Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

What makes a good golf instructor?

A good golf instructor is someone who has the playing skill you’d like to achieve, is qualified to teach golf, and is someone you can get along with. Some experts recommend you only take golf lessons from coaches with active accreditation from reputable associations such as the PGA, LPGA, or similar organizations that focus on continuing education. You’ll be spending hours out on the green with the pro during lessons, so a good rapport, strong communication and the right personality fit are key. A proven track record is also important. Read reviews from their current and former students to make sure they have helped people achieve their golfing goals, and always ask about the instructor’s experience before signing on for lessons. Years of providing lessons can contribute to a deeper understanding of how to teach the sport. Just because your friend or partner is great at golf doesn’t mean they’ll give good golf lessons. Invest in a professional golf instructor who knows how to teach the sport from short game to full swing.

How much are golf lessons?

Golf lessons are a great way to break into the sport or take your golf game to a new level. The national average cost for golf lessons is $50-$60, but prices will vary based on what type of lessons you want. The most expensive golf lessons will be private instruction with top-tier coaches. These are golf instructors who have held high professional ranking and have a good reputation. Regardless of who is teaching, private instruction is always more costly than couples’ lessons or small group lessons (usually up to four people). Teachers often offer a lower price per lesson when you buy a package of several lessons at one time. Here are some examples of average golf lesson costs:

Individual lessons:

Standard pricing for 60-minute private lesson: $60.
60-minute lesson with renowned golf coach: $100.

Couples’ lessons:

Standard pricing for 90-minute duo lesson: $100.
60-minute lesson with renowned golf coach: $125.

Golf lesson package pricing:

Purchase six individual lessons at one time and save $10.
Purchase 10 individual lessons at one time and save $40.
Purchase six couples’ lessons at one time and save $40.
Purchase 10 couples’ lessons at one time and save $200.

What age should you start golf lessons?

Golf lessons for kids can start as early as age four or five. They’re too young for formal training, but you can keep them interested and engaged and give them a feel for the game. U.S. Kids Golf recommends starting formal training for junior golfers at six years old. It’s important for young golfers to swing clubs that are the right length and weight for their body; U.S. Kids Golf provides a fitting guide.

Golf lessons for kids, especially young kids, should be about encouraging success rather than correcting mistakes, according to U.S. Kids Golf. If you want your child to love golf for life, you want their early experiences to be positive. Golf lessons for kids are less expensive than golf lessons for adults. A monthly rate (including four lessons) for group golf lessons for kids may average $100. Semi-private golf lessons for kids may range from $150 to $200 per month. Location and instructor reputation can also affect cost. Often, discounts are provided when multiple months are purchased at one time.

Betty O.

Verified review

We were referred by a friend, my two doughter have been with Dave for over six month now, he is patient and work well with kids. He has very good teaching technique my kids always look forward to see him for golf lessons.

Karen G.

Wonderful golf instructor. Betty explains and demonstrates each different golf technique in a clear and understandable way. I feel every lesson that I have taken has had satisfactory results and improvement thanks to Betty. Betty believes that golf should be a fun and enjoyable game for all levels, and I am certainly having fun learning with Betty. Would highly recommend Betty for anyone who wants to learn and enjoy the game of golf.

MARIO N.

I started my golf lessons with Kati. I developed over 18 months some bad habits with my swing and stance. Bada- bing! My first lesson Kati broke down in simple terms what I needed to change. I seen immediate results in my practice time and on the course. I look forward to the rest of my lessons with her.

Bob E.

I just had my first golf lesson with Ron. I like his approach to analyzing my swing and showing me ways to improve and giving me specific things to work on. I plan to continue with the lessons on a weekly basis. I expect, with Ronâs help, to see my scores go down by several strokes!

Ty I.

I've been playing golf for about 6 years and i've had a couple teachers along the way. Paul has to be one of my favorites. He really knows his stuff and is really in tune with current golf instruction. He can pretty much eye ball the flaws you have and tweak you the right way in a matter of minutes. He also uses video using the V1 app to give you a good visual of what your flaws may be. I personally like Pauls teaching because we are always on the same page and he's super easy to work with. I was having problems with hooking and over drawing the ball and right off the bat he said lets try this ( one piece take-away, keep club head outside the hands, hinge) and voila! a beautiful high tight fade. This was in the first 10 minutes! To top it all off you can't beat his prices. I ended up getting a 6 lesson package to work on all aspects of my game. 3 lessons in and iv'e seen a big improvement in my game. Thanks Paul

Fred V.

Steve is great. Great instructor.. very knowledgeable about golf. Also I had fun. Steve made it fun. I have seen improvements, just after 1 lesson. I highly recommend Southern California golf schools. I can’t wait till my next lesson.

Austen L.

