Meet Your Coach

About

Who is Dan Knop?

Dan Knop is a Class A PGA Golf Professional with over 20 years of golf instruction experience.  He has taught over 10,000 lessons and works with all levels of golfers.   Dan is originally from Tampa, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University with a Professional Golf Management Degree. He has previously worked at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina as an Assistant Professional, at Meadowcreek Golf Course as a Teaching Professional, as Head Professional at River Wilderness Golf and Country Club, as Head Professional at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club and now Player Development Director at Oakhurst Golf and Country Club. 

Dan is dedicated to helping you with your game and is available for individual, group, and playing lessons.  Dan works with students to develop specialized teaching programs just for them.  

Mission

Mission & Vision

Dan’s goal for every student is for them to become their own teacher. Dan feels that if the student knows why something happens with the golf shot, then you can take corrective action and commit to a better swing. At every level, there are steps to take to get to your end goal. He will put goals in place for you to get to the next level. The easiest and fastest way to improve is a short game, and Dan provides mechanics and drills for you to practice so this part of your game becomes the best.  ​​​​​​​​​
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With fundamentals in place first, he quickly finds something that either needs to be corrected or improved. Not all swings need to be changed. There are swing dynamics that need to happen for a solid golf shot. Dan works on these regardless of swing type. There are things like pre-swing, back-swing, impact and follow-through that should be fundamentally sound to hit a good golf shot. Dan works on these with every player and relates this to the player’s skill type. Dan also wants his students to understand ball flight rules and how the swing affects the ball flight.

Extensive history playing and instructing

Award-winning golf coach

Why choose Dan?

Dan’s Teaching and Playing Resume: 
  • 2020 & 2021 PGA Southwest Chapter Youth Development Award Winner
  • Competes and plays in Michigan PGA Section and Chapter Events
  • US Kids Golf Level 1 Certified
  • Served on the NFPGA Education Committee
  • Former Southwest Chapter Educational Chair
  • Conducted SWC Teaching and Coaching Seminars
  • Attended the 2011, 2013, and 2019 National PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit in Orlando, FL

Continuing Education

Dan Knop feels growing his education and surrounding himself with other great teachers and coaches will further his learning and development and he can apply this to his students.

Dan’s Former Coaches, Mentors, or Taught with include:

Adam Smith, Richmond, VA
Steven Sloterback, Richmond,  VA
Lew Smither III, Tampa, FL
Wayne Defrancesco, Baltimore, MD
Todd Camplin, Pinehurst, NC
Eric Alpenfels, Pinehurst, NC
Kelly Mitchem, Pinehurst, NC
Dr. Bob Rotella, Charlottesville, VA
Bowen Sargaent, Charlottesville, VA
Pat Walsh, Bradenton, FL
Gary Geiger, Bradenton, FL
Dr. Bob Winters, Orlando, FL
Mark Rummings, Bradenton, FL
​Joe Robert, Bradenton, FL
Clinton Whitelaw, Lakewood Ranch, FL
George Bowman, Clarkston, MI
Matt Barton, Clarkston, MI
TJ Bishop, Lakewood Ranch, FL
Jeffrey Miller, Lakewood Ranch, FL
Bryan Winkel, Lakewood Ranch, FL
Brian Goff, Raleigh, NC
Vanessa Fassler, Lakewood Ranch, FL