The Back Nine Golf Academy

Back Nine Golf Academy was established back in 2007 and Phillip Walker has been with the academy since 2009. Growing up in Australia and South Africa, Philip has been involved with the game of golf for more than 25 years. Since he arrived, he has been helping develop local golfers in the Northwest Arkansas area. He has recently been named the best golf teacher in the state of Arkansas according to Golf Digest magazine.

He began playing the game at the age of eight and actively participated in junior golf events in South Africa competing against contemporaries such as Rory Sabbatini and Tim Clark. After finishing High School he moved with his parents to Perth in Australia. At club level he was the Number One player on the Golf Team before he left for Sydney to take up a golf scholarship at the Jack Newton Golf Academy in Sydney. At the Academy he graduated with a Diploma in Golf with honors.

In 1997 Philip received a golf scholarship at the University of Arkansas. In 2001 he completed a Business Degree in Marketing. During his time at College he played with success on the Razorback Golf Team, a Division One team in The Southeastern Conference. Philip was apart of the first Razorback team to be ranked number one nationally, winner of two NCAA events and was apart of the Southeastern Conference academic honor roll from 1998-2001.

Following graduation, Philip pursued his professional career in golf by playing for several years on various tours and accumulated two professional victories for his efforts. His passion for the game eventually led him to instruction. He began working for the Back Nine Golf Academy in Bentonville, Arkansas and is now the Owner and Director of Golf Instruction.

At the Academy, Philip coaches at the elite level, college level and the beginner level. In addition to running Back Nine, he coaches player development for the Men’s & Women’s Golf programs at Missouri Southern University in Joplin, Missouri. Philip is NCAA certified and dedicates his time to helping young athletes achieve their goals by obtaining golf scholarships. He uses the latest V1 Pro instruction technology with High Definition Simulators in order to give clients comprehensive and visual feedback on their swing.

Matt Lassiter

Matt works with golfers of all ages and abilities, from beginners to aspiring Tour Professionals. Based in NW Arkansas, he has been the assistant Director of Instruction at the Back 9 Golf Academy in Bentonville, AR since 2012.

He takes an analytical, data driven approach and has worked with and learned from some of the best instructors in the world. He holds certifications from Dana Dhalquist (Golf Digest Top 50 Instructor) and renowned Golf Biomechanist, Young Hoo Kwon.

Matt has recently added motion capture to his capabilities, gaining Level 1 and 2 certifications in the state-of-the-artSportsbox Golf software.

Matt isn’t looking to apply a cookie cutter, one size fits all approach to your golf game, instead, you will work together to find your very best swing!