<p>Tommy O’Brien Jr. has been a professional golf instructor since 1999 and a proud member of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) since 2003. His journey in competitive golf began as a walk-on for the Sam Houston State Men’s Golf Team (1997–1999), where his passion for teaching took root as he helped his teammates refine their games—ultimately contributing to multiple Division I victories. In recognition of his expertise, he was named the 2018 Southern Texas PGA Eastern Chapter Teacher of the Year.</p><p>Tommy’s early inspiration came from observing legendary instructors such as Hank Haney, Jim Murphy, and Jim Hardy at Sweetwater Country Club during the 1980s and 1990s. This foundation led him to train under Golf Magazine Top 100 instructor Jim Murphy as a PGA apprentice, gaining invaluable mentorship from World Golf Hall of Fame instructors Jim Hardy and Chuck Cook. Hardy’s analytical approach to diagnosing golf swings and Cook’s deep-rooted knowledge—especially his insights from working with Ben Hogan—further honed Tommy’s instructional skillset.</p><p>To refine his expertise in the short game, Tommy sought out Golf Digest Top 50 instructor Stan Utley in 2005. Since 2020, he has collaborated with Utley on short-game schools at Black Hawk Country Club and Shady Oaks Country Club. Additionally, as a Level IV certified AimPoint Golf instructor since 2009, Tommy has worked alongside AimPoint founder Mark Sweeney to master green reading techniques. His knowledge in this area helped junior golfer Asher Vargas elevate his AJGA Rolex ranking from the 120s to the top 10 in just 18 months, securing two AJGA victories and a runner-up finish at the 2024 Junior PGA Championship at Congressional C.C.</p><p>Beyond technical instruction, Tommy has deepened his understanding of golf course strategy through Scott Fawcett’s Decade Golf system and his collaboration with 2021 NCAA Division I Golf Coach of the Year Brandt Kieschnick on elite college golf camps in Houston. His dedication to cutting-edge technology in golf instruction is evident through certifications in Sport Box AI, TrackMan Golf, Swing Catalyst, and Orange Whip Golf Fitness X.</p><p>Tommy’s teaching philosophy is simple yet powerful: an “impact-based†approach that prioritizes quality contact and consistency. By helping students understand their own swings, he empowers them to become their own best instructors—ensuring long-term improvement in all facets of the game.</p><p></p><p>TEst</p><p>⛳</p>