August 11 2003
Schools are listed alphabetically. NEW indicates the school is new to our list.
Academy of Golf Dynamics
Colorado Springs, Colo.; Austin, Texas
800-879-2008
www.golfdynamics.com
Established: 1982
Max. student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Curriculum: Determining how each student learns best and combining that with the pupil's goals, skill level, and temperament to construct a personalized instruction program
Facility: Jack Nicklaus-designed practice facility includes three full-length practice holes
Price: 3 days: $850-$995
Aviara Golf Academy
Carlsbad, Calif.
800-433-7468
www.ezgolfswing.com
Established: 1991
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: Understanding the common denominators that create an effective swing, with emphasis on alignment and preshot routine. Focus is on consistency
Facility: 10,000-square-foot range, three customized hitting bays, short-game practice area, and multiple putting greens
Price: 1 day: $350-$495; 2 days: $995-$1,495; 3 days: $1,395
Balance Point Golf Schools
Palm Springs, Calif.; Kauai and Honolulu, Hawaii; .Chicago; Portland and Bandon Dunes, Ore.; Seattle
800-898-4563
www.balancepointgolf.com
Established: 1995
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: Total immersion means mental and physical training in one aspect of the game: full swing, short game, or putting
Facility: Private range with short-game area, putting green, and classroom
Price: Half-day: $95-130; 1 day: $225-$345; 2 days: $525-$875; 3 days: $775-$1,275; 8 days: 3,950-$4,700
Butch Harmon School of Golf
Henderson, Nev.
888-867-3226
www.butchharmongolfschools.com
Established: 1997
Max. student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Curriculum: Plenty of individual attention. Students may follow up with instructors online after leaving the school
Facility: Private range includes a short-game hole, a putting green, and three hitting bays located indoors with multiple video cameras
Price: 1 day: $2,500; 3 days: $2,800-$4,800
Classic Swing Golf School
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
800-827-2656
www.classicswing.com
Established: 1992
Max. student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Curriculum: Explaining why, not just how, so students can learn to correct their mistakes on their own after returning home
Facility: Private range with short-game area and putting green. Indoor/outdoor learning center with video system
Price: 3 half-days: $369-$519; 3 days: $549-$1,159
Craft-Zavichas Golf School
Carlsbad and Fallbrook, Calif.; Pueblo, Colo.; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Minneapolis; Reno, Nev.
800-858-9633
www.czgolfschool.com
Established: 1968
Max. student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Curriculum: Non-threatening learning environment, featuring many women-only schools. Instruction divided between full swing and short game
Facility: Private learning areas at all sites include short-game areas and a classroom
Price: (commuter rates): 3 days: $895-$1,085; 4 days: $1,395
Dana Rader Golf School NEW
Charlotte, N.C.
704-542-7635
www.danarader.com
Established: 1995
Max. student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Curriculum: Instructors take learning styles and physical limitations into consideration when creating personal improvement programs
Facility: Three practice greens, training room with video analysis, and covered hitting bays
Price: Half-day: $200-$350; .1 day: $350; 2 days: $350-$1,087; 3 days: $695-$1,775; 5 days: $995-$2,500
Dave Pelz Scoring Game Schools
La Quinta, Calif.; Vail, Colo.; Boca Raton, Fla.; Greensboro, Ga. One-day clinics in 45 .U.S. cities
800-833-7370
www.pelzgolf.com
Established: 1985
Max. student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Curriculum: Approximately 75 percent of all shots are played within 100 yards of the hole, and these shots are the complete focus of all Pelz schools. Unique training aids are prevalent
Facility: Vail has a 10-hole short-game course designed by Pelz. Boca Raton, La Quinta, and Greensboro have short-game complexes built to Pelz's specifications
Price: 1 day: $350-$375; 3 days: $2,300-$3,500
David Leadbetter Golf Academy
Champions Gate, Fla.
