Sam Varner

Sam Varner’s journey at PGA WEST® began in 2012. With top-notch training, he transitioned to a full-time teaching career in 2021. Sam's passion for golf began at age six, but it was his senior year of high school that saw golf truly take center stage, shifting his focus from football and baseball. After college, a job at Roger Dunn Golf Shop led to a pivotal referral to the PGA WEST® Golf Academy, paving the way for a full-time career in golf instruction.

"My education came from hands-on learning from some of the best instructors in the golf industry, and I applied this knowledge to my own teaching when I started as an instructor," Sam says. Among his mentors are leading teaching professionals Jerry Mowlds and PGA WEST® Director of Instruction Bryan Lebedevitch. Sam feels fortunate to collaborate with the entire team of top-ranked instructors at the PGA WEST® Golf Academy.

In addition to training individuals and groups, Sam leads Operation 36, a golf development and coaching program aimed at helping beginners and players of all levels improve their game. Sam's teaching philosophy is centered on simplicity. "My goal is to get golfers to understand what they do, why they do it, and how to fix it," he explains. He believes in demystifying the game, utilizing OnForm, a mobile video analysis app, to provide video feedback and maintain communication with students off the course.

When not immersed in the sport he loves, Sam enjoys spending time with his four-year-old daughter and hiking in the California mountains. Follow Sam on Instagram @samvarnergolfeducation for tips and videos to help you improve your game.