Golf Digest Names Desert Mountain's Paxton O'Connor to List of Best Golf Instructors in America

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) — Paxton O’Connor, the PGA Director of Performance & Instruction at Desert Mountain Club, has been named to the prestigious list of “Best Teachers in Arizona” for 2019-20 by Golf Digest magazine in its December/January issue.  O’Connor was previously recognized by the magazine as one of the “Best Young Teachers in America” (2018-19).

Paxton O'Connor

This is the first time that O’Connor, 28, a golf instructor at Desert Mountain Club since 2016 and director of the Jim Flick Golf Performance Center, has been named to the list of best teachers in the state, an honor that comes as the result of surveying more than 1,500 golf instructors across the United States.

“The collective experience, expertise and student success of the teachers on the state lists is unmatched, and we’re proud to have Paxton as a part of this exclusive group,” said Matt Rudy, Senior Writer, Golf Digest.  

The $1.6 million Golf Performance Center at Desert Mountain Club is equipped with the most advanced technology available in the industry and provides a comprehensive game enhancement program, from golf fitness to playing skills and mental game techniques. Among the wealth of resources: Trackman, which is the first and only dual radar technology tracking ball behavior and club delivery; Swing Catalyst pressure plate and video software; a Science and Motion PuttLab; AMM 3-D sensor known as the “MRI of your golf swing;” and a Quintic Ball Monitor. In addition, the PGA- and Titleist-certified staff utilizes the technology to match members with equipment perfectly suited for their games.

Desert Mountain Club is the only private community in the world with six Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses and the new, innovative, 18-hole par-54 course – named No. 7 at Desert Mountain.  The community’s seven golf courses, coupled with the Golf Performance Center, provide an unparalleled opportunity for its active golf membership.

“Paxton is one of the best instructors and coaches I’ve had the privilege of working with throughout my career,” said John Lyberger, PGA, Director of Golf.  “He is a great leader and mentor for his team and loved by our entire membership.”

Prior to joining Desert Mountain Club, O’Connor was an instructor at the Butch Harmon School of Golf in Henderson, Nevada. While mentored by Harmon, O’Connor was able to assist during sessions with clients that included PGA Tour players Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker, Rickie Fowler and others.

A native of Cherokee, Iowa, O'Connor was introduced to golf at age 6 by his mother and grandfather. After several years as a competitive junior golfer, as well as a high school standout, O’Connor graduated from the PGA Professional Golf Management Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2015 and also become a member of the PGA of America in 2015. O’Connor has completed numerous special training courses, including the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), PGA of America, Trackman, SamPutt Lab and numerous others.

For additional information on Desert Mountain Club, visit www.desertmountain.com.