Jim McLean is an iconic American golf instructor and former competitive amateur golfer whose influence in the world of teaching the game spans decades.
Raised and developed his game in the Pacific Northwest, McLean enjoyed major success as a junior and amateur, including multiple wins of the Pacific Northwest Amateur. He attended the University of Houston, where he was an All-American on the golf team. One of his most notable amateur moments was competing in the Masters Tournament in 1972 as an amateur and finishing tied for 43rd.
McLean turned professional in 1973. Although his main legacy is as an instructor, he did compete o n tour and as a club professional, holding positions at some elite clubs in the U.S.
Inducted into the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame in 2018. Among his many honours: National PGA Teacher of the Year (1994), and membership in regional-based golf Halls of Fame such as the Pacific Northwest Golf Association Hall of Fame. His instructional book The Eight Step Swing was recognised by Sports Illustrated as one of the top golf instruction books of the 20th century.
McLean is widely recognized for coining the term “X-Factor”, referring to the difference between hip and shoulder rotation at the top of the golf swing—a key concept in his teaching methodology. His instructional system emphasises position teaching, safety zones, and what he calls the “Powerline”, using detailed parameters to refine the swing. He was an early adopter of video analysis and radar technologies (e.g., TrackMan) in golf instruction, helping transition teaching into the modern era of data and motion analysis.
In 1993 McLean founded the Jim McLean Golf School; the headquarters later moved to The Biltmore in Coral Gables, Florida. The school is recognised as one of the top golf instruction programmes in the world, producing major champions on the PGA and LPGA Tours. Beyond just one location, McLean’s schools and certified instructors operate globally—bringing his methodologies to players of all levels.
Jim McLean’s influence extends far beyond his own teaching; many of his assistants have gone on to become head professionals, directors of instruction, and respected coaches in their own right. His emphasis on biomechanics, technology, and systematic swing instruction helped modernise golf teaching and made it accessible to a broader audience.
If you’re working with a coach certified in McLean’s system or exploring advanced instruction, here’s what sets his approach apart:
