About Joe

Son of Coleman Plecker, a PGA Master Professional who currently teaches at Venice Golf & Country Club in Venice Beach, FL., Joe began playing at age 5 and excelled competitively in junior, high school and college golf. Joe won numerous junior awards plus two team championships in high school and one with Seton Hall University. 

The Teacher as a Student 

Joe has been taught by some of the best.  Besides having a terrific teacher as a Dad, as a young player Joe met and worked with Patty Berg, one of the leading women in golf in any timeframe. He also spent time with Bill “Coach” Strausbaugh, Jr., at Columbia Country Club in Bethesda, MD. Coach is one of the biggest influences on Joe’s teaching career, as his temperament and style were so effective.  Coach Strausbaugh’s time was in high demand, and Joe witnessed the impact of a great teacher on the students that he taught.  His theory of “those who dare to teach must never cease to learn” has been a guiding concept to Joe, who continues to attend conferences and seminars regularly on the latest theories and concepts on teaching. 

The Professional Path 

Joe became a PGA Professional in 1998.      

As an apprentice, Joe began working with the Jim McLean Golf Academy.  Since then, Joe has taught in locations from Florida to New York City (at Chelsea Pier). Joe’s reputation has grown. Recently he has been recognized as one of the leaders in his field, receiving honors from Golf Digest as “Best Teacher in your state” and from his peers as “Mid Atlantic PGA Teacher of the Year”. 

Competition keeps him sharp 

Joe is a top Mid Atlantic PGA playing professional and continues to compete in sectional events as well as interclub competition. Joe has dedicated himself to his teaching career and predominantly spends his time with students on the course and the practice tee. 

The Current Focus 

In 2003 Joe became the Director of Golf Instruction at Baltimore Country Club (also known as Five Farms), and began teaching members and other area residents from all ages and skill levels.  He has built up an impressive program, augmenting private lessons with focused group events on skills such as sand play, the short game, and putting.  Joe has spent a great deal of time studying the art of putting using the Science & Motion PuttLab, which has helped many golfers. 

Teaching the total game from full swing to short game, Joe has built an all encompassing program.

How The Student Learns 

Over the years Joe has recognized that his relative success as a teacher is not just about what he teaches, but how his student learns.  There are those that are technical, and those that are “feel” players.  Some respond to the visual aids of the computer models, and others to small “swing thoughts” that they focus on.  To that end, Joe has begun to integrate a learning style component into his lesson plan, and works with the Mental Golf Workshop to evaluate his students.  Joe asks his clients to complete a personal profile online so he can better understand their individual needs and how he can best help them.    

A National Presence

As part of his growth and peer recognition, Joe was asked by the PGA to be a part of their instructional DVD series, Improve Your Game, and worked alongside some of the most recognized teachers of the game to produce this terrific product (available through PGA.com).  Joe is a regular guest on the PGA Tour Channel on satellite radio as well.  Please see the current news listing for upcoming and recent appearances there.