Joe Plecker
Ranked among the top 100 instructors in the United States by GOLF Magazine and a member of the Titleist staff, Joe Plecker teaches a swing built on pressure in the feet. Here is his background, his method, and a summary of his lesson.
Who is Joe Plecker?
Joe Plecker is an American professional golfer and a member of the PGA of America since 1998. He oversees the club's golf instruction and programs The Landings, in Savannah, Georgia.
The son of a PGA Master Professional, he learned to play golf as a child in Maryland. He is now part of the teaching staff at Titleist.
The Career of Joe Plecker, a Renowned Teacher
From Maryland to Georgia
He taught at the Chelsea Piers Golf Academy in New York and at the Ocean Reef Club in Florida. He then served as the first director of instruction at the Baltimore Country Club for ten years, and later as director of instruction at the Elkridge Club in Baltimore. He also trained future professionals for the PGA of America.
Career Highlights
- PGA Mid-Atlantic Teacher of the Year in 2007.
- PGA Master Professional status in 2016.
- Ranked among GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Instructors since 2017.
- Georgia PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year in 2024.
Joe Plecker's Approach: Pressure Leads, the Club Follows
According to Joe Plecker, it’s not the club that initiates the swing. The weight shifts first to the back foot, then back to the front foot, and the club follows a split second later. He demonstrates this with a flexible rope held in front of him, or more simply with an iron held with bent wrists. The result: a more rhythmic, more balanced swing that follows the correct sequence.
Joe Plecker's Lesson on Best Golf Tips
- Swing Sequence (Downswing and Transition): Swing sequence: pressure leads, the club follows.
Titleist also filmed Dave Phillips, co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute, on releasing the club.
FAQ About Joe Plecker
Who is Joe Plecker?
Joe Plecker is an American golf instructor, a member of the PGA of America, the director of instruction at The Landings in Savannah, and a member of the Titleist teaching staff.
Is Joe Plecker a well-known teacher?
Yes. He has been listed among GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Instructors since 2017, is a PGA Master Professional, and was named Instructor of the Year by the Mid-Atlantic PGA in 2007 and by the Georgia PGA in 2024.
What does “the pressure leads, the club follows” mean?
That's the key point of his lesson: whether you're on the upswing or the downswing, the weight shift from one foot to the other happens first, and the club follows a split second later.
What lesson by Joe Plecker can be found on Best Golf Tips?
His Titleist lesson on the swing sequence, summarized, with two exercises: the hinged rope and holding an iron in front of you.