888-633-5323
www.davidleadbetter.com
Established: 1985
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: Swing mechanics, mental and physical conditioning, practice techniques, course management, and advice for tournament preparation
Facility: Six-and-a-half-acre facility with practice tee, indoor hitting bays, short-game areas, video rooms, and club-fitting facility
Price: Half-day: $295; 3 days: $875-$3,000
Dr. David Wright's Mind Under Par Golf School
Fallbrook, Indio, Newport Coast, and Rancho Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
888-620-4653
www.mindunderpar.com
Established: 1992
Max. student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Curriculum: Emphasizes the setup, since every golfer's anatomy is unique. Highlights the relationship between setup and target line
Facility: Tent-covered hitting area with video, full driving range, two large putting greens, and practice bunkers
Price: Half-day: $295; 1 day: $495- $695; 2 days: $995-$1395; 3 days: $1,365-$1,895
ESPN 3-Day Resort School NEW
Scottsdale, Ariz.; Boca Raton, Fla.; Las Vegas
800-642-5528
www.espngolfschools.com
Established: 2003
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4.5:1
Curriculum: Instruction program based on the anti-tension philosophy of Hall of Fame teacher Jim Flick, a GOLF MAGAZINE Top 100 Teacher. Includes personalized instruction, fitness, and nutrition
Facility: All facilities have private hitting areas and extensive short-game facilities
Price: 3 days: $1,995-$3,695
Extraordinary Golf
Carmel and Palm Springs, Calif. Regional sites throughout the year
800-541-2444
www.extraordinarygolf.com
Established: 1990
Max. student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Curriculum: Awaken student's awareness and create an environment that stresses the wonder of learning and self-coaching
Facility: Private range, short-game area, putting green, classroom, and video
Price: 3 days: $1,350-$1,470
Golf Advantage School
Pinehurst, N.C.; Austin, Texas; Hot Springs, Va.
866-291-4427
www.pinehurstcompanygolfinstitute.com
Established: 1981
Max. student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Curriculum: Stress solid fundamentals through closely monitored drills. Videotaped evaluations at beginning and end of the session
Facility: Private range, short-game areas, and classroom with video system
Price: 3 days: $1,260-$2,240; 4 days: $1,600-$2,820
Grand Cypress Academy of Golf
Orlando, Fla.
800-835-7377
www.grandcypress.com/academy
Established: 1986
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: Full-swing analysis using Compusport ModelGolf computer provides feedback adjusted to the student
Facility: Twenty-one-acre Jack Nicklaus-designed academy with three practice holes, indoor classroom, and video/computer training system
Price: 2 days: $1,025-$1,980; 3 days: $1,240-$3,585
Jim McLean Golf School
La Quinta and San Diego, Calif.; Miami and Weston, Fla.
800-723-6725
www.jimmclean.com
Established: 1991
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: McLean's "25 Percent" theory splits instruction equally among full swing, short game, mental game, and strategy
Facility: Each site has a private range and video areas with multiple-angle cameras
Price: 1 day: $540-$850; 2 days: $959-$3,150; 3 days: $1,520-$5,120; 4 days: $1,990-$3,150; 6 days: $5,495-$6,635
John Jacobs' Golf Schools
40 sites in the U.S., Canada, and China
800-472-5007
www.jacobsgolf.com
Established: 1971
Max. student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Curriculum: Teachers fix swings by first analyzing ball flight. Founder Jacobs's "Ball Flight Laws" are the basis for fault diagnosis and correction
Facility: Each site has a full range and short-game area, plus a video-analysis system
Price: 2 days: $295-$795; 3 days: $395-$1,395; 4 days: $695-$1,825; 5 days: $645-$1,945
Kapalua Golf Academy NEW
Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii
808-669-6500
www.kapaluagolfacademy.com
Established: 1999
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: Personalized instruction is key to developing the four basic shots: putt, chip, pitch, and full swing
Facility: 30-person range, 3,500-square-foot learning center, indoor/outdoor video, and 18-hole, par-54 putting course
Price: Half-day: $285; 2 days: $695; 3 days: $895
Martin Green Golf Academy NEW
Panama City Beach, Fla.
