I am a high handicap golfer (HC 23)and plan on attending a golf school. I have narrowed it down to David Leadbetter's Champion Gates in Florida, or the school at Pinehurst, NC, which is directed by Eric Alpenfels. Both schools are on Golf Magazine's Top 25 Schools for 2009. Does anyone have direct knowledge of either of these schools, or can someone refer me to a site with reviews of the schools. Thank you.

I am anxious to hear how you like it, that is something I've always wanted to do. The one thing I've heard is be prepared for sore muscles and blisters from swinging a lot!

Welcome DSM. Glad you found the site.

So I don't know about either but I think either will be helpful. You may want to call each and talk to an instructor there and get an idea of their philosophy on golf instruction, how they teach, and how the lessons are setup and MOST IMPORTANTLY the ratio of students to teachers. Then see if something there strikes a chord with you and how you want to take the lessons.

I'm sure there are some review sites out there, but if these options are in the Top 25 they both are likely get good reviews. I'd talk to them and see if you connect more with one than the other.

but let us know (Chris, is there a way to post a review of a golf clinic?) how it goes and maybe give a synopsis of your lessons, key swing thoughts, tips, etc. Could be valuable to readers.

I went to a Dave Pelz short game clinic and ehhh, it didn't mesh with my style of short game. It was very technical and data driven, which is ok, but I'm more of a feel player when it comes to putting and chipping. The principles his concepts taught were sound, but just not for me. But even so I did find some take-a-ways that were useful (getting my putter fitted to my swing, learning the distance I hit my wedges with 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and full swings, etc).

So good luck

I don't know how these schools are, I took a three hour block at Jim McLean's Golf School at Doral. A Patricia Gonzalez (former LPGA European tour player) gave me the lessons. They included video analysis, still pictures, discussions about set up and swing practices. In the end I changed sverything, and I thougt I was good before. Yes, it took me months to get through my head everything she taught me, I only have to revert back to her notes and the pictures she printed out for me.

Now I am not afraid to hit my driver, pull my fairway wood out when I am close to water, or hit a 5 iron down a narrow fairway. I'd also suggest what Scott said, talk with them and see what they say, like a fine wine, you can only get better with time.