Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
Golf Digest names Birmingham’s Mark Blackburn the best teacher in the country
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Mark Blackburn, the award-winning Director of Instruction at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham, was recently named the #1 Teacher in America by Golf Digest. Keep reading to learn more about Blackburn and this major accomplishment.
Birmingham is home to the best golf teacher in the country
Golf Digest’s ‘Best Teachers’ rankings are done once a year and entirely by peer voting. This year, over 3,000 golf instructors across the country voted to create the list.
In the feature, Blackburn credited traveling the Hooters tour with D.J. Nelson, who ended up being Heath Slocum’s caddy, for kickstarting his coaching career.
“In 2004, Heath was struggling with his game, and DJ suggested he come talk to me. We worked together that week, and Heath ended up winning later that season. That was my golden ticket. He took a chance on me and turned into a phenomenal ball-striker. He even beat Tiger at The Barclays in a playoff event.”
Mark Blackburn for Golf Digest
From England to Alabama
Blackburn is an England native who came to America in 1994 on a golf scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, where he was a multiple letterman and team captain. He received a BS in Coaching there.
After an injury in 1999, Blackburn suffered a wrist injury and pivoted from a playing career to coaching full-time.
He founded Blackburn Golf Academy in 2000 and now works with golfers of all ages at Greystone Golf & Country Club.
PGA Tour clients whom Mark has coached include:
- Arjun Atwal
- Andrew Putnam
- Bill Lunde
- Brian Gay
- Bobby Gates
- Boo Weekley
- Chez Reavie
- Chad Campbell
- Harris English
- Hudson Sawfford
- Heath Slocum
- John Peterson
- Kevin Chappell
- Nathan Green
- Robert Karlsson
- Richard Sterne
- Tyrone Van Aswegan
- YE Yang
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