Whether you browse his LinkedIn profile or his PGA directory page, Mike Dickson has quite an impressive resume. Whether it’s the education, experience, certifications or innovation, Dickson has earned his success, and as one of fewer than 500 PGA of America Master Professionals, he is among the best of the best.
As a Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Elite Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, he has exemplified excellence in teaching and coaching through his never-ending desire to learn and improve.
We highlighted Dickson in a GRAA Award Winner profile piece a few years ago, and are pleased to shine a light on Mike one more time in this month’s Five Questions feature.
Dickson: My dad had me holding a golf club as soon as I could crawl. It was a cut-down Ping Eye2 black dot 7-iron — and I still have it today.
My dad was a solid player and introduced me to the game by simply taking me to the course whenever he could. He never overloaded me with swing instruction; he just let me play. That foundation shaped how I approach coaching today with my own kids.
I grew up playing at our local public course, River View Golf Course, in Cortland, Ohio. Our family membership was $900 a year, and we absolutely got our money’s worth.
My first formal lesson was with PGA of America Golf Professional, Dennis Miller, in Northeast Ohio. Dennis was a great teacher and player. With his help, I was one stroke from making it to the state championship, but I three putted the last hole to miss the cut by one shot.
Dickson: Most of my competitive golf came through high school and a few summer tournaments. Interestingly, becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional wasn’t originally the plan.
During my senior year in high school, I was focused on pursuing architecture and was accepted to the University of Cincinnati. Then my mom discovered a college program where you could earn a degree while becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional. That changed everything. After all, working in golf sounded a lot more exciting than designing buildings.
As an Ohio State Buckeye fan, Penn State wasn’t exactly on my radar — so I enrolled in the Professional Golf Management Program at Ferris State University in 1998. With nearly 250 students in the PGM program and a competitive college team, playing college golf wasn’t my focus.
Looking back, I wish I had taken a deeper interest in teaching earlier in my career, but I’ve been incredibly blessed to learn from outstanding PGA mentors and build a path that has exceeded anything I could have imagined.
In fact, it wasn’t until I worked at Congressional Country Club that I realized my passion for teaching golf. As first assistant, I only got to teach part-time, but I had the privilege of teaching next to a great PGA of America Golf Professional, Danny Shanz. Danny made me realize teaching golf was not just about improving swings, but involved talking to students about life and building that trust that forges lifelong friendships. After Danny suffered a terrible injury when he was struck by lightning in 2009, I decided I wanted to pursue teaching full-time. I asked our director of golf if I could have the privilege to step in and take on the role as a full-time teacher, and he gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion to teach, for which I am forever grateful. My only wish is that Danny and I were teaching side by side today. We would have been an unstoppable team.
Dickson: In 2015, after meeting Will Robins, founder of RGX, I shifted my instructional model. He helped me understand the difference between being a teacher and being a coach — and that completely transformed my business.
My teaching foundation comes from The Golfing Machine through my mentor Lynn Blake, along with BioSwing Dynamics principles from Mike Adams and E.A. Tischler. But it was RGX that reshaped how I deliver coaching — building structured programs rather than isolated lessons.
Group coaching and weekly programs now make up a significant part of my academy. In 2016 alone, I taught over 430 group sessions, working with everyone from three-year-olds to adult players. With juniors and adults alike, I emphasize on-course coaching — teaching them how to play and score. Will Robins refers to this as the “Gears of the Game,” and it’s been a game-changer. Interestingly, adults often love getting on the course with their pro even more than juniors do.
The most rewarding part isn’t just lower scores — it’s the relationships built within the programs. I’ve seen students who started as strangers become close friends, travel together and build lasting connections.
One standout success story: a woman in the first season of our coaching program dropped 40 shots in one year and broke 90 for the first time. That’s when I fully embraced the idea of being a scoring coach, rather than just an instructor.
Dickson: My favorite part of golf is that it’s truly for everyone. No matter your age or ability, there’s always room to improve. It’s humbling — even the best athletes in the world struggle with it — and it constantly teaches life lessons, whether we’re ready for them or not.
The relationships built through the game are special. The friendships and bonds formed on the course often last a lifetime.
The business of golf mirrors the game itself — you’re always refining your craft, always learning. One of the most meaningful parts of my career is mentoring other PGA of America Golf Professionals. I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible leaders, and passing that knowledge forward is something I take seriously.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve now seen multiple sides of the industry — instruction, programming, mentorship and product development — and it’s given me an even deeper appreciation for the game.
Dickson: On the instructional side, I continue to grow my academy in Maryland with MCG Golf. Expanding structured coaching programs and mentoring fellow professionals remain top priorities.
As a Ferris State PGM alum, I’m excited to volunteer with a new mentorship initiative that connects current students with alumni. Helping young professionals fall in love with growing the game, the way I have, is something I’m passionate about.
I’ve also partnered with an event firm that provides opportunities to teach and grow the game at some of the country’s premier golf events. I recently wrapped up my first event at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and I’m excited about expanding that presence nationally.
On the product side, LagMaster Sports continues to grow. What started as an idea has now been thriving for three years, and we’re preparing to launch several new products in 2026, while expanding international distribution.
For a kid from Northeast Ohio, helping golfers around the world play better is incredibly humbling. I’m grateful for the support of my fellow professionals and look forward to continuing to grow the game for years to come.