Fans of the game have come to know the name Hank Haney for a multitude of reasons. The professional golf instructor served as Tiger Woods’ coach for nearly six years, working alongside the game’s best for six of Woods’ 15 major titles. Haney also worked with two-time major champion Mark O’Meara. In 2008, he also began coaching former NBA star Charles Barkley through a Golf Channel television show, which morphed into time spent with celebrities like Ray Romano, Rush Limbaugh, Adam Levine, Michael Phelps and more.
While Haney has spent the better part of three decades traveling the world with golf’s greatest talents, he recently moved back home to Chicago’s North Shore. As profiled in April 2024’s Chicago District Golfer (CLICK TO READ), Haney, now 69, was born in Lake Forest and grew up in Deerfield, frequenting the likes of Sunset Valley Golf Club as a kid. Now, he’s returned to the Chicago District from Arizona to help his 11-year-old son’s blossoming junior hockey skills. While it may appear like Dad sacrificed for the greater good of his son, the move is a welcome change of pace for Haney himself
“We came for my son’s hockey,” said Haney in a CDGATV exclusive interview at the 2025 Chicago Golf Show® earlier this year. “I decided that I needed something to do while he’s in school or I’m not driving him to hockey, so I started teaching…”
After some time spent teaching at The Golf Practice in Highland Park, his own Hank Haney Golf Studio opened last month in Deerfield. Haney relishes the opportunity to work with amateur golfers of all skill levels through four golf simulators, a short-game area and a putting green. While some may think the adjustment back to less-skilled players would be hard for Haney, he’s just happy to work with people eager to learn.
“I like to help anybody - I’m a coach, I’m a teacher,” said Haney. “Anybody who has a good attitude and wants to learn. There’s a point where you wish you had someone with some talent. And then you coach touring pros for 34 years? You can’t wait to have those amateurs back. I’m having more fun teaching than I ever have.”
Haney’s interview with CDGATV also dove into what tips and tricks apply to most golfers, his love for the game of golf in Chicago and much more. To hear from Haney himself, click the video below: