Many of the best golf instructors in America are in Arizona! Some of the best resorts are in Arizona! Come, stay, and learn from the best!
According to Golf Digest, November 2011, the following are the best golf instructors in the state of Arizona (as ranked by their peers):
Some of these instructors work at the finest golf resorts in Arizona (see http://www.azgolfpass.com/), so wouldn’t it be great to book your vacation at a top resort and get instruction from one of the best? It’s hard to imagine a better vacation. Of course, many of these instructors are at golf clubs or academies very near the resorts.
Let’s concentrate on the top five instructors and see who they are:
#1 Stan Utley
Golf Instructor and Short Game GuruFor Stan's rates and availability, please contact John Utley at 573.489.2268 or visit Stan online at www.stanutleygolf.com
Holds the record for fewest putts per nine holes on the PGA Tour (6)
Stan Utley turned professional in 1984; and during his career, amassed quite a list of accomplishments on the PGA, Buy.com, and Nike Tours. His professional victories include PGA Tour 1989 Chattanooga Classic; Buy.Com and Nike Tours 1995 Miami Valley Open; 1995 Louisiana Open; and 1993 Cleveland Open.
Known as the “short-game guru,” Utley is directly responsible for the improved putting strokes of numerous PGA Tour players, including Sergio Garcia, Dudley Hart, Kevin Streelman, Jay Haas, Peter Jacobson, Jeff Sluman, and Craig Stadler. In fact, Golf Digest labeled him as “Golf’s latest superstar guru,” and Sports Illustrated named him as "the hottest instructor in golf."
#2 Pia Nillson & #5 Lynn Marriot
Talking Stick Golf Club9998 East Indian BendScottsdale, Arizona 85256P: 480.860.2221
Times Unless otherwise noted, programs begin at 9:00 am on day one, and end at 5:00 pm on the last day. Fee $1495, includes training, program materials and lunches. If you attend both programs in a single visit, cost is $2,495. Lynn and Pia wil llead each day of training. Payment Schedule50% deposit at time of registration, balance due within 14 days of the program. If signing up within 14 days of the program, entire fee is due. 4% processing fee applied on cancellations when fee is paid by credit card (the fee applies to both the initial charge and refund processing). For cancellation within 14 days of a program, a non-refundable 25% of the program fee will apply. Within 7 days, cancellation fee is 50% of the program fee. If we find a replacement participant, only the 4% processing fee will be charged.
Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson, co-creators of the VISION54 approach, are both internationally renowned experts on the mechanics of the golf swing. However, what makes Marriott and Nilsson stand apart as unique coaches is their inherent VISION54 belief that the technical side of the game is just one of six essential elements that must be integrated to allow for peak performance. This is what elevates them from good to great – this is what defines them as Complete Game Coaches.The belief that the physical, technical, mental, emotional, social and spirit of the game elements of golf must come together in balance is at the very heart of the VISION54 coaching focus that has profoundly changed the game for so many players.Marriott and Nilsson are both featured among the top-50 lists for Golf Digest magazines’ best teachers, and are listed in GOLFMagazine’s Top 100 Teachers. Golf Digest ranked them in 2010 as the #1 and #2 women teachers in America. In 2005, GOLF Magazine named VISION54’s flagship program, 54 GOLF, the number one golf school in the U.S. They also have co-authored a number of books, including the best-selling Every Shot Must Have A Purpose, The Game Before the Game and Play Your Best Golf Now. Their coaching articles have been frequently featured in the major golf publications, and they have enjoyed numerous appearances on The Golf Channel.
#3 Peter Kostis
Peter Kostis, television golf commentator for CBS Sports and USA Network, is also one of the game's most respected teachers. Peter has worked as USA Network's top golf analyst since 1990. He has worked for CBS Sports since 1994. Peter has been a member of Golf Digest's Professional Panel for 22 years and was head instructor of the magazine's instructional school's from 1978 - 1987.
Peter is recognized worldwide for his teaching abilities. He has taught and played golf in more than 28 countries, and has instructed more than 125 PGA, LPGA, and SENIOR PGA Tour pros, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Kite, Mark Calcavecchia, Davis Love III, Bernhard Langer, and Jumbo Ozaki. Peter has also taught well-known celebrities such as: Kevin Costner, Maury Povich, Dan Marino, and former baseball notables Jim Rich and Mike Schmidt. Peter Kostis has been a member of Golf Digest's teaching staff for more than 20 years.
Peter serves as director of the Kostis/McCord Learning Center at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
To schedule a lesson at the Grayhawk Learning Center, or to learn more about the many instructional programs ranging from personal lessons to corporate clinics, call Chad Berdiner at 480.502.2656 or email kmlc@grayhawkgolf.com
#4 Mike Malaska
A mastery of the golf swing, and the philosophy of incorporating physical fitness and nutrition into his teaching, has made Mike Malaska one of the world’s most sought after instructors. Mike is number 28 on Golf Digest's America's 50 Greatest Teachers and is one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in America. As a frequent guest on The Golf Channel and a Contributing Instructor at Golf Magazine, Mike enjoys celebrity shared by few instructors. He has qualified for numerous PGA Tour events including the 1982 and 1986 U.S. Opens and the 1988 PGA Championship. Currently, he is the Worldwide Director of Instruction for Nicklaus Academies and is charged with training all of the Nicklaus instructors from around the globe.
Private lessons are two-fold; mechanics and management or the actual playing of the game. The mechanics of the golf swing are essential to an effective and enjoyable game, although the real “basics” of the mechanics are what I focus on. Individual lessons begin with a personalized evaluation of the student’s physical abilities and how they relate to the golf swing, as well as the goals of the student. Individual customized programs are set up according to the level of commitment and anticipated time that each student will dedicate. Private lessons cover all aspects of the game and include video analysis of the student’s swing to evaluate and a take-home practice routine.To schedule lessons, call: (480) 393-3936 Individual Lesson 1 hour………………………….$200.00 Couple Lesson 1 hour…………………………….$300.00 Junior Lesson (ages 12-18) 1 hour……................$150.00 Junior Lesson (ages 8-11) 45 minutes………......$100.00 Child Lesson (ages 2-7) 30 minutes …………….$50.00On-Course Playing Lesson 2 hours………….9 holes………………..$200.00 per hour/per person (Green fees and cart fees are included) 4 hours………….18 holes………………$200.00 per hour/per person (Green fees and cart fees are included)So there you are! Contact any of these professionals before booking your vacation, and get the best golf instruction possible in Arizona.
