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

Top Golf Schools in America

1. Golf Digest Schools - The original golf school, founded by the editors of Golf Digest over 40 years ago, with over 80,000 students.  This school started the careers for most of golf’s top instructors, including, Bob Toski, Davis Love Jr, Jim Flick, Jack Lumpkin and many more.  Recently relaunched after a two year retooling and new management, the school offers the finest in golf instruction at America’s finest golf resorts.                                                                                                                                      Click here to visit website www.golfdigestschool.com
2. Butch Harmon School of Golf – Butch Harmon is probably today’s most recognized instructor. Having worked with Tiger as well as over 100 tour players. His family included his father, renowned instructor and player Claude Harmon and brothers Craig, Bill, and Dick, each also a successful instructor. The school, located in Las Vegas, features a private teaching facility and while Butch’s schedule stays full, his staff is on hand for one to three day programs.                                                            Click here to visit website www.butchharmongolfschool.com
3. Advantage Golf Schools – Recognized by GOLF Magazine as one of America’s Best Golf Schools. Advantage Golf Schools pioneered the one to one instruction concept.  You learn at your own pace with veteran PGA and LPGA instructors.  Latest computer swing analysis and heavy emphasis on on-course instruction.   Click here to visit website www.advantagegolfschool.com
4. David Leadbetter Academy – With a focus towards developing junior golfers. The Ledbetter academy is probably more suited for aspiring junior golfers than adult golfers seeking a golf school vacation.  You’ll work with Ledbetter certified instructors using proven methods for game improvement.                                                Click here to visit website www.leadbetter.com
5. Golf Dynamics – Top instructor Bill Moretti and his veteran team are a perennial GOLF Magazine top 25 school. Located in Lakeaway Texas and a summer location in Colorado Springs.  The focus is on instruction geared to the individual student, not a generic method.                                                                                                          Click here to visit website www.golfdynamics.com
6. Grand Cypress Academy of Golf - Director of Golf Fred Griffin, a Golf Digest top 50 instructor, helms a team of top teachers, in fact the entire instruction staff made the Golf Digest top teachers in Florida list.  One of the best practice facilities in the game combined with luxury accommodations course side.                                    Click here to visit website www.grandcypress.com
7. Jim Mclean Golf Schools – Mentor to hundreds of tour players and up and coming juniors. Mclean has locations around the country offering instruction from his certified teachers.  Click here to visit website www.jimmclean.com
8. Hank Haney Golf Schools – Locations around the country, with instructor to the pros Hank Haney.  Appears most instruction is from certified instructors who pay a fee to receive certification after several years of education with HHGS staff.  Click here to visit website www.hankhaney.com
9. Balance Point Golf Schools – Incorporating scientific methods into a easier to understand holistic approach seems to be the goal of Jim Waldron and staff.  Multiple time GOLF Magazine top teacher and top 25 school, with raves from many past students. Click here to visit website www.balanacepointgolf.com
10. Pinehurst Golf Academy – Under the direction of Top 100 instructor Eric Alpenfels, the Pinehurst Golf Academy blends the latest in technology with the tradition and history of legendary Pinehurst Golf Resort.  Click here to visit website www.pinehurst.com

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.  

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!

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.