800-814-7824
www.mgga.net
Established: 1998
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: Personalized drill-based instruction speeds the transfer of skills from the practice tee to the course
Facility: Grass range under moveable shelters, multiple practice greens and bunkers, short-game area, and learning center
Price: Half-day: $345-$475; 1 day: $475-$675; 2 days: $675-$875; 3 days: $1,175-$2,250; 4 days: $2,250-$2,575; 5 days: $2,575-$3,250
McGetrick Golf Academy
Engelwood, Colo.
800-494-1818
www.mcgetrickgolf.com
Established: 1993
Max. student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Curriculum: Full-swing analysis plus emphasis on course management, practice, and mental keys for lowering scores. Playing lessons included
Facility: Video/computer system coupled with a short-game area and three full-length practice holes
Price: 1 day: $400-$500; 2 days: $700-$900; 3 half-days: $700-$900 (commuter rates)
Natural Golf Schools
More than 150 sites in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
888-628-4653
www.naturalgolf.com
Established: 1991
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: The unique "natural swing" -- with significant deviations from traditional grip, setup, and technique -- is designed to reduce back stress and improve accuracy and consistency
Facility: Some one-day schools are held at ranges; most at courses
Price: Half-day: $199-$249; 1 day: $299-$449; 2 days: $599-$799; 4 days: $1,199-$1,499
Phil Ritson-Mel Sole Golf School
Atlanta, Ga.; Malinalco, Mexico; Wilmington, N.C.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Pawleys Island, S.C.
800-624-4653
www.ritson-sole.com
Established: 1989
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: Training the big muscles to create power and eliminate moving parts that cause inconsistency. Tuition includes a video follow-up lesson after school completion
Facility: All sites include a private range with extensive short-game areas and computerized video analysis
Price: Half-day: $175-$250; 2 days: $300-$747; 3 days: $395-$1,024
Pine Needles Learning Center and Golfaris
Southern Pines, N.C.
800-747-7272
www.pineneedles-midpines.com
Established: 1969
Max. student-teacher ratio: 3:1 for Learning Centers; 5:1 for Golfaris
Curriculum: Peggy Kirk Bell and her staff of award-winning instructors focus on the fundamentals. A wide variety of programs for golfers of all levels. Golfaris, specifically designed for women, is an expedition to Pine Needles for golfers interested in improving their game while having fun.
Facility: Private range with covered hitting areas, extensive video, and complete short-game areas
Price: Complete 5-day packages begin at $1,095 per person.
Resort Golf Schools
Scottsdale, Ariz.; Palm Springs and Monterey, Calif.; St. Augus- tine, Port St. Lucie, and Miami, Fla.; Las Vegas
888-389-1222
www.resortgolf.com
Established: 1998
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: All aspects of the game, with emphasis on full-swing mechanics. Follow-up video lesson included
Facility: Each site has a comprehensive video system plus a large range and short-game areas
Price: 2 days: $385-$535; 3 days: $571-$805; 4 days: $941-$1,121; 5 days: $986-$1,255
Todd Sones Impact Golf School NEW
Vernon Hills, Ill.
847-549-8678
www.toddsones.com
Established: 1998
Max. student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Curriculum: Build on each student's strengths and create an understanding of the process needed to improve
Facility: Part of the 18-hole White Deer Run Golf Club, with a driving range, two short-game areas, heated and covered bays, and two video stations
Price: Half-day: $265-$335; 1 day: $495
Tradition Golf School NEW
Pawleys Island, S.C.
800-397-2678
www.traditiongolfschool.com
Established: 1989
Max. student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Curriculum: "Golf From the Ground Up" system moves from putting to the full swing. Starting with short game builds the foundation for a repeatable swing
Facility: Range with 18 target greens, four practice bunkers, three pitching greens, putting/chipping green, a classroom, four video units, and club and putter fitting
Price: 2 days: $299-$359; 3 days: $399-$459; 5 days: $599-$659
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