Back to School

by Katharine Dawson

You’ve gotta love this time of year. Golf leagues are gearing up, fairways are greening up, and finally, you get to pull the plastic off that new driver you got for Christmas. You are stoked.

If you want to take some strokes off your game and knock your handicap down a few notches, why not jump-start your game by investing in a golf school. If you are new to the game, then a golf school is a great way to go.

New England is home to a number of good schools offering everything from daily clinics to multi-day golf schools with low student-to-teacher ratio and teaching aids like video swing analysis. 

If you have ever wondered why Michelle Wie or Bubba Watson can hit the ball a ton and you can’t, just wait until you see your body in motion superimposed on the video next to theirs. You may think, “Hey, my swing’s pretty good”  Then when you really take a hard look at reality, you may see you aren’t quite as buttery smooth as you thought. Golf school can help.

Here are some suggestions with programs for all levels of golfers… Experienced golfers will learn where and how they can build on their strengths to improve their game. New golfers will learn grip, stance, alignment, ball position, swing fundamentals and the all-important etiquette of the game.

 

Nantucket Golf Academy, Nantucket, Massachusetts

The Golf Academy at Miacomet Golf Course priced from $1,300 for two includes a two-night stay at the historic White Elephanat, breakfasts, morning instruction, lunch and 18 holes of golf, nine with on-course instruction, nine on your own..  You also get a Digital Video Swing Analysis DVD of your swing, spa and dinner credits, transportation to and from the course and a gift bag of fun goodies including a Miacomet golf shirt and hat.

This package is offered Sunday to Tuesday on selected dates. 954-817-3636; Nantucketgolfacademy.com

 

Vermont Golf Academy, Stowe, Vermont

The Vermont Golf Academy and the classic Stowe Golf Course, the oldest of the mountain courses and a very hilly classic resort track, is located in northern Vermont, an area packed with resorts, ski lodges, restaurants and shops. With 360 degree views of the mountains, the scenery doesn’t get much better.

Facilities at the Vermont Golf Academy include a huge driving range, covered hitting area, a short game skills area, putting greens and even some unique terrain designed to allow you to practice hours to deal with troubled lies. A two-day program is from $350 giving you eight hours of instruction (9 am to 1 pm both days) as well as a round of golf.

You’ll get a video analysis as well as an assessment on how your clubs fit you. The student to teacher ration is four to one. 

If you stay at the new Stowe Mountain Lodge, you get to play the Stowe Mountain Golf Club Course by Bob Cupp, a highly rated track which takes full advantage of a spectacular mountain setting. There are also several condo-style rentals in the area. 888-478-6938; 800-253-4754; stowe.com; summer.stowe.com/golf/vt_golf_academy/

 

Stratton Golf School, Stratton, Vermont

Set in southern Vermont, Stratton’s Golf School, has an extensive golf instruction program along with three very playable nines which wind through forest and lakes with expansive views of the Green Mountains.

Founded in 1969 by Arnold Palmer, this 22-acre golf facility, offers half-, one-, two- and three-day  adult, schools along with ladies-only and junior programs. Facilities include classrooms, weather-proof hitting areas, video technology, and most important of all, excellent teaching professionals. There’s even a place to practice going over water and after your instruction, you can get practical experience on the Player’s School Course. 

There are several different programs including the “Play with a Pro Golf” where you typically work with the pro in the morning than play with him (or her) in the afternoon focusing on course management.

Family  Golf Programs and Junior Golf Camps (five days/$289); 5-day junior golf/tennis camp and U.S. Kids Golf Program incorporating fun games and competition into the golf instruction, are also offered.

A three-day Ladies Program taught by women pros, features a 4:1 student teacher ratio and includes on-course instruction along with video analysis and club fitting. After golf enjoy the Stratton Sports Center’s pool, hot tub and workout facilities. $599.

Stratton’s mountain lodging properties provide a range of accommodations including condos which appeal to small groups.   800-STRATTON; Stratton.com 

 

Cranwell Resort Spa & Golf Club, Lenox, MA

A grand brick mansion (circa 1884) set on the crest of a hills surrounded by the Berkshire Mountains is the centerpiece of the Cranwell Resort Spa & Golf Club while a fine parkland-style course designed by Wayne Styles and John Van Kleek in 1926 and a golf school enhance the stay of golf-oriented guests. 

