ball does not make mistakes. It simply reacts to the club face and club head at impact. This fundamental truth is often overlooked by ranking systems that prioritize factors far removed from the actual mechanics of ball striking. These systems rarely, if ever, delve into a coach’s ability to diagnose a student’s specific impact conditions, identify the root cause of their ball flight issues, or implement a precise, data-driven fix. Instead, they often reward networking, self-promotion, or a coach’s own playing ability – none of which directly correlate to a student’s ability to hit the ball better.
Consider a golfer who consistently slices the ball. A ranking system might highlight a coach known for fixing slices, but does it tell you how? Does it verify that the coach understands the interplay between club face angle, club path, and angle of attack that creates that slice? Does it confirm they can use tools like TrackMan to pinpoint whether the issue is an open club face relative to path, an out-to-in path, or a combination? My experience coaching hundreds of golfers at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale tells me that true expertise lies in this diagnostic precision, not in a popularity poll. The flaw in these ranking systems is that they measure inputs that are largely irrelevant to the output: a better golf shot.
My approach, the core of my Scottsdale Golf Lessons, is to work backward from the ball flight. If the ball slices, I know the club face was open relative to the club path at impact. Then, I look at the TrackMan data: what was the club path? What was the face angle? What was the dynamic loft? This objective data tells me the story, not a subjective ranking. A coach’s ability to interpret this data and translate it into a functional change for the student is the true measure of their value. Without this, any ranking is simply a measure of perception, not performance.
The Cause Upstream: Why Outcomes Outweigh Accolades
The real cause upstream of any successful golf lesson isn't a coach's position on a list; it's their ability to effect measurable change in a student's swing and, consequently, their game. This requires a deep understanding of biomechanics, physics, and motor learning, not just a good reputation. I've seen countless golfers come to me after working with highly-ranked instructors, still struggling with the same fundamental issues. Why? Because those instructors, despite their accolades, failed to identify the true root cause of the problem or provide a fix that actually transferred to the course.
My coaching philosophy, The Science of Better Golf, is built on the premise that every golfer is unique, and their swing is a series of matchups. There is no single perfect swing model. What works for one golfer might be detrimental to another. A ranking system cannot account for this nuance. It cannot tell you if a coach understands how a golfer’s grip, wrist conditions, pressure shift, and release pattern all interact to produce their unique impact conditions. This is where the real coaching happens, far beyond the superficiality of a ranking.
For me, the credibility comes from the data. When a student comes to me for Scottsdale Golf Lessons, I don't just tell them what they're doing wrong; I show them. We use TrackMan to measure every aspect of their impact, from attack angle and dynamic loft to club path and face angle. We use HackMotion to analyze wrist conditions, and force plates to understand ground reaction forces. This technology serves the golfer, providing objective evidence of what's happening and, more importantly, what needs to change. The outcome is not a subjective opinion; it's a measurable improvement in their ball striking and, ultimately, their score. This is the only metric that truly matters, and it's why I reject the notion that a coach's value can be distilled into a numerical ranking.
Consider the impact-first instruction I advocate. It's a philosophy built on the understanding that everything in the golf swing works backward from impact. If you want to improve your ball flight, you must first understand and then optimize your impact conditions. This is a far more effective approach than chasing cosmetic positions or trying to emulate a tour pro's swing. My article, Why Impact-First Instruction Guarantees Fast Improvement, delves deeper into this philosophy. It's about understanding cause and effect, not following a generic blueprint. A ranking system cannot assess a coach's ability to teach this fundamental principle, nor can it quantify the speed and permanence of the improvements it generates.
What I Change First: Prioritizing Measurable Impact
When a golfer seeks my Scottsdale Golf Lessons, my primary objective is always the same: to create immediate, measurable improvement in their impact conditions. I don't believe in the myth that you have to get worse before you get better. That's an excuse for ineffective coaching. My standing offer is simple: measurable improvement in your first session, or you don't pay. This isn't a gimmick; it's a testament to the confidence I have in my diagnostic process and my ability to deliver results.
