Who Is Justin Thomas’ Coach?
Who coaches the 2021 Players Champion Justin Thomas? We take a look in this piece.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

Who Is Justin Thomas' Coach?
Justin Thomas' father Mike is his coach and has been teaching him the game since he took it up as a youngster. Mike is a PGA Pro and the former head pro at Harmony Landing Golf Club in Kentucky.
Mike himself was the son of a teaching professional, Paul Thomas, and Mike has admitted on more than occasion that whilst he loved the game, he occasionally did not enjoy it one bit. It was because of this that Mike was always wary of over-instruction when teaching Justin the game.
Justin with his family after winning the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2018. His father is furthest right, and grandfather furthest left (Getty Images)
For example, from a young age Mike allowed Justin to correct his own swing. When he was roughly four years old, Justin held the club cross handed and eventually changed this himself. He also worked out how to hit draws and fades himself.
“My goal with him was every time you come out here, we’re going to have fun,” Mike Thomas said. “It wasn’t instruction. It was fun. Then, I was able to sneak some instruction in just because he’d ask me.”
“Sometimes he’s tentative to tell me stuff,” Justin said to The Wall Street Journal. “Like I won’t play well one day, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, I saw something in your warm-up.’ I’m like, ‘Well why didn’t you tell me?’”
Thomas has also talked about the different relationships he and his father have given he is also his swing coach, especially when Justin is playing poorly.
“It’s a lot different,” Thomas acknowledged to Golf.com on their relationship. “I get pissed at him sometimes, and I think as a dad he doesn’t want to — he’s not going to go full Butch Harmon (opens in new tab) or Pete Cowan and tell me I suck or ‘that’s not very good’ or whatever it is, and sometimes I would love for him to say that just because I want to hear it.”
“I mean, I have to remind him sometimes, you’re not my dad out here, you’re my swing coach, and I need you to tell me if something is wrong. I don’t need my ego boosted. I’m here to try to win a golf tournament and play well, so do your job kind of thing. It’s gotten a lot better over the last couple years, but it’s like any player-coach relationship. You need that accountability, I think.”
Since December 2020, Thomas has also had putting improvement coach John Graham as part of his team. After finishing outside the top 100 for strokes gained putting in the 2018 and 2019 season - despite finishing in the top 5 of the FedEx in both of those seasons - Thomas sought added help with his putting. The Thomas-Graham partnership also focusses on how Thomas prepares for on course situations. We believe Thomas has also worked with a man called Matt Killen on his short game as well and it is not unrealistic to say that his caddie Jim 'Bones' McKay (opens in new tab) acts as a coach of sorts when out on the golf course as well!
For more content on the American, take a look at our Justin Thomas what's in the bag (opens in new tab) or what is Justin Thomas's net worth (opens in new tab) pages.
A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly.
Working with golf gear and equipment over the last five years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes.
He also loves to test golf apparel especially if it a piece that can be used just about anywhere!
As a result he has always been the one family and friends come to for buying advice and tips.
He is a graduate of Swansea University where he studied History and American Studies, and he has been a part of the Golf Monthly team since December 2017. He also previously worked for World Soccer and Rugby World magazines.
Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website. He also oversees all Tour player content as well.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five.
-
-
WGC-Match Play Field And Groups 2023
There are some standout groups for the tournament at Austin Country Club as Scottie Scheffler defends his title
By Mike Hall • Published
-
2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Odds and Betting Preview
The 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play kicks off this Wednesday. Matt MacKay breaks down the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and shares his best bets.
By Matt MacKay • Published
-
20 Things You Didn’t Know About Ian Poulter
Get to know Ryder Cup legend and LIV Golf player Ian Poulter a little better...
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
30 Things You Didn't Know About Scottie Scheffler
Get to know the World No.1 and 2022 Masters champion better...
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
Who Is Tony Finau’s Caddie?
A closer look at the man on the bag for the affable Tony Finau
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
20 Things You Didn’t Know About Tony Finau
Get to know multiple PGA Tour winner Tony Finau a little better...
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
25 Things You Didn't Know About Collin Morikawa
Get to know two-time Major champion Collin Morikawa a little better...
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
20 Things You Didn’t Know About Brooks Koepka
Get to know the four-time Major winner and LIV Golf player a little better...
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
30 Things You Didn’t Know About Rory McIlroy
Take a look at 30 things you may not have known about four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
25 Things You Didn’t Know About Jordan Spieth
Get to know Texas' three-time Major winner Jordan Spieth better...
By Sam Tremlett • Published