The Team

MEET THE TEAM

Luke is the Director of Instruction at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, MN and the Founder of RypGolf. He has been a Golf Digest "Best Young Teacher" for more than a decade and is known for his creative and personable approach to coaching golf. His academic research at the University of Minnesota includes a PhD in motor control and learning. Luke coaches State Champions, professionals, college players, total beginners, and everyone in between. Luke lives with his wife and two boys in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Playing accomplishment

2012, 2014, 2021 PGA National Championship Qualifier
Winner of 19+ professional tournaments, including 2009 Bhutan Open
DIII National Runner Up (2004)
Three time All-American
Career low 60
Golf Digest 'Best Young Teacher' X10
Golf Digest 'Best in State' #2
3x NCAA Regional Coach of the year
2017 Minnesota PGA 'Teacher of the Year'

Makel is the superintendent at 24 Golf in Eagan, MN, bringing a lifelong passion for the game to his coaching and club repair services.

He picked up golf as a toddler and honed his skills through the Fairway Foundation and MNJPGA events. While he pursued soccer through high school and college, an injury led him to coaching both soccer and golf.

Now Makel combines top-tier technology with expert instruction to help golfers of all levels improve their game. He also specializes in club repair, customization, and alterations to ensure every player is dialed into their perfect set.

Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon is a leading expert in biomechanics and the science of human movement, with decades of experience in sports performance analysis. He is a Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Biomechanics & Motor Behavior Laboratory at Texas Woman’s University. His research focuses on applying biomechanical principles to optimize movement efficiency, particularly in the golf swing.

Dr. Kwon has held key leadership roles in the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports and has served as Editor-in-Chief of Sports Biomechanics. He has worked with top professional golfers and organizations worldwide, including Golf Digest Japan, the Korean PGA, and 4D Motion Sports. He is also the creator of Kwon3D Motion Analysis Suite, a widely used motion analysis tool.

Dr. Kwon joins the RYPGolf Team to provide golfers with a data-driven understanding of swing mechanics, helping players refine their technique using biomechanical insights. His expertise ensures a structured approach to developing a powerful and efficient swing.

Phil Herder is RypGolf’s lead fitness expert, specializing in golf-specific training. A former high school golfer at Rochester Mayo, he earned his degree in Health & Human Performance at Wisconsin-River Falls, where he also pursued a master's in Strength & Conditioning, focusing his thesis on golf training interventions. Phil is a certified TPI Golf Fitness Professional, NSCA Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and ACSM Exercise Physiologist. He works with RypGolf fitness clients, conducts research, and manages Ryp_Performance on social media. He co-authored a study with Dr. Luke Benoit on golf skill and shot “feel” estimation, published in the International Journal of Golf Science.

In addition to RypGolf, Phil is the head coach of Stillwater Area High School’s girls’ golf team, leading them to consecutive MSHSL AAA State Tournament appearances. In his free time, he enjoys yoga, meditation, and being a “Funcle Phil” to his nieces and nephews.

MEET THE TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

Dr. Luke Benoit, Ph.D., PGA

Makel Mackbee

Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon

Phil Herder

MEET THE TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

Dr. Luke Benoit, Ph.D., PGA

Makel Mackbee

Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon

Phil Herder

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