GolfDigest.com - America's 50 Greatest Teachers

Come 2007, Franklin D. Roosevelt, America's only four-term president, might have some company. For the third consecutive time, Butch Harmon has been voted No. 1 in the country by his peers in our biennial survey of America's 50 Greatest Teachers. The gregarious instructor from Las Vegas narrowly outpolled David Leadbetter--Jim McLean, Hank Haney and Rick Smith make up the rest of the top five in the game's only peer-review ranking, which was based on a polling of more than 1,000 teachers representing all 50 states.

National rankings 2005-2006: The complete list of America's 50 Greatest Teachers (Golf Digest, August 2005)

Best Teachers in Your State rankings: Golf Digest's state-by-state list of the No. 1s, as voted by their peers. (Golf Digest, August 2005)

Tips from the top: From Butch Harmon to Chuck Cook, Golf Digest's top teachers offer their best tips. (Golf Digest, August 2005)

The frugal golfer's guide to the 50 Greatest: Think you don't have the scratch, or the connections, to get up close and personal with one of America's 50 Greatest Teachers? Think again. (Golf Digest, August 2005)

GFW's Top 50 Teachers: GFW's annual list of the best female instructors in the U.S. This year, teachers describe their students' greatest improvements. Class is in session. (Golf For Women, March/April 2005)

You'll notice some significant promotions and demotions from the 2003-'04 list (click here to view America's 50 Greatest Teachers 2003-'04). Laird Small, the 2003 PGA Teacher of the Year who teaches at Pebble Beach, improved 18 places from 41st to 23rd. Jim Hardy increased his profile--and his teaching schedule--through the publication of his book The Plane Truth for Golfers (excerpted in the May issue of Golf Digest). He improved 15 spots from 31st to 16th. Pia Nilsson and Rob Akins joined our 50 Greatest in 2003 at Nos. 47 and 49, respectively, and both continue to gain recognition from their peers. Nilsson is 34th on the new list, and Akins is 38th.

On the following pages, you'll learn more about these and hundreds of other terrific instructors, starting with the complete list of America's 50 Greatest Teachers for 2005-'06. We'll also introduce you to the best teacher in each of the 50 states, a comprehensive Best Teachers in Your State rankings search directory. Each teacher surveyed was asked to complete a national and state-specific ballot. The national version used the previous Top 50 list as a basis but invited write-in candidates. Meet the most popular write-ins here.

Finally, in an issue dedicated to golf in the U.S., we thought it fitting to bring you tips on a truly American aspect of the game: power. It's perhaps the most discussed topic on the ranges and fairways of America. Enjoy the power tips from eight of the top 10 instructors in the country. All are Golf Digest Teaching Professionals, so you'll find their articles only in our pages.

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