About Mel
Welcome
to my personal website! My name is Mel Sole and I'm the Director of Instruction
and Owner of the Ritson-Sole Golf
Schools. I'm honored that my dedication
to golf instruction has earned me many awards, including:
- “Top Teacher” by GOLF Magazine, every year since 2001
- “Best Teachers in Your State” by Golf Digest, 2009
After a playing career on the South African PGA Tour, I turned my focus to teaching back in the 70s. My coaching of Junior Golf Teams in South Africa produced two National Champions and several Junior Champions.
In 1988, Phil Ritson asked me to head up a golf academy in Myrtle Beach, SC. The school was renamed the Phil Ritson - Mel Sole Golf School in 1991, and relocated to nearby Pawleys Island, where headquarters are today. Ritson-Sole also has several other locations in the U.S. and México.
My roster of clients includes many novice golfers of all ages, plus stars in professional sports and CEOs of major corporations, such as:
- Chris Marsh, 2009 US Amateur qualifier
- Lorraine Ballerano, US Futures Tour player
- Harold Henning, Champions Tour player (deceased)
- Wayne Calloway, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo (deceased)
- John Reed, former CEO of CitiCorp
- Arndt Schmidt, German Olympic Gold Medalist in fencing
- Ewa Mataya Laurance, World Champion Billiard player and Hall of Famer
- Jim Valvano, famed basketball Coach and ESPN Television commentator (deceased)
- John Saunders, current ESPN Commentator
I authored the golf instructional book, Golf Step-by-Step, published by Chrysalis Books, in January, 2003. I'm also a teaching editor with Golf Tips Magazine, Coastal Carolina Business Journal and Privilege Magazine in Toronto, Canada. My golf lessons have also appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Golf Illustrated.
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe in teaching each person individually, according to his or her unique physique and capabilities. The golf swing should be kept as simple as possible, and my students are taught to utilize the big muscles to create power with a minimum of effort.
Want me to coach you for free? Watch my monthly video golf tips (published on my website since 1997) and read my new golf improvement blog.