By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
For the past three decades, Todd Sones has been a mainstay on Golf Digest and Golf Magazine’s lists of the best golf instructors in America. He’s earned several teaching and professional development awards in the Illinois PGA Section, was awarded the 2019 PGA of America National Professional Development Award and is a Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Elite Growth of the Game Teaching Professional.
Sones, a Quarter Century PGA of America Golf Professional, has had more than 100 articles published and has written four books that share his philosophies and insights on the golf swing, putting and the short game. Sones is one of the leading golf coaches in the industry and we’re proud to highlight his efforts and background in this month’s edition of Five Questions.
Golf Range Magazine: When did you get your start in golf and who got you into the game?
Sones: I grew up in Ontario, New York, just west of Rochester, where I started playing golf at the age of 14. I was hooked immediately! As a young golfer learning the game, I idolized Jimmy Hungerford, the PGA of America Head Golf Professional at Ontario Golf Club.
Golf Range Magazine: Did you play golf in high school or college? When did you know you wanted to be a PGA Professional?
Sones: I did play in high school, but did not have the resources or play well enough to get a scholarship to go to college. So I opted to enter the PGA Apprentice Program directly out of high school, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. My first job as an assistant professional was at Stafford Country Club in Batavia New York, where I worked for John Lynn. Later, after being the first PGA of America Head Golf Professional at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois from 1990-1996, I founded my own golf academy – Impact Golf – which was extremely successful from 1997-2022. The hallmark of our academy was our Scoring Zone Program which was about teaching players to improve from 70 yards into the hole. Through the experience of specializing in the short game and putting, I realized how many players were putting with putters bought off the shelf without any professional help, which resulted in bad set-ups and poor putting strokes.
Golf Range Magazine: Can you please tell us about your current role and facility, as well as discuss some of your programming in place today?
Sones: My solution to help golfers putt better was the Tri-Fit Method, which I patented and then started my own custom putter company called Coutour Golf. The idea behind the Tri-Fit Method was to teach golfers to set up properly and then fit them to a putter based on the correct set position. The Tri-Fit method is now being embraced and used by Dunlop Sports to relaunch the Never Compromise Putter fitting system, which will aid professionals who want to help their members and students improve their putting. I now have a private teaching studio inside the clubhouse at The Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Golf Range Magazine: What is your favorite part of the game of golf? The business of golf?
Sones: Teaching and coaching the short game and putting, which for most players is the fastest way to improve their scores, are my favorite aspects of golf instruction. I also enjoy fitting golfers to ensure they have the right equipment throughout their golf bag. When someone is fit to the equipment in their entire bag based on the proper set-up, swing patterns and tempo, they are more inclined to get a better return on their investment in time, money and effort. In other words, I believe in being “fit through instruction.”
Golf Range Magazine: What’s on the horizon in teaching and mentorship for you as a proven leader in golf coaching and instruction?
Sones: Over the next decade, I want to share the knowledge and experience that I have gained over the past 40 years with as many PGA of America Golf Professionals as I can. I will be involved with building the Never Compromise Putter fitting system by sharing with others my experience in teaching putting and fitting putters. I will also continue to teach and coach privately at my indoor studio.
For more information, check out Todd’s website here.
