In golf, we often balance the traditional with the new, reflecting on the joys of the past while embracing advancements that will take the game forward. The game’s best teachers and coaches walk that tightrope every day, as they search for the most effective tools, methods and philosophies to improve the skills of their golfers.
At the Golf Range Association of America, we have a storied list of repeat GRAA Growth of the Game Teaching Professionals who fuel the content of this publication. Equally as exciting and rewarding is engaging with our new award winners each year — some are budding instructors, while others are as successful at flying under the radar as they are at mentoring their students.
One of our new award winners is Steve Chalmers, the PGA of America Director of Instruction at Lookaway Golf Club in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. Chalmers started playing golf at Banchory Golf Club, a well-regarded club in the Northeast of Scotland, when he was 10 years old. He was a scratch golfer by the age of 16.
“My parents were incredibly influential and supportive, always encouraging me to play and practice, but they never put pressure on me,” Chalmers recalls. “Looking back, that balance was so important in allowing me to truly love this great game.”
Chalmers played competitively as an amateur for many years before turning professional and focusing on a career in golf coaching. He kicked off his professional career at Banchory Golf Club, the same club where he grew up as a junior golfer. He was the senior assistant for several years, attained PGA of Great Britain membership and was later appointed head teaching professional, a role he held for five years. During that time, he also worked as a development coach for the Scottish Golf national team. Chalmers says that these two roles were instrumental in shaping and advancing his coaching career.
Chalmers moved to the U.S. in 2009 to become a senior golf coach at the International Junior Golf Academy, working across its Florida and Hilton Head locations. In his role at IJGA, one of America’s largest junior golf academies, Chalmers prepared elite junior players to compete at the Division I collegiate level.
“More recently, I transitioned into private club coaching,” he explains. “I served as the first-ever Director of Instruction at Saucon Valley Country Club for four years before joining the team at Lookaway Golf Club as PGA of America Director of Instruction.”
Lookaway Golf Club is one of the top-ranked clubs in Pennsylvania with outstanding practice facilities, including a spacious driving range and an excellent short game area, which allow Chalmers and his staff to conduct a variety of lessons outdoors. In addition, they have an indoor performance center equipped with 3D motion analysis, Trackman technology and Swing Catalyst software, all of which are used regularly in facilitating their coaching programs. Chalmers also incorporates Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) screening to assess each player’s physical capabilities and ensure their swing is built around their body’s strengths and limitations.
“Since arriving at the club, I established the Lookaway Golf Academy, which offers year-round programs for men, women and juniors of all ability levels,” Chalmers boasts. “Our programs cover every aspect of the game, both on and off the course, focusing on the full spectrum of skills required to improve from tee to green. Our on-course clinics have been particularly popular with our ladies’ groups, while the short game clinics have become a favorite among the men. We also run a comprehensive player development program for high school and college golfers, which has continued to grow and thrive over the years.”
As a results of these efforts, Chalmers was awarded the 2022 Philadelphia PGA Section Youth Player Development Award. Chalmers attributes his success, in part, to two key mentors who have had a significant influence on his development: Bruce Davidson, PGA, Director of Golf at Congaree Golf Club, and Jason Baile, PGA of America Director of Instruction at Jupiter Hills Club. He says their guidance and advice were invaluable in helping him transition from being a high-level coach to a director of instruction at premier private clubs.
When asked what he sees coming down the pike, Chalmers cites “true skill acquisition” — how quickly a student can transfer his or her newfound skills from the range to the course.
“It’s not just about making technical changes,” he says. “It’s about building a structured, holistic practice plan that helps players understand new skills, retain them and apply them effectively under on-course pressure. Every player needs a clearly designed practice framework that bridges the gap between training and performance.”
He also reinforced the importance of TPI philosophies and practices. Every one of his students is screened to determine what they can and cannot physically do. From there, he builds a personalized blueprint around their body’s capabilities rather than teaching a one-size-fits-all method. This individualized approach allows players to move more efficiently, reduce injury risk and maximize their potential.
Finally, Chalmers believes the team approach to coaching will continue to grow. He understands that integrating specialists such as fitness trainers and mental performance coaches into player development programs creates a more complete and sustainable pathway for improvement, and he agrees that utilizing experts in each area ensures that players are supported technically, physically and mentally — which is ultimately what leads to long-term success.