Meet Luke Benoit

We recently connected with Luke Benoit and have shared our conversation below.

Luke, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic, at its core, comes from an innate curiosity and a deep desire to solve problems in areas where I feel I can make a meaningful impact. Golf is such a nuanced and complex sport, and the more I’ve delved into its intricacies—whether that’s in the mechanics of the swing, the psychology of performance, or the biomechanics behind it—the more I’ve realized that there’s always something new to learn or discover. That curiosity is what drives me to keep pushing, to keep seeking better solutions, and to keep improving—not just for myself, but for the people I coach and the golfers who use the products we’ve developed.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of mastering something, and golf, with all its technical and mental demands, is the perfect playground for that kind of exploration. From a young age, I was driven to understand how the swing worked, why certain golfers could hit the ball farther or straighter than others, and how the body’s movement patterns could be optimized for better performance. In fact, I didn’t take my first formal lesson until I was 22, and by that time, I was already a scratch golfer. My early years were spent experimenting with different techniques, analyzing the game from every angle, and figuring out how to fix my own weaknesses. Over time, this turned into a desire to help others solve the same kinds of problems in their games.

As I advanced in my career, I started focusing on a niche that I had developed a unique perspective on: the intersection of motor learning, biomechanics, and swing speed. Most golfers understand the basics of technique, but few truly appreciate how their body moves and how that movement can be fine-tuned to maximize their potential. This was a problem that intrigued me, and it’s where my background in kinesiology, motor learning, and sport psychology came into play. The ability to approach golf from a scientific, data-driven perspective has allowed me to find innovative solutions that many others in the industry hadn’t considered. That’s what led me to create Ryp Golf and the Rypstick, a product designed to help golfers of all levels increase their swing speed in a way that’s both effective and sustainable.

This curiosity-driven work ethic has been a constant throughout my career. It’s what keeps me excited about each day—whether it’s refining a teaching method, developing a new product, or helping a player achieve a breakthrough. The pursuit of problem-solving in a niche I have deep knowledge of keeps me motivated and inspired. It’s not just about putting in the hours or grinding away; it’s about the joy of discovery and the satisfaction that comes from finding solutions to challenges that others may not even see.

For me, the key to maintaining that work ethic is staying curious, staying humble, and always looking for ways to grow and improve. I think when you truly care about solving problems and making a difference, the work doesn’t feel like work at all—it becomes part of who you are. And when you’re doing something that fuels that kind of passion, it’s easy to stay motivated and continue putting in the effort.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a golf coach, entrepreneur, and educator who’s passionate about helping people unlock their potential—whether that’s in golf or in life. My professional journey has been shaped by a deep love for the game of golf and an enduring drive to learn, teach, and innovate. I began playing golf at a young age, and over the years, it evolved from a personal obsession to a career that blends coaching, technology, and a dedication to my clients’ success.

Currently, I serve as the Director of Instruction at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, one of the top-ranked golf courses in Minnesota. In this role, I oversee a variety of instructional programs and work directly with golfers of all levels—helping beginners develop their skills, while also working with more advanced players to fine-tune their techniques. The most rewarding part of this work is seeing my clients grow, not only in their game but in their confidence and passion for the sport. Through their success, I’ve been fortunate to be recognized as one of the top golf instructors in the area.

In addition to my work at Interlachen, I founded Ryp Golf, a company that has quickly become a leader in swing speed technology and training. Ryp Golf started as a way to help golfers hit the ball farther and straighter, using cutting-edge technology and training programs grounded in motor learning and biomechanics. What excites me the most about Ryp Golf is how quickly it’s taken off. In just a few years, we’ve grown to be one of the biggest swing-speed companies in the world, with players—from beginners to professional athletes—using our products to improve their game. The Rypstick, our signature product, is now used by over 60 PGA Tour players, and we’ve seen golfers from all over the globe travel to work with me directly. It’s incredibly gratifying to know that our training methods are making such an impact.

My background as both a professional golfer and an academic gives me a unique perspective. With a Ph.D. in motor learning and control from the University of Minnesota, my approach to teaching integrates the latest research in biomechanics and sport psychology. I take a highly individualized approach to coaching, tailoring programs to each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals. This ensures long-term success, not just quick fixes.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about continuing to grow Ryp Golf, expanding our reach to even more golfers around the world, and innovating new products and services to help players at every level. Whether it’s launching new training tools or offering more virtual coaching options, my goal is to keep advancing the game and the way it’s taught.

Outside of work, I stay active with pickleball and cherish time with my family. I live in South Minneapolis with my wife, Courtney, and our two sons, Leo and Gus. Being able to balance my career with a strong family life keeps me grounded and motivated to continue pushing forward both personally and professionally.

