Can anyone recommend a good golf training facility? Has anyone tried any of the Leadbetter schools or the PGA Tour academy? What's a reasonable price point for a decent school? Recommended number of days?

I've heard the Harvey Pennik school is very good, down in Austin. They had a two for one deal awhile back where you sign up for the class, and get to bring a friend for free. Waiting for them to repeat the deal and might head down with a playing partner if they do it again.

As for length, I'd think you'd want a 3 day session at least. Maybe Bill has a good idea on this.

Chris,
If $ is not the most important factor, go the a 3 day or 4 day course in Las Vegas with Butch Harmon. He's very good, and as may be expected, spendy.

If not going to a school with Harmon, Ledbetter, Haney or another known to be great teacher. Check with the PGA in your area, find out who is considered the best teaching pro in your section and take a series of lessons from that person.

www.butchharmon.com

You know, if any of you guys would be interested, we could contact a golf academy and see if they would be willing to offer a discounted rate for some contributors of GolfGearReview.com to come down and spend a few days with their instructors. Then, obviously come back and turn your experience into a few feature articles.

If you have any ideas, or if there are academy's close to you, please feel free to suggest. I think this would be a fun exercise.

thoughts?

Hi Bill, right now, money is unfortunately an issue. As you pointed to in the second part of your post, I may look around locally too. I need to get out and play more this year, and I think kicking the season off with a clinic would be a great way to get motivated. A few years ago, I bought a lesson package at a local Muni that really helped me shave about 5 strokes on average going forward. thought it was REALLY worth it.

Hmmmm... which leads me to another idea... a lessons and tips section on the site - not just in the forums, but also in article form...

Chris,
Actually you're right...........However, instead of discount rates, see if they will comp a session for one or a couple of people for advertising and endorsements on the site.

Ok, that's a good idea. We could pitch an "Advertorial" where we give them a nice detailed feature article bundled with a month of a banner ad run or something..

Mike McGetrick acadamy is here in the Denver area. He's one of the top 10 or 20 golf instructors in the country. Would he work for what you have in mind for a group lesson for a few site members?

David Glenz Academy in Northern NJ

Don, I just emailed the McGetrick Academy and asked them to contact us about sending someone over to do a feature article and review.

Amy, looking into David Glenz Academy.

Chris; I just can't resist mentioning that Amy is really Aimee. Not toooo bad, you got 2 letters correct.

Chris, Forget about the last thing I just typed

You are a fine person and should be looked up to at all times for your email to the McGetrick Academy. What a great idea.

How's that? Did you forget the first part of this post yet?

Oops... sorry Aimee...

Is there anyone else in here from Colorado that can go to a free golf academy?

Does this mean you got a positive reply from McGetrick academy?

No reply yet, just planning ahead...

That wasn't very nice. You had my hopes up. I did mention it to two of my playing partners, and they are both interested in going to the academy and should be signing up as new members to the site pretty soon if they haven't done so already.

I think whoever goes to this academy, on a free ride, should donate $500 to GGR. A person always gets so much more out of a learning experience when a monetary consideration is involved.
The money can then be used for a monthly give away. If the person(s) attending the academy write great reviews, they may even win their own donation.

Don, you love it when I come up with these great ideas, huh?

Not really Bill. I'm sitting here wondering why I even like you at the moment. Give me time and I might think of some redeeming quality for you. Just don't rush me on this one.

LOL. Ouch.. Anyway, good luck Don.

I called the McGetrick Academy and talked to a gentlemand that is going to check to see what we can work out for a class to attend and do a feature article on for the site. Will let you all know more when I know more.

Cool, keep us updated...

Weather has been much too cold to be taking lessons for the past 2 weeks. I am still working on setting up an appointment for a lesson and fitness evaluation with Eric Johnson. Turns out McGetrick is associated with the Titleist Prefromance Insiture and I am looking forward to meeting with Dee Tidwell, so is the fitness expect with McGetrick Academy. Will post an update when the weather inproves and I have a meeting with these gentlemen.

Well; I met with Mr. Dee Tidwell, who is the golf fitness expert with McGetrick Golf Academy. He did a one hour fitness test on me this morning. Mostly measureing my range of motion. With this infromation, he will be setting up a workout program for me to follow for the next 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, I need to go back so he can re-do the test and see what kind of changes have been made in my sad body. The session was very interesting and quite complete. I should be getting my personelze workout program with videos in the next 3 to 4 days.
The man is the picture of health and fitness. He truely looks like a guy that just completed an Iron Man competition, and had fun doing it. I have no idea what his body fat percentage is, but I'd be will to bet it a single digit number.

I did that with a TPI instructor in Houston once, Don. I thought it was very good. I liked the program, but a couple of weelks into it is when I injured my shoulder so badly. Still, I would like to go back and do it again, and just tell her to ease up on me some.

The guy I worked with is also TPI certified. I should be getting my workout schedule any day now. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with for an old goat.