Dr. Luke Benoit Ph.D. is a PGA golf coach with a diverse background of experience and skills. He has worked as a college coach, university professor and researcher, professional golfer, and Director of Instruction. In 2015, Luke began work as the Director of Instruction at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, MN (one of the top-ranked courses in Minnesota). In his position, Luke oversees instructional programs and teaches members. Luke boasts an impressive clientele of beginner, novice, and expert golfers. Through the success of Luke's players, Luke has been recognized as one of the region's top golf coaches and instructors. He also started a company called Ryp Golf that offers technology and training to help golfers hit the ball farther and straighter. In a very short period of time, Ryp Golf has evolved into one of the biggest swing speed companies on the planet, which has led golfers from all around the planet to travel to work with Luke.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Luke grew up in Faribault, Minnesota. Luke's Grandpa Ray introduced Luke to golf at age 13. During that first summer of golf, Luke how to hit a hook and a slice from his Grandpa. Driven to master his swing and control the golf ball, Luke played more than 600 rounds of golf over the next three years. By age 16, Luke was a scratch golfer. He continued to learn the game through books and watching others and only took his first lesson at age 22 when he was a +4.6 handicap.

Luke played college golf at Gustavus Adolphus College where he was a 3-time All-American. He graduated with honors in economics in 2004. The highlight of Luke's amateur career was the 2004 DIII National Championship, Luke's last round as an amateur. During the round, Luke made a double eagle and shot -7 (65). It led to a 2nd place individual finish and Gustavus Adolphus College's first National Championship in golf. 

Following his amateur career, Luke turned professional. Luke played on the mini-tours for a year and a half (events on Dakotas, Hooters, and Nationwide). During that time, Luke had several top 10 finishes, including a 2nd place finish at the South Dakota Open. 

As a professional, Luke boasts an impressive record of more than 18 professional wins on various mini-tours and in Minnesota section events. He was one of eight Minnesota Pro's to qualify for the PGA National Championship in 2014 (his second trip to the National Championship). 

In 2005, Luke walked away from mini-tour life and began focusing 100% on coaching, teaching, and learning golf. From 2006-2013, Luke coached the St. Olaf women's golf team. During his tenure, the Ole's improved from total obscurity (averaging team scores of 360) to national contenders (averaging team scores of 320). Since retiring from collegiate coaching Luke has focused on growing his business as a golf instructor and director of instruction. His primary career goal is to be a teacher and an educator, inspiring others through the game that has given him so much.

Luke has Ph.D. in motor learning and control (Kinesiology) at the University of Minnesota where he focuses his studies on motor learning and biomechanics as they apply to golf. Luke is known for his broad base of knowledge and developmental approach to teaching juniors and adults. He utilizes his background in motor learning, sport psychology, and biomechanics to build programs for clients that yield long-term results. He strongly believes in catering the instruction to each student. Every instruction program he designs is based on an individual student's particular goals, strengths, and limitations. 

In 2020 during the start of the pandemic, Luke started www.rypstick.com. The company has quickly become one of the top-speed training companies in the world. The Rypstick is used by 60+ PGA Tour players and Luke is sought after as an internationally recognized expert on speed training and practice, due to his background in motor learning.

In his free time, Luke likes to play pickleball and spend time with his family. Luke and his family reside in South Minneapolis. Courtney and Luke have two sons, Leo and Gus.

Sarah Iverson joins Dr. Luke Benoit with experience in both playing and coaching competitive golf, as well as an extensive fitness background. After setting several Minnesota State High School League records, Sarah continued her playing career at Colorado State University for four years while earning her BS in Health & Human Sciences. In her collegiate debut Sarah made a hole-in-one, and would go on to earn her first top-5 at the Division 1 level. Sarah continued her education at the University of South Dakota receiving her Masters in Kinesiology & Sport Management. She now works as the Director of Fitness & Marketing for RypGolf.

Among other certifications, Sarah is a certified TPI Golf Fitness Professional. Providing fitness-specific expertise to golfers of all abilities and skill level. She enjoys building personal relationships and takes pride in assisting her clients with goal achievement.

It has come full circle for Sarah as she now coaches the girl’s golf team at Minnewaska H.S., where her success started. In her first year of coaching she lead the team to a second-place finish at the MSHSL AA State Tournament, by just one stroke.

Lastly, after crediting her collegiate years as some of the greatest, she now advises high school golfers pursuing a collegiate career. Sarah assists in the entire process, making it enjoyable and aiding in a seamless transition from high school to college.

Sarah and her husband Colton have lived in seven different countries over the last nine years following Colton’s professional basketball career. Now residing on Lake Minnewaska in Glenwood, they enjoy couples golf league, water sports, and chasing their 1 year old son, Maverick, around!