Terry Shaffer Golf Academy, Fort Washington

After three decades of teaching the game of golf, pro-golf professional Terry Shaffer has whittled improvement down to a few core concepts—and they probably aren't what you'd expect. More important than grip, posture, or even alignment—all crucial technical aspects, to be sure—enthusiasm and effective communication reign supreme with Terry. Terry Shaffer has coached at two division I National Collegiate Athletic Association schools which includes participating in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships and winning the Atlantic 10 Championships. These attributes help golfers attain and surpass their goals for improvement, even when goals are set low, such as breaking 100, or really high, such as playing well enough to warrant two caddies. They've proved effective for Terry himself, too: when he's not giving lessons to students all along the East Coast, he serves as the Head Golf Professional for George Washington University. In 2012, Terry led the Colonials to their first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship crown, while earning himself Head Coach of the Year honors within the conference.