The first change I often prioritize, after a thorough data analysis, is typically related to low point control. Why? Because consistent low point control is the bedrock of solid ball striking. If your low point is behind the ball, you're going to hit fat shots, thin shots, and struggle with consistent contact. If it's too far in front, you might dig too deep or struggle to get the ball airborne. My goal is to help you achieve ball-first, then turf contact, with proper shaft lean and compression. This is a measurable outcome that directly translates to better shots.
For example, if TrackMan data shows a golfer's low point is consistently 2 inches behind the ball with an iron, my first priority is to move that low point forward. This isn't about a cosmetic swing change; it's a functional adjustment. We might work on pressure shift, ensuring they are transferring their weight to their lead side earlier in the downswing. We might address their wrist conditions, ensuring they aren't adding dynamic loft and flipping the club head through impact. The specific fix depends on the individual's matchups, but the goal is always the same: a measurable improvement in low point control, confirmed by TrackMan data and visible in the divot pattern. This is the kind of outcome that a ranking system simply cannot capture.
Drills That Make the Change Stick: The Low Point Constraint
To truly understand why outcomes matter more than rankings, you have to look at the practice protocols that drive those outcomes. I don't give my students generic tips; I give them constraint-based drills designed to force a specific, measurable change. One of the most effective drills I use in my Scottsdale Golf Lessons to improve low point control is the Towel Under the Lead Arm Drill, combined with a visual constraint.
The Setup: Place a small towel or headcover under your lead armpit (left armpit for a right-handed golfer). Next, place a tee or a small piece of tape on the ground about two inches in front of the golf ball, directly on your target line.
The Execution: Take your normal address position with a mid-iron (7 or 8 iron). Your goal is to make a swing, keeping the towel securely under your armpit throughout the motion, and ensure your divot starts after the ball and extends past the tee or tape you placed on the ground.
The Feel: You should feel a strong connection between your lead arm and your torso. This connection prevents your arms from disconnecting and "casting" the club head early. You should also feel a distinct pressure shift to your lead side before impact, driving the low point forward.
The Feedback (Pass/Fail): This drill provides immediate, undeniable feedback.
Pass: The towel stays under your arm, you strike the ball first, and your divot clearly starts after the ball and extends past the visual constraint (the tee or tape). TrackMan will confirm a negative attack angle and a low point ahead of the ball.
Fail: The towel drops before impact (indicating disconnection and early release), or your divot starts behind the ball (indicating poor pressure shift or a flip).
Common Failures: The most common failure is the towel dropping, which usually means the golfer is trying to create speed with their arms rather than their body rotation and ground reaction forces. Another failure is hitting the ground behind the ball, which indicates a failure to shift pressure to the lead side early enough in the downswing.
Measurable Confirmation: When a student successfully executes this drill, the TrackMan data immediately reflects the change. We see a more negative attack angle, a lower dynamic loft, and a low point that has moved forward. This is the kind of measurable improvement that defines my coaching, and it's a far more reliable indicator of quality than any ranking. If you want to explore more drills like this, I encourage you to download my free drills guide.
Your Next Seven Days: A Practice Protocol for Measurable Change
Improvement doesn't happen by accident; it happens through deliberate, structured practice. If you want to see real results, you need a plan. Here is a seven-day practice protocol based on the principles we use in my Scottsdale Golf Lessons, designed to improve your low point control and ball striking.
Day 1: The Baseline and Constraint Start your session by hitting 10 balls with your 7-iron, focusing purely on contact. Note where your divot starts relative to the ball. Then, implement the Towel Under the Lead Arm Drill with the visual constraint (tee in front of the ball). Hit 20 balls using this drill, focusing entirely on the pass/fail feedback. Finish with 10 full swings without the towel, trying to replicate the feel and the divot pattern.
