“PRO” File – Teaching Professional Mike Stevens
Mike Stevens has been a USGTF member since 1995 and was formerly the Southeast Region director. He resides in Tampa, Florida, where he operated On Target Golf Schools at MacDill Air Force Base Golf Course for many years. The schools were a unique model in that they involve 6-week sessions of one hour per week, and the concept was very successful, as several other USGTF members also adopted that model.
Stevens has always been devoted to the history of the game, and almost two decades ago he made the move to play exclusively with hickory-shafted clubs. He has won several tournaments, notably the Southern Hickory Four-Ball, and also the prestigious National Hickory Championship three times. When competing among his titanium-wielding peers, he more than holds his own. He was recognized as one of Florida’s top ten instructors by Florida Golf News and also as a top WGTF Teacher. In 2011 he was inducted into the USGTF Hall of Fame at Orange County National in Orlando, Florida, during the World Golf Teachers Cup. A native of Ohio, Stevens hold a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management.
Stevens recently retired from teaching and as the USGTF Southeast Region director to spend more time with his family and grandkids, and to hone his game. He is still active in the hickory golf scene and will once again run the U.S. Professional & Amateur Hickory Golf Championship this coming February at Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club in Tampa. He also runs the Florida Hickory Golfers group that holds events monthly. Stevens also competes annually in the World Hickory Open in Scotland.
By Grant Garrison, Queensland, Australia
Golf is booming down under. While many courses were closed during Covid restrictions, it quickly became the activity of choice once courses opened. Our amateur body recently announced record growth in club participation, the largest increase since 1970. As golf instructors, the challenge now is to find new, innovative ways to engage those who are interested and get them playing. I personally teach beginners at a course that doesn’t have a driving range. With this mind, I created a program I call Fairways First. The goal is to get new golfers on the course right away. There are seven levels, which represents different distances from the hole. Once they pass Level 7, they have the skill and knowledge to get a golf handicap.
The owner of the golf course is loving this program, as it’s creating new members and selling equipment in the golf shop. The staff has gotten behind it, too, because they have a program to sell which they know works well.
If anyone would like to have a look, (the online program is free), go to 
By: Mark Harman, Director of Education
It has been well established by now that the COVID-19 pandemic which started in early 2020 resulted in a boon for the golf industry. Golf was considered a safe and healthy activity, and not only did many people discover the game, but many who had stopped playing returned in droves.
With this influx of people came the need for golf equipment. In the United States, the PGA Tour Superstore chain experienced record sales and continues to do so. According to the National Golf Foundation (NGF), “Despite supply chain constraints, shipments from golf equipment manufacturers in 2022 have remained strong, matching last year’s impressive growth. Through June, golf club dollar shipments are up 10.2%, while golf balls are up 12.1%.” Globenewswire.com reports, “With the substantial growth of the golf tourism industry, the market is anticipated to have a positive outlook in the coming years…At present, more than 200 golf courses are under construction, and over 350 golf courses are in the planning stages, globally.”
All this is good news from the golf industry for a variety of reasons. Golf club manufacturers are overcoming the supply chain issues that plagued them in 2020 and through most of 2021. People are going to be able to find the equipment they need, which will keep them in the game. And of course, with the increase in the number of courses and people playing comes a greater demand for golf teaching professionals.
This is a good time…no, a great time…to be in the golf industry. USGTF members who exhibit a spark of creativity and initiative should benefit exponentially, and for years to come.
When USGTF member Anthony Netto was paralyzed from an automobile accident in the 1990s, he desired to remain active in the game. He helped innovate and pioneer the ParaGolfer, a mobile unit that allows paralyzed golfers to play golf from a standing position.
One of those whose life changed through the ParaGolfer is James “Tip” Tipton from Panama City, Florida. Tipton was introduced to Netto’s foundation, Stand Up And Play, and was soon in a ParaGolfer. Tipton told MyPanhandle.com, “To be honest with you it truly saved my life. I was in a dark place for five or six years hooked on opioids, benzos, alcohol, and suicidal ideations, and when I was introduced by the Stand Up And Play Foundation to this cart, it was a game-changer for me, literally not just the game of golf but the game of life.”
Tipton is the director of the Florida Panhandle Golf Therapy Alliance which, in partnership with the 
Cobra Golf has a long history of shaking up the game in a positive way, and with ambassadors such has Lexi Thompson, Rickie Fowler and Bryson DeChambeau, the brand appeals to a younger market, as well.
USGTF members in good standing can receive 20% off wholesale pricing for Cobra equipment. To take advantage of this benefit, please reach out to the USGTF National Office at (772) 88-USGTF or email 