Steve Philbrook

STEVE PHILBROOK, a PGA Golf Professional with thirty plus years of achievements in the golf industry, has been affiliated with some of the finest golf facilities and golf organizations in the U S. 

He graduated from the University of Connecticut, where he was Captain of the Golf Team.  Immediately after college, Steve was hired as an Assistant Golf Professional, at the Woodstock Country Club in Woodstock, Vermont, a RockResort.  Having worked for 2 years at Woodstock, Steve became Head Golf Professional at the Fountain Valley Golf Course, St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands another RockResort.  After leaving St. Croix he became the Head Professional for the next 10 years at the Mayacoo Lakes Country Club a Golf Digest “Top 100 Course” in West Palm Beach.  Steve then went to New Jersey for 12 years; first as the Head Professional at the Plainfield Country Club, also a “Top 100 Course.” During his stay at Plainfield he was the Host Professional for the 1987 U.S. Women’s Open.  After Plainfield, he became the Director of Golf at the Cherry Valley Country Club, Skillman, New Jersey.  Steve returned to Florida in 1996 as General Manger / Director of Golf, at the Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach.  While at Ibis he was the Host Professional for the LPGA Office Depot Championship 1997 to 2000. 

Steve describes his teaching philosophy as simple and uncomplicated.  “I have an excellent understanding of the mechanics of the golf swing.  However, I minimize the technical talk with the student.  I share only the swing mechanics that I feel the student needs to better understand their own swing.  It is very important to me not confuse my student.  I try to improve on the players strengths and gradually correct their weakness.  My focus is on the fundamentals, the grip and the set up and key elements.  The plane of the swing and the ball flight laws form the basis of my teaching style.  I realize that every student has different skills and learns differently.  I match my teaching style to their needs. Harvey Penick once said to me “always help your student get better, don’t make them worse.” That has always been my goal, to help my students improve and enjoy the game.  The better we all play the more fun we have.”

Steve annually provides hundreds of hours of personal instruction to golfers of all skill levels, from PGA Tour Professionals to beginners.  In addition to private lessons, he conducts weekly Clinics for Men, Ladies and Juniors, Adult and Junior Golf Schools.  Some of his students have become respected players, Ed Dougherty; now on the PGA Senior Tour has been working with Steve throughout his career and continues to check in for help with his swing.   Steve knows how to take your game to the next level, from shooting in the 100’s to the 90’s, from the 90’s to the 80’s then to the 70’s and lower.
Steve has published several golf instruction articles for Golf Digest, the PGA of America and many local newspapers.  He is a true student of the game and uses many of the latest teaching aids, some of his own invention.  He is proficient in video golf instruction using Swing View Pro. 

Helping junior’s learn the game is a passion and focus for Steve.  In addition to the great junior programs he has developed, Steve was a lead golf instructor at the PGA of America’s Academy of Golf (1976 – 1982).  The Academy, Directed by Gary Wiren, attracted students from all over the world.  Most recently he was the Director of Golf Instruction at Camp Skylemar, a summer boy’s camp in Naples, Maine where he taught 160 boys to be safe, have fun and improve their golf game.

Steve has represented each Club in regional and national golf tournaments including PGA Winter Tournament Program.  He played the PGA Tour in 1982. He says “It was a very positive experience, as a player and as a teacher. It was great to see how the top players play and practice.  I am now a better teacher having played the Tour.”

He continues to improve both his personal and professional effectiveness through participation in a variety of educational seminars, including PGA Teaching Summits, Teaching and Playing Workshops, Club Fitting Workshops and USGA Rules Seminars.

Steve has served as Coordinator and Instructor for multiple PGA Educational Seminars, many of which were Teaching Seminars.  He has worked with some of the PGA’s top instructors such as: Peter Kostis, Gary Wiren, David Leadbetter, Joe Dante, Harvey Penick, Ed Oldfield and Martin Hall.  He has been on numerous PGA and Club committees, and has been an active member of the PGA including a term as the President of the South Florida PGA, Southeast Chapter. 

Special interests other than golf include; Boating, Scuba Diving, Fly Fishing, Golf Collectibles, Travel, and Classic Cars. Golf instruction and history has always been a passion.  Steve has one of the premier Golf Book Collections.  The collection of approximately 1,500 volumes emphasizes golf history and instruction from the mid 1800’s to the present. Over half of the books are signed by the author, many inscribed to Steve personally, which makes this collection very special.