By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
In this month’s edition of Five Questions, we feature Steve Dresser, a PGA Life Member and the founder of the Steve Dresser Golf Academy in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Now part of True Blue Golf Club, the academy continues to help golfers of all skill levels improve their play for greater enjoyment, and Dresser, a Quarter Century PGA Member, still teaches to grow the game.
Dresser was the 2004 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year and is a Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Elite Growth of the Game Teaching Professional. We’re happy to share his insights in this month’s issue.
Golf Range Magazine: When did you get your start in golf, and who got you into the game?
Dresser: Growing up in Stowe, Vermont, I started caddying for my dad in 1965 when I was just six years old. I took an instant liking to the game, so we got some cut-down Patty Bergs and off I went.
I was a good recreational skier, and I played several other sports, but golf was my passion. Despite Stowe having a population of just 2,000 people back then, there are several other residents from my generation who are also PGA of America Members. We were mentored by Joe Kirkwood Sr., who was a fantastic trick-shot artist. He also won 13 tour events, and the trophy for the Australian PGA Championship is named the Kirkwood Cup.
Golf Range Magazine: Did you play golf in high school or college? When did you know you wanted to be a PGA of America Golf Professional?
Dresser: I regret not playing college golf, but I won nearly every high school match I played in. Mind you, there wasn’t a lot of competition in 1970s Vermont! I broke par for the first time when I was 13. That’s when I started to think about becoming a PGA Member. I entered the corporate world for a brief time in the early 1980s, where I learned a lot, but I didn’t particularly care for the environment. I recall being on a job in Toronto when my friend and I snuck out to play golf one afternoon. We took off our coats and ties, played in our dress shoes and rented clubs. I shot under par and had a hole-in-one. My friend said that I needed to get back into the golf business, so six months later, I was on the lesson tee.
Golf Range Magazine: What’s trending in your programming and coaching?
Dresser: Our golf school is in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, which is a resort area, so we get a lot of “one and done” lessons with vacationing golfers. Though it is nice that today’s technology enables us to follow up remotely. Additionally, many people come to this area more than once a year, therefore, it’s not uncommon to teach someone from another state several times in the same year.
The core of our teaching business started in 1989 as a vacation golf school with morning instruction, afternoon golf and on-site accommodations. That continues to be our largest instruction revenue source and we have received some nice recognition over the years.
We’ve recently added several weekly one-hour “topic-specific” group clinics (putting, driver, greenside bunker, etc), which provide our clients with a very affordable way to receive quality instruction. These have been wildly popular, and we are considering adding more of them.
Our junior program has been strong. In fact, we have a unique range that enables us to create many on-course situations to help the kids develop creativity and learn to play golf, not just hit balls. We strive to get them on the course as much as possible.
Lastly, we have become one of golf’s premier club fitting centers. Our 2024 sales were up 35 percent over 2023. It took a while to build that side of the business, but it is arguably my greatest source of pride. We have six fitting carts, plus U.S. Kids Golf, and we are a fitting hub for PXG. There are not many locations where you have that many choices, can hit from green grass, see the ball flight, obtain launch monitor numbers and have a PGA of America Golf Professional as your club fitter.
Golf Range Magazine: What is your favorite part of the game of golf? The business of golf?
Dresser: It’s been a long time since I’ve competed, but I loved tournament golf. Playing under added pressure is the ultimate test of your game. I especially liked match play and partner events. I played some mini tour golf in Florida in the 1980s with marginal success. It didn’t take long to realize that maybe I’d better stick to teaching, but it was a lot of fun.
From a business standpoint, it’s the relationships with my clients that I cherish the most. I’ve proudly taught over 50,000 people from all walks of life and developed many friendships both socially and professionally. In fact, somewhere on our website, there is a line that reads “Many of our students have become our closest friends.” You just can’t place a value on that.
Golf Range Magazine: What’s on the horizon in coaching and mentorship for you as a proven leader in the industry?
Dresser: As I reach the twilight of my career, I will probably teach a little less in 2025 but will continue to learn and mentor. I take pleasure in helping the next generation with PGA membership requirements, and I enjoy public speaking. So I plan to get out to some of the schools, organizations and communities to spread the “gospel of golf.” We have a large PGA HOPE program in our area where I get involved to help the veterans. I have often said my most important duty as a PGA Member is to grow the game.
Additionally, although it’s a work in progress, I’m developing a subscription-based service and have produced about 40 hours of video content. This is very much in its early stages, but I’m excited to delve into a new side of the business.
Finally, Pawleys Island has a large retirement community, and as I approach that age myself, I empathize when one of our locals complains about aches, pains and restricted mobility. I would like to learn more about the fitness side of golf. We have a Doctor of Physical Therapy on staff, but I intend to learn more for myself. I may be a bit late to the game, but it’s never too late to learn!
