Jason Zuback has accomplished much in the game of golf. After a competitive career that spanned nearly two decades and six World Long Drive Championships, Zuback has transitioned from long drive champion to educator.
Although he considered returning to compete in the Masters division, injuries — particularly one that cost him 7–10 mph of clubhead speed — led him to step away from competition. Instead, he now devotes his time to education and player development.
After meeting Jason at the PGA Show in January, we hopped on a call a few months later to discuss where he’s been, what’s he’s doing now and what’s in store looking ahead.
Jason discussed his extensive work with the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), where he helped develop the Power Level 2 curriculum with Dr. Greg Rose and later co-developed the more advanced Power Level 3 program. He explained how TPI’s educational structure branches into golf instruction, fitness, medical, junior development and power training, emphasizing that there is no single “perfect” golf swing — only the swing best suited to an individual’s physical capabilities.
Jason also serves in an advisory and educational role with Smart2Move, one of the golf industry’s leading dual force plate technology companies. Much of his work focuses on biomechanics education, helping golf professionals develop a deeper understanding of force plate data and how to apply it effectively in coaching. He also contributes to the development of educational resources and curriculum designed to bridge the gap between research, technology and practical instruction.
Smart2Move’s educational pathway includes free online learning resources, Level 1 education, international certification programs and small-group cohort courses (part of Level 2 education). In the cohort model, golf professionals meet regularly to analyze real force plate captures, discuss case studies, complete practical assignments and receive personalized instruction.
Zuback believes the cohort format is one of the most effective ways to learn biomechanics because it combines guided instruction with collaborative discussion and real-world application, allowing coaches to build confidence in interpreting data and integrating it into player development.
Jason Zuback, a Canadian raised in Lethbridge, Alberta, coaches everyone from recreational golfers to elite amateurs and professionals on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, LIV Golf, Champions Tour and Japanese Tours.
Being a physically minded golf coach means implementing a comprehensive physical screening at the outset of every series of lessons. He looks at mobility, stability, balance, strength and power, and uses force plate testing and 3D motion capture to gather data for his analysis and program development.
“Physical limitations directly influence swing mechanics,” Zuback explained, “making physical assessments essential before prescribing swing changes. I strive to help my golfers increase distance, accuracy and efficiency by matching swing mechanics to their physical capabilities.”
During our discussion, Zuback emphasized that injury prevention should always come first. Little progress can be made if your student has injuries or ailments that hinder his or her ability to move effectively. He also stressed that mobility should be maintained throughout life, not just for golf.
Understanding that every golfer requires an individualized combination of mobility, strength, power and speed training, Zuback says that strength alone is insufficient; golfers need power — the ability to apply force quickly.
Interestingly, Zuback shared advice from renowned strength coach Al Vermeil, who recommends performing mobility work every day for each decade of life (for example, performing a mobility program four days a week for someone in their 40s). This concept is driven by Vermeil’s Movement over Muscles philosophy.
Jason also explained that his plan for power training differs significantly from traditional workouts. Rather than training to exhaustion, his power workouts focus on high-quality, explosive movements with full recovery between repetitions. For instance, in performing a power-specific workout for a particular source of power in the golf swing — vertical thrust, hip hinge, core rotary, arm delivery, etc. — the nucleus of that workout would be to choose 3-5 relevant exercises, doing 3-5 high quality repetitions for 3-5 sets with 3-5 minutes of rest between sets, and potentially implementing additional accessory or support exercises.
Delving into the technical side of the golf swing, Zuback discussed the three primary launch conditions that influence driving distance: Ball speed — Launch angle — Spin rate. He mentioned that while physical improvements increase clubhead speed, centered contact is equally important because it maximizes energy transfer and ball speed.
He explained how launch monitors such as TrackMan and Foresight GCQuad provide critical data for:
Clubhead speed
Ball speed
Launch angle
Spin rate
Smash factor
Club delivery
Jason emphasized that coaches must understand which measurements are directly observed and which are estimated through algorithms. He warned against making coaching decisions, in a general context, based on inaccurate or misunderstood data.
He also described club fitting as the “easy button” for adding distance, noting that selecting the proper driver head and shaft can often produce immediate gains without requiring months of physical training.
Throughout our conversation, Jason emphasized that technology should support — not replace — good coaching. Although force plates, motion capture systems and launch monitors provide valuable information, the ultimate goal remains helping golfers hit better shots.
We'll catch up with Jason again in the near future to learn more about him, and even more importantly, from him.