In Augusta, Georgia, a tale unfolds about a trio of golfers whose formative years were shaped by one influential swing coach at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas. Among them was a teenager moving from Ohio to Texas, a Kansas college student needing swing adjustment, and a young Scottie Scheffler, who began his relationship with golf guru Randy Smith when his family relocated from New Jersey due to his mother’s new job. All three share the common thread of receiving a pivotal piece of advice: to reach out to Randy Smith — the legendary coach known for nurturing young talent.
Scott Scheffler, Scottie’s father, recounts meeting Smith for the first time. “Randy gave me an intense look and asked, ‘Who’s pushing this kid?’ I assured him, ‘Sir, it’s not me; he’s the one pushing himself to hit golf balls. We need guidance.’” Thus began a fruitful mentorship starting from the boy’s first practice session on Mother’s Day, leading to the family joining the club the very next day. This partnership blossomed into a lifelong journey through numerous junior titles, collegiate success, Masters victories, and even an Olympic gold medal, solidifying Scottie’s place as a world champion.
Smith, now 73, is regarded as a savant by Scheffler, praised for translating the young golfer’s feelings into swing improvements. Scheffler himself calls Smith the singular influence in his swing development, crediting him as the driving force behind his career accomplishments. Despite Scheffler’s burgeoning fame, particularly as he contends for a third Masters title, Smith is renowned for fostering talent long before they reach the professional stage.
Kids like Justin Leonard, Harrison Frazar, Ryan Palmer, Colt Knost, Hunter Mahan, and Gary Woodland, who ventured from Kansas twice due to a scheduling mishap, are among those influenced by Smith’s tutelage. Woodland acknowledges, “His advice resonates with me. He’s immensely significant to my career.” Not limited to locals, Smith’s mentorship has extended to various transplants, including Anthony Kim and Martin Laird.
Randy Smith’s legacy is defined by 18 national awards from the PGA of America, including prestigious titles like Professional of the Year and Teacher of the Year. Beyond developing numerous professional tour players, he has steered countless kids toward collegiate golf scholarships, leaving a substantial mark on the sport. Jamie Mulligan, a respected pro in Long Beach, California, lauds Smith as the original guide in crafting young tour players, a path many coaches only undertake later in athletes’ careers.
Smith’s influence often transcends the role of a coach, morphing into a father figure for many, such as Knost, who was advised to seek him out from across the country. Smith’s straightforward style, emphasizing practical experience over technological data, resonates with many aspiring golfers. The simplicity of his teachings, coupled with his profound understanding of swing basics, has left an enduring impact on those he mentors.
Royal Oaks has become a fertile ground for cultivating golf talent, underpinned by a camaraderie among the players who grew alongside Scheffler. His reputation as a hardworking young player who dressed like the professionals he aspired to emulate has been cemented in club legend. Smith admired his dedication, saying, “He was both a sponge and a workaholic,” qualities that Smith esteemed and built upon.
Randy Smith’s journey at Royal Oaks began in 1977, evolving from a merchandise manager to an esteemed coach after seeing former pupil Justin Leonard clinch a junior victory in Oklahoma. This propelled him to focus more on coaching, culminating in Leonard’s British Open win and the return of the claret jug to Royal Oaks. Leonard describes Smith as having a unique, almost eccentric mentor aura that perfectly complements his non-methodical approach to honing players’ natural strengths.
While Smith modestly professes greater pride in those he’s helped secure college scholarships, the heartfelt moments shared with the likes of Scheffler, especially after monumental wins, carry significant personal meaning. For Smith, his role in the lives of these players seems serendipitous, being in the right place at the right time to guide so many towards success in the golfing world.