Days 2-3: Repetition and Refinement Repeat the Day 1 protocol. Your goal is to increase the percentage of "pass" swings with the drill. Pay close attention to your pressure shift; ensure you feel your weight moving to your lead side before you strike the ball.
Day 4: Rest and Review Take a day off from hitting balls. Review any video you took of your swings or reflect on the feedback from the drills. Understanding the cause and effect is crucial for long-term improvement.
Days 5-6: Integration and Speed Start with 10 swings using the constraint drill to establish the feel. Then, transition to full swings without the towel, but keep the visual constraint (the tee) on the ground. Hit 20 balls, focusing on maintaining the correct low point while gradually increasing your swing speed.
Day 7: The Test Hit 20 balls with your 7-iron, focusing on your target and your pre-shot routine. Evaluate your divot pattern. Has your low point moved forward? Are you compressing the ball better? This is your measurable outcome. If you're struggling to see improvement, it might be time to book in-person Scottsdale golf lessons at McCormick Ranch so we can diagnose the specific matchups holding you back.
Train With Me in Scottsdale: Where Data Meets Improvement
If you're tired of generic advice and want to experience the difference that data-driven, impact-first instruction can make, I invite you to train with me. My coaching home base is at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Here, we utilize the industry's best technology—TrackMan, HackMotion, and force plates—to provide a precise diagnosis of your swing and a clear, actionable path to improvement.
Whether you're a local resident or visiting the area, my Scottsdale Golf Lessons are designed to deliver measurable results from day one. We don't guess; we measure. We don't chase positions; we optimize impact. If you're ready to stop worrying about rankings and start focusing on your own measurable improvement, learn more about my coaching background and see how The Science of Better Golf can transform your game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you believe instructor rankings are flawed?
Traditional rankings often rely on peer voting, visibility, or a coach's reputation rather than objective data on student improvement. They don't measure a coach's ability to diagnose complex swing issues or their success in lowering students' handicaps. I believe true coaching quality is reflected in measurable outcomes, like improved TrackMan data and better on-course performance, which rankings simply cannot quantify. For a deeper dive into how I measure success, you can read the rest of the ball striking library on the blog.
How do you measure a student's improvement if not by rankings?
I measure improvement through objective data. We use TrackMan to track changes in attack angle, dynamic loft, club path, face angle, and low point location. We also track changes in handicap and scoring average. When a student's data improves and their scores drop, that is the ultimate validation of the coaching process. It's about cause and effect, not subjective opinions.
What is "The Science of Better Golf"?
The Science of Better Golf is my comprehensive coaching philosophy. It's a data-driven approach that prioritizes impact conditions over cosmetic swing positions. It involves using technology like TrackMan and HackMotion to diagnose the root cause of a golfer's issues and then applying constraint-led drills to create measurable, lasting change. It's about understanding the physics and biomechanics of the swing to optimize each golfer's unique matchups.
Can I get this level of instruction if I don't live in Scottsdale?
Absolutely. While I offer in-person Scottsdale Golf Lessons at McCormick Ranch, I also provide comprehensive online coaching. Through my online golf lessons program, you can receive the same diagnostic precision and data-driven feedback, regardless of your location. We use video analysis and specific drills to ensure you're making the right changes and seeing measurable improvement.
What should I expect in my first lesson with you?
You should expect a precise diagnosis and measurable improvement. We will start by establishing a baseline using TrackMan data to understand exactly what your club and ball are doing at impact. From there, I will identify the primary root cause of your issues and provide a specific, constraint-based drill to address it. My standing offer is that you will see measurable change in that first session, or you don't pay.
The Final Word on Results
At the end of the day, the golf course doesn't care who your coach is or where they rank on a list. It only cares about your impact conditions. My commitment to you is to provide the most precise, data-driven instruction possible, ensuring that every change we make translates to better ball striking and lower scores. Whether you train with me in person at my Scottsdale Golf Lessons studio or join my online golf lessons program from anywhere in the world, the system is the same — measurable, science-driven, immediate improvement. Stop chasing rankings and start chasing results.
