Mike Bender was recently named the PGA of America National Teacher of the Year. Is there anyone more qualified to give some golf tips and lessons to the average golfer? We don”t think so. Here”s some advice from Mike from a recent Golf.com interview.

Bender recommends making a commitment and working with a PGA teaching pro on a regular basis. Just getting a tip here and there will never compare to the knowledge and technique you can learn when working with a great teacher consistently.

When it comes to fitness levels, Bender says that fitness is important to the game of golf. He says there”s no downside to becoming fitter, but that learning proper technique will help improve your game more than any fitness improvements.

Now that you know you need to focus on technique, how much do you focus on each part? Bender recommends 1/3 or your total practice time on full swing and 2/3 on your short game. Bender says that “time invested in short game practice is almost always rewarded on the course immediately. Time spent on the full swing oftentimes is not.”

And last, but not least, get fitted for you equipment. With all the advances in equipment, the right fit can really make a difference.

What do you think of these teaching tips? Do you work with a PGA teaching pro?