At the heart of Cranwell’s 60-acre instructional complex is the 10,000 square-foot indoor learning center, the largest in the Northeast with an indoor hitting barn, video review studios, filming areas, classroom, putting green, covered hitting stations and an outdoor deck. Weekly clinics and golf instruction includes video analysis. There is also a super spa offering golf-oriented massages.. 800-272-6935; Cranwell.com

 

Lake of Isles, Stonington, CT

Lake of Isles two  Rees Jones-designed courses, North and South, are owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and managed by Troon Golf. Located adjacent to Foxwoods Resort Casino, the two courses wind their way through 900 acres of wooded Connecticut countryside and around a 90-acre lake. South is private, while North is a stunning amenity for Foxwoods resort guests and others. Amenities include a 50,000 sq. ft. clubhouse and a state of the art indoor and outdoor practice facility.  

Private and group instruction including full day mini schools and multi-day programs are offered at the Hank Haney Golf Academy. Golf schools include instruction, course play, meals and accommodations at Foxwoods. Ladies-Only golf weekends are led by women pros Sue Card senior instructor at Lake of Isles and Dawn Mercer, director of instruction at Innisbrook Resort, Florida.

Teaching studios are equipped with Golf Biodynamice 3D swing analysis, and there are four covered bays, 60,000 square feet of teeing space, putting, chipping and bunker practice areas.888.475.3746 or visit lakeofisles.com.

 

Mount Snow Golf Course & Original Golf School, West Dover, Vermont

Doveberry Inn along with the Hilly Mount Snow Golf Club in southern Vermont, have collaborated to bring you golf instruction at the Original Golf School under Jay Morelli’s supervision.  Two- day packages include accommodations and breakfasts at the Doveberry Inn and instruction starting at $615 while three-day packages include three nights lodging and two days of golf school, plus 18 holes of golf with cart, starting at $715. 800-240-2555; mountsnow.com; doveberryinn.com

 

Guaranteed Performance School of Golf, Bethel Inn, Maine

The “Guaranteed Performance^™ School of Golf at Bethel Inn’s  scenic mountain golf course (circa 1913), offers an all-inclusive golf school program incorporating serious instruction into a fun vacation. You get five  hours of personalized on-course instruction daily, a three-to-one student/teacher ration, digital video analysis, three meals, accommodations in the charming Bethal Inn, cocktail reception, unlimited golf with cart and use of range, and all taxes and resort facilities. Plus you get a promise your game will improve. How good is that!

Two-, three- and four-day schools are available along with commuter packages. 800-654-0125; Bethelinn.com

 

Stowe Acres Country Club, Stowe, Massachusetts

The golf school at Stow Acres Country Club just 25 miles west of Boston with two 18-holes courses North and South, covers every phase of the golf game along with on-course instruction. One, two, three, senior, ladies, short game, parent-child and graduate schools are available. For example the three-day school priced from $475 gives you 15 hours of instruction, 27 holes of golf, club fitting, video analysis, special gifts and continental breakfast and buffet lunches. 

To keep the mojo going after school is over, you are given a regimen of warm-up procedures, practice techniques, and swing drills for continued self-improvement. The maximum student to teacher ratio is 5 to 1. 978-568-1100 x 108 or email golfschool@stowacres.com.

 

Heading South? 

The following schools have excellent teaching facilities and programs. Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club north of Tampa, Florida (innisbrookgolfresort.com); Jim Suttie School, Twin Eagles, Naples, Florida (jimsuttie,com);  The Anne Cain Golf School at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida (annecaingolf.com) and the Dana Rader Golf School on the grounds of Ballantyne Resort, Charlotte, North Carolina. (danaradar.com) 

For a short game fix, check out the Dave Pelz Short game Schools offered in several locations throughout the country.  (pelzgolf.com)

 

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1. A Look Back at Q-School 2009
2. Jimmy Fund / Deering High School Classic
3. MGA Links at Mamantapett & The First Tee of Massachusetts Open Their Doors to the Perkins School for the Blind
4. A New England Foursome at PGA Tour Q-School Finals
5. School Is Out, Rob Oppenheim Is In!