John VanDerLaan

John VanDerLaan is the founder and managing editor of Golf Gear Advisor and the parent company Vanco Digital Inc. With over 15 years of experience in golf equipment testing, SEO-driven content publishing, and outdoor sports media, John brings a practical, player-first perspective to every gear review the site publishes. John tests clubs the way serious golfers use them — across multiple 18-hole rounds under real course conditions, and on professional launch monitors including Trackman and GCQuad. His reviews cover drivers, irons, putters, wedges, training aids, and accessories from every major manufacturer. Beyond the equipment side, John spent over two decades coaching his sons, John Jr. and Michael VanDerLaan, from age two through their careers as elite competitive golfers. Both sons won the NCAA Division II Individual National Championship in successive years (2018 and 2019) — a feat no other sibling pair has achieved. John Jr. is currently a PGA Tour player, and Michael is a golf teaching professional. John is an active member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and is available to the media as a source on golf equipment trends, gear selection for amateur golfers, and youth golf development. Connect with him on Linkedin.