Rick Smith Golf

Rick Smith

Renown Instructor Rick Smith has helped some of the best in the world win seven major championships, including Phil Mickelson. Rick serves as an Instructional Editor for Golf Digest Magazine and has been ranked as high as the #2 instructor in the world by PGA Tour Players. In addition to leading the team of world-class instructors at the RSGPC Doral, Rick is available for private lessons and select school programs. 

Henry Young

Director Emeritus

Henry Young, PGA, has been teaching golf for almost 50 years, a career that began immediately upon graduation from Duke University, where he played on the golf team four years, and as captain as a senior. For more than 40 years Henry has been a colleague, partner, mentor and friend of Rick’s. He has worked alongside Rick conducting corporate outings around the country and accompanies him on the PGA Tour. As teaching associates, their relationship is one of the longest ever in golf instruction. In 1990 Henry co-founded with Rick, the original Rick Smith Golf Academy which he continues to direct in the summer at Forest Dunes in Michigan. Under his leadership, Rick Smith Golf Academies have been consistently ranked as one of the best in America and Henry has received many accolades as an instructor, including Teacher of the Year in the Michigan PGA. His students benefit from his wealth of experience and expertise, but comment mostly about his patience, enthusiasm and genuine concern for their improvement.

Charlie King

CO-DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION

Charlie King has been teaching golf for 29 years. He is the author of three golf instruction books including "Golf's Red Zone Challenge". He has been on the Golf Digest 50 Best Teacher list and is a 13 year member of the Golf Magazine Top 100 Teachers. He won the 2011 Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year and has won the Horton Smith award for education twice. He has taught at prestigious facilities such as PGA National, Reynolds Lake Oconee, Maroon Creek Club and Nantucket Golf Club. Charlie believes all golfers are unique and need guidance through the process of becoming the best golfer they can become.

Jim Schuman

Co-Director of instruction

Jim Schuman has been a member of Rick Smith's instructional team for over twenty years. He has twice been recognized as the Wisconsin PGA Teacher of the Year and is in the Wisconsin Golf Hall Of Fame. He
continues to work as swing coach to three time PGA Tour Winner and two time PGA Champions Tour Winner Jerry Kelly. Schuman has also worked with Fred Funk helping him to a US Senior Open Championship in 2009. Jim was also an All-American at the University of Florida.

Justin Bruton

Senior elite instructor

Justin is originally from Dallas, TX and played college golf at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City.  He attempted to play professionally for two years unsuccessfully, but considers that failure as the catalyst to a successful teaching career. He helped build one of the best teaching facilities in Florida at the Biltmore golf course in Coral Gables, where he worked as both Director of Golf and Director of Instruction. Justin is an evaluation specialist that understands how “everything affects everything” so he’s worked hard to be knowledgeable in all aspects of golf performance including physical, technical, mental and equipment. He’s worked as a consultant since 2010 for multiple PGA Tour and European Tour winning teams.

Mike Jonges

Senior elite instructor

Michael has been a member of Rick Smith’s instructional team since 1999. He began his career with Rick as the Director of Instruction at The Turning Stone Resort in upstate New York and was part of Rick’s
instructional team at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort at Tiburon in Naples, Florida. Michael is a past recipient of a “PGA Section Teacher of the Year” and also has been recognized as a “Top Teacher” in the state/region by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. He has assisted Rick with his PGA TourPlayers and is a member of his Corporate Travel Team. Michael attended East Carolina University and was a member of the Pirate golf team. Over the past five years he has volunteered through the
South Florida PGA at local Children’s Hospitals teaching children the game of golf.

Gayle Leslie

Senior elite instructor

Gayle Leslie is a Class A PGA professional and TPI certified golf instructor. Originally from Indiana, Gayle has been one of the most popular and sought after golf instructors in Miami since moving to the area in 2005. Gayle was awarded Teacher of the Year for the southern
chapter of the South Florida PGA Section in 2016. Gayle excels at teaching all skill levels from beginner to professional and has the unique ability to adapt his teaching to all different types of learning styles and preferences.

Craig West

Senior elite instructor

The former South African Junior Champion brings over 25 years international experience to us, running several successful Golf Academies and Golf Clubs  in Continental Europe. He has taught and developed players from Junior level to the PGA Tours, with numerous  national and international titles at the European amateur level. Craig is multilingual, speaking English, German and Afrikaans 

Sebastian Camillo

elite instructor

Sebastian is a Class A PGA Professional from Gainesville, Florida and has been teaching golf in Miami since 1997. Prior to joining our team Sebastian had an extensive junior, collegiate, amateur and professional playing resume, both in the USA and Europe. He was mentored by top 50 Instructor’s and former PGA Tour Professional’s as a Junior and amateur player. He has received training using both video and motion analysis to help his students understand and learn more effectively. Sebastian has taught over 15,000 golf lessons in Miami working with both adults and juniors of all ages and skill levels.

Stephen Clark

elite instructor

A native of Glasgow, Scotland, Stephen first arrived in the United States in 2005 to play NCAA Division 1 golf at UMKC and has since competed professionally on 4 Continents. Stephen is a student of the game of golf and has sought out, and been influenced by many of the top coaches in the game. Stephen has taught at several prestigious clubs including Westchester CC and Sunningdale CC in New York as well as John's Island and La Gorce CC in Florida, he currently teaches at Sebonack Golf Club in the Hamptons in the summer. Using state of the art technology including Trackman, BodiTrak, K-Vest, MySwing and Video Analysis, Stephen has provided top class coaching to all levels of players from beginners and juniors, to college players and fellow professionals, in an informative, comfortable, fun and friendly atmosphere. 

Steven Cox

elite instructor

Certified PGA Professional and Instructor Steven Cox, is known for demystifying golf mechanics through immersive 3D motion and launch monitor technologies. As a Titleist National Staff Member and TPI Level 3 Golf Coach, Steven delivers long-term player development programs that have produced countless tournament wins and athletic scholarships. Due to these positive results, companies such as MySwing 3D Motion, HD Simulators, and Flightscope now look to Steven for his informative data and feedback. As a putting coach, Steven is also an Aimpoint Green Reading Certified Instructor. These putting classes also include the integration of Quintic Ball Roll and Edel Putter Fittings. Having been certified in both systems, our goal is to perpetuate the athletes long-term progression from tee to green

Armando Echevarria

elite instructor

An expert in junior development, Armando leads our junior program which focuses on the long term
athletic development program model. He has been a golf professional at the Biltmore since 2001,
Junior Program Director since 2010 and been a TPI Certified instructor since 2007 obtaining the
highest level of TPI certifications in Junior Development, Biomechanics, Golf Instruction and Golf
Coaching. Armando is also a BodiTrak certified instructor.

Bret Hartman

elite instructor

Bret Hartman is the PGA Head of Instruction for the Rick Smith Golf Academy in MI during the summer months and instructs at Doral in the winter months. He has been teaching over 15 years and is a certified club fittier and TrackMan Specialist. He also has a strong playing background with 8 professional victories. Bret's keen eye. demonstration, communication and motivation skills allow his students to see improvements with in the first lesson. Bret likes to work on all areas on the golf game including playing on the course with his students.

Josiah Singletary

elite instructor

Josiah Singletary is originally from Ft. Washington, Maryland. He graduated from Methodist University with a degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Professional Golf Management.Josiah has a passion for teaching and playing the game. He has been teaching for 3+ years and enjoys teaching people of all ages the game of golf. He currently competes on a mini tour in Florida called the Minor League Golf Tour.