About
I have been in the golf business for over 45 years and have been very successful teaching all levels and abilities - men, women, and juniors.
I have a great eye for detail so I can spot errors in a swing within 2-3 swings. Knowing "cause and effect" means my students don't have to go through lengthy processes of trial and error with complicated theories and verbiage. I keep learning simple and utilize proven drills, teaching aids, and video. Follow me on Instagram to see the variety of students that I teach.
I have held Head Instructor positions throughout the country including Soaring Eagles GC in New York, Ojai Valley Inn, Cathedral Canyon CC in Palm Springs, Costa Mesa GC, La Mirada GC, plus been on Staff for Nike Camps, The School of Golf For Women, Women's Executive Clinics, all driving ranges in Temecula, and 10 years at The Professional Golfers' Career College, a training ground for Professionals. My forte there, in addition to teaching future PGA instructors how to teach and pass their player ability test, was short game.
I have been fortunate to also have a playing background both on the LPGA Tour and Mini-Tour. At Wittenberg College in Ohio, my degree was in Sports Education where I was inducted into their Sports Hall of Honor as the first female athlete.
The best part about teaching is that I get to interact with such a wide variety of people and help them enjoy golf. I’ve had so many students come to me who were ready to quit and I was their last hope. Lots of pressure! But they invariably said they were so happy they had found me and now enjoyed golf.
I keep golf simple and fun. It has to be humorous because we hit a lot of crazy shots, don’t we? I know I have lots of stories to tell about wild shots I’ve hit in front of people, even on the LPGA tour.
I think the most important thing is that I know what my students go through because I’ve already been there myself. I’ve been through the ups and downs of making changes, not trusting my instructor, finding out I didn’t have a good instructor, and actually wondering why I am going three steps back to go one step forward.
This is the best game around. It has everything you want in a sport that you can play for as long as you can walk. ⛳️
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I always start with an interview process first getting to know my student’s background in golf, sports, any health issues that might impact the swing, as well as hobbies. This way I have an idea of how to communicate with that person and relate elements of the golf swing to things they know in other sports . I also like to know what their job is so I can network with other people for them.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have the advantage of having a degree in sports education - kinesiology and physiology. All of my lessons are formatted so I know where we are in the learning process. Because of my own extensive background in sports, and with my education, I strive to find parallels to other sports for my students so they will understand what we are doing.
I also am certified by the LPGA as both a Class A and Lifetime Member. I have had to go through rigorous training as well as being graded on my teaching abilities through actual lesson-giving to attain each Class starting with Apprentice, then B, A, and finally Life.
Most importantly, I have trained with most all the top Instructors who have influenced the top Instructors of today.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I have a variety of packages for my students for long-term improvement and I run periodic specials as an introduction for new students. I have a 6 lesson package for $290 and always 10 for $390. My junior rate is 6 lessons for $190. 1 lesson is $70 - all half hour.
I also do playing lessons where students learn to assess the situation and use the appropriate skill in addition to strategy and course management.
How did you get started teaching?
I have wanted to teach since second grade and have a degree in teaching physical education and health. I actually started my high school golf team and coached it as well as helped my college golf coach with the team. I come from a long line of educators but my dad was in the Golf Business as well as my cousin who owned Cobra Golf until he sold it in the 90s.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with every range of student imaginable. When I first started out I worked with prospective tour players due to my extensive playing professional background but I work with all levels and abilities - men, women, and juniors.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I have so many great experiences with my students. Yet another one of my juniors headed to college on a golf scholarship. I have had numerous juniors attain golf scholarships and I also started the Middle School golf program in Temecula 18 years ago for my daughter so she would be ready for high school golf. I continue to coach for her school – Van Avery Prep. And several adults - men & women- won their respective club championships or their flights. More importantly, so many of my beginners have learned to love the game after they took a few lessons with me because they found it wasn't as hard as they had heard about.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
What are their credentials, do they do this full-time and can make a living from it or are they subsidizing their income in other ways, do they have a facility that they represent and contract with – (if not, it is very unprofessional of them to take students to a course they are not affiliated with), what is their experience with all level of students and gender, pricing (be very leery of low pricing), and their communication skills. I invite all prospective students to watch me teach and speak with me about what I am doing. And go on Instagram and see some of the students that I work with.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Have clear-cut goals in mind that are reasonable and how long you want to take to achieve them. Make sure the instructor can work within that timeframe or let you know that it cannot be done. It’s also a good idea to check your progress after several lessons and see if you are understanding the material and see improvement. If not, perhaps it is time to look elsewhere.