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Do you want to lower your Handicap? Or maybe you’re dreaming of playing more golf in a warmer climate during a Dallas winter. You could consider going to a golf school to hone your skills in a collegial environment with certified golf instructors, as did three Dallas LPGA Amateurs members this past February. Dani Connell, Debbie Schroder, and Jane Plato headed to the Golf Academy at the Plantation on Crystal River Resort in Crystal River, Florida for four days of intense instruction.
This was Dani’s second year at this same Golf Academy. Originally, her mother gave her this gift through the well-recognized Road Scholar program. Dani returned to Dallas last year with a renewed passion for the game, and the instruction she received and her much improved scores tempted the other two to join her this year.
At this school, every day began with three hours of instruction in the morning, rotating through one or two of the four stations: range, chipping area, putting green, and bunkers. After lunch, there was an additional hour of playing on the course with the instructor. There was free time from 2:00 until dinner. After a group dinner there was a lecture on topics including golf etiquette, course management or golf rules.
Although labeled a “resort”, this was definitely not a Ritz Carlton. Dani described the accommodations as very “Dirty Dancing”; a bit of a dated look. And although breakfast was limited, the food at lunch and dinner was very good with several menu choices.
When questioned about the level of instruction, Jane commented that she thought it was very thorough and she received a lot of personal attention. Dani and Debbie both felt that they got some great putting tips. Debbie said she was surprised at how well she gained control of the speed on her putts solely by following her instructor’s advice. Dani said the instructor was “extremely knowledgeable about the mechanics of a golf swing”. She came home with a video of her swing with many suggestions for improvement that she will work on, a few at a time.
There are hundreds of options in golf schools throughout the country. Your choice may be influenced by the number of hours of instruction, the ratio of golfers per instructor (this school was 4:1), the accommodations and level of food service, or the quality of the practice facilities. Debbie found that one of the best benefits was meeting the other golfers and exchanging information about great golf courses all over the country. Everyone came home with a Golf Course Bucket List!
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