Ryan McGinnis, PGA of America Golf Professional, was recently selected by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) as one of its Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professionals.
Being named among the country’s other top PGA Teaching Professionals is an honor for McGinnis (Turning Stone Resort Casino).
“As a Teaching Professional my main goal is to impact those around me through the game of golf,” McGinnis said. “Having this added to my resume gives me more opportunities to achieve my goal. It also showcases the countless hours I spend helping people enjoy the game of golf.”
Although making the Top 100 list is an individual honor, McGinnis pointed to the support he receives from Turning Stone Resort Casino as a big reason why he was recognized by the GRAA.
“This award wouldn’t be possible without the entire team here at Turning Stone and the Oneida Nation,” he said. “The support they provide gives me all these opportunities to be successful.”
Since earning his PGA of America membership, McGinnis has been worked to increase golf participation in a number of ways for all ages.
Among the programs and initiatives McGinnis has been involved in are:
PGA HOPE – A program designed to help those who have or continue to serve in our military. The program at Turning Stone has over 300 participants annually and its the largest of its kind in the country.
PGA Jr. League – A youth program designed to introduce boy and girls to the game of golf and golf competition. McGinnis has 15-20 participants each year.
Junior Academy – Designed to give boy and girls an introduction to golf and keep them golfers for life. McGinnis instructs 30-40 kids per month.
Weekly Clinics – McGinnis runs open and ladies clinics where he will teach between 6-12 people per clinic.
Private Instruction – McGinnis is available for one-on-one instruction. His students include beginners to scratch golfers. He will teach 25-40 hours a week depending on the time of year.
Social Media: McGinnis teaches and gives tips to golfers on his Ryan McGinnis Golf YouTube channel and on Instagram (@ryanmcginnisgolf), Facebook, TikTok (ryanmcginnisgolf), his website and X.
For McGinnis, building relationships is the key to golf instruction.
“To me it goes past golf. In that hour I spend with someone I want to know everything about them down to how they talk,” he said. “I want to hear what words they use because that tells me where they are mentally. We build these relationships further with the end goal that not only will they trust me but they improve within golf. If I can improve someone’s golf game and that turns into them improving their life (work etc..) then that is a success.”
Digital data is another component of instruction for McGinnis.
“People love to see data either on the shot they hit or their golf swing,” he said. “I use a couple of applications (Coach Now, Trackman and Sportsbox AI) that provides me with data so my students can learn easier and develop more specific goals.