David’s Files: Golf Coaches Reflect on Leadbetter’s Legacy

GOLFZON Leadbetter Academy Founder David Leadbetter is a legend in the golf coaching community. David’s 40 years of experience as a golf instructor has been passed down to players and coaches over time, with his methods still resonating in the modern golf world. Watch and read highlights from some of today’s best golf minds, as they discuss David Leadbetter’s legacy and how to carry it on today.

Coaches’ Perspective

Modern coaches know the importance of how David pushed the game of golf forward in the ways its taught and understand, from pro tour players to those swinging a club for the first time.

Coaches and players alike know that David’s impact wasn’t just in technical insights, but also in his influence on coach education. The emphasis on passing down ideas and frameworks that empower teachers to teach others is critical for Leadbetter-certified instructors at our Academies and for coaches with a GOLFZON Leadbetter Education certification.

“I’ve had this connection to David as an inspiration and lot of the coaches he’s trained were direct mentors to me. He’s a legend of the game, and his work has been a massive influence in my own coaching.”

– Chris Como, Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher, former coach to Tiger Woods

Former GOLFZON Leadbetter Academy Director of Instruction Kevin Smeltz praises David’s ability to never settle for mediocrity. The never-ending passion to help someone not only improve their golf game, but find joy in playing as well, sets David apart as a mentor in the field.

A Legacy Beyond Lessons

As coaches mention in the video, the Leadbetter legacy is far more than improving someone’s swing and sending them on their way – its a passion stretching across decades worldwide. Hundreds of coaches have directly been taught by David or one of his teaching disciples, expanding his reach to a personal level, along with video lessons, books, and clinics.

David’s love for spreading golf around the globe aligns with that of GOLFZON America’s mission as well, a desire to make the game more accessible for all, regardless of skill level. His global academies continue to expand across multiple continents, breaking down the borders that many find when approaching golf. Most importantly, David understands that no one player is the same – he adapted his teachings over the years to tailor to each person’s specific needs.

Preserving Leadbetter’s Teachings Today

While David is retired as a pro golf coach, he still loves to teach at academies and clinics around the world, along with his Leadbetter-certified instructors at these sites. As the coaches in the video mention, his longevity lives out in these teachers who pass these methods on to their students and beyond.

Like any field though, evolution is always inevitable and necessary! Practices from the 1990s require adjustments in today’s worlds of data and analytics thanks to modern technology and game improvements. Not implementing these new studies and methods would be doing a disservice to the golf student. GOLFZON’s simulator technology is a perfect match for this idea, as players can track dozens of advanced stats on their ball movement, swing, and power.

“To be at the top of your game for 50+ years is exceptional. I think David is renowned for being the godfather of golf coaching, with so many earning their careers as a result of that.”

– Gavin Grenville Wood, GLE certified coach & PGA Fellow

It’s vital for players of all ages to understand where instruction methods come from, and the coaches over the years that developed and pushed the game forward. David Leadbetter offers a blueprint for golfers today to follow when it comes to teaching, evolving, and leading in the realm of coaching.

He paved the way for GOLFZON Leadbetter Academy and countless programs worldwide for learning. Watch the full video to hear what the best coaches in the business have to say, and the impact of Leadbetter on their lives and careers.

Follow the official GOLFZON Leadbetter Youtube channel to find more videos from David, live lessons with coaches, and more!

Contact us here to find a Leadbetter-certified coach, attend a lesson with us, or become a golf coach yourself with GOLFZON Leadbetter Education.