Laird Small

Master Instructor, Pebble Beach Golf Academy

After more than 28 years of working at Pebble Beach, Laird Small is comfortable calling the famed golf resort his home. A consummate golf professional with a wealth of experience and an intrinsic love of the game, Small has served as the Director of the Pebble Beach Academy for 19 years. Prior to that, he was the Head Professional and Manager of the Spyglass Hill Golf Shop for nine years.

In 1996, Laird helped launch—and bring to national prominence—the Pebble Beach Golf Academy. In addition, he was instrumental in the development of the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association, which hosts about 2,500 kids year-round.

Laird’s many accolades include: 2003 National PGA Teacher of the Year; recognition by Golf Digest as one of the country’s top 50 greatest teachers for every consecutive year since 2007; and being named one of the country’s top 100 teachers by Golf Magazine—one of the most prestigious honors golf professionals can attain. He was first inducted into the list in 1995 and has been on it every year since.

A graduate of San Jose State University in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Laird is a Class A-14 teaching professional. He has completed multiple certifications with the PGA Business School, HeartMath Coaching and Titleist Performance Institute. In 2002, the PGA of America awarded him the prestigious status of Master Professional, with a Specialty Certification in Teaching and Coaching.

Laird is the author of Play Golf the Pebble Beach Way, co-author of GolfCordz the Power Source and regularly contributes articles for Golf Magazine, Golf Tips Magazine and Golf Digest. Some of his many students over the years have included Bill Gates, Tom Kite, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Young, Kirk Triplett, Warren Buffett, Bob Wolcott, Orel Hershiser, Josh Duhamel, Paul McGinley and Julius Irving.