Hi, my name is Austen and I'm a senior in high school and I'm currently on the high school golf team. I'm one of Lee's students and I've been working with him for about five months now. I can surely say that I have seen a significant difference in my golf game, and I've been playing for twelve years! Lee has given me excellent playing tips and lessons and now I'm saving at least 6-10 strokes per round! Lee is an excellent coach all around and I surely recommend working with him!

Pat V.

Have taken golf lessons here at Arroyo Seco from Joe Cano for a couple of years. The place is easy going and feels very personal and private even though it is a public course. Joe is terrific. He is deeply knowledgeable and has an entertaining style in which he uses analogies to make his point about one's swing - this helps a lot in retaining specifics in such a technical sport. Joe incorporates technology by recording your swing using cool mobile apps on his iPad that really let you see the mechanics of what you're doing and the progress you're making. I love this place and there are other instructors who also appear to be doing a great job, but Joe is awesome!

Mike G.

I just had my one year golf anniversary and decided I need to seek some professional help. I took a 2 hour plus lesson not rushed and we had lunch together and talked. We reviewed putting, chipping, pitching for the first half. He would point out areas where I could improve and or make a change to help me find consistency in each category. Then we moved to the driving range and did wedges, irons, woods and driver. A review of stance, routine, posture, aim and how to hit a more consistent shot not heavy or thin. At the end he wanted to give me a little something to help me understand where I can go by showing me how to hit a fade and draw. Now I have a long way to go but I am here to tell you about Robert. He listens and helped me with what I asked for. I got more than a good value for my dollars. He was punctual, friendly, light sense of humor yet understood we were on the clock so we kept it moving. If I had it to do over again I would have done it earlier. Will I use him in the future? Yes Most likely I will work on what I have learned and then do a 30 minute review and 30 minute problem solving on my next lesson in about a month. I gave him 5 stars because he earned it. Not because I plan to see him again or because I am a nice guy.

Danny R.

As a non golfer (played many years ago with no lessons) I wanted to get some help with the basics. Searching all over SD luckily found Ruben via Thumbtack. Very responsive and knowledgeable to all my questions. Ruben advised me on what the instructions were to get started. Very straight forward approach. It has been month of lessons about 1 hour 1/2 and I only have positive results to report. No intimidation as novice I have found. Ruben does not let you slide on what your doing wrong his comments are positive, very useful and he knows how to help you correct your putting to driving to understanding the game of golf. I really look forward to the sessions now and only can say to those that want to improve or a wanna be golfer like myself take his class you will not be disappointed. Kudos Ruben your a great teacher who understands how to keep me interested in wanting to play the game of golf.

About

Instructor: Donald McGhee Course: Mt. Meadows Golf Course Teaching level: Intermediate/advanced only Specialty: Distance, ball striking Rates: $60/hr $200/mo (lesson once a week) - save $40/mo $30/half hr for putting school $200/2hrs or $100/hr "on course" lessons Lesson type: Private Mission statement: "I have experience in long drive competition, local pro events, junior and high school golf. I can give distance to anyone, just don't forget, ball striking begats distance and one can't live without the other."

I have been an accomplished golfer of over 25 years. I play and practice regularly and have a real passion for teaching golf. I am not a certified teacher but having taken numerous lessons and being around the game have given me great insight.

We offer golf lessons for all, whether just learning or advanced. We have been providing professional golf instruction since 1987 to private, semiprivate and group learners. We offer lessons on weekday mornings, afternoons, evenings and Saturdays. See our website for details. We have a 30-minute lesson for $50 or $40 before 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We also have a 1-hour lesson for $75 or $100 with a video analysis of your swing e-mailed to you. (We will e-mail your swing along with side-by-side photos of you and a top professional for comparison.) Gift certificates are available.

Golf and tennis instruction is offered from an experienced player and coach. I teach both golf and tennis for all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced, including on course (golf) playing lessons.

We offer the following services: - Golf course - We are an 18-hole golf course located along the coast in San Clemente. It is a par-72 course that plays about 6,400. It is draped through the canyons of the Shorecliffs community. We are "Where the Best Greens in the County, Meet the Best Climate in the World!" - Golf lessons and instruction - We offer lessons for all types of golfers. Bill Collins is our head professional. We have junior golf camps in the summer that are a huge hit with the kids and adults! - Banquets - We are pleased to have renowned banquet chef John Kelley working for us, and he will make any event one to remember. We offer parties from 20 to 200 people.

I am a professional expert golfer and have over 40 years of experience. It is a sport I take seriously and I know all the rules, regulations and in-and-outs of the sport. I have played in all the courses up and down the state of California, and several outside the state. I learned from my dad, who played professionally all over the world. He was my mentor, who taught me at the age of six, and on my first time out, I out-golfed all of his buddies on the course that day. I'm described as being a natural.

Irvine, CA78 Private Golf Instructors near you

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Betty O.

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MARIO N.

Bob E.

Ty I.

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Fred V.

Austen L.

Pat V.

Mike G.

Danny R.

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What makes a good golf instructor?

How much are golf lessons?

What age should you start golf lessons?