At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to inspire others through the game that has given me so much. Whether it’s through coaching, technology, or education, I’m dedicated to helping people become the best version of themselves, both on and off the course.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, I can pinpoint three qualities that have been absolutely essential to my success: a relentless curiosity, the ability to adapt, and a commitment to continual learning. Each of these has played a significant role in shaping both my career and my approach to coaching and entrepreneurship.

1. Relentless Curiosity
From a young age, I was driven by a curiosity to understand how things worked, whether that was mastering my golf swing or diving into the science of motor learning and biomechanics. This thirst for knowledge is what propelled me to dig deeper into the game and eventually pursue a Ph.D. in kinesiology. It also led me to start Ryp Golf—a venture that combined my passion for the sport with my academic background in motor learning. For anyone early in their journey, I can’t stress enough how important it is to nurture your curiosity. Whether it’s in your field or in the broader world, asking questions and seeking to understand will unlock opportunities and innovations that others might overlook.

2. The Ability to Adapt
Golf, like many areas of life, is constantly evolving. The way we approach coaching and training today is very different from even a few years ago. In my case, the creation of Ryp Golf came about largely because I recognized a gap in the market for swing speed training tools that could help golfers of all levels. The ability to see opportunities in change, rather than resist them, has been a huge advantage. For people just starting out, I’d advise them to be open to change and embrace new ideas and technologies. Don’t get too comfortable with what’s “always been done.” The willingness to adapt can open doors to new ventures and help you stay ahead of the curve.

3. Commitment to Continual Learning
Golf, coaching, business, and even life in general are constantly evolving. What has kept me relevant and successful over the years is my commitment to continuous improvement—not just in my golf game, but in my coaching and business acumen. Whether it’s attending workshops, reading the latest research, or experimenting with new training methods, I’m always looking for ways to get better. My advice to anyone starting out is to develop a growth mindset. The journey will be full of ups and downs, but the key is to always seek feedback, learn from your mistakes, and keep refining your skills.

For those early in their journey, I’d also recommend surrounding yourself with mentors or people who have a track record of success. They can help you refine your path, learn from their experiences, and point out pitfalls to avoid.

Ultimately, my experience has shown me that success doesn’t come from just having a passion or a skill set—it’s about developing the right mindset. Cultivate curiosity, embrace change, and commit to being a lifelong learner. That’s how you set yourself up for long-term growth and fulfillment.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe the key to success is finding a balance between leveraging your strengths and continually improving your weaknesses, but over time, the focus should shift toward doubling down on what you do best. Early on, it’s essential to be versatile and willing to step outside your comfort zone. You’re still figuring out where your true strengths lie, and that willingness to adapt can open doors and create opportunities that you might otherwise miss.

When I first started in the golf world—especially as a college coach and early professional player—I had to wear a lot of different hats. I was involved in everything from recruiting and managing players to handling the day-to-day logistics and even handling the business side of things. At that stage, I didn’t have the luxury of a well-rounded team or a clear focus on just one area. I had to be adaptable and learn to manage every aspect of my career.

However, as my career progressed and I built Ryp Golf and took on the role of Director of Instruction at Interlachen Country Club, it became clear that I could no longer do everything myself. My core strengths—teaching, coaching, and developing training tools that make a real difference—were where I could add the most value. As I grew my business, I made it a priority to build a strong team around me. I started outsourcing the things that weren’t the best use of my time—whether that was marketing, technology development, or administrative tasks—so I could focus more fully on coaching and the development of Ryp Golf’s products.

I think this is where many entrepreneurs and professionals go through a pivotal shift: at the beginning, you have to learn to be resourceful and well-rounded, but as you grow, it’s about sharpening your focus. For me, bringing in a talented team of people who are experts in areas outside my strength, from tech to marketing, was absolutely crucial. This allowed me to spend more time refining the products and programs that were making the biggest impact on my clients and the business.

One story that stands out was the launch of the Rypstick. When I first started Ryp Golf, it was a simple idea, but I had no experience in product design or manufacturing. I knew how to coach golfers and how to use biomechanics to improve swing speed, but the logistics of creating and scaling a product were beyond my expertise. So, I partnered with experts who could handle that side of things while I stayed focused on what I did best: coaching and refining the training methods. That collaboration was a game-changer. It allowed me to bring the Rypstick to market and reach players worldwide, something I couldn’t have done alone.

My advice to anyone in the early stages of their career is to invest in developing both their strengths and areas of growth. You’ll need a wide skill set to adapt to various situations, but as you gain clarity about what you truly excel at, find ways to delegate or bring in specialists to handle the other aspects of your work. This enables you to maximize your potential, while others handle what they do best. Ultimately, success is about playing to your strengths and surrounding yourself with a team that complements and amplifies what you do best. That’s how you reach the next level.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rypgolf.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.luke.benoit.golf/