Advantage Golf Schools today released two new golf school programs designed to offer Advantage’s popular one to one instruction programs for as little as $799!

You move at a pace that works best for you without the distraction of other students.   The Foundation program, includes  4 hours of instruction, also one to one, but added benefits of an on course playing lesson and more extensive V-1 Computer Video swing analysis. Foundation programs start at $6799

For more information visit AdvantageGolfSchool.com

Wondering what to give your favorite golfer? The person who has everything?  This holiday season consider a golf school gift certificate for them.  Many schools offer gift certificates that can be for a specific dollar amount or for a certain school program.  Advantage Golf School for example offers two ways to purchase a gift. You can buy a $1000 to 10,000 gift certificate that can be used on any date at any of their locations, this offers great flexibility for the student and makes it easier for you to know they are getting exactly what they want.  The second route is to buy a specific program, i.e. a 3 day school at Las Vegas, or wherever you choose.  This allows you to be more specific and it covers the exact cost of the school. Either method offers you to give the perfect gift to that special golfer!  For more info on Advantage Golf School gift certificates, visit their website at www.advantagegolfschool.com

We recently polled several golf schools about the upcoming golf season.  While not a scientific poll, we feel the golf school vacation market is definitely on the upswing.  Here’s some of the data

1. Advance bookings are up over 20% on average
2. Hotels have been less aggressive in discounts offered to the schools, because they are seeing increased reservations
3. Florida seems to have the largest uptick in reservations, followed by Arizona and Las Vegas
4. Prime winter and fall dates around holidays are filling fastest, with many over 90% occupancy already
5. The corporate group market is still dead, but some company exec’s are taking small groups on their own without company support.

What do these stats mean for the consumer?  Great values still abound, you should just secure your preferred dates as early as possible.  With the increase in business you’ll have more choices from more schools.  

This month we will begin a series of instruction articles by some of the nation’s best PGA instructors.  You’ll be able to post questions for the authors and we hope to open up a informative discussion for students and teachers alike.

Sept 1. Developing a consistent practice program- By John Hughes, Master PGA Professional and 2009 N Florida PGA Teacher of the Year

Sept 15 How to get the most from Video and Computer technology- By John Hughes, Master PGA Professional

We’ll announce the rest of the series and authors September 1.  We look forward to helping you improve your game!

The Advantage Golf School at Kiawah Island offers top PGA and LPGA instruction at a luxury destination that has been ranked as one of the to 3 golf resorts in the world.  With accommodations at the  5 star Sanctuary Hotel and golf on seaside courses, your experience will be a memorable one.  Each day includes 6 Hours of instruction 3 on the practice tee and 3 hours on course with your instructor.  For the non golfers, Sanctuary has a magnificent spa, ocean walks, nature tours, fine dining, as well as full concierge services.  For details call Advantage Golf School at 1-877-239-6609 or visit them on the web at www.advantagegolfschool.com

Golf.com has an interesting article on how they selected the 2008-09 Best Golf Schools in America. 45 total schools listed. We’ll profile some of these schools in upcoming posts. Here’s the GOLF Magazine criteria

A GOLF Magazine Golf School Evaluation Panel was established to review each school’s basic structure and qualifications (per the GOLF Magazine School Evaluation questionnaire).
The Panel developed a criteria model against which each school was compared. The defining criteria included:

1. Breadth of Programs
Game-specific programs such as short-game-only schools and physical conditioning programs were not considered. The Top 25 Golf Schools in America list is limited to full-game, tee-to-green skill-improvement curriculum.

2. Student-to-Teacher Ratio
The smaller, the better, although the panel did not necessarily consider a 1:1 ratio to be the ideal in a golf-school setting.

3. Technology
The Panel favored those schools that applied advanced technologies (video analysis, 3-D modeling and even platform analyses) into their lesson plans.

4. Instruction Hours
The more the better. Schools that spent more time on the practice tee were favored over those that split time between practice and play. However, schools that included intense playing lessons were favored over those that simply included play after practice.

5. Facilities/Accommodations
The cost of going to golf school isn’t anything to sneeze at. The Panel awarded schools with “non-practice” amenities, and those that offered state-of-the-art practice facilities with the complete range of full-swing, short-game and putting practice areas.

6. Level of Experience
Staffs led by knowledgeable and experienced staff were favored over those that employ an even partial percentage of non-PGA teaching professionals.