Dr. Jim Suttie has the cure for your game

By David Berner,
Associate Editor

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Jim Suttie looks like your uncle -- the friendly one with the easy manner and the welcoming smile. He's a little disheveled in his appearance, but in that likable kind of way; like your favorite college professor. And he's quick with a handshake -- the kind that's genuine; not the one that feels as if it's part of a marketing campaign.

In a world where the top PGA teaching professionals are considered stars of the game and are standing in golf's spotlight right next to the world's top players, Jim Suttie is an anomaly. In many ways he bucks the trend.

Keeping a low profile

"I'm comfortable giving a good golf lesson, but the high-end marketing stuff goes against my grain, " says Suttie, who is known as Dr. Jim because of his degree in biomechanics from Middle Tennessee State.

Jim Suttie, a DeKalb, Illinois native, doesn't fit the mold of so many other high-profile teachers -- Harmon, Ledbetter, McLean. He's not about hosting shows on The Golf Channel or marketing new training tools, or writing books. Instead, Suttie has a simpler philosophy.

"It's all about the student," says Suttie. "It's all about the body type, emotional type, and the way a student learns. An accountant may be more analytical and learn one way, when a salesman is more creative and learns another way."

Although Suttie's adjustments to the teaching of each individual student are important, he works from a solid scientific base.

"I did a major study for my doctorate," says Suttie. "I took 25 (PGA) Tour players and analyzed their movements in their swings on camera. I then matched them with beginners or average players and used what I found to develop a teaching philosophy."

When Suttie worked on his thesis in the early 80s, working with cameras in golf instruction was very unique. In fact, many believe Suttie pioneered the idea. Today he uses a set-up of four cameras for his lessons.

However, Suttie admits he went into the study figuring he would find one, ultimate way to teach the golf swing. Instead, he found you must instead customize the swing to the golfer.

"I can size up a student in five minutes," says Suttie. "Not everyone can or should have the same swing." Suttie adds the individual golfer's abilities, flexibility, and physical characteristics have to come into play.

"I don't think I've ever given the same lesson twice, " says Suttie.

From car crash to top 100 teacher

Dr. Suttie didn't come directly to teaching. He had dreams of making it on Tour and did have some moderate success in the 1970s on the mini-tours. But the reality of a shaky stroke and a car accident changed his plans.

Suttie had stopped his vehicle at a stoplight when another automobile rammed into his from behind at a speed of 60 mph. He suffered severe whiplash and a damaged back. After two surgeries, Jim knew playing golf for a living was out. That's when he seriously turned to teaching.

After helping coach the golf team at the University of Illinois as a graduate assistant, Suttie moved to Eastern Kentucky University to become the head coach of the school's golf team. From there he went to Brevard Community College in Florida. That's where he recruited Paul Azinger and began to make his mark as a teacher.

Once again, Dr. Suttie has been named by GOLF Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Teachers in America" for 2003-04. And Golf Digest has ranked him as the 11th "Best Teacher in America in its Top 50 Greatest Teachers" list.

Suttie is also no stranger to coaching the worlds' finest. He works with PGA Tour professionals Paul Azinger, Fred Funk, Loren Roberts and LPGA stars Carin Koch and Vicki Goetze-Ackerman. But Suttie says he gets the most pleasure out of helping the average golfer at his two golf academies at Green Garden Country Club in Frankfort, Illinois and The Club at TwinEagles in Naples.

For many years, Suttie was a regular figure at Cog Hill, the home of the PGA Tour's Western Open in Lemont, Illinois. But needed space forced him to move to Green Garden where he now has a complete practice facility including an indoor golf dome, short game area and even several practice holes. "It was tough leaving Cog Hill, " says Suttie. "But now I'm in charge of my own destiny."

The doctor's best advice

Although Suttie likes to be quite customized and individualized in his teaching, he does have one tip he believes is the best one he can give for any level of player.

"Many of us focus too much on mechanics," he says. "There's too much tension in the swing. You need to relax in the hands, body and arms. I combat tension all the time."

If you want a lesson

Jim Suttie Golf Academy
Green Garden Country Club
9511 West Monee-Manhattan Road
Frankfort, Illinois
(800) 765-3838

The Club at TwinEagles
11725 TwinEagles Blvd.
Naples, Florida
(866) 817-7729

Lesson fee: $250/hour
Training sessions: $259-$350 (4 person, 2/3 hours)

September 9, 2003